How to become a Children's Education and Care Service Director
Also called: Early Childhood Education and Care Service Manager
Plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates the activities of a regulated children's education and care service, including physical and human resources.
Main tasks
- Leads the design, planning, implementation and evaluation of educational programs and practices based on an approved learning framework
- Manages the recruitment of staff and coordinates professional development
- Liaises and works in partnership with families, community members and external agencies to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of children
- Manages the financial resources for the regulated children's education and care service
- Maintains service records and documentation
- Directs and supervises educators, staff and visitors
- Develops policies to ensure the service complies with national and/or state-based legislation and the approved learning frameworks
- Leads the day-to-day operational requirements of the service in accordance with national or state legislation and regulatory requirements
Ways in
- University: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 37 universities in Australia
- TAFE and VET: Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121); Diploma of School Age Education and Care (CHC50221)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $103,116 a year
- About 18,900 people work in this job group now, and about 21,900 are projected by 2035. (+15.9%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Related jobs
- Assistant School Principal
- School Principal
- Aged Care Manager
- Director of Nursing / Midwifery
- Medical Administrator
- Paramedic Manager
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become a Children's Education and Care Service Director?
Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees; Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care; Diploma of School Age Education and Care.
How much does a Children's Education and Care Service Director earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $103,116 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Children's Education and Care Service Director a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 16% by 2035, from about 18,900 to about 21,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Children's Education and Care Service Director?
Not always. 49% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees; Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care; Diploma of School Age Education and Care.
Will AI change the work of a Children's Education and Care Service Director?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04