Career Definition for a Child Care Manager
Child care managers supervise workers at daycare centers, preschools, and other places that provide child care services to parents. They also track the financial operations of the centers, help plan activities for the children, and hire new child care workers. Child care managers also supervise children and make sure they are safe and well-behaved.
| Education | Associate's or bachelor's degree, state license and/or certification |
| Job Skills | Plan engaging activities, know how to appropriately discipline children, good communication skills, manage a budget, supervise employees |
| Median Salary (2021) | $47,310 (for child care center or preschool directors) |
| Job Growth (2021-2031) | 8% (for child care center or preschool directors) |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education
Child care managers are usually required to hold a 2-year associate degree or a 4-year bachelor's degree as well as a state license, but it is possible for people with extensive child care experience to be hired as child care managers without holding a degree. People interested in entering the child care management field should take classes covering child psychology, developmental psychology, finance, and education theory.
A child care manager may earn certification as a Child Development Associate (CDA) or as a Child Care Professional (CCP), which both require professional education and work experience. Some employers and states require one of these certifications.
Skills Needed
Child care managers need to be able to plan engaging activities for children and should know how to appropriately discipline children if they misbehave. They must also have excellent oral and written communication skills, be able to supervise employees, and be capable of maintaining a budget.
Career and Economic Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment of child care center or preschool directors to grow 8% from 2021 to 2031. Job outlook is partly due to the fact that there are many working parents and the increasing recognition that early childhood education is developmentally important. Child care center and preschool directors earned a median annual salary of $47,310, according to the BLS in May 2021.
Alternate Career Options
Similar careers to a child care manager include:
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teacher
Upon completion of a bachelor's degree that usually includes a teaching internship or student teaching assignment, aspiring kindergarten and elementary school teachers then must earn the state-issued license through a qualifying exam. Continuing education is required and varies among states. The BLS predicted 4% employment growth from 2021-2031, which was about as fast as the average for all occupations. The BLS reported annual median salaries of $61,400 for elementary school educators and $60,900 for kindergarten teachers in May 2021.
Preschool Teacher
Requirements for preschool teachers range from a high school diploma with a certification to a bachelor's degree, depending on the educational setting. Providing care and educational experiences for young children up to kindergarten age, the employment outlook from 2021-2031 for these teachers was much faster than average at 15%, the BLS predicted. In May 2021, the BLS reported an annual median wage of $30,210 for preschool teachers.
