Children's centres set leadership standards

The draft standards, which have been developed by NCSL and Pen Green Early Years Leadership and Research Base, set out the key areas of responsibility for centre leaders and the knowledge, professional qualities and skills needed to fulfil them.

They will be used by NCSL to assess participants undertaking its National Professional Qualification in Integrated Centre Leadership (NPQICL) and by local authorities, governing bodies and children's centre management committees to inform job descriptions, person specifications and performance management.

Maggie Farrar, director of Every Child Matters and Standards at NCSL, said, 'These standards represent a critical next- step in giving the early years sector the robust qualification and skills framework it deserves. We are keen to involve as many people as possible in this consultation - leaders of children's centres, local authorities, unions, professional associations, governors, management committee members, and others from the public and private sectors - to ensure the standards properly reflect the full range and complexity of the job of children's centre leader.'