The Early Childhood Australia Leadership Program

Welcome to the Early Childhood Australia (ECA) Leadership Program! Founded on solid expert research and five years of sector consultation, this essential leadership framework has been designed by early childhood experts and quality assured by early childhood practising leaders. Our Leadership Program was specifically created as a strengths-based, self-directed, short-term program for both current and aspiring early childhood leaders in diverse settings.

Who is this self-directed leadership program suitable for?

educational leaders
team or room leaders
experienced childhood educators and teachers
experienced and new service directors and managers
early childhood consultants
aspiring leaders.

Why choose this leadership program?

Both essential and brand new, this is the best-practice capability leadership framework, uniquely developed for the early childhood education and care sector.
It enables sector leaders and managers to benchmark, develop and map their own professional development skills.
You will be able to self-pace your leadership program in your own time, and based on your current strengths. We definitely recommend you undertake this course at your own pace, noting you will have online access over a 12-month period.
It has been mapped to the National Quality Framework, the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and also contributes to the Early Years Quality Improvement Plan.
You can create your own individual Personalised Professional Learning Plan (specific to your current working environment).
Upon completion you will receive an ECA Leadership Program completion certificate.

You will have access to:

seven online professional development training modules and additional webinars
an ECA Leadership Program folder containing the hardcopy Leadership Capability Framework and a ‘how-to’ guide with suggestions on how to make the most of the Framework
an online forum and closed Facebook group where you will be able to join our leadership professional development community and gain peer support from other directors, managers and team leaders undertaking the program
the opportunity to develop your own Personalised Professional Learning Plan relevant to your individual work environment
respected leaders within the sector who can provide tailored feedback (optional) on your Personalised Professional Learning Plan
an ECA Leadership Program completion certificate.

Early Childhood Australia Leadership Capability Framework Resource Folder

Early Childhood Australia Leadership Program folder

View a sample of the Leadership Capability Framework.

What is in this leadership program?

There are six key capabilities and 21 key aspects to this leadership course, with descriptors organised under three distinct headings:

lead self
lead with and for others
lead the within and beyond the organisation.

The program has seven quality areas including:

educational program and practice
children’s health and safety
physical environment
staff arrangements
relationships with children
collaborative partnerships with families and communities
leadership and service management.

What happens once I purchase the ECA Leadership Program?

You will be posted the ECA Leadership Program folder containing your hardcopy Leadership Capability Framework and ‘how-to’ guide.
You will then retrieve your online code to access the web leadership module content.
Both the folder and the online modules work in tandem as you self-direct through this leadership program.
The program will be accessible for one year from point of purchase.

What is the cost?

We currently have an End of Financial Year sale on, please click here for to see pricing.

For purchases outside of Australia, please contact ECA on +61 2 6242 1800, as additional postage charges will apply.

For more information or queries please contact the ECA Customer Service Team on (02) 6242 1800, 1800 356 900 (free call in Australia) or email leadership@earlychildhood.org.au.

Testimonials

Here is what participants who have completed the ECA Leadership Program have had to say about their experience.

The program was really practical and user friendly. I liked how you can work at your own pace, very informative and will be useful in my day to day work.

Early Childhood Educator, 22/01/2018
The ECA Leadership Program broadened my view of leadership and has very useful tools to guide leaders in any EC setting. The testimonials were valuable and enriching and the fact that it’s all linked to the framework facilitates understanding and implementation.

Early Childhood Educator, 17/01/2018
This course provided an excellent balance of theory and practice that enabled me to develop my leadership skills and capabilities. Regardless of how many years experience you may have, it’s a valuable resource for all Early Childhood practitioners.

Early Childhood Educator, 3/01/2018
This is a very professional, research-based program that recognises that all educators are leaders. It provides the space and collegiate support through which to extend your leadership capabilities. I found it thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable; it was not a chore. I used it to begin many conversations within my school-based setting. It has re-energised and extended upon my leadership.

Early Childhood Educator, 05/12/2017
I enjoyed the whole process and found the program easy to use. Phone support was always available and it has been a great reflective tool for my professional development. I would recommend the program to all potential or existing leaders.

Lorriene Bullivant, 02/11/2017
The Leadership Program was research based and provided me with direction on further professional reading beyond the modules. I really liked that the child was placed at the center of the leadership philosophy and the breadth of coverage of the Capability Framework. I appreciated how the Capability Framework was linked with both the AITSL Teacher Standards and the NQS Framework. My Principal and I have since utilised the framework in my Performance Management. I have been rejuvenated and re-energised in my leadership from the fresh approach represented by the notions of leadership that based this ECA Leadership Program. Thanks ECA for your work.

Lead Teacher, Dept. of Education, WA, 26/09/2017
I found the course challenging in terms of making myself vulnerable to consider my values, beliefs etc. and spruce my strengths on a personal level. I also felt validated and positive about personal and professional capabilities of leadership noting alliances of my own to webinar facilitators/participants

Early Childhood Educator, 05/06/2018
I really enjoyed the ECA Leadership Program. Its content is unique, poses lots of challenges and reflective thoughts. I love how the videos show how the leaders in this sector lead their team, it gives me much encouragement and thought on how to become a better educator and leader. I love the quote from second module about distributed leadership: “Distributed leadership, or shared leadership, involves creating a collaborative leadership culture where leadership is not just positional but about drawing on each team member’s strengths and expertise.”

Joyce Lam, 06/03/2018
Thank you ECA. I have looked at my strengths and can now focus on moving forward in a collaborative way with my team. I realise I don’t have to do this on my own, transparency and collaboration is the key.

Early Childhood Educator, 04/04/2018