The Assistant Director of a daycare is the second in command of the facility. This position works closely with the Lead Director and should be proactive in assisting with the leadership and operation of the facility. They oversee all matters related to the health and safety of the children, keeping records, interacting with parents and ensuring that administration duties are completed.
If you’re looking to get into the field of childcare, it can be helpful to know what kinds of salary you can expect. Here are the average salaries for assistant directors in daycare facilities:
- $43,000 per year
- $25 per hour
Salary for assistant director of daycare
If you have leadership skills and like working with children, consider a career as an assistant day care director. Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the day care, an assistant director supervises staff, plans curriculum and lends a helping hand with children as needed. Pay is typically hourly, and full-time employees receive health insurance benefits and are eligible for overtime.
Average Salary
According to the website Simply Hired, which conducts an online salary survey, assistant day care directors earned an average of $41,000 annually, or $19.71 per hour, as of 2012. The salary survey website Salary Expert reports an average national salary of $26,685 or $12.85 per hour for assistant directors.These figures compare to an average hourly income of $10.25 per hour as of May 2012 for child care workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and an average of $24.55 per hour for preschool and child care program administrators.
Trends and Differences
In the May 2012 occupation report on preschool and child care center administrators, the BLS notes several trends also applicable to assistant day care directors. Industries with the highest levels of employment include child day cares, elementary and secondary schools, individual and family services, civic and social organizations and religious organizations. Top paying states included New York, $33.07 per hour; Florida, $31.55 per hour; Rhode Island, $30.56 per hour; New Jersey, $29.10 per hour; and Alabama, $27.81 per hour.
Job Outlook
The BLS predicts job growth for day care service directors, including assistant day care directors, to grow by 30 percent through 2020, which compares to a projection of 14 percent for all occupations. Greater numbers of preschoolers will lead to the increased demand, acccording to the BLS, as well as the public focus on the importance of early childhood education. Those with formal post-secondary education, such as an associate or bachelor’s degree, will have a competitive advantage.
Considerations
The BLS reports that most states require day care directors to have a minimum of a high school diploma. If you are seeking promotion to a director position, assistant directors should consider earning their associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. Helpful courses may include child development and early childhood education. You should also consider earning a nationally recognized certification, such as the Council for Professional Recognition’s Child Development Associate (CDA) certification.
The Primary Responsibilities of a Day Care Director
A child care director job description is chalk full of administrative and programming tasks. Focused on the care and development of children who range in age from newborn to five years of age, a day care director must oversee the daily operations of the center, and create goals that meet the financial and learning objectives to ensure success. Supervision of staff, and compliance with state and Federal regulations is a critical part of a daycare director’s job description.
Job Description
A child care director’s job description centers on quality standards to provide a safe developmental learning environment for young children. Hiring, training and supervising staff is a main duty of this position. Often, daycare staff are new professionals that are eager to learn, and are also in need of mentoring. A child care director must not only schedule staff, but spend time observing their teaching skills and instituting professional development to help them expand their knowledge. Meeting with parents and addressing concerns is one of the most important child director responsibilities. For example, if a child is having a difficult time adjusting to the learning environment, a child care director may meet with the lead teacher and the parents to discuss intervention options. In addition to the programmatic side of a day care, a child care director must oversee the financial side of the center. This often includes marketing, balancing the financial books, billing, and ordering supplies. If an emergency arises, a child care director must spring into action, following established protocol and making sure that all children are safe and protected.
Education Requirements
A child care director job description demands professionals that have had extensive education and experience. Most child care centers require an undergraduate degree and specific certifications. Earning a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education is a common track for this position. This program includes courses such as: careers in early childhood education, child development, curriculum development, guidance and discipline, creative expression and play, and health, safety, and nutrition. In addition to course work, you will have practical experience in a day care center. This will help you gain a better understanding of child care director responsibilities. Certification requirements vary by state, but the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is the most common certification, recognized across the country. Your undergraduate degree will provide you with the 120 hours that serve as a prerequisite to take the certification exam.
Industry
The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that the average, annual daycare director salary was $46,890, in 2017. Larger centers in urban areas may pay as much as $85,240. The lowest reported pay was $29,980.
Years of Experience
Experience, education and credentials will pave the way for you to secure a job as a day care director. Most professionals start as a lead teacher in a center and work their way up, after years of experience.
Job Growth Trend
An 11 percent growth in available day care director positions is expected between now and 2026. The demographic of young children is projected to grow, and this will encourage an expansion in child care centers.
