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Challenges of Early Years leadership preparation: a comparison between early and experienced Early Years practitioners in England

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Abstract

Leadership has been under-researched in the Early Years (EY) sector of primary schools in England, especially in leading change for professional development. The aim of this paper is to theorise what the leadership culture for EY practitioners looks like, and how Initial Teacher Training providers and schools are preparing practitioners for leadership. Using case studies of EY practitioners in different stages of their career in primary schools, we offer an insight into their preparedness for leadership in EY, the implication being that leadership training requires an understanding and embedding of the EY culture and context. Interviews with both sample groups allowed for deeper insight into the lived world. Interviews were also conducted with the head teachers to gain an overview of the leadership preparation they provided. The main findings suggest that newer EY practitioners are better prepared for leadership from their university training in comparison to more experienced EY practitioners.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 28-37

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Management in Education (Volume 26, Issue 1)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 01/01/2012

Publication status

Published - 01/01/2012

ISSN

0892-0206

Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/224658
  • Scopus: 84856141150

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