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Children Program Director Jobs in Washington, DC

Inova

Sickle Cell Program Director (MD/DO)

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$250K - $275K/yr

Inova Children's is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist to lead our Sickle Cell Disease and complex hematology programs. This is an exciting opportunity to become ...

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All JobsChildren Program JobsChildren Program Director JobsChildren Program Director Jobs in Washington, DC

Children Program Director information

See Washington, DC salary details

$33.4K

$88.6K

$155.2K

How much do children program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for children program director in Washington, DC is $88,564.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $104,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Children Program jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Children Program Director jobs in Washington, DC?

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

What job categories do people searching Children Program Director jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Children Program Director jobs in Washington, DC are:

Children Program Director jobs near you

Program Assistant - Extended Day - School Age (School Year 26-27/DC)

Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day

Washington, DC • On-site

$48K - $50K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

Why Work for Wonders Early Learning + Extended Day?
Play isn't just fun, It's fundamental! Children need playtime, it is crucial for healthy development. Children learn about the world by exploring ideas, manipulating objects, investigating creative materials, and problem-solving with others. Using imagination and creativity, children take on new roles and test new concepts. Wonders teachers use observation and planning to create learning experiences that are intentional and provide meaningful context for children to practice skills and express ideas.
Join the Wonders family of caring, dedicated, and fun educators!
About Wonders
Our Mission - To cultivate curiosity, resilience, and social responsibility in children by fostering high-quality, nurturing, and inclusive educational communities led by skilled professionals
Since our inception in 1976, our goal has been to provide non-profit, quality child care to working families. Over the years, we have grown from a single center in the basement of All Saint's Church in Chevy Chase, Maryland to multiple accredited early learning, extended day, and summer camp programs across the DC Metropolitan Region.
Our programs support today's workforce, while growing the workforce of tomorrow.
Benefits & Compensation
Our benefits package includes paid time off, holidays, winter break, medical with HRA, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, critical illness, accident insurance, 403(b) retirement savings plan, Wonders tuition discounts, and professional development training. Benefits eligibility is dependent on job type status.
We provide paid pre-employment background checks, fingerprinting, medical exams, & drug screens as well as paid New Hire Orientation.
Wonders values its educators and leaders and we invest in our workforce by prioritizing compensation and nurturing meaningful careers. Our educators are regularly engaged in efforts towards continuous improvement in their skills and knowledge in the classroom. Approximately 80% of our annual budget is directed to staff compensation.
Job Summary
The Program Assistant is a teacher in a Wonders program who assumes additional responsibilities which are critical to the success of the program. The Program Assistant works with the Director and Assistant Director to provide organizational, programming and operational support to the program.
Essential Functions
  • Placing orders for snacks, office supplies, classroom supplies and playground materials for the program.
  • Manages, distributes and stores all supplies.
  • Tracking usage for each classroom and keeping accurate inventory of all supplies.
  • Communicating with all staff in reference to upcoming classroom needs.
  • Assuming program responsibility in the absence of the Program Director and Assistant Director.
  • Assisting Program Director and Assistant Director with filing classroom and children's paperwork with appropriate state and local agencies.
  • Remaining at the program with other scheduled staff members until all children have left the building.
  • Ensuring the facility is secured and all children have exited the building.
  • Making sure all electrical appliances have been turned off and the kitchen is prepared for the next business day.
  • Communicating with building maintenance when necessary to ensure all program needs are met.
  • Assist in answering phones and taking messages when necessary.
  • Assisting visitors with building entry when needed.
  • Giving building tours in the absence of Program Director or Assistant Director.
  • Participating with Open House planning, set-up and clean-up.
  • Assisting Program Director and Assistant Director in maintaining a clean, well-organized facility.
  • Attend a minimum of 18 hours of staff training yearly (MSDE/OCC approved for MD staff).
  • Other duties or responsibilities as assigned.

Core Competencies
  • Creative, nurturing, and fun
  • Dependable and detail oriented
  • Thrives in a high-pressure environment
  • People oriented - enjoys interacting with people and working on group projects
  • Adaptable - enjoys doing work that requires frequent shifts in direction
  • Innovative - prefers working in unconventional ways or on tasks that require creativity

Qualifications
  • Minimum 2 years' experience working with children in an educational, recreational, or camp setting.
  • Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent is required. BA or AA in Education or related field is preferred.
  • Coursework must include a minimum of 6 semester or 90 clock hours or the equivalent of approved school-age coursework in child development and curriculum planning.
  • If no college courses taken for credit, at least 9 clock hours of approved training in communicating with staff, parents and the public.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Are you worried you don't meet all of our qualifications for this position? We still encourage you to apply!

EEO Statement
Wonders provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, citizenship, current or future military status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or familial status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
ADA Compliance
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Wonders to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources.
Additional Information
Job Type: Full-time /Non-Exempt
Program Length: 12 Month
Work Schedule: Before Care (6:45a - 8:45a) + After Care (2:00p - 6:00p)
Work Location: Before Care - Horace Mann or Murch and After Care - Garrison Extended Day

Apply