Discourse on ECD Practitioners' Perceptions of Leadership Practices in a Multicultural Environment: The South African Context

This empirical paper reports on perceptions held by early childhood practitioners about leadership in a multicultural environment. The paper problematises leadership in early childhood development (ECD) centres dealing with diverse ethnic children from the Black South African communities. Among others, it discusses the attributes required for leading a multicultural ECD environment, to contribute to ECD centre effectiveness. Managing a multicultural community is complex, however experienced leaders appreciate the validity of differences and commit to managing a multicultural environment. This empirical paper employed qualitative semi-structured approach to interview managers and practitioners on perceptions held about ECD leadership in multicultural centres. The increasing demands and expectations on ECD centre leaders having learners from diverse cultures, languages and backgrounds, reveal preparation and support challenges. Achievement of positive perceptions may require training, support and resources, because their absence may in fact lead to heightened tensions and prejudices about leaders by practitioners. Recommendations are that ECD centre managers be supported by government to develop cultural pluralism, inter group harmony, and the ability to think, work, and live within a multicultural context. [For the complete Volume 19 proceedings, see ED613922.]