Leading Change in the Early Years focuses on the type of leadership skill needed for leading the reform and change agendas that challenge the early years sector. Early years professionals are expected to implement a range of government initiatives, as well as professionally endorsed changes, aimed at raising the quality of early years provision. The ease and success with which such initiatives are implemented relies on the competent leadership of change, that is, knowledge, understanding and expertise in encouraging, supporting and working with everyone involved with implementing and sustaining change.
This resource helps to unpick the principles, processes and practice of effecting change and offers early years professionals a practical guide to the important elements relevant for meeting the political agenda for quality improvement and the professional challenge of effecting responsible change.
Key content includes:
the link between competent leadership and successful change
dimensions, models and processes of change
leadership skills for effecting change
strategies for reducing reluctance and resistance
This book is ideal for early years leaders who understand the general principles and practice of leadership, but who are interested in exploring and expanding their understanding and expertise in leading reform and change.
Jillian Rodd is an educational and developmental psychologist and has published widely in the early childhood field throughout the world.
This is a powerful text that utilises the voices of early years leaders to clearly articulate the challenges of leading change and demonstrate how the sector is rising to that challenge. It is, therefore, an excellent and vital resource for all working in the early years sector and comes at absolutely the right time as the pace of change in the sector continues to be fast flowing. This book comprehensively and accessibly draws together theory and practice enabling a thorough exploration of the subtle nuances within current debates as to the interrelationship and interaction of leadership and change. The closing thoughts at the end of each chapter are inspired; not simply a summary of the chapter, but an opportunity to underline the importance of key issues. The constructive and helpful strategies offered throughout the text give considerable support for those charged with leading change in the early years sector and, consequently, should be on the bookshelf of every early years setting.
Dr Caroline Leeson, Associate Professor of Early Childhood Studies, Plymouth University
In a constantly changing world strong leadership and change management skills become of paramount importance and there is an increasing expectation that early years professionals are able to negotiate these domains. This text draws on research evidence and case studies from practice to support those dealing with change on a daily basis. By encouraging early years professionals to draw on their skills of leadership and interpersonal relationships, Jillian provides clear strategies to enact change. This is a 'must have' book for all those working in the Early Years.
Nikki Fairchild, Early Years Initial Teacher Training Programme Coordinator, University of Chichester
At a time when early years practitioners everywhere are feeling pressure to respond to the children's policy agenda, this accessible guide offers support in implementing and sustaining change. Underpinned by theoretical models, Rodd explores the relationship between leadership and quality and identifies the dynamics of change within the processes of leadership. The text is complemented by comments from a wide of practitioners illustrating how professionals in different contexts experience and respond to the complexity of change.
Rory McDowall Clark, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood, Worcester University
Jillian Rodd give...
