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Child Development Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$63.80K/yr

For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force the education must have been in child development, early childhood education, home economics ...

$63.80K/yr

For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force the education must have been in child development, early childhood education, home economics ...

$63.80K/yr

For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force the education must have been in child development, early childhood education, home economics ...

$63.80K/yr

For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force the education must have been in child development, early childhood education, home economics ...

$63.80K/yr

For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force the education must have been in child development, early childhood education, home economics ...

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Child Development Director information

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$16K

$95.7K

$178K

How much do child development director jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for child development director in the United States is $95,708.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,000.00 and $114,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Child Development Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Child Development Director, you need expertise in early childhood education, program management, and a relevant degree—often with state-specific director credentials. Knowledge of child assessment tools, curriculum planning software, and regulatory compliance systems is typically required. Leadership, strong communication, and relationship-building skills help foster positive environments for children, staff, and families. These abilities ensure high-quality programming, regulatory adherence, and supportive learning environments that promote healthy child development.

What are some common challenges faced by a Child Development Director, and how can they be effectively managed?

A Child Development Director often navigates challenges such as balancing administrative duties with fostering a positive, engaging environment for both children and staff. Managing staff turnover, maintaining compliance with state regulations, and ensuring high-quality curriculum implementation can also be demanding. Effective communication, ongoing staff training, and building strong relationships with parents and the community are essential strategies to address these challenges. Staying organized and proactive in problem-solving helps create a supportive and thriving learning environment.

What does a Child Development Director do?

A Child Development Director oversees the daily operations of early childhood education programs, such as preschools or daycare centers. They are responsible for managing staff, developing curriculum, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a safe and supportive learning environment for young children. Their role also includes communicating with parents, setting policies, and maintaining the overall quality of the program. In addition, Child Development Directors often handle budgeting and enrollment processes to ensure the center runs smoothly.

What is the difference between Child Development Director vs Preschool Director?

AspectChild Development DirectorPreschool Director
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's or master's in early childhood education or related field, along with experience in child developmentOften requires a high school diploma or associate's degree, with experience in preschool management
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple programs or facilities, focusing on child development policies and staff supervisionManages daily operations of a preschool, including staff, curriculum, and parent relations
Industry UsageUsed in non-profit, government, or large childcare organizationsCommon in private preschools and daycare centers

The Child Development Director typically has a broader scope, focusing on program development and child welfare across multiple settings, while the Preschool Director manages daily operations within a specific preschool. Both roles require early childhood education credentials but differ in scale and responsibilities.

More about Child Development Director jobs
What cities are hiring for Child Development Director jobs? Cities with the most Child Development Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Child Development jobs? The most popular types of Child Development jobs are:
What states have the most Child Development Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Child Development Director jobs include:
Infographic showing various Child Development Director job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $95,708 per year, or $46 per hour.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

$63.80K/yr

Other

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.
The primary purpose of this position is to exercise supervisory and managerial authorities over a Child Development Center program by planning, organizing, coordinating, and overseeing the day-to-day operations. Provides oversight of a variety of developmental services through center-based programs of full day care, hourly care and special needs care.Qualifications:In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Professional and Scientific Positions.
BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included or was supplemented by major study in child development, early childhood education, home economics (early childhood emphasis), elementary education, special education, or other fields appropriate to the position to be filled.
For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force the education must have been in child development, early childhood education, home economics (early childhood emphasis), elementary education, special education, or other fields appropriate to the position to be filled.
OR
Combination of education and experience --
Courses equivalent to a major in child development, early childhood education, home economics (early childhood emphasis), elementary education, special education, or an equivalent field of study, plus appropriate experience or additional course work that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study in a child-related field.
For Child Development Center Director, a minimum of a bachelor's degree in childhood education, child development, social work, nursing, or other child-related field AND experience working with the age groups in the program is required. If the director does not have a BA degree in those areas, the director must have an AA degree and must be working toward the completion of a BA degree.
NOTE: You MUST submit copies of your transcripts.
AND
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE GS-11 LEVEL
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes
For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force specialized experience must have been in group childcare or other work that demonstrated the ability to:
  • Manage the operation of a childcare center.
  • Select, train, and supervise childcare and preschool employees, family childcare providers, or other care-giving adults.
  • Develop and implement child development programs, including family day care programs, part-day preschool programs, and before and after school programs.
  • Work with individuals and groups to solve complex problems related to the care and education of children.
OR
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts.
OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
A combination of progressively higher-level graduate education and experience may be used to satisfy the specialized experience requirement for this position if the computed percentage of the education and experience is at least 100%. NOTE: You MUST submit a copy of your transcripts.
The following are examples of qualifying specialized experience for Air Force child development positions:
  • Experience in managing a large, complex child development program offering a wide range of services, in a variety of settings.

FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE GS-12 LEVEL
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes
For Child Development Director and Assistant Director positions with the Department of the Air Force specialized experience must have been in group childcare or other work that demonstrated the ability to:
  • Manage the operation of a childcare center.
  • Select, train, and supervise childcare and preschool employees, family childcare providers, or other care-giving adults.
  • Develop and implement child development programs, including family day care programs, part-day preschool programs, and before and after school programs.
  • Work with individuals and groups to solve complex problems related to the care and education of children.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.
  • One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level.
  • One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs):
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
  1. Professional knowledge of child development theory, methodology, and practices relating to physical, intellectual, social and special education needs and center management.
  2. Knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations governing childcare to include regulatory requirements, policies and practices.
  3. Knowledge of financial, budget, resource management practices and principles, and analytical and evaluative methods and techniques.
  4. Skill in educating, counseling and advising childcare providers and parents; assessing training and children's developmental needs.
  5. Skill in effectively organizing and utilizing community resources within the program framework to augment the program to meet installation objectives.
  6. Ability to analyze, plan and adjust work operations of one or more organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.Employment Type: OTHER