Business Management for the Early Years Leader

This module provides the learner with a broad practical insight into the business management skills that can be applied by the Early Years Leader within the context of an Early Childhood Setting.

The quality of early years provision is an essential component for the Early Years Leader in the effective running of an Early Childhood Setting. Therefore, the aim of this module is to also enable the Early Years Leader to demonstrate business management qualities and skills to ensure that the quality of childcare can be maintained and sustained effectively and smoothly within the context of an Early Childhood Service/Setting.

Leadership in any job role is important. Early Year Leaders in management positions are the facilitators of their Early Childhood Settings success and growth. The aim of this module is to demonstrate how the role and responsibilities of Early Years Leader is to develop, support, encourage, motivate and measure the performance of their staff, so that staff in turn, can later become Early Year Leaders. In addition, the module also aims to demonstrate how the Early Years Leader will work and develop relationships with staff, parents and multi-agencies to foster, nurture and deliver high standards of practice, knowledge, and quality of childcare within an Early Childcare Setting.

This module introduces learners to the area of work and organisational psychology issues that are relevant to an Early Childcare Service/Setting.

The module also outlines for the learner the process that an Early Years Leader can undertake in the recruitment and selection of staff, training and development, discipline and grievance procedures, employees well-being, health and safety, legislation relating to data, together with the know-how to compile policies and procedure.

The Early Childhood setting is a business and therefore Early Years Leaders must have an understanding of the day to day running of the business in line with Regulatory Compliance and ensuring compliance with National policy including National Schemes and there effects on parents, staff and the setting. Students should be able to understand the business planning of an ELC setting and ensure services are sustainable and viable into the future. Students should be able to demonstrate, leadership skills, innovation, project management all while supporting their teams to flourish and grow.

This module and Practice Development 4 are directly linked with a co-taught and co-assessment element

1. Critically evaluate the roles, skills and responsibilities of early year leaders which contribute to the quality of leadership and management within early years provision

2. Critically evaluate methods of employee supervision, appraisal and development, appropriate to organisational rationale

3. Critique the functional roles of management in the following business disciplines: Leadership, Business Planning, Sustainability, Human Resource Management (HRM). Ensuing compliance with national regulatory requirements and national policy requirements.

4. Analyse appropriate structures to ensure an understanding of multi-agency working and partnerships ensuring due diligence, oversight and responsibility

5. Identify under Irish law employment practice relevant within an ELC and SAC setting

6. Demonstrate skills to effectively manage budgets and daily operations ensuring financial stability for the business