The Role of the Educational Leader in Early Childhood Settings “Leading with purpose, inspiring with practice.”
The Educational Leader plays a crucial role in guiding pedagogy, supporting educators, and ensuring high-quality, reflective practice that aligns with the EYLF and NQF.
Overview
This module is designed to support Educational Leaders in understanding and confidently fulfilling their role. We’ll explore how they drive program and practice, lead with intention, and support teams to reflect, plan, and grow—aligned with the National Quality Framework.
Module Breakdown
1. The Role of the Educational Leader
- Defined in NQS Element 7.2.2
- A pedagogical mentor and guide
- Responsibilities include:
- Supporting critical reflection
- Leading curriculum decision-making
- Mentoring and coaching educators
- Ensuring alignment with EYLF and learning outcomes
- Fostering a culture of professional inquiry and growth
2. Program and Practice
- Ensuring the program is child-centred, intentional, and inclusive
- Supporting educators in planning and documenting meaningful learning
- Using observations, interests, and strengths to guide experiences
- Encouraging team ownership of program content and philosophy
- Helping teams link practice with learning outcomes and the principles of the EYLF
3. Educational Leader Checklist
✅A practical guide to keep leadership intentional and achievable:
- ☐ Meet regularly with educators to discuss planning and pedagogy
- ☐ Support goal setting at team and individual levels
- ☐ Guide the implementation of EYLF learning outcomes
- ☐ Facilitate reflective conversations
- ☐ Stay informed on current research, theory, and policy
- ☐ Model best practice in play, relationships, and inclusion
- ☐ Provide feedback with kindness and purpose
- ☐ Document progress, plans, and professional learning
4. The Learning Cycle and Implementing the Program
- Observing → Planning → Implementing → Reflecting
- Support educators to:
- Collect observations purposefully
- Plan intentionally around interests and needs
- Embed critical reflection in every stage
- Adapt plans responsively based on children’s learning
- Educational Leader's role: guide, question, mentor, support
5. Identifying Strategies, Goals, and Team Discussions
- Set short and long-term goals for programming and practice
- Use SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
- Lead team meetings with purposeful questions:
- “What’s working well for children’s learning?”
- “What do we need to change?”
- “Where can we improve our intentional teaching?”
- Document shared goals and strategies, revisit regularly
6. Meeting the National Quality Framework
- Quality Area 1: Educational program and practice is a core focus
- Other key links:
- QA4: Staffing (professional collaboration)
- QA7: Governance and leadership
- Documentation to show:
- Consistent reflective practice
- Collaborative planning
- Professional conversations around pedagogy
- Clear learning outcomes in action
7. Critical Reflection
- Model and guide authentic reflective practice
- Ask deep questions, challenge assumptions, explore new perspectives
- Facilitate team reflection sessions: “What did we learn from this? What does it mean for our program?”
- Use tools like journals, thinking prompts, or monthly focus topics
- Connect reflection to action and change
8. Question Time
Encourage dialogue, reflection, and practical problem-solving:
- “What’s one thing you’ve changed in your practice because of reflective conversations?”
- “How do you help team members feel confident planning and documenting?”
- “What challenges do you face as an Educational Leader?”
- “What support would help you lead more effectively?”
Great for a final live session or team PD discussion.
Final Words
Being an Educational Leader isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about inspiring growth, modelling curiosity, and building a team culture where every educator feels empowered to reflect, improve, and lead from their heart.