Director, Child Development Center

Director, Child Development Center

Salary: $88,283.00 – $ Annually

Job Number:

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

Location:

Merced College, CA

Merced Community College District invites you to apply for the position of Director, Child Development Center. The Director leads the Child Development Centers (CDC) located at the Merced and Los Banos campuses, overseeing program planning, daily operations, staff supervision, and compliance with state and federal childcare regulations. The position represents Merced College with external funding agencies and collaborates with Early Childhood Education faculty to support instructional principles and best practices.

The CDC is grounded in current early childhood education theory and a developmentally appropriate, play‑based philosophy that recognizes each child as unique. The Director leads a program that nurtures the whole child, supports individual learning styles and cultural diversity, and fosters critical thinking, self‑esteem, and healthy growth.

• Degree/Certificate Programs
• Transfer
• Career Technical Education
• Workforce Training
• Lifelong Learning
• Basic Skills
• Community Engagement

• Manage daily operations, services, and activities of the infant, toddler, and preschool programs.
• Work with college administrators to develop, plan, and implement CDC programs.
• Oversee the Early Childhood Education demonstration lab.
• Support ECE student learning opportunities in infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms.
• Assist parents with referral processes for children with developmental delays or disabilities.
• Develop and maintain positive parent relationships; plan and oversee parent‑teacher conferences, parent orientations, and trainings.
• Oversee and monitor the center’s nutritional program.
• Establish center goals, objectives, and plans linked to the Merced College Strategic Plan.
• Communicate district and college policies to center staff.
• Develop and administer annual grant applications and seek new grant funding.
• Manage the center’s annual budgets and ensure expenditures remain within budget.
• Maintain appropriate records on children, staff, and students in compliance with regulations.
• Ensure program compliance with college policies and state, local, and federal guidelines.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to federal and state authorities.
• Maintain facilities in compliance with childcare licensing requirements and arrange necessary improvements.
• Supervise, evaluate, and provide staff development to center staff, student interns, and volunteers.
• Participate in community, regional, state, and national trainings and conferences.
• Represent Merced College at meetings, workshops, and institutes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Director/Supervisor role in a child care center.
• Early Childhood Education principles and practices.
• Educational, emotional, physical, and dietary needs of children.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.

• Speak, read, and write English clearly.
• Maintain accurate records with proper spelling and calculations.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds.

• High School diploma plus four (4) years teaching experience.
• OR Associate's degree plus two (2) years teaching experience.
• OR Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development plus one (1) year teaching experience.
• Child Development Program Director Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• Sensitivity to diverse student backgrounds.
• 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.

• 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 Safety Course completion certification (non‑online).

• Master’s degree in Early…