Preschool Director Jobs in California
Preschool Director jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated across public school districts, Head Start programs, and privately operated early childhood centers that serve the state's large and growing under-five population. Most hiring is centered in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area, where established employers such as Bright Horizons, KinderCare Learning Centers, and the Los Angeles Unified School District maintain ongoing demand. The most sought-after specialties include bilingual program administration, special education integration, and Title I compliance leadership. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Genius Kids Pleasanton is a well-established Preschool and Afterschool learning center which has been recognized globally for its achievements and dedication to education and children. We are looking for a fun, organized, and experienced Director. This Director will be responsible for providing a warm, positive, nurturing and organized environment for preschool and afterschool children to learn through developmentally appropriate activities and lessons. Ideally, we are looking for someone with supervisory experience, training in early childhood education at an approved school, and experience in the field of childcare and child development, demonstrating the ability to coordinate and integrate the various components of such programs. We invite this Director to be a part of our exciting team and help build a top-quality preschool/afterschool center. Based on experience, we are offering very competitive pay and benefits.
General Job description:
- Manage the overall care and supervision of daily operations for the preschool and school aged kids center (TK - 6th Grade) ensuring compliance with all regulations
- Supervise and manage staff by giving feedback and guidance (combination of teachers and aides)
- Be a team player who is willing to wear multiple hats
-Establish and maintain a safe environment for parents, children and staff
-Be aware of the site’s income and expenses in accordance with the cash and budget management goals
-Manage relationships with parents
-Teach in Preschool, After School Enrichment and Homework Help Hub as needed
-Transport children from public schools to the center
-Help prepare and implement curriculum for children
-Keep and maintain full and complete records pertaining to the administration and operation of the school, including personnel and child files
-Effectively recruit, hire, train and supervise classroom leads, assistants and aides
Training
-Maintain current CPR and First Aide Certifications
-Maintain 8 hours Preventative Health Certification
Qualifications (must meet ALL):
-A combination of any of the following:
-A.A. degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education, 3 semester units in Administration of Preschool, and 2 years teaching experience
-B.A. degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education, 3 semester units Administration of Preschool and 1-year teaching experience
-12 core semester units in early childhood education/development, 3 semester units in Administration of Preschool or staff relations, and 4 years teaching experience in a supervised group child care center
-Program Director or Child Development Site Supervisor Permit from the Department of Teacher Credentialing
-A minimum of four years of teaching experience in childcare and child development
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills
-Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills; able to manage priorities and workflow
-TB Test-less than a year
-CCC Record Keeping Certificate
-Health and Safety Course
-Valid Driver’s License
-Livescan Background Check
If you are interested in learning more about this position or the positions that we have to offer, please respond to this post with your resume. We are starting our interview process immediately.
Thank you for your interest!
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $62,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have the CPR/First Aid/Preventative Health Practices certification, which includes the Nutrition and Lead Poisoning?
- Do you have the CCC Operations and Record Keeping Orientation Certificate?
- Do you have the required education, certifications, and experience to be a Preschool Director, including 3 administrative units?
Work Location: In person
Genius Kids Pleasanton is a well-established Preschool and Afterschool learning center which has been recognized globally for its achievements and dedication to education and children. We are looking for a fun, organized, and experienced Director. This Director will be responsible for providing a warm, positive, nurturing and organized environment for preschool and afterschool children to learn through developmentally appropriate activities and lessons. Ideally, we are looking for someone with supervisory experience, training in early childhood education at an approved school, and experience in the field of childcare and child development, demonstrating the ability to coordinate and integrate the various components of such programs. We invite this Director to be a part of our exciting team and help build a top-quality preschool/afterschool center. Based on experience, we are offering very competitive pay and benefits.
General Job description:
- Manage the overall care and supervision of daily operations for the preschool and school aged kids center (TK - 6th Grade) ensuring compliance with all regulations
- Supervise and manage staff by giving feedback and guidance (combination of teachers and aides)
- Be a team player who is willing to wear multiple hats
-Establish and maintain a safe environment for parents, children and staff
-Be aware of the site’s income and expenses in accordance with the cash and budget management goals
-Manage relationships with parents
-Teach in Preschool, After School Enrichment and Homework Help Hub as needed
-Transport children from public schools to the center
-Help prepare and implement curriculum for children
-Keep and maintain full and complete records pertaining to the administration and operation of the school, including personnel and child files
-Effectively recruit, hire, train and supervise classroom leads, assistants and aides
Training
-Maintain current CPR and First Aide Certifications
-Maintain 8 hours Preventative Health Certification
Qualifications (must meet ALL):
-A combination of any of the following:
-A.A. degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education, 3 semester units in Administration of Preschool, and 2 years teaching experience
-B.A. degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education, 3 semester units Administration of Preschool and 1-year teaching experience
-12 core semester units in early childhood education/development, 3 semester units in Administration of Preschool or staff relations, and 4 years teaching experience in a supervised group child care center
-Program Director or Child Development Site Supervisor Permit from the Department of Teacher Credentialing
-A minimum of four years of teaching experience in childcare and child development
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills
-Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills; able to manage priorities and workflow
-TB Test-less than a year
-CCC Record Keeping Certificate
-Health and Safety Course
-Valid Driver’s License
-Livescan Background Check
If you are interested in learning more about this position or the positions that we have to offer, please respond to this post with your resume. We are starting our interview process immediately.
Thank you for your interest!
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $62,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have the CPR/First Aid/Preventative Health Practices certification, which includes the Nutrition and Lead Poisoning?
- Do you have the CCC Operations and Record Keeping Orientation Certificate?
- Do you have the required education, certifications, and experience to be a Preschool Director, including 3 administrative units?
Work Location: In person
See All 17 Preschool Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Preschool Director JobsPreschool Director Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Preschool Director Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in preschool director jobs across California.
- Active California Child Development Director Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
- Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, or a closely related field
- Minimum three years of lead teacher or program supervisor experience in a licensed childcare setting
- Working knowledge of California Department of Social Services Title 22 licensing regulations
- Experience managing program budgets, staff supervision, and enrollment operations for a childcare center
- Current pediatric first aid, CPR certification, and completed health and safety training as required by California licensing
Preschool Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a preschool director in California?
Becoming a preschool director in California requires a California Child Development Director Permit, issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. To qualify, candidates must complete a combination of early childhood education units and supervised work experience in a licensed childcare program as specified by the Commission. Most employers also expect at least a bachelor's degree in child development or a related field. The permit must be renewed periodically through continuing education.
Which companies hire preschool directors in California?
Companies currently hiring preschool directors in California include Rising Star Preschool, The Learning Experience UK, and Learning Care, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's large and diverse population sustains demand across both large national childcare chains and locally operated independent centers, many of which receive state or federal subsidy funding that drives steady director-level openings.
Which California cities have the most preschool director jobs?
Corona, Lakeside, and Alpine have the most preschool director openings in California. Los Angeles dominates because of its sheer population size and the concentration of LAUSD-affiliated and Head Start-funded programs, while San Diego and Bay Area cities such as San Jose attract openings through large suburban childcare operators and employer-sponsored childcare centers connected to major tech and healthcare campuses.
Are there remote preschool director jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Preschool director roles are inherently on-site because state licensing requires a qualified director to be physically present and accountable for daily operations. About 10% of preschool director openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be regional oversight or curriculum coordination roles rather than single-site director positions.
How can I get hired as a preschool director in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is to work as a lead teacher or site supervisor in a California-licensed childcare center while completing the coursework required for the California Child Development Director Permit. Large operators such as Bright Horizons and KinderCare promote internally from assistant director and lead teacher roles, and Head Start grantees across Los Angeles, Fresno, and Sacramento regularly hire site supervisors who can move into director positions within a year or two. Earning the Director Permit before applying puts candidates ahead of others with equivalent classroom experience.
Where can I find and apply to preschool director jobs in California?
You can find and apply to preschool director jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your experience and location, and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 17 Preschool Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Preschool Director Jobs