Value: 30%
Learning Objectives:
LO1: Recognize leadership within all levels of the early childhood environment
LO2: Apply the role of distributed leadership within early childhood settings
LO3: Evaluate best practices in early childhood pedagogy and demonstrate pedagogical
leadership
LO4: Describe fundamental management and administrative responsibilities
Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to identify, describe and develop a plan of action for
steps for success within the early childhood sector. Learners are offered an opportunity to
consider summative knowledge gained from this course while designing their plan.
Instructions:

1. Read the following case study
2. Begin your report with a brief introduction to the case study/ problem
3. Body of the Paper: Prepare a plan of action that includes the following information:
   a. Plan for managerial leadership direction
   b. Plan to build leadership and quality capacity within early childhood professionals
   c. Plan to attract and retain staff
   d. Plan to inform parents and the community of the effectiveness of early childhood
   programs
   e. Add additional subsections as you will feel necessary
4. Include a brief conclusion/summary of your report
5. Keep in mind the purpose of this report is to develop an ‘action’ plan, ensure to focus on
   proposing a strategy, or course of action
6. Ensure to include course learning
   Structure:

• APA title page
• APA formatting and referencing. For assistance with APA:
  https://sheridancollege.libguides.com/apa
• 8-10 pages
• Use a minimum of 5 references
• Ensure to include course information
  Case Study: You have been hired as a consultant for a Canadian Early Childhood Association.
  They have presented to you the current status of the sector’s workforce and expect you to
  advise on best practices. Ultimately you will come up with a detailed plan of action. You have
  been informed the following information:
  “302,000 people across Canada work in early childhood education, child care and family support
  programs, and as home care providers” (Atkinson Centre, 2023, para. 7)
  (Atkinson Centre, 2023, By the Numbers)
  Current challenges for the sector relate to attracting and retaining qualified early childhood
  professionals. Workforce shortage is a nation-wide concern. 44% of registered early childhood
  educators have opt to not work within child care centre settings. During the COVID-19 pandemic
  child care staff declined by 21% nation-wide. This compares to only a 3% drop of employment in
  other sectors (Atkins Centre, 2023).
• “62% of child care centre operators in Canada had to recruit staff in the last two years.
• 82% had difficulty hiring staff with the necessary qualifications.
• 6% had unfilled staff vacancies lasting over four months.
• Among ECEs who resigned their position in Ontario, the majority sought other
  employment outside of licensed child care” (Atkins Centre, 2023, para. 13).
  Additional challenge relates to the educational qualifications of professionals; only half of the
  professionals within the sector have post-secondary qualifications. Note that in Ontario, a study
  found that 30% of all licensed child care positions that require an early childhood education
  credential are actually filled by staff that do not have the necessary qualifications (Atkins Centre,
  2023).
  Lastly, the sector continues to suffer from low compensation, nation-wide. In Canada for the
  year 2021, the median hourly wage for licensed child care staff was $20 and 1/3 of these
  employees received no health benefits. Furthermore, 41% are not entitled to paid personal
  leaves. Only 17.7% of early childhood staff have access to RRSPs/private pension plans (Atkins
  Centre, 2023).
  References:
  Atkins Centre. (2023). Early Childhood Education Report. https://ecereport.ca/en/workforcereport/#top.
  Evaluation:
  *This assignment is subject to late submission penalty policy.
  Introduction:
• Brief, clear and concise.
• Describes the presenting problem within the sector
  3 marks
  Analysis and synthesis:
• The material is thought through, carefully examined and
  supported by research, evidence-based, best practices
• Critical interpretations are made between course material and
  action plan.
• Material goes beyond summarizing information and instead
  advises a clear course of action
  10 marks
  Critical Thinking:
• Makes clear connections between the case study, course material,
  and evidence/research/best practices
• Has clearly and creatively thought through the implications of the
  proposed action plan
  10 marks
  Organization, Writing and Professionalism
• There is a clear and logical organization throughout the report
• Uses meaningful headings and subheadings
• Writing is clear and concise and free of grammatical and spelling
  errors
• APA formatting, in-text citations and reference list is free of errors
  5 marks
  Conclusion 2 marks
  Total 30 marks