The practice architectures of middle leading in early childhood education
Journal article
Rönnerman, Karin, Grootenboer, Peter and Edwards-Groves, Christine. (2017). The practice architectures of middle leading in early childhood education. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy. 11, p. Article: 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40723-017-0032-z
Authors | Rönnerman, Karin, Grootenboer, Peter and Edwards-Groves, Christine |
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Abstract | The development of Early Childhood Education in Sweden is a central concern for national and local government, and for school districts and preschools. While principals have the responsibility for, and a particular role in, leading education in the preschools, they are somewhat removed from the core work of teachers. In this article, we argue that it is ‘middle leaders’ who are the critical professionals for developing quality in education. The argument is made through examining the leading practices of middle leaders using a practice theory framework. We specifically draw on the theory of practice architectures to explore and understand the arrangements and conditions that enable and constrain the practices of these leaders in their work. The study draws on survey data and recorded professional Learning Dialogues among participants. Responses revealed a number of enabling and constraining conditions relating to particular cultural–discursive, material–economic and social–political conditions that influenced what was possible in their leading practices. Results further show how the practices of middle leaders were crucial in not only developing but sustaining quality in Early Childhood Education as they coordinate between the educational practices within the preschool and across the city district. |
Keywords | middle leading; early childhood education; leading practices; quality work; practice architectures |
Year | 2017 |
Journal | International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy |
Journal citation | 11, p. Article: 8 |
Publisher | Springer |
ISSN | 1976-5681 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40723-017-0032-z |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85051628139 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 1-20 |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 11 Jul 2017 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 29 Jun 2017 |
Deposited | 11 Nov 2021 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8x079/the-practice-architectures-of-middle-leading-in-early-childhood-education
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Publisher's version
OA_Rönnerman_2017_The_practice_architectures_of_middle_leading.pdf | |
License: CC BY 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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