Director, Child Development Center

Salary: $88,283.00 - $ Annually

Job Number:

Closing: 3/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Location: Merced College, CA

Under the direction of the Vice President of Administrative Services, the incumbent will lead, manage, supervise, plan, and coordinate the programs and activities of the Child Development Center (CDC). They will oversee daily operations, supervise staff, and ensure compliance with state and federal childcare regulations, while meeting the contractual requirements of multiple funding sources. The director provides leadership for the CDCs located at the Merced and Los Banos campuses, overseeing program planning, daily operations, staff supervision, and compliance with regulations.

The role represents Merced College to external agencies and partners, and collaborates with Early Childhood Education faculty to align classroom activities with institutional instruction. The CDC is grounded in current early childhood education theory and a developmentally appropriate, play‑based philosophy that nurtures the whole child, supports individual learning styles and cultural diversity, and fosters critical thinking, positive self‑esteem, and healthy growth and development.

• Manage the daily operations, services and activities of the infant, toddler and preschool programs.
• Develop and implement CDC programs in cooperation with college administrators.
• Oversee the Early Childhood Education demonstration lab and support student learning opportunities.
• Assist parents with referrals for children with developmental delays or disabilities.
• Develop and maintain positive parent relationships through conferences, orientations, and trainings.
• Supervise the center’s nutritional program, including meal preparation and technician oversight.
• Link center goals, objectives, and plans to the Merced College Strategic Plan.
• Communicate district and college policies to center staff.
• Prepare annual grant applications, seek new funding, and manage the center’s annual budget.
• Maintain accurate records of children, staff, and students in compliance with licensing and regulations.
• Ensure timely reporting of data to federal and state authorities.
• Coordinate facility maintenance and improvements for licensing compliance.
• Supervise, evaluate, and lead staff development for classified professionals, student interns, and volunteers.
• Participate in community, regional, state, and national trainings and conferences.
• Represent Merced College at meetings, workshops, and institutes.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

• Experience as a director or supervisor in a childcare center and knowledge of Early Childhood Education principles.
• Understanding of children’s educational, emotional, physical, and dietary needs.
• Interpersonal skills with tact, patience, and courtesy.

• Speak, read, and write English clearly.
• Prepare and maintain accurate records with proper spelling and calculations.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Show sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse backgrounds of community college students.

• High‑school diploma plus four (4) years of teaching experience,
  * or* Associate’s degree plus two (2) years of teaching experience,
  * or* Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development plus one (1) year of teaching experience.
• Child Development Program Director Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse backgrounds of community college students.
• Education must include twelve (12) ECE units, including three (3) units in infant/toddler and three (3) units in administration/staff relations.
• Teaching experience must be in a licensed childcare center.

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development with three (3) units in infant/toddler, six (6) units in administration, and a Child Development Program Director Permit.

• Valid California driver’s license or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Mandated reporter training certificate.
• Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) first aid, CPR, and Health and…