Occupation · SOC 11-9031
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care.
Median wage
$56,270
$37,060–$96,400
Projected growth
-2.5%
Declining
Annual openings
-230
per year
Employed (US)
71,620
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
645 mapped
Core skills
MonitoringCoordinationReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and Security
Technology & tools
Enterprise resource planning ERP softwareData base user interface and query softwareDesktop communications softwareInstant messaging softwareAccounting software
Representative tasks
Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities and policies and students' behavioraMonitor students' progress and provide students and teachers with assistance in resolving any probleRecruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff and recommend personnel actions fo
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Classroom observation notes — compile and organize under supervisor guidance to support monitoring of individual children's developmental progress in a licensed preschool setting.Parent communication logs — draft and maintain with mentor oversight to document discussions about children's behavioral or learning needs in a daycare center.Educational program schedules — review and interpret existing drafts to understand staffing and facility requirements under the direction of a lead administrator.Staff onboarding materials — assist in preparing and distributing to support the training of new teaching staff in an early childhood program.Office suite and email software — use to compose routine correspondence and maintain administrative records in a preschool administrative office.Child progress reports — gather data and format reports with supervisor review to help teachers and families understand individual student milestones.Purchasing requests — compile supply lists and submit for approval in accordance with established budget guidelines at a daycare center.Licensing and safety regulations — read and summarize relevant sections to support compliance activities under the guidance of a senior administrator.Daily activity plans — assist lead teachers in reviewing and aligning with center educational standards during supervised program delivery.Database and spreadsheet software — enter enrollment and attendance data accurately to support administrative reporting in a preschool office environment.
developing
Parent and staff conferences — facilitate scheduled meetings to discuss children's behavioral or learning challenges and communicate program policies in a daycare center setting.Student progress monitoring systems — implement and update routinely to identify emerging concerns and coordinate timely support from teachers and specialists.Staff recruitment and interviewing — conduct candidate screening and structured interviews with reduced oversight to fill teaching and aide positions in an early childhood program.Direct care and instruction — provide age-appropriate learning activities and responsive caregiving to children when classroom coverage needs arise in a preschool.Educational goals and standards — apply established frameworks to evaluate program activities and recommend procedural adjustments to the lead administrator.Program schedule drafts — develop preliminary versions outlining course offerings, staffing allocations, and room assignments for review by senior leadership.Budget allocations — analyze spending patterns and prepare routine fund distribution recommendations for supplies, materials, and equipment in a center operating budget.Accounting and ERP software — use to track expenditures and generate financial summaries that inform administrator decisions at a licensed childcare facility.Personnel performance documentation — write structured evaluations and record observations to support formal staff review processes under program guidelines.Presentation software — create materials for staff training sessions and family information nights to convey program updates and educational strategies clearly.
proficient
Parent, staff, and agency stakeholder communications — lead and resolve complex discussions about educational policy, behavioral interventions, and program compliance across a multi-classroom preschool facility.Individualized student progress plans — design and oversee implementation in collaboration with teachers and specialists to address diverse learning and developmental needs throughout the program year.Full recruitment, hiring, and evaluation cycle — manage independently, including reference checks, onboarding, and annual performance appraisals, for all primary and supplemental staff at a daycare center.Classroom instruction and direct child care — deliver developmentally appropriate lessons and provide responsive caregiving autonomously to model best practices for teaching staff.Educational standards and program policies — establish, document, and communicate center-wide goals and procedures aligned with state licensing requirements and best-practice frameworks.Comprehensive program offerings and facility plans — determine scope, draft detailed schedules and descriptions, and project staffing and space requirements for multi-age preschool programs.Annual operating budget — develop, allocate, and authorize expenditures across personnel, supplies, and equipment categories while ensuring fiscal accountability for the childcare organization.Teacher and administrator coordination — direct day-to-day activities of the full instructional and administrative team to ensure program continuity and regulatory compliance.Complex problem analysis — apply critical thinking and deductive reasoning to diagnose systemic issues in curriculum delivery, staff performance, or family engagement and implement evidence-based solutions.Enterprise resource planning and database systems — leverage advanced features to generate operational reports, track compliance metrics, and inform strategic planning across the preschool facility.
advanced
Organizational vision and educational philosophy — define and champion a multi-site early childhood program's long-term direction, aligning standards, culture, and community partnerships at an executive level.System-wide policy architecture — design and institutionalize comprehensive policies and procedures for curriculum standards, child safety, and family engagement across an entire preschool or daycare organization.Talent pipeline and leadership development — build succession plans and mentorship structures that cultivate the next generation of administrators and master teachers within the organization.Strategic workforce planning — lead organization-wide recruitment, compensation benchmarking, and personnel resource allocation decisions to sustain a high-quality early childhood workforce.Budget governance and financial stewardship — authorize and oversee multi-program operating and capital budgets, negotiate vendor and grant agreements, and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability for the organization.Regulatory and accreditation leadership — represent the organization before licensing bodies, accreditation agencies, and public officials, ensuring enterprise-wide compliance and positioning for quality recognition.Cross-sector partnership development — negotiate and formalize collaborative agreements with school districts, public health agencies, and community organizations to expand program reach and resource access.Data-driven program evaluation — lead the design and interpretation of organization-wide outcome measurement systems to drive continuous improvement in child development, staff effectiveness, and family satisfaction.Board and executive communication — prepare and present strategic reports, budget summaries, and program impact analyses to governing boards and senior stakeholders using professional presentation and publishing tools.Field-level thought leadership — contribute to professional associations, policy forums, and published guidance to advance early childhood education standards and influence regional or national practice.
Also known as
43 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Director, Educational ProgramChild Care DirectorVice PrincipalSpecial Education DirectorChild Care Center DirectorEducation Site ManagerEducation DirectorHead Start DirectorTesting DirectorChildcare Center AdministratorSchool DirectorEarly Childhood Education DirectorPrekindergarten Program CoordinatorDirector, Day Care CenterDaycare ManagerAssessment CoordinatorChild Care Center AdministratorEducational Program DirectorCenter ManagerDirector, Special EducationSite CoordinatorEarly Childhood Program Supervisor (ECP Supervisor)Before and After School Site DirectorPreschool Program DirectorCenter AdministratorMontessori Program DirectorPreschool DirectorOn-Site CoordinatorExtended Care DirectorArt CoordinatorSite DirectorDay Care Center DirectorDirector, Vocational TrainingDaycare DirectorEarly Head Start DirectorEducation CoordinatorOnsite CoordinatorChildcare DirectorPre-School DirectorPrincipal