Skip to main content
Unit outline_

EDMT6632: Early Childhood Leadership

Intensive August, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Students in this unit will learn about leadership and management roles and responsibilities that enable the effective and viable operation of high-quality early childhood programs and services. They will explore conceptualisations of leadership in the context of early childhood education, and articulate a vision and philosophy for quality early learning. How strong leadership and effective management translate into the meeting of a teacher’s regulatory and professional accountabilities will be explored, with particular attention given to Australia’s National Quality Framework.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
60 credit points
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Marianne Fenech, marianne.fenech@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Erin Harper, erin.harper@sydney.edu.au
Marianne Fenech, marianne.fenech@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 August 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation hurdle task Workshop Presentation
Presentation of a reading that is related to a topic covered in this unit
20% Multiple weeks 1000wd equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test hurdle task Case study scenarios
In-class test
40% Week 05
Due date: 26 Aug 2024 at 12:00
1.5hrs (1500wd equivalent)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Analytical report
Analytical report based on case study of a director.
40% Week 05
Due date: 01 Sep 2024 at 23:59
2000wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Leading your EDMT6632 learning community (Weekly): The building of a learning community is something that an effective leader will do in a quality early education service. To develop this aspect of your leadership capacity this assessment task requires you to facilitate your peers' understanding of a topic of your choice (from Seminars 2 - 10) based on the key ideas from the week's readings. For this task you will have 10 minutes to implement engaging activities designed to consolidate and support students' learning and reflection on your selected topic. 
  • Leadership in practice: Analyse the leadership practice of the centre director who will give a guest presentation in Seminar 11. Week 6, Monday September 4, 23.59pm.
  • Case study scenarios: This assessment task will include approximately 6-8 short answer questions based on scenarios that relate to the topics covered in this Unit. You will be assessed on your ability to apply material covered in the Unit to each of the scenarios, and your capacity to critically and thoughtfully meet your legal and professional accountabilities. All questions are compulsory. You will have 2.5 hours to complete the task. Week 5, Monday August 28 (Seminar 12).

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week -01 Social and political influences on ECE in Australia Seminar (3 hr) LO1
Leading for quality I Seminar (3 hr) LO3 LO6
Week -02 Unit overview Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Theorising the leadership and management of ECE services Seminar (3 hr) LO2
Week 01 Leading for quality II Seminar (3 hr) LO2
Leading and managing under different management structures Seminar (3 hr) LO4
Week 02 Strategic, operational and financial planning Seminar (3 hr) LO5
Policy development Seminar (3 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Pedagogical leadership: the role of the educational leader Seminar (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO7
Leading and working in teams Seminar (3 hr) LO7
Week 04 Centre director case study and Unit review Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Assessment 2 - Case study scenarios Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The Sydney School of Education and Social Work requires attendance of at least 90 percent of all seminars, workshops or lectures. Where a student is unable to attend at the required rate evidence of illness or misadventure may be required and the student may be required to undertake extra work. Students should discuss the circumstances of their absence(s) with the co-ordinator of the unit of study. Further details are provided in the School canvas site: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/13426

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Textbook: Waniganayake, M., Cheeseman, S., Fenech, M. Hadley, F., & Shepherd, W. (2023). Leadership: Contexts and complexities in early childhood (3rd Ed.).  Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Other required readings for this unit can be accessed via the Reading List link in Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. critically engage with the ever changing political and legal context within which early childhood education services operate
  • LO2. demonstrate a sound understanding of theoretical and conceptual approaches to leadership and quality early childhood education
  • LO3. develop a strong working knowledge and a critical appreciation of teachers' legal and professional responsibilities as required by the National Quality Framework, including the role of a service's Nominated Supervisor and Educational Leader
  • LO4. critique diverse early childhood management structures, and the implications of each for teachers’ organisational roles and responsibilities and the provision of quality early childhood education
  • LO5. show an understanding of the responsibilities related to the strategic, operational and financial management of early childhood settings
  • LO6. evaluate service policies in light of teachers' legal and professional accountabilities and the provision of quality early childhood education.
  • LO7. appreciate the skills required to build, work in, and lead effective teams

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.4. Advocacy
LO2
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.2. Management and administration
6.3. Professional identity and development
LO3
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.2. Management and administration
6.3. Professional identity and development
LO4
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.2. Management and administration
6.3. Professional identity and development
6.4. Advocacy
LO5
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.2. Management and administration
LO6
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.2. Management and administration
LO7
Australian Children's Education & Care Quality Authority - ACECQA
6.1. Leadership
6.2. Management and administration

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

2023 feedback was positive, in particular, students appreciated the many practical connections to and application of theory. The required reading and some recommended readings have been updated. Essay revised to a report to provide more structure for students to explain their analysis of a leader-in-practice. In-class participation assessment removed to accommodate total 4500 wd count (equivalent 12 weeks of classes).

Site visit guidelines

If you are undertaking professional experience/field education placement as part of your enrolment in this unit of study, please assess your specific needs and requirements for the safe and successful completion of an external placement within a host organisation. You will be given the opportunity to disclose any health issues that have a work health and safety significance before arranging a placement so that your safety, and the safety of others, can be properly assessed. The Professional Experience Coordinator/Field Education Manager will work to ensure that the workplace assignment to you is appropriate for your needs and requirements. If you are experiencing disability, and require reasonable adjustments to be arranged, please contact Disability Services as early as possible prior to commencing the internship. Please note, in all cases, and for the purpose of organising reasonable adjustments, only the impact and not the nature, of your disability will be disclosed to the host organisation.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.