Early Childhood Administrators/ Directors
| Job Overview: An administrator/director is the person who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a child care facility. They have the job of ensuring that classrooms are providing developmentally appropriate lesson plans/curricula, supporting the needs of the families they are serving, and operating with sound administrative and fiscal management. They must also make sure that the center is complying with required guidelines from local, state, and federal standards. They must ensure that all teachers are screened and capable of taking care of children. 1 |
Places of Possible Employment: Child care centers, head start programs, and private/public Pre-K programs. |
Minimum Requirements and Education: At least 21 years old 2 High school diploma or GED NC Early Childhood Administration Credentials Level 1 Recommended Education3: Level 2 Administrator: EDU 261 and EDU 262, Admin 1 and II, associate degree in Early Childhood Education, and level II portfolio Level 3 Administrator: EDU 261 and EDU 262, Admin 1 and II, BS degree in Early Childhood Education, and level III portfolio |
Salary Range: $29,980- $85,240 per year |
Recommended Previous Experience: Early Childhood Education teacher, family child care home provider |
Professional Standards: In addition to NAEYC’s Professional Standards and Competencies and the NAEYC Code of Ethics, these professional standards from NAEYC are specific to the job of an early childhood administrator/director: NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct Administrator Supplement 4: -Ethical responsibilities to children -Ethical responsibilities to families -Ethical responsibilities to personnel -Ethical responsibilities to sponsoring agencies and governing bodies -Ethical responsibilities to community, society, and the field of Early Childhood Education. |
Additional Resources: Self Assessment for Administrators of Child Care Programs– There are 76 items covering 11 different competency areas in this self-assessment. For each item, a self-rating between one and five is given. |
1 https://www.childcareservices.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CCSA-Careers-in-Early-Childhood-National-Directory-2015.pdf
2 Berrier, J. (2021, February 11). Child Care Rules, Law, and Public Information. Retrieved March 18, 2021, from https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Services/Child-Care-Rules-Law-and-Public-Information
3 Boatner, J. (2018, July 22). North Carolina early childhood and Administration credentials. Retrieved March 18, 2021, from https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Provider/Training-and-Professional-Development/Credential-Requirements
4 NAEYC Code of Ethics. (n.d.). Retrieved March 18, 2021, from https://www.naeyc.org/resources/position-statements/ethical-conduct
