Course Code: ECE531
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Synopsis

ECE531 Early Childhood Leadership, Capacity Building, Mentoring & Coaching is designed for students with prior experience leading teams and childcare centres. Leadership practices, systems, and events will be analysed from the perspective of childcare centres and kindergartens as functional units in the system. The goal is to enhance each centre’s ability to provide quality services to children and their families. The course will cover leadership theories as well as psychological theories related to human needs and motivation that support these leadership theories. Other key components of the course will include workplace learning, mentoring, coaching, and culture building. The class will also examine skills related to communication, reflection, conflict resolution, building organisational culture, establishing accountability, and creating conditions for high performance. The course will be highly interactive, with practice-based exercises.
Level: 5
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JULY

Topics

  • Psychological theories associated with human needs e.g. The Theory of Self-determination (Deci & Ryan), Motivators and Demotivators (Hertzberg’s Theory)
  • Systems Theory and the three learning agendas at child development centres
  • Two Leadership Frameworks: James Kouzes and Barry Posner’s Leadership Challenge Model (1987) and Fullan’s Leading in a Culture of Change (2001)
  • Research findings on leadership and the contribution of leadership toward capacity building of centres
  • Workplace learning
  • Theories of mentoring and coaching
  • Distributed leadership and teacher growth
  • Building trust - the core theory of success
  • Establishing reflective practice to enhance teaching standards
  • Humble Inquiry
  • Nurturing a culture for learning
  • Double loop learning and transformation

Learning Outcome

  • Analyse the theoretical underpinnings of mentoring and coaching
  • Evaluate the functions, structure, and process of mentoring
  • Compare individual and group needs and identify appropriate activities for carrying out coaching functions
  • Examine values and ethics associated with mentoring and coaching
  • Appraise self for appropriate mindsets and skills to play the mentoring role
  • Design a mentoring framework to support teachers in educational settings
Part-time Programmes