Successful Leadership in the Early Years

Description

In line with government initiatives, there is growing pressure within the early years sector to create staff who can lead different types of childcare and family settings in order to address two main government targets. Firstly, reducing poverty among families with small children and secondly, increasing educational opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds in order to give them a better start in life. Many say that for this to happen we need people who can lead an effective team of capable, professional colleagues. This is no easy task in the modern Early Years market. June O'Sullivan, Chief Executive of LEYF, acknowledges the problems and provides ideas and suggestions to address the issues facing leaders so that they are supported to lead us into a future where we can all help make a big difference for a long time.

June O'Sullivan is the Chief Executive of the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), which is the UK's largest childcare social enterprise. She has over 30 years hands on experience within the Early Years, Social Services, and Social Enterprise sectors and created the first Social Enterprise Childcare Group in the UK.

An excellent book for existing and aspiring leaders across the early years... it's refreshing to have a frank, plain English overview of a very complex area. I could immediately identify with many of the challenges and scenarios this book presents, and the activities contained make it a resource that can really be brought to life to develop leadership across the early years. A real pleasure to read. -- Julie Kirk * Director of Early Childhood at the Department for Education, Australia * OF PREVIOUS EDITION: "An invaluable resource for both new and experienced managers and leaders. It includes theory alongside helpful practical ideas to meet the many challenges of managing an early childhood centre. It is written from experience and with humour, citing real issues that face managers daily. I wish there had been a resource like this when I started work as a nursery manager, but even seven years on it is an invaluable book, filled with good advice, suggestions for self reflective practice and ongoing personal development." -- Miri Lawrence, Director * West London Synagogue Nursery * OF PREVIOUS EDITION: "At a time when leadership theories are in abundance, June O'Sullivan has cut through the rhetoric and provides solid and much welcomed advice on being a leader in early care and education. Her incisive, supportive and easily implemented suggestions are based on her extensive leadership experience and are a boon to those of us meeting the very real challenges that the new international and professional landscape of child care presents. I commend June's work to you. She is a leader who daily walks the walk." -- Chantal Williams, CEO * Stepping Stones Children's Services and Telstra Businesswoman of the Year, Australi * OF PREVIOUS EDITIONS: "This book has been written by a practitioner, for practitioners, in such an accessible and leader/reader-friendly way that whatever leadership situation you find yourself in, this a relevant and helpful read. The self-evaluation tasks and activities are particularly helpful and can be used flexibly either as part of staff team meetings or for continuing professional development....a powerful tool in helping your setting and colleagues to move forward." -- EYE * EYE *