Abstract
The Teacher-Led Innovation Fund (TLIF) programme actively promoted the importance of external supports for the inquiries undertaken within TLIF projects. In this article we explore the ways in which two specific external supports – organisational leaders and critical friends – supported the work of the four kindergarten teams involved in the Data, Knowledge, Action TLIF project. Specific examples of the practical actions undertaken, and mentoring offered, are shared to illustrate how both the organisational leaders and critical friends contributed to the success of the project.