TRAINING

Developing early years leaders

The Nuffield Foundation’s Developing early years leadership project is exploring how digital training can help support leaders. Here’s what they have learned so far…

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In the busy world of the early years, online professional development can offer a flexible way to support and develop your leadership. With so many choices at your fingertips, it can be difficult to find the best programme for you.

Funded by the Nuffield Foundation, we have recently conducted research into the future of early years leadership in the UK. We have interviewed training providers about what makes for effective online leadership development. Here, we share the most important things to look for in online leadership programmes for early years leaders.

You should look out for programmes that:

  • are immediately relevant to your day-to-day work in the early years
  • place an emphasis on authentic reflection
  • offer chances for you to develop community and connections

Relevant to your work

The reality of working in the early years is that leaders are often really, really busy. You’re helping parents, supporting educators, in and out of ratio, tending to sick children… the list goes on! That’s why it is important that the online leadership development you choose works with your schedule. Programmes need to adjust to fit the realities of your life as an early years leader, ensuring that you can effectively balance everyday management responsibilities and develop your practice.

Look out for training programmes that offer:

  • shorter sessions
  • evening or breakfast sessions to fit around your work commitments
  • self-guided content that you can complete at your own pace

It is also a good idea to look for early years-specific leadership development, rather than something designed for educators more generally. We all know that the early years is unique and that your experiences are distinct from other educators. Look for high-quality training that makes strong links with your day-to-day work and programme content.

Authentic reflection

Older models of online learning tend to use a ‘click and read’ format, presenting rather rigid leadership theories without explaining how it relates to individual settings and situations. High-quality leadership development takes the opposite approach, explicitly providing opportunities for early years leaders to reflect on personal, everyday realities.

Kelly Hill, CEO of Early Years Leadership, a non-profit early years leadership coaching and training organisation, said: “Leadership is unique to the individual leader, depending on their skills, knowledge and experience. Similarly, the leadership that people need in certain situations is different for everyone. Therefore, having a range of leadership tools and techniques is essential to lead effectively in different situations.”

No two early years providers are alike, and no two early years leaders are the same. It’s important to choose a leadership programme that embraces and builds on your individual experiences.

Community and connection

Creating community and connection can be difficult when training online rather than in person. But there are many ways to share and connect. Here are some ideas for finding community online:

  • Look for discussion forums where you can share tips and tricks, voice challenges and ask questions.
  • Join online meetings and discussions around a set of topics.
  • Ask for one-to-one mentoring to gain guidance.

Connecting with other early years leaders, who are experiencing similar joys and challenges, not only provides a sense of community but also a space for mutual growth. Michael Freeston, director of quality improvement at the Alliance, said: “The best early years practice is a collective effort of collegiate reflection. Nobody makes a good leadership and management decision on their own.” Make sure you choose online leadership development opportunities that enable you to have conversations and learn from the perspectives and experiences of others.”

Find out more
For more information about Nuffield Foundation's Developing early years leadership through digital professional learning research project, visit developingearlyyearsleaders.co.uk.