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Center director vs daycare manager

The differences between center directors and daycare managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a center director and a daycare manager. Additionally, a center director has an average salary of $106,505, which is higher than the $43,568 average annual salary of a daycare manager.

The top three skills for a center director include customer service, oversight and proficiency testing. The most important skills for a daycare manager are child care, customer service, and payroll.

Center director vs daycare manager overview

Center DirectorDaycare Manager
Yearly salary$106,505$43,568
Hourly rate$51.20$20.95
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs62,3482,567
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

Center director vs daycare manager salary

Center directors and daycare managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Center DirectorDaycare Manager
Average salary$106,505$43,568
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $172,000Between $26,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityNewark, DE-
Highest paying stateRhode Island-
Best paying companyMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center-
Best paying industry--

Differences between center director and daycare manager education

There are a few differences between a center director and a daycare manager in terms of educational background:

Center DirectorDaycare Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Center director vs daycare manager demographics

Here are the differences between center directors' and daycare managers' demographics:

Center DirectorDaycare Manager
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 29.0% Female, 71.0%Male, 13.5% Female, 86.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 4.4% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between center director and daycare manager duties and responsibilities

Center director example responsibilities.

  • Manage programs provide by SDE, DMH, DHS.
  • Design, implement and manage day-to-day operation of the 21st CCLC grant support afterschool program.
  • Manage daily operations of NAEYC accredit childcare center.
  • Manage daily operation for a family-own business with responsibility for sales, production, and administrative functions including payroll.
  • Manage delivery of quality early childhood education programs by establishing an environment of learning and maintaining the integrity of the programs.
  • Lead a staff of 76 FTE's.
  • Show more

Daycare manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage weekly financial transactions relate to accounts receivable/payable, book keeping, payroll, inventory control and budgeting.
  • Staff is on alert for food allergies.
  • Coordinate efforts to ensure all employees are CPR certify and have food handler permits.
  • Provide proper training for staff, make sure all are CPR and first aid certify.
  • Coordinate and assist children with schedule routines -collect weekly payments -handle weekly staff payroll
  • Provide fitness assessment, weight management, wellness coaching, exercise instruction, and cardiopulmonary and physical rehabilitation services.
  • Show more

Center director vs daycare manager skills

Common center director skills
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Oversight, 8%
  • Proficiency Testing, 6%
  • Center Management, 6%
  • State Regulations, 6%
  • Federal Regulations, 6%
Common daycare manager skills
  • Child Care, 52%
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Payroll, 7%
  • Direct Care, 6%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Front Desk, 4%

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