Key facts
UNE unit code: EDEC324
*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Trimester 2 - Online
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
Studying this unit, you will investigate everyday management roles within an organisational climate and workplace framework for early childhood settings.
You will explore leadership theories and practices and examine leaders’ professional styles and personal characteristics in terms of ethical and legal principles. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to research and document meanings of being a leader in a changing world.
Based on observing and interviewing, you will create a professional profile of an early childhood leader.
This unit includes a five-day adult-oriented professional placement outside where you work or have previously worked.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | Online |
| Trimester 2 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
This unit requires a 5 day adult-oriented placement in an ACECQA-approved early childhood education setting with a four year degree qualified supervising teacher. This setting must be outside the student’s own current or previous workplace and not in a sister centre, that is, the placement setting must have a different management body and also must be a different centre type –childcare or pre-school – from the student’s current place of employment.
Before entering the setting, all students must have completed online Anaphylaxis training, an online Child Protection module, and have obtained a valid Working with Children Check clearance (for those students wishing to complete their placement in NSW) or equivalent (for those students wishing to complete their placement outside NSW). Please see the Office for Professional Learning Important Information webpage for more information.
This unit addresses ACECQA's Curriculum requirements, referred to as Curriculum Specifications (CS).
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- observe and critique the organisational structure of a children’s service, including the climate and key workplace processes (CS 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 4.2, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4);
- analyse an early childhood leader’s management roles and strategies for successful decision-making (CS 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.9, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4);
- critically document key meanings and principles of leadership within the early childhood field (CS 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 4.2, 6.1, 6.3, 6.5);
- examine everyday ethical and legal responsibilities relevant to being an Early Childhood leader and advocate for the early childhood education field (CS 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3 6.1, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5);
- demonstrate professional responsibility and standards of communication and literacy (CS 6.3, 6.4); and
- negotiate workplace plans for implementation and reflection with the professional experience with an Early Childhood leader (CS 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, 6.1, 6.2).
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Written tasks. Relates to CS: 3.9, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 No. Words: 2000 (equivalent) |
| Assessment 2 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Written assignment and online tasks. Relates to CS: 3.9, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 No. Words: 2000 (equivalent) |
| Professional Experience - Assurance Task | Yes | All offerings | Professional Experience. Students are required to complete 5 days of professional experience in an ACECQA-approved early childhood education centre and receive a satisfactory report from their supervisor(s) in order to successfully pass this unit. Relates to CS: 3.9, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Leadership: Contexts and Complexities in Early Childhood Education
ISBN: 9780190337087
Waniganayake, M., Cheeseman, S., Fenech, M., Hadley, F. and Shepherd, W., Oxford University Press 3rd ed. 2023
Text refers to: All offerings
Note: Recommended material may be held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
Leadership in Early Childhood: The Pathway to Professionalism
ISBN: 9781743310014
Rodd, J., Allen and Unwin 4th ed. 2013
Text refers to: All offerings
Leading and Managing Early Childhood Settings: Inspiring People, Places and Practices
ISBN: 9781107669185
McCrea, N., Cambridge University Press 1st ed. 2015
Text refers to: All offerings
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