Childcare center directors' perceptions of their work environments: a comparison of for-profit and non-profit programs

Perceptions of childcare center directors in for-profit and non-profit childcare centers were examined. Previous research indicates that childcare employees are poorly compensated, not properly trained, and dissatisfied with their work environment. This study explores further into the training, work environment, and job satisfactions of childcare center directors. Questionnaires were distributed throughout a southeast state in the United States to three hundred and ten childcare center directors from for-profit and non-profit centers. Levels of job satisfaction, work environments (including employment benefits and challenges), and the educational and training experiences of for-profit and non-profit childcare center directors were examined. There were no significant differences between for-profit and non-profit center directors in their perceptions of job satisfaction and in their reports of benefits and challenges. However, there was a significant difference in education level of directors with directors of non-profit centers having higher educational attainment than directors of for-profit centers.