Also called: Early childhood program director, Childcare center director
Runs a preschool, childcare center, or Head Start program: hiring staff, managing budgets, and setting curriculum.
Directors juggle a lot: giving tours to parents, coaching teachers, handling licensing inspections, ordering supplies, and stepping into classrooms when someone's out sick. Head Start directors also manage federal grants and family services.
BLS education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's in early childhood education plus several years of teaching; state director credential.
Ways in: 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Early Childhood Education, Business Administration.
Growing about average (about 4% over 10 years). BLS projects ~4% growth.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI drafts federal grant reports, schedules and budgets, trimming admin staff; licensing visits, hiring and calming parents stay with the director.
Classes: Business or accounting class, Child development CTE class, Speech or debate.
Official data: O*NET occupation 11-9031.
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