You are here

Quality and Leadership in the Early Years
Share

Quality and Leadership in the Early Years
Research, Theory and Practice

First Edition


February 2016 | 168 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Do you need good leaders to achieve good quality or does good quality create good leadership?

Quality is a term frequently used to describe early years provision without any further explanation of exactly what this 'quality provision' looks like or how it can be achieved.

This book not only unpicks what is meant by the term 'quality' in England, across the UK, and beyond, but it does so in the context of how to lead in order to develop and achieve quality.  In exploring quality and leadership and the ways in which both terms have been conceptualised from a range of different perspectives you will be able to find a meaning that is right for you and your practice. 

With chapters covering:

·         The global interest in quality

·         The broad nature of early childhood leadership

·         Reflective evaluation and practice

This book will be of interest to setting and room leaders across the early years as well as students studying early childhood or in early years teacher training.

 
Introduction
 
SECTION 1: QUALITY
 
Chapter 1: Why an Interest in Quality
 
Chapter 2: What is Quality? Exploring the Evidence Base
 
SECTION 2: LEADERSHIP
 
Chapter 3: Tracing the Development of Early Years Leadership
 
Chapter 4: Early Years Leaders - All Things to All People
 
SECTION 3: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
 
Chapter 5: Visions of Quality
 
Chapter 6: Reflecting on Leading Quality Early Years Services

This exciting book brings a new dimension to the study of leading quality services in the mixed economy of early years.  It addresses how post-structuralism supports understanding of quality leadership, especially where there are external accountability structures.  The reader is supported in deconstructing what is meant by quality, who defines it and enabled to consider alternative perspectives.

Dr Eunice Lumsden
Head of Early Years, The University of Northampton

This book puts leadership in the context of Early Years and examines some of the current complexities within the sector.

Mrs Sharon Towse
Centre for Educational Studies, Hull University
June 18, 2019

A useful source to use with Early Years students when considering the role of a leader and manager . the discussions and case studies around quality will be used with our Year 3 undergraduate students.

Miss Lorna Wardle
School of Education, Nottingham Trent University
September 30, 2016

An excellent book, simple for students to use to comprehend the intricacies of leadership in the early years

Miss Louise Stafford
Early Years Department, Solihull College
September 30, 2016

This is a different style of leadership book that explores the need for quality leadership and the implications for practice. This is not a sector where the differences between management and leadership are easily identifiable and the authors discuss this issue within the book.

Mrs Louise Wormwell
School of Education, Newman University
July 6, 2016

Very readable and current. Particularly helpful exploring issues related to leadership and management of EYs settings.

Mrs Julie Ward
Teaching, Health and Care, Bradford College
July 1, 2016

This book is essential for quality in early years.

Mr gurjit singh bhatoy
Education , Stourbridge College
June 10, 2016

This book offers some really strong links with the Early Years practitioner role to being professional. The chapters are linked to pertinent reading, throughout, whilst always ensuring practice is part of its content. It goes beyond the national level and offers a global perspective on the professional quality of working with children, which is so very important in today's global world. I certainly would like my students to pick up this text and work with it.

Ms Helga Stittrich-Lyons
School of Education & Continuing Stud, Portsmouth University
March 8, 2016

A strong text which updates readers on the current landscape for ECEC leadership. The authors are knowledgeable and have added relevant theorizations to ECEC professional practice. I will use this book for the module I teach on leadership in the EY.

Mrs Nikki Fairchild
Childhood Studies : Early Years, Chichester University
April 14, 2016

This is such a useful text as knowledge about this topic is developing and increasingly on degree programmes. It discusses research, theory and practice which makes it interesting and a worthwhile read.

Miss Alyson Lewis
Department of Educational Studies, Bath Spa University
September 29, 2015

For instructors

Select a Purchasing Option


Rent or Buy eBook
ISBN: 9781473953109

Paperback
ISBN: 9781473906488
$52.00

Hardcover
ISBN: 9781473906471
$135.00

This title is also available on SAGE Knowledge, the ultimate social sciences online library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.