The Future of Education

This study investigates how preschool managers' legal competence contributes to organisational development and learning within Norwegian kindergartens. Drawing upon the Kindergarten Act (2020), the Framework Plan (2017), and relevant leadership theories, the research highlights how legal competence enables managers to lead responsibly, ensuring compliance with laws while fostering a reflective and developmental culture among staff. Through qualitative interviews with preschool managers, findings reveal that legal competence strengthens leadership practices by providing structural clarity, building trust, and facilitating collaboration with staff, parents, and external partners. Legal insight emerges not only as protection against mistakes but also as a strategic resource for enhancing pedagogical quality and driving organisational learning. The study concludes that a preschool manager’s ability to interpret and apply legal frameworks critically enhances both leadership legitimacy and organisational learning, supporting continuous development and promoting children's well-being and educational outcomes.

Keywords: Legal competence, Organisational development, Professional judgement, Learning organisation, Preschool leadership

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