Leading Quality Childhood Practice module (PD30076)

Leadership skills can be developed early in childhood practice careers. From the earliest stages in your career, you are encouraged and supported to take the lead in supporting children’s learning, development, and play. This module will build on these experiences to focus on leading an aspect of high-quality service to achieve positive outcomes for children and families. 

The main learning context of this module is on the planning of a small-scale quality improvement project and leading a team through the proposed changes. You will study reflective practice, leadership, and quality assurance within childhood practice settings.  

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• reflect on and consider definitions of 'quality and what 'quality provision' might look like in relation to Childhood Practice
• explore a range of leadership theories, i.e. transformational leadership, pedagogical leadership
• reflect on the development of your own leadership skills
• learn about key aspects of leading teams and important considerations when building the capacity of yourself and others

By the end of this module you will be able to:

• critically analyse your understanding of quality and quality assurance from a range of perspectives and relate them to your own setting
• identify and critically analyse your understanding of current leadership theories and practice appropriate to childcare settings
• demonstrate leadership through the identification, planning, and evaluation of one aspect of practice within your setting
• reflect on your own leadership skills and how these have developed as a result of your learning on this module

Assignments / assessment

• reflective essay 3,000 words (100%)
  • based on your experience during the module on the planning of a small-scale quality improvement project and leading a team through the proposed changes

 This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

• online synchronous (live) sessions
• asynchronous activities
  • i.e. online discussions
• online self-study content
• online webinars
  • recorded and embedded within the module

This module is part of a Distance Learning programme. You will learn in a variety of ways, most of which is situated within the virtual learning environment, Blackboard.

You have some flexibility to work through materials at your own pacing, fitting in with work and life commitments.