Open lecture: Principals of preschool institutions. Professional development, leadership skills, management, and organization

Principals of preschool institutions play a key role in ensuring the quality of early childhood education through continuous professional development, effective leadership, and competent management and organization. Their professional growth supports the development of pedagogical leadership skills necessary for guiding educational staff, creating a positive institutional culture, and responding to contemporary educational challenges. Strong leadership, combined with sound management and organizational practices, contributes to the efficient functioning of preschool institutions and the creation of high-quality learning environments for children.

Tihana Kokanović is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb, in the Department of Pedagogy and Didactics. She earned her degree from the Faculty of Teacher Education and her PhD from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb. She has professional experience as a preschool teacher (2006–2016) and kindergarten principal (2016–2024). She is the author or co-author of more than twenty scientific and professional papers in the field of early childhood education and actively participates in national and international conferences. She is a member of organizational and scientific committees of international and national conferences. She has also reviewed papers for several national and international journals, including Journal of Childhood, Education & Society, International Journal of Instruction, Croatian Journal of Education, and Metodički obzori. She has been involved in several scientific and professional projects, including leading two development projects funded by the European Social Fund and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Her research interests include professional development of educational staff and preschool education.