CHILD CARE DIRECTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

State licensing compliance failures and staff-to-child ratio violations can close a center overnight. Every enrolled family, every teacher on the floor, and every regulatory inspector depends on one person holding that standard. The Child Care Director owns daily operations of a licensed early childhood facility, from NAEYC accreditation maintenance and PATHS to Quality ratings to infant-and-toddler curriculum oversight for children as young as six weeks. Enrollment sustainability, budget accountability, and community trust all run through this seat.

As the Child Care Director, you are accountable for the operational, financial, and programmatic performance of a state-licensed early childhood center, ensuring every enrolled child receives a safe, developmentally appropriate experience. You lead a staff of educators and support personnel, typically reporting to a district executive or director of program services, with direct authority over hiring, scheduling, compliance, and curriculum execution.

Career Impact: Directors who sustain NAEYC accreditation and Level 4 quality ratings build a credential profile that opens advancement to district-level and regional leadership roles within multi-site early childhood organizations.

Business Impact: The families who entrust infant and toddler care to this center make that decision based on the director's visible commitment to safety protocols, staff development, and transparent communication - enrollment numbers follow directly.

Growth Opportunity: Managing licensed capacity, state compliance cycles, and budget responsibility at the center level equips directors with the operational fluency required to move into senior program leadership or executive director roles overseeing multiple sites.

• Lead daily operations of a state-licensed child care facility serving children from six weeks through school age across all program types.
• Maintain full compliance with state licensing requirements, fire and health codes, and applicable accreditation standards, including NAEYC.
• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and evaluate teaching and support staff to meet required staff-to-child ratios at all times.
• Develop and oversee age-appropriate curriculum incorporating thematic play, learning centers, and gross motor activities across all age groups.
• Prepare, monitor, and reconcile the center's operating budget, including payroll accuracy, supply procurement, and enrollment-driven revenue targets.
• Conduct regular classroom observations and provide structured coaching, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities to staff.
• Build and maintain relationships with enrolled families, community organizations, school districts, and regulatory agencies to support center growth.
• Execute emergency response protocols, including monthly fire drills and quarterly lockdown drills, and maintain accurate documentation of all safety activities.

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of supervisory experience in a state-licensed child care or early childhood program, with demonstrated staff management responsibility.
• Working knowledge of state child care licensing requirements, staff-to-child ratio regulations, and mandatory compliance documentation.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing curriculum for children from infancy through school age across multiple developmental domains.
• Current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or state-issued Director Certification (or ability to obtain within required timeframe).
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, with ability to respond to child safety and medical emergencies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for interaction with families, staff, regulatory agencies, and community partners.
• Proven ability to manage a program budget, monitor payroll accuracy, and support enrollment-driven financial objectives.

• Experience sustaining NAEYC accreditation or a state PATHS to Quality Level 3 or 4 rating within a licensed center.
• Familiarity with American Camping Association guidelines and year-round camp programming as a complement to center-based care.
• Demonstrated experience applying diversity, equity, and inclusion principles across hiring practices, curriculum design, and family engagement.
• Graduate coursework or an advanced degree in Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field.

• Licensed capacity utilization rate, indicating how effectively enrollment is managed relative to regulatory maximum.
• Staff-to-child ratio compliance rate across all classrooms and program hours, measured against state licensing standards.
• Accreditation audit score or PATHS to Quality level maintained or improved during the director's tenure.
• Staff retention rate within the 12-month rolling period, reflecting the quality of coaching, scheduling, and professional development practices.
• Percentage of monthly fire drill and emergency response drills completed and documented on schedule.
• Family re-enrollment rate by semester, reflecting family confidence in the safety and educational quality of the program.
• Typical tools: child care management platforms (commonly Procare or Brightwheel); office productivity (commonly Microsoft Excel and Word)

• Base Salary Range: $48,000 to $72,000 annually, depending on center size and state market
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus tied to enrollment, accreditation, and budget targets; typically 5 to 10%
• Equity: Not typical for this sector; rarely offered outside private equity-backed chains
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies by organization size
• PTO: 10 to 15 days annually, plus standard holidays; some organizations offer child care tuition discounts
• Common Perks: Subsidized or free child care enrollment, professional development reimbursement, CPR/First Aid training covered

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background check clearance, including child abuse registry verification and criminal history review, is a condition of employment for all positions working with minors. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities are available upon request throughout the application and employment process. All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States before their start date.

The Child Care Director owns full operational and curricular responsibility for a children's program serving ages 6 weeks to 12 years, overseeing curriculum development, safety procedures, and age-appropriate activities including thematic games and gross motor skills. Working directly with operations management and Employee Services, this role shapes departmental financials, budgeting, and staff recruitment to deliver a safe, engaging environment families trust.

Key Responsibilities

• Adopt, promote, and enforce all standard operating procedures for the club.
• Ensure the department meets cleanliness and safety standards.
• Report maintenance and repair issues to the Facilities Department as necessary.
• Take ownership of departmental financials.
• Work with operations management on budgeting, managing, marketing, maximizing revenues, and controlling expenses.
• Educate relevant staff on events and timelines within the department.
• Monitor departmental payroll to ensure accuracy against hours worked and hours budgeted.
• Partner with Employee Services and relevant teams to recruit, train, schedule, evaluate, and develop all departmental staff.
• Ensure the children's program is fun for all children through curriculum development and engaging staff.
• Ensure parents have confidence and trust in the program through safe procedures and practices.
• Develop, implement, and manage age-appropriate curriculum including thematic games, crafts, learning centers, and gross motor activities for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years.
• Track all children dropped off and picked up and ensure all safety procedures are followed during drop-off and pick-up.
• Ensure marketing mirrors curriculum and that curriculum stays fresh and engages children.

Required Qualifications

• Experience directing child care programs.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with children.
• Minimum of 1 year of leadership experience with an organised youth camp, school, or other youth-serving organisation.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience managing a staff of over 25 people.
• Experience with state child care licensing and understanding of regulations.
• Experience with transactional point-of-sale systems.
• Knowledge of camp administrative practices.
• Understanding of children's behaviour and ability to develop and manage children's programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, excellent training and coaching skills, and excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, take initiative, and use sound judgment in making suggestions and executing solutions promptly and effectively.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented, energetic, enthusiastic, and motivational.
• Exhibits honesty, discretion, and sound judgment.

Embedded within the program site leadership team, the Child Care Director delivers adventure-based learning experiences across fitness, the arts, technology, and other disciplines for school-age children. Working closely with peers and the Leadership Team, this role builds clubs that ignite intellectual curiosity and fosters positive relationships among staff, children, parents, and schools.

Core Functions

• Lead a team of Guides delivering programmes in fitness, the arts, technology, and more.
• Work collaboratively with peers and the Leadership Team to manage all aspects of the programme site.
• Train Guides on how to lead adventurous tasks that ignite children's sense of wonder.
• Encourage creativity and intellectual curiosity by establishing clubs that build on students' interests and talents.
• Provide a caring, family-oriented environment where positive staff, child, parent, and school relationships are fostered.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in a field related to Early Childhood or Medicine.
• Minimum of a CDA, or 12 credit hours dedicated towards Early Childhood out of 48 credit hours.
• Proof of experience as required by state childcare licensing standards.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to meet programme staffing needs.
• Ability to complete a background check as required by state childcare licensing regulations.

Reporting to senior organisational leadership, the Child Care Director shapes the daily operation of an early childhood center by maintaining licensing standards, executing the center's marketing plan, and leading a high-performance teaching team to deliver quality classroom experiences. Partnering with families, community contacts, and corporate partners, this role builds the public relationships and financial accountability that sustain the center's profitability and community standing.

Primary Duties

• Provide day-to-day leadership and management in accordance with core organisational values.
• Ensure effective operation of the center and maintain licensing, safety, and educational standards in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local rules, regulations, licensing requirements, and company policies.
• Cultivate positive relationships with families, staff members, and community contacts, and build and maintain public relations with prospective clients and corporate partners through networking and cross-marketing opportunities.
• Create and implement the marketing plan for the center, and coordinate local area and in-center events and activities per organisational requirements.
• Motivate and lead a high-performance team to create unique, engaging, and quality classroom experiences, and attract, recruit, and retain staff per the required staff-to-child ratio as set by the State Licensing Entity.
• Develop and facilitate agendas for monthly team meetings and other meetings as needed.
• Deliver and implement training programmes in alignment with core values and state and company requirements.
• Prepare and deliver reports and forms in accordance with company deadlines and procedures.
• Maintain accurate financial accounting of center operations, protect monetary assets, and develop cost estimates for future programme needs.
• Assist in planning and developing an annual budget and meet or exceed financial goals and objectives.
• Achieve set Key Performance Indicators and ensure accuracy and timeliness of data entry.
• Develop and execute effective emergency response plans in cooperation with local and state agencies, conduct monthly fire drills and quarterly lock-down drills, and maintain a log of drills and documentation.
• Manage relationships with outside vendors, including background investigations, insurance requirements, and ensuring vendor compliance with company policies.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree, preferably in early childhood education or a related field.
• Maintain continuing education requirements per company and state requirements.
• Minimum of 2 years in a supervisory role in a licensed childcare programme.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to set a vision, inspire collaboration, and coach and build teams to achieve mutual goals.
• Ability to react quickly with sound judgment and problem-solving skills in complex and critical situations.
• Demonstrates adaptability, initiative, integrity, and commitment to customer service excellence.
• Responds positively to feedback and continually strives to develop professionally.

Sitting at the intersection of strategic leadership and community-based programme delivery, the Child Care Director leads District 4 strategy and vision in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Seattle's collaborative leadership team, overseeing staff and volunteers while ensuring programme quality across youth sports, day camp, and parent-child programmes. Operating across school districts, community partners, and governmental agencies, this role advances participant growth and site expansion to fulfill the organisation's financial and operational objectives.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Supervise assigned staff to ensure sound operations.
• Provide leadership and direction through coaching, performance management, and development of district staff and volunteers.
• Support the operational growth of the district through participant and site growth, participant experience, and programme expansion in partnership with relevant support teams.
• Represent and promote the organisation in local communities and educational settings, and develop positive working relationships with school districts, community partners, businesses, and governmental agencies.
• Support programme delivery to ensure high-quality results and site structure aligned with district and association mission, goals, and strategies.
• Train, evaluate, and manage staff and volunteers in assigned areas and develop staff potential.
• Ensure safety procedures are followed and that all programmes comply with applicable standards and regulations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a programme-related field or equivalent education and experience.
• Certified in CPR and First Aid.
• Eligibility to obtain a Commercial Driver's Licence (most positions).
• 5 years of leadership experience in childcare and/or day camp.
• Experience applying youth programme quality principles to new and existing programmes.
• Experience and demonstrated ability in year-round camp programming and operation, including knowledge of American Camping Association guidelines.
• Demonstrated skills in child behaviour management and child abuse prevention.
• Broad knowledge of licensed and unlicensed youth development programming and associated standards and regulations.
• Knowledge of child care licensing requirements and applicable standards for day camps.
• Broad knowledge of assigned programme areas, which may include youth sports, day camp, and parent-child programmes.
• Ability to respond to safety and emergencies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop a strategy and implement it through change management.
• Knowledge of and experience with diverse populations preferred.

A key member of the Goddard School of Watertown's leadership team, the Child Care Director leads staffing, teacher development, and curriculum delivery for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years within a play-based learning environment inspired by Piaget and Erikson. Collaborating across teaching staff, families, and community partners, this role advances physical and intellectual competence while building an environment where children, families, and staff thrive.

Duties

• Support and maintain appropriate staffing levels in accordance with school policies and state regulations, including recruitment, selection, and employee appraisals.
• Assist in maintaining records about school administration in accordance with state requirements in health, safety, enrollment, and licensing.
• Lead and support teacher observations, training, coaching, and orientation.
• Plan and enhance community relations to promote awareness of the school and its educational offerings.
• Advance physical and intellectual competence by adapting programme activities to meet the individual needs of children.
• Communicate appropriately and professionally with parents and staff members.
• Provide positive guidance by supporting social and emotional development and establishing positive and productive relationships with families.
• Understand and implement health and safety procedures.
• Participate in recommended training programmes, conferences, and other professional development activities.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field.
• Associate's degree or higher with relevant management experience will be considered.
• Management experience in a licensed childcare center or preschool, including 2 years (3,120 clock hours) of experience.
• 1 year of management experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to hear conversational voice, see and read newsprint, and speak and be understood under normal circumstances, with or without corrective devices or aids.
• Ability to lift and carry children and other items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to use arms, hands, legs, and feet, with or without corrective devices, including the ability to evacuate the building during emergencies.
• Ability to handle crises, especially where children are involved, and respond immediately to emergencies.

A safe, high-quality learning environment for children and families depends on the Child Care Director, who leads daily operations of a licensed facility encompassing before- and after-school care, summer camp, infant and toddler care, and full-day preschool under the guidance of the Director of Program Services. Based within the YMCA Learning Center and accountable to children, staff, and families, this role delivers financial accountability, accreditation compliance, and community partnerships that drive programme growth and sustainability.

Functions

• Lead and manage daily operations of a licensed child care facility, including before and after school care, summer camp, infant and toddler care, and full-day preschool.
• Maintain direct responsibility for the day-to-day safety and wellbeing of all children enrolled in the programme.
• Oversee budget preparation and compliance.
• Recruit, develop, and supervise all Learning Center staff.
• Maintain files, records, and statistical data.
• Ensure appropriate staffing coverage with qualified teachers, assistants, and kitchen staff.
• Execute sound administration and management to increase programme quality and sustainability, and promote financial accountability and viability.
• Sustain accreditation and quality rating compliance and demonstrate compliance with applicable laws, regulations, licensure, and accreditation standards.
• Develop and maintain connections with stakeholders to support programme growth.
• Develop and promote good community relations among local schools and organisations.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or elementary education with a kindergarten endorsement, including 15 credit hours in courses related to the needs, skills, development, or teaching methods of children aged 6 years or younger.
• Two-year associate's degree in early childhood education.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in an early childhood programme.
• Demonstrates the organisation's core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in all matters.
• Listens and expresses ideas effectively in a manner that reflects understanding of the needs of the audience.
• Dedicated to the continual improvement of knowledge and skills.

As the Child Care Director, this role shapes the daily environment of a state-licensed school by setting excellence in leadership, managing compliance with state regulations and company policies, and ensuring an educational, safe, and caring experience for children and families. The school's performance in enrollment, customer satisfaction, and staff development relies on this work to meet and exceed expectations across all operational and administrative functions.

Accountabilities

• Set the tone for excellence through daily leadership and a positive, engaging environment.
• Ensure an educational, caring, and safe environment for children and families.
• Recruit, train, schedule, evaluate, and mentor quality staff.
• Provide staff with regular and specific feedback through classroom observations, one-on-one meetings, and performance reviews.
• Meet and exceed customer expectations by understanding, anticipating, and addressing customer needs proactively.
• Manage the school in compliance with all state regulations and company policies and procedures.
• Effectively resolve problems related to the management of the school.
• Maintain administrative records in compliance with company policy and state regulations.
• Plan work schedules and supervise staff.
• Keep fully informed of all activities at the school and ensure families are kept aware of relevant details.
• Coach and mentor the management team and conduct tours for prospective families.
• Maintain effective communication between staff and parents, and regularly solicit feedback from parents to make improvements.
• Ensure all staff follow professional development requirements.
• Maintain building, equipment, and grounds through regular safety checks to ensure a safe environment.

Position Requirements

• GED or High School Diploma required.
• Bachelor's or Associate's Degree in Early Childhood or a related field preferred.
• Current state-specific Director's Credential or Certificate.
• Child and Infant CPR and First Aid certification required within 90 days of employment.
• At least 3 years of experience directing a state-licensed child care programme with over 100 children.
• Successful experience leading a large, highly skilled team.
• Must meet all state-specific licensing requirements related to continuing education.
• Extensive knowledge of state and local requirements, including third-party contracts.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to communicate effectively.

Child Care Director leads assigned schools in accordance with company financial and budgetary guidelines, overseeing teacher hiring and supervision, curriculum development, and marketing plan execution to maintain enrollment. The work directly supports a safe, compliant, and well-resourced learning environment for all children in care, contributing to operational quality across every aspect of school administration.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Manage assigned schools in accordance with company financial and budgetary guidelines.
• Hire, train, and supervise teachers and other staff.
• Operate the school according to state licensing standards.
• Assist teachers with the weekly development and execution of curriculum and programme activities.
• Purchase supplies, equipment, food, and other materials necessary for programme operations.
• Execute the marketing plan to maintain desired enrollment.
• Ensure a safe environment for all children in care.

Professional Experience

• BA in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related field preferred.
• First Aid certification is an asset.
• Minimum of 1 year of pre-school management experience.
• Computer proficiency including Word and Excel.
• Ability to learn other programmes quickly.
• Must be a team builder, highly organised, and possess excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Flexible, energetic, and able to manage multiple duties simultaneously.