What Servant Leadership Can Offer Early Childhood Education

Key Takeaways:

Servant leadership improves academic achievement, teacher job satisfaction, and school culture
Empathy, active listening, humility, and stewardship are the hallmarks of this approach
Servant leadership creates an environment where kindness, empathy, and collaboration are at the forefront

Thriving early learning environments rely on a series of interconnected relationships—between students, teachers, the broader school community, and more. At Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning, this also includes our operations, health services, and family success teams. This means that it is important for early childhood education (ECE) professionals to manage not only the nuts and bolts of running their centers, but also to nurture the growth and well-being of children, and build effective relationships with the collective team.

There are many ways to lead. One approach which has been shown to have profound impacts in educational settings, is the servant leadership management approach. This is the first in Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning’s series of blogs examining the different leadership styles which can be impactful for ECE professionals.

Servant leadership is based on the idea that leaders exist to serve others. This approach flips the traditional leadership hierarchy on its head, placing the needs of employees, students, and the community above the leader’s own needs.

Research has consistently demonstrated that servant leadership can be highly effective. In the context of ECE, it can create a positive learning environment that fosters academic achievement, teacher job satisfaction, and a culture of collaboration and care.

What is Servant Leadership?

Servant leadership was first coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in the 1970s, and its principles are simple: a servant leader prioritizes the growth and well-being of their team and community over their own personal gain. This leadership style is characterized by empathy, active listening, humility, stewardship, and a commitment to the development of others.

Rather than leading with authority or control, servant leaders seek to empower and uplift. They ask questions like, “How can I support you?” and “What do you need to succeed?” This mindset builds trust, encourages collaboration, and creates a culture where everyone feels valued and heard.

As a result, servant leadership can significantly improve outcomes for both students and educators and have profound impact in several key areas.

Academic Achievement

In ECE, creating a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment is essential for young learners to thrive. Servant leaders prioritize the needs of the children in their care by ensuring that the team has the resources, training, and support they need to deliver high-quality early childhood care. When the whole team feels empowered and valued, they are better equipped to focus on the children’s individual needs, leading to improved academic outcomes. Additionally, the culture of care modeled by servant leaders trickles down to the classroom, where children feel more supported and encouraged to explore, create, and grow. This can be even more impactful for children who come from backgrounds where they are facing adverse childhood experiences.

Job Satisfaction

Providing high quality care to young children is an incredibly rewarding career, but it can also be challenging and emotionally and physically demanding. Servant leadership helps address these challenges by creating a supportive work environment where everyone feels appreciated and heard. Leaders who practice servant leadership invest in their team’s professional and personal growth, offer meaningful feedback, and create opportunities for collaboration. When professionals feel respected and supported, job satisfaction increases, burnout decreases, and retention improves. This stability is particularly important in early childhood education, where consistency in relationships is key to child development. In turn, this supports individual and organizational goal setting plus achieving the organization’s mission and vision by promoting the skill building and support necessary to reach those goals, especially within a non-profit environment.

Positive Culture

A school’s culture is its heartbeat, as it shapes the way children, staff, and families interact and feel about their educational experience. Servant leadership promotes a culture of mutual respect, inclusivity, and shared purpose. By leading with empathy and humility, servant leaders set the tone for a community where everyone is valued and empowered. This positive culture not only enhances the learning environment but also strengthens relationships among employees, children, and families, creating a true sense of belonging.

Servant Leadership Strategies

So, what does servant leadership look like in ECE? There are simple ways for leaders to apply the principles of this leadership approach:

Listen Actively and Empathetically: Take the time to truly listen to your team, children, and families. Understand their needs, challenges, and aspirations. Create opportunities for open dialogue, such as regular check-ins, or meetings.
Empower Your Team: Provide employees with the tools and resources they need to succeed. Trust them to make decisions and encourage innovation in the classroom.
Model Humility and Care: Show your team and children that you are willing to roll up your sleeves, sit on the floor, and work alongside them. Celebrate successes, acknowledge challenges, and demonstrate genuine care for their well-being.
Foster Collaboration and Community: Create a culture where teamwork is valued and celebrated. Encourage staff to share ideas, support one another, and collaborate on projects. Build strong relationships with families and involve them in the learning process.
Prioritize Personal and Professional Growth:
Invest in the growth of your team by offering professional development, training, and opportunities for advancement. Show your commitment to their growth by celebrating milestones and achievements.

Young children absorb not only the information we teach them but also the attitudes, behaviors, and values we model. When leaders in ECE utilize servant leadership, they create an environment where kindness, empathy, and collaboration are at the forefront of everything they do. This approach not only benefits the educators and other staff in the learning community but also shapes the way children view themselves and the world around them.

At CHS, we are deeply committed to nurturing not only our children’s development but also the growth and well-being of the educators and staff who guide them. To find out more about careers at CHS, please visit our Careers website.