The purpose of this conceptual paper is to highlight the significance of pedagogical leadership (PL) in improving the quality of practice in early childhood development (ECD) centres. ECD in South Africa is defined as the procedures by means of which children from birth to 9 years grow and flourish emotionally, morally, socially, physically and spiritually (DoE, 2001, p. 7). The paper further argues how professional training and development can equip ECD leaders and teachers with the necessary skills for pedagogical leadership. Currently, in South Africa the majority of ECD leaders, especially those in the previously marginalised ECD communities, have assumed their positions without any professional training. Most ECD leaders are owners who react to the government's call to establish ECD centres in order to make ECD services accessible to all South African children. Leadership in ECD is a less discussed and poorly researched subject in South Africa. Pedagogical leadership in ECD is defined and its status in South Africa is examined in this paper and suggestions are made concerning how it may be transformed and developed. [For the complete Volume 17 proceedings, see ED596826.]