Abstract
Since the implementation of the Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme (PEVS) in 2007, its built-in
quality assurance mechanism has brought about subtle changes in the work relationship between
kindergarten (KG) principals and teachers. The increasing demand for accountability and the call
for improvement in the quality of pre-school education are altering the conventional practice of
school management, which had been strongly affected by Chinese cultural values. In the meantime,
the collaboration and teachers’ participation in making decisions in KGs, which are emphasized in
the quality assurance mechanism of the PEVS, are influencing the leadership styles of KG principals
in managing their staff. This article presents the findings on Hong Kong KG teachers’ perceptions of
their principals’ leadership practices in the context of such managerial changes.