Research on a Joint Leadership Model for Early Childhood Education in Finland

Authors

• Marja-Liisa Keski-Rauska Regional State Administrative Agency of West and Central Finland
• Elina Fonsén University of Tampere, School of Education, Finland
• Katri Aronen Early Childhood Education Department, Municipality of Hattula, Finland
• Annika Riekkola University of Tampere, School of Education, Finland

Keywords:

Joint leadership, distributed leadership, early childhood education and care, evaluation

Abstract

This article presents the results of a study assessing the quality of joint leadership in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in the city of Hämeenlinna, Finland. The assessment was carried out through an online survey in August 2015. The study’s respondents were ECEC centre directors and teachers in Hämeenlinna. The results indicated that the teachers did not consider the joint leadership model to be as yet entirely successful, but the directors were more satisfied. The challenges of this model focused on the different dimensions of joint leadership, namely time, interaction, situation, and diversity. To develop joint leadership, the following conditions are necessary: time for reflection, discussion, and the clarification of practices and structures; permanency in interactions, communication, and relationships; the vertical distribution of leadership between directors and teachers; and the commitment of all stakeholders.