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Children Program Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Bright Future Early Learning Center

Be Seen First

Program Director

Oakland, CA · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Bright Future is an inclusive, play-based learning community serving children ages 3 months to 5 years old. The Program Director will support strong daily operations, guide teacher development ...

Hoover Intergenerational Child Care

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School Program Director

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$82K - $86K/yr

Individuals interested in making an impact on children throughout Los Angeles are encouraged to apply. Duties: Program Director responsibilities will include but not be limited to: * Develop and ...

COMMUNITY BRIDGES

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Santa Cruz, CA

$52.28 - $65.12/hr

Administrates all aspects of the Children's Centers, ensuring compliance with Federal and State ... The minimum requirements to obtain a Program Director Permit are as follows: * BA degree with 24 ...

Community Bridges

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

CA · On-site

$52.28 - $65.12/hr

Administrates all aspects of the Children's Centers, ensuring compliance with Federal and State ... The minimum requirements to obtain a Program Director Permit are as follows: * BA degree with 24 ...

Kiddie Academy

Program Director

La Verne, CA · On-site

Academy Director - Kiddie Academy Location: La Verne Type: Full-Time Kiddie Academy, a leader in ... for children, families, and staff, while championing our mission of "Awakening possibilities ...

The Little Gym

Program Director

San Jose, CA · On-site

$24 - $30/hr

Join our caring team and help make a lasting impact on children and families in our community. The ... As our Program Director , you'll lead and develop our team, bring our curriculum to life, and ...

Kiddie Academy

Program Director

La Verne, CA · On-site

Academy Director - Kiddie Academy Kiddie Academy, a leader in educational child care, is seeking an ... for children, families, and staff, while championing our mission of "Awakening possibilities ...

Kiddie Academy

Program Director

La Verne, CA · On-site

Academy Director - Kiddie Academy Location: La Verne Type: Full-Time Kiddie Academy, a leader in ... for children, families, and staff, while championing our mission of "Awakening possibilities ...

Steps Therapy Inc

Program Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$27 - $35/hr

As a Program Director, you are responsible for designing and implementing behavior intervention programs to young children with special needs and providing families with training to reinforce learned ...

Steps Therapy Inc

Program Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$27 - $35/hr

As a Program Director, you are responsible for designing and implementing behavior intervention programs to young children with special needs and providing families with training to reinforce learned ...

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Children Program Director information

What does a children program director do?

A Children Program Director is responsible for designing, managing, and evaluating programs and activities for children, often within educational, recreational, or community settings. They oversee staff, develop age-appropriate curricula, ensure the safety and well-being of participants, and coordinate with parents and community organizations. Their role involves budgeting, scheduling, and maintaining compliance with relevant regulations to create a positive and enriching environment for children.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a children program director?

To thrive as a Children Program Director, you need a background in education, child development, or a related field, often with a bachelor's degree and experience in program management. Familiarity with curriculum planning tools, child safety regulations, and management software is typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you inspire staff, engage families, and respond effectively to challenges. These competencies are essential for creating enriching, safe, and effective programs that support children's growth and well-being.

What are some common challenges faced by a children program director, and how can they be effectively managed?

Children Program Directors often face challenges such as balancing diverse needs of children, managing staff, and ensuring program compliance with safety and educational standards. Effective management involves maintaining clear communication with team members, staying updated on best practices in child development, and fostering strong relationships with parents and community partners. Proactively addressing staff training and seeking regular feedback can also help create a positive, adaptable program environment.

What is the difference between Children Program Director vs Children Activities Coordinator?

Children Program DirectorChildren Activities Coordinator
Develops and oversees overall program strategies and policiesPlans and executes specific activities and events for children
Requires higher-level management skills and experienceFocuses on day-to-day activity coordination
Typically holds a bachelor's degree in education, recreation, or related fieldMay require similar certifications but less managerial experience
Works in community centers, schools, or religious organizationsWorks in similar environments, often under supervision

The Children Program Director focuses on strategic planning and program management, while the Children Activities Coordinator handles the execution of specific activities. Both roles require relevant certifications and work in similar settings, but the director has broader responsibilities and leadership duties.

How to become a children program director?

To become a children program director, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in education, child development, or a related field, along with experience working with children and in program management. Relevant skills include leadership, communication, and organizational abilities, and some positions may require certifications such as CPR or first aid. Gaining experience through volunteering or entry-level roles in youth programs can also be beneficial.

What are the most commonly searched types of Children Program jobs in California?

The most popular types of Children Program jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Children Program Director jobs in California?

For Children Program Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Children Program Director jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Children Program Director jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Children Program Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Children Program Director job openings:

Children Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Children Program Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Program Director, Compass Children's Center

Compass Family Services

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

About the organization: Compass Family Services is a 100+ year old nonprofit working on the front lines of San Francisco's homeless crisis. We provide families experiencing or at risk of homelessness with comprehensive support to address immediate needs and ensure long-term success.
About the team: Compass Children's Center is a nationally accredited enriched early childhood education center with a curriculum tailored to meet the specific needs of children living in extreme poverty and homelessness. The Center serves 70 children, ages 0-5, and their families each day, and addresses the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of the children as well as the well-being of the families.
Salary: $110,000 - 120,000 annually
Schedule: Monday - Friday, standard business hours
Location: 144 Leavenworth Street, San Francisco
Organizational Core Competencies: Accountable / Adaptable / Client-centered / Collaborative / Committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging / Resourceful
Description: The Program Director provides full center operational oversight and is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, quality, and compliance of all early childhood education and family support services within the center.
The Director is ultimately responsible for all program operations, staffing, curriculum implementation, family engagement, fiscal management, and regulatory compliance.
The Director establishes a clear vision for quality, maintains high standards of practice, and ensures that the needs of children and families are met in alignment with organizational mission, funding requirements, and regulatory standards.
Program Development and Oversight
  • Provide comprehensive leadership and management of all center operations.
  • Establish and maintain a vision for high-quality early childhood education and family services.
  • Promote best practices in early childhood development based on California Curriculum Frameworks.
  • Prepare and submit reports and documentation for government and community funders.
  • Ensure implementation of recognized quality frameworks and assessment systems, including but not limited to DRDP, QRIS, CLASS, ASQ, and ASQ-SE.
  • Maintain up-to-date and compliant staff files.
  • Oversee daily program operations to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with organizational goals.
  • Develop educational curricula and collaborate with staff to develop positive learning activities. Collaborate with the Senior Director on long-range planning and program development.
  • Represent the center in internal leadership meetings and cross-program collaboration efforts.
  • Establish positive and productive relationships with families. Coordinate and lead regular Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings.
  • Liaise with the San Francisco Department of Public Health and Public Health Nurse, including but not limited to planning dental, vision, and hearing screenings, annual facilities check, and relevant reporting of outbreak of contagious illness.
  • Establish a vision for quality for the center. Engage in vigilant pursuit of the highest quality program and practices.
  • Ensure that the program adheres to NAEYC accreditation requirements and all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
  • Liaise with Facilities Technician and Facilities Manager to ensure that all facilities-related concerns are reported and addressed in a timely manner. Oversee the mandatory lead water testing every 5 years.
  • Prepare and submit reports and documentation for government and community funders.

Staff Supervision
  • Directly supervise the Assistant Program Director, Site Supervisors, Speech and Language Pathologist, Family Service Coordinator, and Early Intervention Specialist including hiring, training, professional development, and ongoing supervision and support.
  • Develop and implement professional development opportunities for teaching staff, including 2-4 in-service days each school year.
  • Support integration of inclusive practices, individualized learning plans (IEP/IFSP), and social-emotional frameworks such as the Pyramid Model.
  • Ensure curriculum and teaching practices reflect anti-bias, anti-racist, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed principles.
  • Create an atmosphere of teamwork and continual learning that facilitates cooperation and communication between staff members.

Intra-Agency Participation
  • Represent Compass Children's Center as a member of the Compass Family Services Management Team.
  • Work collaboratively within the Compass Early Childhood Education Programs portfolio.
  • Attend program director meetings and other related meetings as appropriate.
  • Engage in cross-program and cross-portfolio collaboration.

Community Outreach/Program and Agency Representation
  • Represent the agency and program in the early childhood education community.
  • Represent the agency and program to regulatory agencies, social service agencies and funding sources.
  • Represent the agency and program in advocacy efforts within the childcare field on a city and state-wide level.

Fiscal and Budget Management
  • Develop, manage, and monitor the center's annual operating budget.
  • Ensure responsible stewardship of public and private funds.
  • Oversee expenditures, staffing allocations, and resource planning to ensure fiscal sustainability.
  • Collaborate with finance staff to ensure accurate reporting and compliance with funding requirements.

Required Qualifications:
  • BA or MA in Early Childhood Education/Special Education or related field required.
  • Program Director Permit and 6 units of infant-toddler ECE (or eligible for program director permit) required.
  • Five or more years of experience supervising staff.
  • Spanish fluency strongly desired.
  • Knowledge of requirements for Title 5 and Title 22 regulations; knowledge of NAEYC requirements a plus.
  • Strong understanding of the dynamics of family homelessness and the needs of families living in poverty and crisis.
  • Deep commitment to and demonstrated success discussing, integrating, and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging throughout a complex and dynamic organization.
  • CPR and First Aid Certificate and Infectious Disease Prevention-trained.
  • Health screening, TB and fingerprint clearance (Department of Justice, FBI, Child Abuse Index) required before start date.

Compensation and Benefits:
  • Salary range: $110,000 - $120,000 annually. Full time exempt.
  • Paid time off: 4 weeks of vacation your first year, 5 in your second. Also paid holidays, sick time, family leave.
  • Insurance: health, dental and vision insurance are fully covered by Compass for employees and dependent children. We also provide long term disability and life insurance.
  • Retirement: after one year of work, Compass contributes an amount equal to 5% of your salary into a retirement account; this vests during years 2-6.

To Apply:
Please apply through our online application. No phone calls, please.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively seek to recruit a diverse workforce. Compass embraces the idea that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging contribute to the success of our underserved communities, and therefore to shared prosperity in our city and region. Compass Family Services is committed to the continuous work of implementing specific actions that will disrupt systemic prejudice and improve equity across programs and departments, to become an example to partners who also believe in a culture of inclusion that leverages diversity.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and California civil rights law, Compass Family Services will provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or candidate with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship for the agency. Requests for reasonable accommodation apply to all aspects of the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please use the answer box for the final question of the job application to let us know.

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