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Job Description:
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Who is the child-care center director?
The child-care center director is the adult you designate to have the daily, on-site responsibility for the operation of the child-care center, including maintaining compliance with the minimum standards and Licensing laws.
The director of a child-care center plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation of the child-care center. A director serves two important functions: To balance business concerns with what’s good for children and to provide leadership and direction to the caregivers responsible for providing safe and healthy care for the children.
What are the director's responsibilities while at the child-care center?
Your child-care center director must ensure:
(1) The child-care center’s daily operation is administered in compliance with the minimum standards specified in this chapter;
(2) All employees comply with the minimum standards;
(3) All employees have assignments that match their skills, abilities, and training;
(4) All employees are supervised. Supervision includes, but is not limited to, knowing what the employees are doing and ensuring that they fulfill their assignments and responsibilities;
(5) Caregivers are not regularly scheduled for more than ten hours of direct child care during a 24-hour period; and
(6) Qualified substitutes are called as necessary to meet minimum standards.
Working with children is physically and emotionally demanding work requiring patience and energy. After long hours, caregivers are less likely to be understanding of children’s behaviors and may be more likely to physically and verbally abuse or neglect them. A ten-hour limit on caregivers working directly with children will help prevent the problems that arise when exhausted caregivers attempt to cope with groups of children.
Employee absences cannot be predicted. Substitutes are difficult to find, especially at the last minute. A director can be prepared for these times by having substitute caregivers available to ensure minimum child/caregiver ratios and adequate supervision are maintained.
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Preferred Skills:
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What qualifications must the director of my child-care center licensed for 13 or more children meet?
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this division, the director of a child-care center licensed for 13 or more children must be at least 21 years of age, have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and meet one of the following combinations of education and experience:
(b) Options (5) and (6) in subsection (a) of this section require periodic renewal to remain qualified.
Knowledge of good business practices, administration, and child development are essential for managing a child-care center. A director has an obligation to be prepared to hire and maintain employees, establish and maintain communication with parents, and ensure the health, safety and well-being of the children in her care.
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