Your center director runs licensing, staffing, enrollment, and family relationships, so the job description needs to attract leaders, not just people who meet the minimum. Copy the template below, fill in the bracketed parts, and match the qualifications to your state’s child care director requirements.
Child care center director job description template
Job title: Center Director
Location: [School name], [City, State]
Schedule: Full-time, [days and hours]
Pay: [$X to $Y per year], plus [bonus structure, if any]
About us
[Two or three sentences on your school or organization: licensed capacity, number of staff, curriculum or philosophy, and what success looks like in this role.]
What you’ll do
- Lead daily operations and keep the center in full compliance with [State] licensing regulations
- Recruit, hire, train, and coach teachers and support staff
- Build staff schedules that maintain required ratios while managing labor costs
- Grow and maintain enrollment through tours, family communication, and community outreach
- Manage the center budget, tuition billing, and [subsidy programs, if applicable]
- Support teachers in delivering [curriculum name] and observe classrooms regularly
- Serve as the main point of contact for families and resolve concerns quickly
- Prepare for and lead licensing inspections and [accreditation, e.g., NAEYC] reviews
What you’ll need
- Meets [State] qualifications for a child care center director
- [Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related field] preferred
- [2+ years] of experience leading a licensed child care program
- Experience with enrollment, budgeting, and staff management
- Current CPR and first aid certification, or willingness to get certified
- Able to meet state-required background check and health screening requirements
Benefits
- [Paid time off and paid holidays]
- [Health, dental, and vision insurance]
- [Child care tuition discount]
- [Bonus tied to enrollment, retention, or licensing outcomes]
- [Professional development or tuition reimbursement]
How to apply: [Apply link or email]
How to make this template work harder
- Show the scope. Licensed capacity, staff count, and budget size tell a strong director whether the role fits their experience.
- List the pay range and bonus. Experienced directors compare offers closely, and many will skip a posting with no pay listed.
- Name what’s hard. If the center is rebuilding enrollment or recovering from a tough inspection, say so. The right leader will see it as a challenge worth taking.
- Keep the requirements accurate. Directors must meet state rules, so list your state minimum as required and anything extra as preferred.
When you start interviewing, use our interview questions for hiring a child care director.
Licensed capacity, staff count, and budget size tell a strong director whether the role fits their experience.
