Director of Early Childhood Education Jobs
Director of Early Childhood Education jobs are open across public school districts, private childcare centers, Head Start programs, and nonprofits, from program coordinator to executive director level, with specializations in curriculum development, family engagement, and program compliance. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 494+ Director of Early Childhood Education jobs
Who We Are
Who You Are
Responsibilities:
- Designs, implements, and monitors the developmental screening and multi-tiered system of supports process to ensure compliance with program and funding requirements.
- Facilitates and participates in program and center-based multidisciplinary teams to analyze student data and develop intervention plans.
- Develops intervention and behavior safety plans, as well as collaborates with center staff and parents regarding implementation and progress. Monitors the referral and implementation of services with the Agency’s contracted intervention providers.
- Assists in the recruitment, placement, and enrollment of children with diagnosed disabilities and monitors compliance with enrollment requirements for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) eligible students.
- Reviews IFSPs, IEPs, and evaluation reports and conducts pre-enrollment observations in children's current service settings during the application process to determine appropriate classroom placement and support needs. Conducts ongoing classroom observations to identify and assess developmental concerns in individual children and groups of children.
- Provides information and materials to the teaching staff relevant to the service needs for children with exceptionalities.
- Provides professional development and coaching to teachers on compliance and best practices for serving all children, including children with exceptionalities.
- Coordinates transportation for children who receive services outside of their centers with the Local Education Agency (LEA) and families.
- Works closely with the LEA, establishing annual MOU to provide screening, Child Find, and special education services to Early Childhood Education children.
- Supports and guides waitlisted and enrolled families throughout the eligibility, evaluation, and IEP development process for their children.
- Works at ECE site locations and supports program operations as needed and assigned.
- Provides feedback to supervisors regarding staff implementation of strategies.
- Assists the Education Coordinator with developing and coordinating training for staff and parents related to interventions, Child Find, and disabilities.
- Maintains a current and confidential tracking system to monitor children with disabilities and intervention plans.
- Tracks all referrals to the LEA’s Child Find Office and other outside agencies.
- Provides reports for the PIR on a yearly basis.
- Provides monthly compliance reports to Director of Education.
- Collects and reviews Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ), Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA), and other developmental screening tools and maintains screening results for each student.
- Enters all student information and data, including screening scores, Child Find timeline dates including initial referral, evaluation, IEP, and communication related to IEPs and intervention plans, into the student information system.
- Maintains student files with updated intervention plans, IEPs, evaluations, etc.
- Serves as a CAC Crisis Prevention Trainer by obtaining and maintaining certification and conducting Crisis Prevention training for CAC staff.
- Serves as a liaison between CAC and contracted intervention providers to ensure service alignment, while clinical oversight and treatment decisions remain the responsibility of licensed providers.
- Attends and participates with in-service training, staff meetings and other activities to facilitate professional development.
- Works cooperatively with others including all staff, supervisors, administrators, co-workers, community professionals, clients, vendors and the public.
- Assumes other duties, responsibilities and special projects as needed.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in special education, early childhood education, social work or related field.
- 3+ years of experience working with target population in special education.
- Experience using early childhood screening tools
- Experience implementing curriculum to meet the needs of the target population.
- Knowledge of early childhood developmental screening and assessment tools and their application in identifying children's strengths and support needs.
- Valid driving license and access to reliable transportation during work hours.
- Ability to use a personal vehicle to perform job-related duties and travel between work locations, as needed
- Strong computer proficiency especially with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), and academic platforms
- Ability to read, write, comprehend and speak English
- Knowledge of the Head Start Program Performance Standards, ADA, and State COMAR and Federal regulations
Who We Are
Who You Are
Responsibilities:
- Designs, implements, and monitors the developmental screening and multi-tiered system of supports process to ensure compliance with program and funding requirements.
- Facilitates and participates in program and center-based multidisciplinary teams to analyze student data and develop intervention plans.
- Develops intervention and behavior safety plans, as well as collaborates with center staff and parents regarding implementation and progress. Monitors the referral and implementation of services with the Agency’s contracted intervention providers.
- Assists in the recruitment, placement, and enrollment of children with diagnosed disabilities and monitors compliance with enrollment requirements for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) eligible students.
- Reviews IFSPs, IEPs, and evaluation reports and conducts pre-enrollment observations in children's current service settings during the application process to determine appropriate classroom placement and support needs. Conducts ongoing classroom observations to identify and assess developmental concerns in individual children and groups of children.
- Provides information and materials to the teaching staff relevant to the service needs for children with exceptionalities.
- Provides professional development and coaching to teachers on compliance and best practices for serving all children, including children with exceptionalities.
- Coordinates transportation for children who receive services outside of their centers with the Local Education Agency (LEA) and families.
- Works closely with the LEA, establishing annual MOU to provide screening, Child Find, and special education services to Early Childhood Education children.
- Supports and guides waitlisted and enrolled families throughout the eligibility, evaluation, and IEP development process for their children.
- Works at ECE site locations and supports program operations as needed and assigned.
- Provides feedback to supervisors regarding staff implementation of strategies.
- Assists the Education Coordinator with developing and coordinating training for staff and parents related to interventions, Child Find, and disabilities.
- Maintains a current and confidential tracking system to monitor children with disabilities and intervention plans.
- Tracks all referrals to the LEA’s Child Find Office and other outside agencies.
- Provides reports for the PIR on a yearly basis.
- Provides monthly compliance reports to Director of Education.
- Collects and reviews Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ), Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA), and other developmental screening tools and maintains screening results for each student.
- Enters all student information and data, including screening scores, Child Find timeline dates including initial referral, evaluation, IEP, and communication related to IEPs and intervention plans, into the student information system.
- Maintains student files with updated intervention plans, IEPs, evaluations, etc.
- Serves as a CAC Crisis Prevention Trainer by obtaining and maintaining certification and conducting Crisis Prevention training for CAC staff.
- Serves as a liaison between CAC and contracted intervention providers to ensure service alignment, while clinical oversight and treatment decisions remain the responsibility of licensed providers.
- Attends and participates with in-service training, staff meetings and other activities to facilitate professional development.
- Works cooperatively with others including all staff, supervisors, administrators, co-workers, community professionals, clients, vendors and the public.
- Assumes other duties, responsibilities and special projects as needed.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in special education, early childhood education, social work or related field.
- 3+ years of experience working with target population in special education.
- Experience using early childhood screening tools
- Experience implementing curriculum to meet the needs of the target population.
- Knowledge of early childhood developmental screening and assessment tools and their application in identifying children's strengths and support needs.
- Valid driving license and access to reliable transportation during work hours.
- Ability to use a personal vehicle to perform job-related duties and travel between work locations, as needed
- Strong computer proficiency especially with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint), and academic platforms
- Ability to read, write, comprehend and speak English
- Knowledge of the Head Start Program Performance Standards, ADA, and State COMAR and Federal regulations
See All 494+ Director of Early Childhood Education Jobs
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Find JobsDirector of Early Childhood Education Job Market
Who's Hiring
- The Learning Experience38
- Bright Horizons Family Solutions27
- Denver Public Schools13
- Easter Seals12
- Spring Independent School District7
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Government & Public Sector
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in director of early childhood education jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in early childhood education, child development, or a related field
- State-issued director credential or administrator license as required by jurisdiction
- Demonstrated experience supervising early childhood educators and program staff
- Knowledge of NAEYC accreditation standards or state childcare licensing requirements
- Experience managing program budgets and reporting to boards or funding agencies
- Familiarity with child assessment tools such as Teaching Strategies GOLD or ASQ
Tips for Your Director of Early Childhood Education Job Search
Align your resume to licensing standards
Many postings require proof that your program meets NAEYC accreditation or state licensing criteria. Lead your resume with the specific standards your program operates under and any compliance outcomes you've owned, not just your job title.
Highlight budgeting and enrollment management results
Directors are often evaluated on financial sustainability and enrollment growth. Quantify the budget you've managed and any changes in enrollment or retention during your tenure so hiring committees can assess your operational impact at a glance.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists director of early childhood education openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target your search by funding source
Head Start and Early Head Start roles have federal performance standards and require familiarity with the Head Start Program Performance Standards. Filter openings by program type so you're only applying where your regulatory background is a direct match.
Prepare a philosophy statement before interviewing
Committees at mission-driven organizations routinely ask for your early childhood education philosophy in writing or on the spot. Draft a one-page statement before you apply so you're not composing it under pressure during a final-round interview.
Negotiate your professional development budget
Directors are expected to keep staff current on child development research and state regulations. When negotiating your offer, ask specifically about conference attendance, coaching subscriptions, and staff training funds, not just base compensation.
Director of Early Childhood Education Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most director of early childhood educations?
The Learning Experience, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, and Denver Public Schools are hiring the most director of early childhood educations right now, with openings concentrated in California, New York, and Michigan, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Public school districts, Head Start grantees, and national childcare operators tend to post the highest volume of openings year-round.
How many director of early childhood education jobs are remote?
About 12% of director of early childhood education openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with most on-site roles tied to licensed center or program management. Sub-areas with the highest remote share include curriculum consulting, early childhood policy, and regional program oversight roles that don't require daily center presence.
How do you become a director of early childhood education?
Start by earning a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or child development, then gain classroom experience as a lead teacher. Pursue a director credential or administrator certification required by your state, which typically involves coursework in administration, budgeting, and regulatory compliance. Build supervisory experience, then apply to assistant director roles before moving into a director position.
Can I get hired as a director of early childhood education without direct director experience?
Yes, especially if you've held an assistant director, lead teacher, or program coordinator role with supervisory responsibilities. Employers at smaller centers or new programs will often consider candidates who demonstrate strong knowledge of licensing requirements, staff development, and family engagement even without a previous director title. Earning your state director credential before applying strengthens your candidacy significantly.
What does the director of early childhood education interview process look like?
Most employers start with a phone or video screen focused on your regulatory knowledge and leadership philosophy. A second round typically includes a panel interview with board members, senior staff, or family representatives who ask scenario-based questions about staff conflicts, licensing issues, and enrollment challenges. Final candidates are sometimes asked to submit a sample program improvement plan or deliver a short presentation before an offer is made.
Where can I find and apply to director of early childhood education jobs?
You can find and apply to director of early childhood education jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that fit your program background and experience level, then apply directly to each listing from the same place.
See All 494+ Director of Early Childhood Education Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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