Changing Times: Changing Challenges for Early Childhood Leaders

Abstract

The diversity and complexity of change within school management practices, over the past decade, have meant changing roles for school leaders, teachers and their communities. Early childhood leaders in school settings have not been exempt from the impact of these changes as they have striven to accommodate rapid social and educational challenges within their leadership role. This article reports on a survey undertaken with Tasmanian early childhood teachers and leaders to investigate the nature and diversity of challenges faced by leaders with responsibilities in Kindergarten to Grade 2 leadership. Analysis of the data, concerning the most challenging aspects of early childhood leadership, revealed that both teachers and leaders perceived there were significant, diverse and complex educational changes being faced by leaders. Also, there were pressing organisational dilemmas associated with time available for teaching and leading. Further, teachers perceived there were key challenges inherent in the area of leaders' knowledge and relationships which were impacting negatively on the leadership provision in schools