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Preschool Program Director Jobs in Riverside, CA

Lead Teacher

Riverside, CA · On-site

$28 - $29/hr

Completes paperwork and reports any symptoms of child abuse to the Program Director and Child Abuse ... Minimum two years' experience working with Infant/Toddler to Preschool Children (ages 2 months-5 ...

School Director

Trabuco Canyon, CA · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

The Center Director will partner with ownership to prepare for launch, recruit and support a ... preschool, franchise early childhood, or private school experience is a plus. Infant Program ...

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Preschool Program Director information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$28.2K

$57K

$80.3K

How much do preschool program director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for preschool program director in Riverside, CA is $57,002.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,000.00 and $65,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Preschool Program Director do?

A Preschool Program Director oversees the daily operations of a preschool or early childhood education program. Their responsibilities include managing staff, developing curriculum, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, and maintaining a safe, nurturing environment for children. They also communicate with parents, handle budgeting, and coordinate enrollment processes. The director plays a crucial leadership role in setting the tone and quality standards for the entire program.

What are the typical challenges a Preschool Program Director faces in balancing administrative duties with staff support?

Preschool Program Directors often juggle a variety of responsibilities, including curriculum planning, regulatory compliance, budgeting, and staff management. One common challenge is finding the right balance between administrative tasks and providing hands-on guidance and support to teachers and staff. Effective directors prioritize open communication, delegate tasks when possible, and establish efficient processes to ensure both the program's daily operations and team development needs are met. This balance is essential for fostering a positive learning environment and maintaining high program standards.

What is the difference between Preschool Program Director vs Preschool Teacher?

AspectPreschool Program DirectorPreschool Teacher
CredentialsEarly childhood education certification, management experienceChild development or early childhood education certification
Work EnvironmentAdministrative office, overseeing programsClassroom setting with children
ResponsibilitiesProgram planning, staff supervision, complianceTeaching children, implementing curriculum

The Preschool Program Director focuses on managing the overall program, staff, and compliance, while the Preschool Teacher directly educates and cares for children. Both roles require early childhood credentials, but the director's role is more administrative and supervisory, whereas the teacher's role is classroom-focused.

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

To thrive as a Preschool Program Director, you need a background in early childhood education, program management experience, and often a relevant bachelor's degree or higher. Familiarity with licensing regulations, curriculum development software, and child assessment tools is essential. Outstanding leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help foster a positive environment for staff, children, and families. These abilities ensure the preschool operates smoothly, meets educational standards, and provides a safe, nurturing space for young learners.
What job categories do people searching Preschool Program Director jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Preschool Program Director jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Preschool Program Director jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Preschool Program Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Preschool Program Director job openings in Riverside, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $57,002 per year, or $27.4 per hour.
Instructional Assistant - Preschool

Instructional Assistant - Preschool

Riverside Unified School District (RUSD)

Riverside, CA • On-site

$22.35 - $27.17/hr

Part-time

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

About the Employer
With schools dating back to the 1870s, the award-winning Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) is now the 16th largest school district in California. RUSD educates nearly 42,000 students across 50 schools in Riverside. The District serves a large portion of Riverside as well as the unincorporated areas of Highgrove and Woodcrest. RUSD is led by its 13th Superintendent, Dr. Sonia Llamas and is governed by a Board of Education comprised of publicly elected officials who serve five different trustee areas.
Job Summary
BASIC FUNCTION: Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, assist instructors in care, supervision and learning activities in the classroom and on the playground of preschool aged students.
Requirements / Qualifications
Comments and Other Information
The Riverside Unified School District prohibits, at any district program, activity, or employment setting, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying, against an individual or group based on one, or a combination of two or more, protected characteristics, which include, but may not be limited to, race or ethnicity; ancestry; color; ethnic group identification; nationality; national origin; immigration status; sex; sexual orientation; sex stereotypes; gender; gender identity; gender expression; religion; disability, medical condition; genetic information; pregnancy, false pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, or related conditions or recovery; and parental, marital, and family status; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. For questions or complaints, contact Equity Compliance Officer: Raúl Ayala, Director of Pupil Services, 5700 Arlington Avenue Riverside, CA 92504, (951) 352-1200 ex. 83030, rayala@riversideunified.org and/or David Marshall, Resolution Officer, 3380 14th Street Riverside, CA 92501, (951)788-7135 ex. 80426, drmarshall@riversideunified.org, Title IX Coordinator: Bethany Scott, Coordinator of Title IX and Compliance, 3380 14th Street Riverside, CA 92501, (951)788-7135 ex. 80135, bscott@riversideunified.org, and Section 504 Coordinator: Gerardo Arenas, Administrator - Program Coordinator, Pupil Services, 5700 Arlington Ave. Riverside, CA 92504, (951) 352-1200 ex. 83301, garenas@riversideunified.org, Title II Coordinator: Raúl Ayala, Director of Pupil Services, 5700 Arlington Avenue Riverside, CA 92504, (951) 352-1200 ex. 83030, rayala@riversideunified.org, and CCR Title 5: Mr. Timothy Walker, Deputy Superintendent, Pupil Services & SELPA, 5700 Arlington Ave Riverside, CA 92504, (951) 352-1200 ex. 83501, twalker@riversideunified.org.