Shadowing Centre Directors as Pedagogical Leaders in Early Childhood Education Settings in Finland

Pedagogical leadership is still evolving within early childhood education (ECE). The present study broadly refers to the concept of early childhood education as both the systemic entity and the pedagogical practices within it, as current conceptualisations are based on understanding ECE pedagogy as a holistic phenomenon in which education and care are integrated (e.g. Act on Early Childhood Education and Care, 540/2018). The concept of pedagogical leadership is connected to children’s learning and development but also to ECE professionals’ capacity building and to the wider society’s values and beliefs about education (Heikka & Waniganayake, 2011). Research indicates that the functioning