A child care director leads and manages the staff at a child care center. The job description of a child care director includes information on the ways in which the individual provides guidance and support to the teaching staff and cultivates an environment in which children and their parents can feel safe, secure, and well-educated.
Position Description
The child care director is the individual responsible for everything that goes on at the child care facility and, as such, must keep aware of all goings on at the facility.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities of a Child Care Director
- Sets short and long term goals for teaching staff.
- Keeps accurate files on employees, children, and activities.
- Conducts interviews and reviews the qualifications of all new staff before hiring the most qualified applicants for teaching, administrative, or support staff positions.
- Manages the work schedules of teaching and administrative staff.
- Supervises and leads teaching and administrative staff as they adhere to company standards.
- Provides feedback for staff on their performance in the classroom.
- Orders and purchases teaching materials including toys, videos, books, educational aids, cleaning supplies, food, and first aid supplies.
- Organizes monthly schedules for field trips, special events, and holidays.
- Meets with teachers and parents to keep parents up to date on their child’s progress and development.
- Works with teaching staff to find ways to address any behavioral or learning problems.
- Ensures that the facility and staff adheres to all state and local regulations.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Must possess exceptional interpersonal skills with children and adults alike.
- Must demonstrate excellent verbal and written communications skills in order to communicate with parents, staff, and children.
- Must have strong leadership skills to inspire respect from young children.
- Must be organized and have a strong business sense.
- Knowledgeable about the latest trends and techniques in education and child-rearing, including discipline, encouragement, and communication.
- Familiarity with theories and practices of behavioral therapy, child development, and parent-child relationships.
- Must have an appropriate code of ethics for working with young children.
- Must be flexible and able to react appropriately to changing circumstances.
- Must have strong crisis management abilities and be able to maintain a cool composure in times of crisis.
- Must have strong administrative and time management skills.
- Must possess excellent customer service.
- Must be professional and provide a public face for the childcare facility.
Education and Experience
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in early child care or education.
- Must have all CPR and First Aid certifications.
- At least 5 years’ experience working with children in a teaching position or administering child care.
- Must be fully licensed by the state and local municipality.
- Must pass a background check.
Work Environment
- Time is spent in the daycare facility divided between desk work and supervision of staff.
- Must be able to take on classroom duties.
- Must be willing to spend long hours standing, walking, kneeling, and lifting no more than 30 pounds.
- Must be able to work some nights and weekends as needed.
Salary
- Median yearly salary of $40,000.
- Highest earners make yearly salary of $85,000.