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Directors have a diverse set of responsibilities, and managing them all can often feel like a delicate balancing act. You have to provide a safe, healthy environment for children and teachers. Hire and retain a qualified, diverse staff. Have a solid business plan. Understand child development and best practices in early childhood education. Establish collaborative relationships with families and program stakeholders. Market your program. Help out in a classroom when you’re needed. Take time to care for your own physical and emotional health. Remain calm under pressure. Your overall responsibility is to create a physically and emotionally safe, educational environment where learning and care can flourish for children, staff, and families. To do this, you must prioritize your duties and tasks on an ongoing basis and focus on what is most important at any particular moment, even as you keep an eye on the long term.