"A major contribution to the limited literature and research on leadership in childhood education." Professor Tony Bush, Editor of Educational Management, Administration and Leadership. "This important book focuses clearly on evidence, describing the realities of leading and managing settings in times of rapid policy changes. Carol Aubrey manages to combine theory, research and practice in a book that will be invaluable to a new generation of early years professionals." Angela Anning, Emeritus Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of Leeds, UK "..skilfully draws on sound empirical research to present a grounded theory model for leadership in early years education. !.of interest to researchers, students and practitioners internationally." Professor Nithi Muthukrishna, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Skilled and effective leadership is essential in early childhood (EC) settings such as nurseries, day care centres, children's centres and in reception classes within schools.This book integrates leadership and management practice with a real understanding of early years settings, looking at the many different models of EC leadership and many different types of settings in which EC leadership operates. This book investigates different concepts and characteristics of EC leadership as well as the roles and responsibilities of EC leaders. It also explores the types of leadership programmes or development which is needed to maximise the effectiveness of EC leaders. Based on work done by Carol Aubrey and her colleagues with groups of local early years leaders from children's centres, foundation units in primary schools, nursery and day care provision, this book is suitable for all those studying and researching early childhood, from Foundation Degree students through Early Years Practitioners to NPQICL participants. It will be useful for early years practitioners and local authority employees involved with the integrated centres initiative. Carol Aubrey is Professor of Early Childhood Studies at the University of Warwick and UK editor of Journal of Early Childhood Research.