Character Education Based on Religious Values in Early Childhood: A School Principal's Leadership Perspective

This research aims to describe the leadership of the Principal at an Early Childhood Education Institution in strengthening the character of students. The method used in this research is qualitative phenomenology. The subjects of this research were school principals, teachers and education staff at PAUD Ukhuwah Islamiyah, Banjarmasin. The data collection techniques used were interviews, observation and documentation studies. Test the validity of the data using the Triangulation Technique. Data analysis uses the Miles & Huberman analysis technique which consists of data condensation, data presentation, and drawing and verifying conclusions. The conclusion of this research is that the principal's leadership model is a transformational leadership model in implementing religious values, including internalizing religious values in the school's vision and mission, internalizing religious values in learning, facilitating supporting facilities and infrastructure, creating a school culture that has religious values. and empowering teachers and staff.