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Child Care Licensing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MINI SCIENTIST GROUP CHILD CARE LLC

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Child Care Director

Waxahachie, TX · On-site

$38K - $42K/yr

Child Care Center Director Location: Mini Scientist Academy Position Type: Full-Time Leadership ... Ensure full compliance with Texas Licensing Minimum Standards * Maintain required records ...

MINI SCIENTIST GROUP CHILD CARE LLC

Be Seen First

Child Care Director

Waxahachie, TX · On-site

$38K - $42K/yr

Child Care Center Director Location: Mini Scientist Academy Position Type: Full-Time Leadership ... Ensure full compliance with Texas Licensing Minimum Standards * Maintain required records ...

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How much do child care licensing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for child care licensing in the United States is $17.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.94 and $17.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to become a child care licensing specialist?

To become a child care licensing specialist, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, relevant experience in child care or licensing, and knowledge of state regulations. Some states require specific certifications or training in child development or licensing procedures. Strong communication, attention to detail, and understanding of safety standards are essential for the role.

What is the difference between Child Care Licensing vs Child Care Provider?

AspectChild Care LicensingChild Care Provider
Credentials/CertificationsLicensing requirements, background checks, trainingQualifications vary; may include certifications or experience
Work EnvironmentRegulatory oversight, licensing offices, compliance inspectionsChild care centers, home-based care, schools
Employer/Industry UsageGovernment agencies, licensing boardsPrivate providers, daycare centers, family homes
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding licensing requirements, regulationsFinding child care services, providers

Child Care Licensing focuses on regulating and ensuring compliance of child care facilities through licensing and inspections. Child Care Providers are the individuals or organizations offering child care services. While licensing ensures standards are met, providers are the actual caregivers. Both roles are interconnected but serve different functions within the child care industry.

What are some of the most common challenges faced by child care licensing specialists in their daily work?

Child Care Licensing specialists often encounter challenges such as balancing thorough inspections with maintaining positive relationships with child care providers. They must stay up-to-date with evolving regulations and ensure consistent enforcement across diverse settings. Additionally, specialists frequently deal with sensitive situations involving non-compliance, where clear communication and problem-solving skills are essential. Managing a large caseload and extensive documentation can also be demanding, so strong organizational skills are beneficial in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a child care licensing specialist?

To thrive as a Child Care Licensing Specialist, you need a background in early childhood education, social work, or a related field, along with knowledge of state and federal child care regulations. Familiarity with case management software, inspection checklists, and documentation systems is often required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and conflict resolution skills help in effectively working with child care providers and ensuring compliance. These abilities are crucial for maintaining safe, high-quality child care environments and upholding regulatory standards.

What is child care licensing?

Child care licensing is the process by which state or local government agencies regulate child care providers to ensure they meet specific health, safety, and educational standards. Licensing requirements typically include background checks, facility inspections, staff training, and adherence to child-to-staff ratios. The goal is to protect the well-being of children in care and provide parents with confidence in the quality and safety of child care programs. Licensed facilities are regularly monitored and must comply with regulations to maintain their license.

What are different job titles in child care licensing?

Job titles in child care licensing include Child Care Licensing Specialist, Licensing Inspector, Licensing Coordinator, and Child Care Program Consultant. These roles typically involve inspecting facilities, ensuring compliance with regulations, and supporting licensed providers, often requiring knowledge of state laws and relevant certifications.

How do you get certified to work at a child care licensing agency?

Child care licensing agencies typically require applicants to have relevant education or experience in early childhood education or child development, complete specific training programs, and pass background checks. Certification or licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction but often include obtaining a state-issued credential or license related to child care regulation or inspection.
More about Child Care Licensing jobs
What cities are hiring for Child Care Licensing jobs? Cities with the most Child Care Licensing job openings:
What states have the most Child Care Licensing jobs? States with the most job openings for Child Care Licensing jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Child Care Licensing jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Child Care Licensing jobs are:
Child Care Licensing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Child Care Licensing job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,519 per year, or $17.1 per hour.

Child Care Licensing Director

Kids for the Future

Detroit, MI • On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Other

Posted yesterday

New

Kids For The Future rating

3.3

Company rating: 3.3 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

  • Employee Type FT Salary

Description

Position Summary

The Director of Early Learning & Child Care launches and grows the licensed child care program of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit (BGCGD). Serving as the organization’s qualified Program Director of record, the Director leads the licensing process for new sites end to end, opens BGCGD’s first new site(s), and develops the relationships, partnerships, and locations that allow the program to expand to multiple sites across the region. This is a builder’s role: the Director is responsible not only for maintaining continuous compliance with state, local, and federal regulatory standards, but for creating and growing the program itself — securing locations, building enrollment pipelines, and developing a repeatable playbook so each new site opens faster and runs better than the last — in alignment with BGCGD’s mission to provide safe, high-quality youth development environments.

Key Responsibilities Site Launch & Licensing
  • Lead the licensing process for new sites end to end — application, facility readiness, policies, inspections, and approval — and serve as the qualified Program Director of record.
  • Prepare, submit, and monitor licensing applications, renewals, and amendments through Michigan’s licensing agency and other applicable regulatory bodies.
  • Conduct pre-inspection walkthroughs and coordinate required inspections with fire marshals, health departments, and licensing specialists.
Growth & Community Partnerships
  • Identify and secure new locations and community partnerships, including with schools and other organizations, to expand access to high-quality care.
  • Build enrollment pipelines and lasting community relationships that fill new sites and grow the program.
  • Create the repeatable playbook that lets each new site open faster and run better than the last.
Regulatory Compliance
  • Ensure every site meets all Michigan child care licensing requirements — staff-to-child ratios, staff training, health and safety, and recordkeeping.
  • Maintain up-to-date license files, inspection reports, permits, and corrective action plans, and proactively ensure timely renewals.
  • Serve as BGCGD’s point of contact with state licensing and other oversight agencies, and represent the organization during inspections and audits as needed.
  • Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and supervise site staff and lead teachers, building strong teams that deliver developmentally appropriate, engaging programming.
  • Train staff and site leaders on licensing rules, ratios, supervision standards, sanitation, safety, reporting, and documentation.
Program Operations & Financial Management
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate program policies and day-to-day operations across all sites.
  • Own enrollment, revenue, and operating budgets for each site, meeting utilization and financial goals.
  • Provide regular updates to organizational leadership on licensing status, enrollment, site openings, and program performance.

Requirements

Education & Credentials
  • A bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or Child Development; OR
  • A bachelor’s degree in a child-related field, plus 18 semester hours in ECE/Child Development and 480 hours of experience; OR
  • An associate’s degree in ECE/Child Development (including 18 semester hours), plus 480 hours of experience; OR
  • A valid Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, plus 18 semester hours in ECE/Child Development and 960 hours of experience; OR
  • 60 semester hours of college credit including 18 semester hours in ECE/Child Development, plus 1,920 hours of experience.
  • 2 semester hours / 3.0 CEUs in child care administration, or an approved administrative credential (or the ability to complete this requirement).
  • At least 21 years of age, high school diploma or GED, and ability to pass all required background checks and clearances for licensed child care in Michigan.
Experience
  • At least 3–5 years of experience in licensed child care or early learning, including supervising staff.
  • Hands-on experience with Michigan child care licensing — applications, inspections, and ongoing compliance.
  • Experience managing a program or center budget, enrollment, and staffing.
  • Knowledge of Michigan child care licensing regulations and requirements.
  • Comfort with child care operations tools (such as Brightwheel) and MiRegistry.
  • Strong relationship-building and partnership-development skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple sites, deadlines, and priorities.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills, and ability to train and coach diverse staff teams across locations.
Preferred
  • Has personally opened a new licensed child care site — not just run an existing one.
  • Brings an existing network of community and partner contacts to activate on day one.
  • Has managed more than one site or program at the same time.
  • Thinks like an operator and a developer — sees opportunities to grow and goes and gets them.
  • Knows the metro Detroit market and the families and neighborhoods we serve.
  • Travel to multiple BGCGD Club and program sites across the metro Detroit region.
  • Ability to conduct on-site inspections, walkthroughs, and training sessions.
  • Some evening/weekend availability as needed for inspections or site launches.
Core Competencies
  • Regulatory Compliance
  • Relationship-Building & Community Partnership
  • Staff Leadership, Training & Coaching
  • Financial & Operational Management
  • Problem-Solving
  • Mission Alignment with BGCGD’s Youth Development Vision
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