Early Childhood Director Jobs
Early Childhood Director jobs are open across public school districts, private childcare centers, Head Start programs, and nonprofit organizations, from assistant director to executive director level, with specializations in curriculum development, family engagement, and program compliance. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 1,749+ Early Childhood Director jobs
The Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) provides direction for the program and classroom, implements program curriculum, ensures safety procedures are being implemented and assists in the direction and management of Assistant Teachers . ECT provides a quality experience to children and parents that focuses achievement, relationships and belonging through teaching the YMCA values: honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring .
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Implements curriculum within the established guidelines.
- Designs and implements daily lesson/activity plans.
- Supervises the children, classroom, and all activities.
- Supports in the supervision and direction of Assistant Teachers
- Makes ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of each child.
- Ensures program is consistently following all YMCA, Colorado Department of Health and Human services and Health department expectations.
- Conducts parent conferences, and maintains positive relationships and effective communication with parents. Engages parents in program activities and events.
- Maintains program site and equipment.
- Maintains required program records, registration forms and medications.
- Attends and participates in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training.
YMCA Competencies:
- Follows YMLA policies ana procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, and emergencies.
Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y's values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.
Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person's point of view and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes
effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/FUNCTIONAL ATTRIBUTES
Essential functions are the fundamental job duties, meaning the position exists to perform the function; there is a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function can be distributed; and/or the incumbent is hired for expertise or ability to perform the function due to its high specialization.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and associated Federal regulations protect qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination in all areas of employment. To be considered qualified, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions of a position, with or without reasonable
accommodation. It is important that the physical tasks associated with the essential functions be identified appropriately so that persons with disabilities can determine if any accommodation is necessary.
General Physical Requirements
- Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Physical Activities List
- Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
- Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
- Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
- Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
- Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
- Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
- Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
- Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
- Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to- position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.
- Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
- Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
- Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
- Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
- Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and make fine discriminations in sound.
- Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
Visual Acuity
- The worker is required to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, thoroughness of work assigned (i.e., security guard, inspection, etc.)
Working Conditions
- The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.
- Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent – must meet ECT qualifications through CDHS.
- Minimum 1-year experience working with Preschool aged/Kindergarten aged children in a supervisory role.
- Minimum age requirements of 21.
- Typical requirements within 30 days of hire include completion of: Child Abuse Prevention for Supervisory Staff; Working with Program Volunteers; CPR; First Aid; AED; Bloodborne Pathogens.
- Ability to work with a wide range of age groups, demographics and have ability to collaborate well with a number of groups and individuals
- Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
- Ability to meet YMCA driver requirements.
- Ability and desire to embrace the mission of the YMCA.
The Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) provides direction for the program and classroom, implements program curriculum, ensures safety procedures are being implemented and assists in the direction and management of Assistant Teachers . ECT provides a quality experience to children and parents that focuses achievement, relationships and belonging through teaching the YMCA values: honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring .
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Implements curriculum within the established guidelines.
- Designs and implements daily lesson/activity plans.
- Supervises the children, classroom, and all activities.
- Supports in the supervision and direction of Assistant Teachers
- Makes ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of each child.
- Ensures program is consistently following all YMCA, Colorado Department of Health and Human services and Health department expectations.
- Conducts parent conferences, and maintains positive relationships and effective communication with parents. Engages parents in program activities and events.
- Maintains program site and equipment.
- Maintains required program records, registration forms and medications.
- Attends and participates in family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training.
YMCA Competencies:
- Follows YMLA policies ana procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, and emergencies.
Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y's values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.
Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person's point of view and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes
effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/FUNCTIONAL ATTRIBUTES
Essential functions are the fundamental job duties, meaning the position exists to perform the function; there is a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function can be distributed; and/or the incumbent is hired for expertise or ability to perform the function due to its high specialization.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and associated Federal regulations protect qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination in all areas of employment. To be considered qualified, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions of a position, with or without reasonable
accommodation. It is important that the physical tasks associated with the essential functions be identified appropriately so that persons with disabilities can determine if any accommodation is necessary.
General Physical Requirements
- Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Physical Activities List
- Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
- Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
- Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
- Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
- Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
- Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
- Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
- Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
- Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to- position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.
- Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
- Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
- Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
- Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
- Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and make fine discriminations in sound.
- Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
Visual Acuity
- The worker is required to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, thoroughness of work assigned (i.e., security guard, inspection, etc.)
Working Conditions
- The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.
- Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent – must meet ECT qualifications through CDHS.
- Minimum 1-year experience working with Preschool aged/Kindergarten aged children in a supervisory role.
- Minimum age requirements of 21.
- Typical requirements within 30 days of hire include completion of: Child Abuse Prevention for Supervisory Staff; Working with Program Volunteers; CPR; First Aid; AED; Bloodborne Pathogens.
- Ability to work with a wide range of age groups, demographics and have ability to collaborate well with a number of groups and individuals
- Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
- Ability to meet YMCA driver requirements.
- Ability and desire to embrace the mission of the YMCA.
See All 1,749+ Early Childhood Director Jobs
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Find Early Childhood Director JobsEarly Childhood Director Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Bright Horizons Family Solutions59
- The Learning Experience56
- Easter Seals21
- Primrose Schools17
- Childcare Network16
Top Industries Hiring
- Education35
- Government & Public Sector3
- Healthcare & Medical Services3
- Agriculture & Farming2
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in early childhood director jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in early childhood education, child development, or a related field
- Active state childcare director credential or administrator license as required by jurisdiction
- Minimum of three to five years of experience in early childhood education program leadership
- Knowledge of NAEYC accreditation standards and state childcare licensing regulations
- Demonstrated experience managing staff, conducting performance evaluations, and leading professional development
- Proficiency in childcare management software and comfort with enrollment and billing administration systems
Tips for Your Early Childhood Director Job Search
Align your resume to licensing requirements
Many early childhood director postings list specific state childcare licensing standards as a baseline requirement. Pull the exact licensing language from each job description and mirror it in your resume's credentials section so screeners can confirm compliance at a glance.
Highlight your staff supervision numbers
Directors are evaluated heavily on team management. Wherever you've overseen teachers, aides, or administrative staff, name the size of that team directly in your bullets. Hiring committees want to see that your leadership experience matches the scale of their center.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists early childhood director openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by accreditation type
NAEYC-accredited programs, Head Start grantees, and state PreK initiatives each have distinct compliance expectations. Tailor your application materials to reference the specific accreditation or funding framework the employer operates under, since generic applications rarely pass initial review at specialized programs.
Prepare a budget management narrative
Many director interviews include a direct question about fiscal oversight. Before your interview, prepare a concise example of a time you managed a program budget, resolved a funding shortfall, or stewarded a grant, so you can answer confidently with a real scenario.
Follow up with a program-specific note
After an interview, send a follow-up that references a detail from the conversation about their curriculum model or enrollment goals. Generic thank-you notes rarely move the needle for director-level roles, but showing you listened to their specific challenges does.
Early Childhood Director Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most early childhood directors?
The most active employers for early childhood directors right now are Bright Horizons Family Solutions, The Learning Experience, and Easter Seals, and the most openings are in New York, California, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Program type varies widely, so check each listing for whether the role is center-based, school-district-affiliated, or nonprofit.
How many early childhood director jobs are remote?
About 5% of early childhood director openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most center-based roles. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements include regional program oversight, curriculum consulting, and policy or compliance coordination roles within larger organizations.
How do you become an early childhood director?
Start by earning a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or child development, then gain classroom and lead teacher experience to build your program knowledge from the ground up. Pursue your state's director credential or administrator license, which typically requires documented hours in a supervisory role. Moving into an assistant director position before stepping up to director gives you budget, staffing, and licensing experience that hiring committees expect.
Can you get hired as an early childhood director with little experience?
Some smaller private centers or newly opening programs will hire candidates with strong lead teacher backgrounds and an active director credential even without prior director titles. Focus your search on programs launching new sites or expanding enrollment, where employers prioritize licensure and initiative over years in the exact title. Volunteering for curriculum committee work or acting as a mentor teacher also strengthens a thinner management record.
What does the early childhood director interview process look like?
Most director interviews begin with a phone screen focused on licensing and credentials, followed by an in-person or video interview with the owner, HR lead, or regional manager. Expect scenario-based questions about handling staff conflict, responding to a licensing inspection, and communicating with families during a program issue. Some employers ask candidates to review a sample budget or walk through how they'd structure a staff meeting agenda as a practical exercise.
Where can I find and apply to early childhood director jobs?
You can find and apply to early childhood director jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your credentials, program type preferences, and location, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background and goals.
See All 1,749+ Early Childhood Director Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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