“It’s our polite nudge in the ribs to help you and your team stay organised and on task.”
This week’s subject is: Educational Leadership
Element 7.2.2: Educational Leadership
The educational leader is supported and leads the development and implementation of the educational program and assessment and planning cycle.
Regulation 118 stipulates the requirement for the approved provider to designate, in writing a suitably qualified and experienced educator as educational leader for the service. The role of the educational leader is central to leading the development and implementation of the educational programs across the service. The educational leader also assists educators to develop the curriculum and identify areas for ongoing learning and professional development to enhance their professional practice.
It’s crucial that the educational leader receives ongoing support from management, to support continual improvement within their role and their capacity to lead, guide and develop the team of educators as well as work to develop families’ understanding about the educational program, cycle of planning and play-based learning.
Ensure you keep a detailed, up to date record of how the educational leader provides the team with ongoing guidance and support in the development and implementation of the educational program and practice. Document evidence of critical reflection that occurs formally and informally that explore pedagogy, the curriculum and the outcomes of the approved learning framework.
When assessing how your service achieves this element consider the following:
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- How does the educational leader support and encourage a culture of reflective practice?
- How do we make educator’s ongoing learning and development about the cycle of planning visible?
- What ongoing support does the educational leader require to effectively fulfil their role?
- How do we explore current pedagogical theories to foster the continuous improvement of the educational program and professional practice
- How can we share collective knowledge of the team?
- What communication strategies do we use to collaborate about the educational program and cycle of planning?
- How are we creating opportunities for professional conversations?
- What strategies are proving successful in building a professional learning community? How do we know they are successful?
- How does the Educational Leader support the team to translate their knowledge into everyday practice?
- How do we assess educators’ knowledge to identify opportunities for professional development?
Resources for services:
Educational Leadership and Team Building
The Educational Leader Resource
The Role of the Educational Leader
Educational Leadership in Family Day Care
Educational Leadership in Out of School Hours Care
Within System7 go to Quality Area 7/ Modules 34-36 to submit self-assessment notes and if required, open a QIP issue if you identify any areas of improvement.
The Childcare Centre Desktop has a range of resources to assist services with Educational Leadership. These include Professional Development Plan, Meeting Agenda & Minutes, Educational Leader Guide, Educational Leader Job Description, Educational Leader Routine Checklist and much more.
Resources, NQS Element, Regulation and System7 links:
Childcare Centre Desktop – Childcare Centre Desktop
National Quality Standard – QA 7/ 7.2.2- Educational Leadership
National Regulations – 118, 148
System7 Module – QA 7/ Modules 34-36
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