Preschool and childcare center directors essential career information:
- 2011 median pay: $43,950
- 2011, number of jobs: 48,410
- Employment growth forecast, 2010-2020: 25 percent
- Entry-level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
Preschool and childcare center directors; what they do:
Preschool directors and childcare center directors rarely have a down or dull moment; not only are they working directly with a group of children on a daily basis, but they also oversee a staff and daily activities, plan lessons and activities, and they’re involved with the budget.
Preschool directors and childcare center directors have a large leadership role with their staff. Both a preschool director career and a childcare center director career involve hiring staff members and providing training as well as professional development opportunities for staff members.
Preschool director careers and childcare center director careers also involve developing all program policies for staff to follow.
When conflicts arise between children, a preschool director or a childcare center director often assist a staff member in appropriately dealing with the children; the director usually contact parents and explains the situation. Directors also regularly speak with parents about the overall progress of their children.
A preschool director career and a childcare center director career include ensuring the facility they manage is clean, safe, and meets state regulations. They are also responsible for either developing the curriculum or program, if they work for an independent facility, or if the facility is part of a larger chain, ensuring they meet the standards of the parent organization.
If the preschool or childcare center receives state and federal funding, the director must ensure the programs meet state and federal guidelines.
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Preschool and childcare center directors job titles:
- Director
- Executive Director
- Child Care Director
- Day Care Center Director
- Early Head Start Director
- Education Coordinator
- Education Director
Preschool and Childcare Center Directors Education, Certification and License Requirements
Minimum education requirements for people seeking a preschool director or childcare center director career vary by state from a high school diploma to an associate’s degree to a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education degree. Some states also require preschool directors and childcare center directors to have work experience in early childhood education.
Preschool and childcare center director programs cover subjects such as:
- Principles of early childhood education
- Child health, development and growth
- Creative experiences for young children
- Child health, safety and nutrition
- Administration of child care and education
- Methods in curriculum development
- Strategies in early childhood guidance
- Children in multi-cultural societies
In some states preschool directors and childcare center directors need a nationally recognized certification.
Many states require the Child Development Associate (CDA) certification offered through the Council for Professional Recognition. Some states also recognize the Child Care Professional (CCP) designation through the Nation Early Childhood Program Accreditation.
Preschool directors and childcare center directors need a license.
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Preschool and Childcare Center Director Job Outlook
Forecast: 25 percent employment growth from 2010 to 2020 for preschool directors and child care center directors, faster than the average for all occupations.
A growing population and more parents working increase the demand for childcare and schools and the demand for preschool directors and childcare center directors. Society, focusing more on the importance of early childhood education, increases the demand for preschool and childcare center directors.
The higher demand for early childhood education spurs the development of more preschool programs, all of which need a preschool director.
Preschool and Childcare Center Directors Salary
- 2011 median annual wage: $43,950
- 2011, workers at the 75th percentile annual wage: $60,780
- 2011, workers at the 25% percentile annual wage: $34,050
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Major Employers
- Child day care services
- Religious, grant making, civic, professional, and similar organizations
- Elementary and secondary schools
- Individual and family services
Related Degrees
Learn about an Online
Associate’s in Early Childhood Education Degree
Learn about an Online
B.A. Early Childhood Education Degree
Learn about an Online
M.S. in Early Childhood Education Degree
