Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide an organizational improvement plan for incorporating leadership education and preparation in the early years curriculum. The field of early childhood is rapidly changing. There is a growing body of research that demonstrates early engagement with children and families leads to positive outcomes for not only the children and families that professionals engage with, but also for the whole community. The organizational improvement plan is in response to the social and political expectation that early childhood professionals act as influential leaders who have an important role in improving the quality of education, care, and services for children and families. This is an important step in ensuring that the field of early childhood is recognized as a credible profession with unique expertise that is equal to other professions. The organizational improvement plan proposes three recommendations for addressing the absence of leadership education and preparation.