What does a childcare program administrator do?

What is a Childcare Program Administrator?

Childcare program administrators are ultimately responsible for everything that takes place within a daycare centre, and act as the main communication hub between parents, teachers, and children.

They ensure that the students learn through well-planned and age-appropriate activities that focus on all developmental areas.

What does a Childcare Program Administrator do?

Childcare program administrators make sure that the centre is fully staffed by qualified teachers and also ensure that mandatory teacher-student ratios are kept at all times. They are also required to keep detailed records of both students and teachers, and must be certain that annual updates are completed as required.

They set the developmental standards that are to be followed by all teachers, and assist the teachers in working towards these set goals. They intervene with any problems that occur between the teachers, students, and parents, and try to resolve any issues with the interests of all parties involved.

Childcare program administrators develop policies, procedures, and programs for the entire centre and ensure that these policies are carried out appropriately. They also make sure that the daycare centre meets all the rules and regulations set up by their specific state or district, and that the centre's licensing is kept up-to-date.

Childcare program administrators handle all budgetary needs and are responsible for allocation of funds to different programs. They are responsible for purchasing the equipment and materials used by the daycare centre, as well as paying all bills, including payroll. They also interview, hire and train new classroom teachers and aides, as well as hold meetings and tours of the centre with potential new clients. They are also responsible for all communication between parents, teachers and the community.

What is the workplace of a Childcare Program Administrator like?

You can find childcare program administrators working at public, private, or home-run childcare centres. Some centres are for-profit, but many operate as non-profit organizations, such as the ones held within a church or college campus.

Generally, childcare program administrators will not work in the classroom on a day-to-day basis. They typically have their own office and spend their time planning and implementing the daily operation of the centre. When necessary, they may fill-in for a teacher in the classroom in order to meet the legal student-teacher ratio requirements.

The work hours will vary greatly and are based on the hours of operation of the specific daycare centre they work for. Most often this will be Monday through Friday daytime hours, but more and more daycare centres are beginning to increase their hours of operations to include evenings and weekends.