Management
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
Also called: Child Care Center Director, Child Care Director, Childcare Director, Day Care Director
US median pay
$59,300
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-3.1%
declining
Openings a year (US)
5,200
91,900 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care.
What they do day to day
- Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff and recommend personnel actions for programs and services.
- Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities and policies and students' behavioral or learning problems.
- Teach classes or courses or provide direct care to children.
- Determine allocations of funds for staff, supplies, materials, and equipment and authorize purchases.
- Direct and coordinate activities of teachers or administrators at daycare centers, schools, public agencies, or institutions.
- Monitor students' progress and provide students and teachers with assistance in resolving any problems.
- Determine the scope of educational program offerings and prepare drafts of program schedules and descriptions to estimate staffing and facility requirements.
- Review and evaluate new and current programs to determine their efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with state, local, and federal regulations and recommend any necessary modifications.
- Prepare and maintain attendance, activity, planning, accounting, or personnel reports and records for officials and agencies, or direct preparation and maintenance activities.
- Review and interpret government codes and develop procedures to meet codes and to ensure facility safety, security, and maintenance.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9/5
- Instructing3.9/5
- Coordination3.9/5
- Time Management3.8/5
- Service Orientation3.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8/5
Knowledge
- Education and Training4.5/5
- Administration and Management4.5/5
- Personnel and Human Resources4.3/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Administrative4.1/5
- English Language3.9/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.