Life Is Good for Babies: The Pedagogical and Management Decisions Enabling a Teacher to Be Employed in a Rural Infant-toddler Program

The Children's Services Regulation 2004 (NSW) makes it possible for children aged between birth and two years to be without a university qualified teacher in a centre-based long day care service. However, research demonstrates important links between caregivers. formal training and the quality of early childhood education. This case study, about a rural children.s service which successfully employs a university qualified teacher in the infant-toddler room, highlights the role of strong pedagogical beliefs, sound management strategies and a commitment to rural community capacity building as important organisational contributions to the employment of a teacher. The research has implications for leadership in the provision of high quality infant-toddler education.