Browsing by Subject "broad-based pedagogical leadership"

Objectives. The purpose of the study was to describe, analyse and interpret the views of Finnish kindergarten leaders on the opportunities, challenges and meanings of pedagogical management during the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020. Methods. The study is based on qualitative theory-based content analysis. I analysed deductively using a broad-based pedagogical leadership framework. The material consisted of answers from ECE leaders (n=492) to an electronic survey conducted in February 2021. The survey had several sections, of which in this study I focused on two open questions related to pedagogical leadership. Results and conclusions. Among the dimensions of broad-based pedagogical leadership, ECE leaders raised the most issues related to indirect pedagogical leadership. These include technical leadership (leading structures and conditions for daily operations) and human leadership (leading human resources). Distance working, meetings and professional education courses were possible through the extensive use of digital devices and programs, affecting the operations of daycare centres. ECE leaders highlight the importance of leading the staff to ensure their wellbeing, professional competency, and capacity building. Leaders found fewer opportunities and challenges related to the broad-based pedagogical leadership dimension of direct pedagogical leadership. Direct pedagogical leadership is one of the critical areas of ECE leadership in leading educational and learning processes. Professional and competent leaders promoted the activities of ECE centres. The success of direct pedagogical leadership promoted the development of practices and pedagogy. Many leaders noted that children's absences made it possible to achieve early childhood education goals. High-quality ECE leadership requires a qualified leader who masters all dimensions of broad-based pedagogical leadership. In Finland, ECE leaders' pedagogical competence and professional development should be studied, and leadership education should be planned, considering the diverse needs of work communities and child groups in pedagogical leadership. The article is published in the book Early Childhood Education Leadership in Times of Crisis: International Studies During the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2023, edited by Elina Fonsén, Raisa Ahtiainen, Kirsi-Marja Heikkinen, Lauri Heikonen, Petra Strehmel, and Emanuel Tamir.