Reflective Diary documenting the process of instigating a small change or an instance of working within a team whilst an early year’s or education environment This will relate to effective practice and critically evaluating the effect on the staff, children/young people or adults involved, making reference to leadership, communication and Teams theory.

The Diary should include the rationale behind the change or the team working event and the implications for the children/young people or adults, staff and parents/carers. You will critically reflect upon the leadership strategies and interpersonal skills used to communicate aspects of the change or teamworking event to those involved

(Weighting 100%) (LOs 1,2)

Formative assessment opportunities include:
Drafts
Peer review of diary entries in a group discussion

The aim of this module is to support student practitioners working within early years and education teams to reflect on their understanding of leadership, teamwork and communication. They will evaluate the role of the education leader and examine how this can be developed further or improved through professional reflection and dialogue. Dilemmas and debates will be explored.

The module will introduce students to the main concepts of management theory and human and physical resources management. Students will link and critically evaluate general management theories, to the principles of leadership, team building, delegation and motivation. Financial and physical resources will be examined within the context and constraints of the early year’s and education setting. Students will consider the management of change and the major influences to bring this about.

Rationale
This module helps students to evaluate the role of the education leader and examine how this can be developed further or improved through professional reflection and dialogue.

1. Implement change within a team through the application of a range of management, collaboration and leadership approaches.

Programme Learning Outcome: 8. Personal development and entrepreneurship

2. Critically reflect on the importance of effective communication when working with others in a range of settings.

Programme Learning Outcome: 7. Reflection

3. Critically evaluate the importance of leadership, motivation, interpersonal skills, stakeholder involvement and teamwork in achieving high-quality provision for children, young people and adults.

Programme Learning Outcome: 1. Knowledge and understanding, 3. Critical reasoning and collaboration

The teaching, learning and assessment strategy has been carefully developed for this module. It recognises you may bring with you practical experience as level 6 students and knowledge of specific contexts to share with others, and this pool of practical experience will be used to promote discussion and debate, which will build upon existing knowledge to encourage reflection and critical thought. A digitally enabled blended approach will be used to support both virtual and face to face opportunities.

University workshops. You will also be asked to use the ideas explored in the sessions in planning your future work. You will also be asked to collaborate with others in preparing and presenting your work. The methods are designed to provide practical contexts for the analysis of contemporary issues and problems of a practical nature. Workshops will include opportunities for discussions.

Work Related Learning – You will be required to reflect on values, practices, assumptions and work-place policies. Work-based activities help to establish connections between the workplace and issues raised by the programme.

Lectures - You will be given lectures which will provide theoretical underpinning on key educational concepts. These may take the form of face-to-face, digital or virtual sessions.

Tutorials – You will be given the opportunity to discuss work-related and academic concerns in small group tutorials and/or individual tutorials. This will support the development of theoretical understanding.

Guided reading and supported self-study – You will be provided with booklists and reading tasks in order to enable you to engage with relevant and appropriate debates.

Drop-in support sessions, to support you with assessment.

Simulation activities

This module will also provide opportunities for you to:
* Work with others
* Develop interpersonal skills
* Demonstrate the capacity to plan, share goals, and work as a member of a team
* Communicate and present oral and written arguments

* Education and early years research databases
* Sessions in places other than university rooms
* Related work based learning opportunities

O’Sullivan, J. and Sakr, M (2022) Social Leadership in Early Childhood: An introduction. London. Bloomsbury Academic.

Current text specific to leadership in Early Years settings

Ewing, R. Waugh, F. and Smith, D.L (2021) Reflective Practice in Education, Social Work. Interdisciplinary explorations. London. Routledge.

Current text which looks at teamwork and leadership in multi-agency situations

Harpham, M (2023) Teamwork Plain and Simple: 5 Key Ingredients to Team Success in Schools. Routledge.

Engaging read for educators who wish to improve their organisation’s teamwork

A key element of the module is to enable you to link research in leadership to practice; the role of the reflective practitioner to support effective leadership and teamwork. This module helps you to evaluate the role of the education leader and examine how this can be developed further or improved through professional reflection and dialogue.