General

A relevant, unique title.

A footnote indicating a pseudonym for the setting and a pseudonym for the staff. For staff, only a first name is needed. Consider can the centre or staff be identified by the information you include? Ensure the pseudonym is used throughout the assignment (do a ‘find and replace’ to ensure names have not been missed, including in your transcript). (See Footnotes).

Reference all information provided by the leader as personal communication.

Include links to theory and literature throughout your whole assignment. Support your ideas with references to national and international literature.

A reference list with a minimum of 4 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Include your placement goals as an appendix.

Your word count includes tables but not your reference list or appendices.

Specifics

Introduction – Set the scene by describing your placement setting and explain why you selected that centre in one paragraph.

Placement Learning – describe one key insight from your professional experience.

Explain why this insight is important to your future role as an early childhood leader.

Provide evidence that relates to your new learning.

Link your insight and learning to peer-reviewed journal articles and leadership theory.

Unit Learning – describe one key insight from your learning from the unit, textbooks, readings and sharing with colleagues.

Explain why this insight is important to your future role as an early childhood leader.

Provide evidence that relates to your new learning.

Link your insight and learning to peer-reviewed journal articles and leadership theory.

Explain what an advocate is and describe how you will advocate for children, families, educators and the early childhood profession in your future role as an early childhood leader.

Conclusion – Conclude with one to two paragraphs about your aims or goals for your future leadership role.

References (new page) – follow APA referencing requirements to create the reference list.

Appendix – A copy of your goals for placement. Check how an appendix should be acknowledged throughout your assignment.

LO 1: Monitor and critique the organisational structure of a children’s service, including the climate and key workplace processes;

LO 2: Analyse an early childhood leader’s management roles and strategies for successful decision-making;

LO 3: Critically document key meanings and principles of leadership across the early childhood field;

LO 4: Examine every day ethical and legal responsibilities relevant to being a leader and advocate for the early childhood education field;

LO 5: Demonstrate professional responsibility and standards of communication and literacy; and

LO 6: Negotiate leader/manager workplace plans for later documenting, implementing and critically reflecting on.