The Challenges of Leading in the Early Years and How to Overcome Them

The Challenges of Leading in the Early Years and How to Overcome Them

One place remaining. Once all places are booked, please join the waiting list so we can notify you should places become available.

Please note this event consists of two dates - both of which must be attended. One date is in person (Gloucestershire venue) and the other on-line - see details below.

Course Overview: Leading a team in the early years is a multi-faceted role, treading that fine line between support and challenge, inspiring others to be the best they can be, whilst also establishing clear expectations for quality and impact. All this and so much more, and yet many leaders in the early years report never having had any formal training at all for the role! This course is intended to provide a practical toolkit for leaders to draw upon in their roles. It will take the form of one day session and one online session, offering opportunities for reflection, discussion, and questions, alongside information.

Course Aim: This course will support leaders in:

• Reflecting upon the key elements that make for an effective leader and what this looks like in practice.

• The importance of developing a shared pedagogical vision with your team and the key steps to take to do this.

• Adapting leadership style to different situations including dealing with difficult people and having challenging conversations.

• Evaluating quality – how to gather the information you need, including audit tools to support this.

• Establishing priorities for development – what to do with the information you get.

• Action planning and making sure actions take place – ensuring impact from your leadership.

• Implementation – strategies for improving quality in teaching and learning. 

Session 1: Leadership essentials (11th June)

• Leadership versus management - the key differences

• Leadership styles and qualities – what makes an effective leader?

• The five Cs of leadership: Competence, Connection, Communication, Clarity, and Confidence

• Knowing your team’s strengths and gaps and adapting your leadership style accordingly

• Seeing the bigger picture – reflecting upon your own vision for your setting

• Leading your team in developing a clear shared vision

• Implementation – lifting the vision off the paper and into practice.

Session 2: Leading improvements (11th June)

• Developing reflective practice across a team

• Monitoring and evaluating the quality of current practice.

• Identifying priorities for improvement

• Structuring and communicating feedback effectively.

• Developing effective action plans to implement improvements.

• Applying different types of delegation and ensuring deadlines are met

• Monitoring the implementation and impact of improvements

Session 3: Leading at difficult times. (7th July)

• Emotionally intelligent leadership

• Assertive leadership

• Dealing with, rather than avoiding conflict

• Leading team members who are being difficult!

• Holding challenging conversations – key points to help you.

• Wellbeing for leaders and teams – what does it look like?

PLEASE NOTE AT THE CURRENT TIME SESSIONS CANNOT BE BOOKED INDIVIDUALLY

Suitable for: Early Years Managers and Deputies. 

Venue, Dates and Times: 

• Wednesday 11th June (9am - 3:30pm) in person training at The Pavilion, Cheltenham GL51 6PN *

• Monday 7th July (4pm - 7pm) online

(* we reserve the right to change the venue on 11th June if required but the venue will remain within Gloucestershire as close to the original venue as possible)

Cost: Members £135  / Non Members £225   (includes refreshments and lunch on 11th June) 

Important additional Information:

• Before booking a place, please read our information sheet which can be found here
• Please ensure you complete the 'attendee name' and 'attendee email address' (of the person attending) to ensure we send the Teams Invitation to the correct email address. A 'contact telephone number' for the attendee is also required in case we need to contact them in an emergency.
• Please note zoom invitations will be sent out 24 hours before the course/meeting starts.