Book excerpt: Managers in child-centred settings need to be able to draw on a wide range of skills to ensure that they are providing the best possible service for the children in their care. This book looks at how you can develop the leadership skills needed to manage people and services. Balancing accessible theory and practical application from a wide range of settings this book explains management theory and will help you to develop the skills to: become a confident leader; set clear aims and objectives for your setting; manage your time effectively; make decisions and implement change; build and develop.