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National Quality Standard | Information sheet
QUALITY AREA 7
EDUCATIONAL
LEADERSHIP AND
TEAM BUILDING
The educational leader is LINKS TO THE NATIONAL A SHARED LEADERSHIP
responsible for leading QUALITY STANDARD APPROACH
the development of the The importance of establishing effective Shared or distributed leadership
curriculum at the service. leadership is reflected in Quality Area 7 involves creating a collaborative
of the National Quality Standard (NQS), leadership culture where leadership is
To do this effectively the in particular: not just positional but about drawing
educational leader should Standard 7.2: Effective leadership on each team members’ strengths
encourage educators to builds and promotes a positive and expertise. In education and care
organisational culture and professional services, a shared leadership model
collaborate and ensure the learning community. can result in a team of educators who
establishment of clear goals are committed to a culture of learning,
for teaching and learning. Element 7.2.2: The educational respect and teamwork (Waniganayake,
leader is supported and leads the Rodd & Gibbs, 2015).
They will create a culture development and implementation By adopting a shared leadership
where educators reflect, of the educational program and approach, you can:
affirm and challenge each assessment and planning cycle. inspire, affirm, challenge and
other to deliver high quality Some considerations in Quality Area 4: extend the practice of educators
in your service
educational programs. Element 4.2.1: Management, promote effective teamwork
educators and staff work with mutual where educators are committed
Things to consider: respect and collaboratively, and to a culture of learning, respect
and collaboration
challenge and learn from each other,
When and how do you support a recognising each other’s strengths and enrich the team by bringing together
shared leadership model? skills. different perspectives and ideas.
How do you create and nurture a
professional learning community?
How can a collaborative approach
ensure documentation is Some questions to reflect on as a team :
meaningful, relevant and informs
your work with children and What are the potential benefits of a shared leadership model for your service ?
families? What strategies can be implemented to create shared leadership?
How does your shared leadership
model connect with the service
vision, mission and philosophy? Quality Area 7 | Educational leadership and team building
RESPECTING OTHER PEOPLE’S VIEWPOINTS AND
ACKNOWLEDGING THAT EVERYONE HAS A CONTRIBUTION TO
MAKE IS ESSENTIAL TO DEVELOPING TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS
AND INNOVATIVE PRACTICE.
BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL TEAM Tips for creating a positive culture include:
identifying common goals
Team stability supports the development of strong searching for areas of agreement
attachments and relationships between children, educators considering the range of solutions and possibilities
and families. questioning beliefs
There are a number of ways you can help create a stable team: a commitment to resolving problems as a group.
Developing common goals Supporting professional development
Developing a shared vision for the service is an important part Effective leaders seek ways to empower others. They have
of building teams in education and care services. a thorough understanding of the approved frameworks and
When individual and organisational goals align, educators standards and seek ways to facilitate children’s learning.
are more likely to experience a sense of ownership for the
direction of the service. Educational leaders can support educators’ growth and
foster a professional learning community by:
Creating a sense of ownership is achieved through: establishing clear goals and expectations for teaching
information sharing and learning
joint planning and goal setting clarifying roles
critically reflecting on professional standards in order to building supportive relationships
improve practice encouraging active participation
affirming and challenging each other. monitoring team effectiveness.
Communicating effectively
To communicate well within a team individuals need to: What does leadership look like in education
engage in active listening and care settings?
try to understand each other’s feelings and points of view Early Childhood Australia developed a framework
respect and appreciate the values, knowledge and skills based on extensive research and national
of others consultations that has led to the following
solve problems collaboratively understandings about leadership:
be open to learning from each other.
Leadership is about identity—it starts
Positive attitude to change from within.
Successful teams have a positive attitude towards change Leadership is about influence (both directly
and are open to new ways of working. It can be useful for and indirectly) and responsibility, and is therefore
educators to engage in team building exercises that are potentially open to everyone.
focused on implementing change and quality improvements.
Leadership demonstrates respect as
Affirming and challenging an enactment of ethical commitments.
The team is richer when different perspectives and ideas Leadership is about qualities and values rather
are shared. It is essential to create an environment where than position.
educators are able to express their views and each team There is not just one way to enact leadership
member feels confident to raise ideas. It is important to create —it is complex, dynamic and varies from situation
a culture that values and honours diversity and where team to situation and from culture
members respond in culturally competent ways. to culture.
Leadership is about purpose.
Leadership capabilities can be professionally
developed.
Jenny Hill and Jenny Lewis (2012)
February 2018 Quality Area 7 | Educational leadership and team building
LEADING AND GUIDING THE BENEFITS OF SHARED LEADERSHIP AND
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TEAMWORK
Teamwork and high quality education and care go hand in Encouraging collaboration, communication and effective
hand so it is important that educational leaders take a shared teamwork has proven benefits for stability in education and
leadership approach. Some strategies for creating a shared care services.
leadership approach include: Some benefits for educators include:
leading and being part of reflective discussions about improved self-esteem and morale
practice and implementing the learning framework increased job satisfaction
mentoring other educators by leading quality practice reduction of stress and burnout
discussing routines and ways to make them more effective a sense of ownership for the direction of the service
learning experiences development of stronger relationships and communication
observing children and educator interactions, and making with children and families
suggestions on how to improve interactions and the contribution to children’s safety, security, happiness
intentional teaching and learning.
talking to parents about the educational program
working with other early childhood professionals such
as maternal and child health nurses and early childhood
intervention specialists REFERENCES AND RESOURCES
assisting with documenting children’s learning and how
these assessments can inform curriculum decision-making. Visit the ACECQA website at
acecqa.gov.au to download:
Guide to the National Quality Framework
Belonging, Being & Becoming – The Early
Years Learning Framework for Australia
My Time Our Place – Framework for School
Age Care in Australia
Find other useful resources:
Gowrie South Australia research summary
– Team Building
Waniganayake, M., Rodd, J. & Gibbs,
L. (2015). Thinking and learning about
leadership: Early childhood research from
Australia, Finland and Norway. Community
child care Co-operative: Marrickville.
What Does Leadership Look Like In Early
Childhood Settings? Every Child – Vol.18
No.4 2012- Quality in Early Childhood
Settings
More information is available on the ACECQA
website acecqa.gov.au
Acknowledgment
The information in this publication was adapted from a
National Childcare Accreditation Council resource.
February 2018 Quality Area 7 | Educational leadership and team building
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