Stepping into the role of a childcare director in Georgia is exciting — and a little intimidating. Whether you’re an aspiring leader or starting your first director job, it’s easy to fall into common traps that can derail your success. From micromanaging staff to overlooking DECAL licensing rules, these mistakes can hurt morale, erode trust, and even impact enrollment. In this article, we’ll explore the top 7 mistakes new directors in Georgia make — and share practical, proven strategies to help you avoid them.

1. Trying to Do Everything Themselves

When Jessica became a director, she wanted to prove she could handle it all. Within her first few weeks, she was answering phones, creating lesson plans, ordering supplies, and even covering in classrooms. Parents praised her dedication, but her days stretched to 12 hours, and staff felt ignored.

Directors who try to carry the whole load burn out quickly and unintentionally disempower their team.

How to avoid it: Delegate early. Trust your teachers to handle classrooms, empower admin staff with responsibilities, and keep your focus on leading the program as a whole.

2. Micromanaging Staff

David thought being visible in classrooms would show parents and staff he cared. But instead of observing quietly, he corrected teachers mid-song and rearranged shelves while children played. Within a month, his team felt undermined, and several teachers started job hunting.

Micromanagement stifles creativity and makes staff feel untrusted.

How to avoid it: Set clear expectations, then step back. Use staff meetings and check-ins to guide performance, not constant oversight.

3. Avoiding Difficult Conversations

Maria noticed an assistant consistently arriving late. At first, she let it slide, but soon other staff members grew frustrated, and parents began to notice the chaos at drop-off. By the time she addressed it, the damage was done.

Unaddressed issues don’t disappear—they grow.

How to avoid it: Approach issues directly but kindly. Use clear examples, stay focused on solutions, and document conversations when necessary.

4. Overlooking Georgia Licensing Compliance

A new director ignored the previous Bright from the Start: DECAL inspection reports. When the next visit came, the program was cited for the same issues: unlabeled cleaning supplies and incomplete staff files. Parents overheard and quickly began to question the program’s safety.

Noncompliance risks fines, licensing trouble, increased insurance costs, and your reputation.

How to avoid it: Review your most recent DECAL inspection report immediately. Schedule routine internal checks, and create a simple compliance system so nothing falls through the cracks.

5. Failing to Define Roles and Responsibilities

In one center, responsibilities were never clearly assigned. One day, no one ordered snacks; another day, two staff members double-booked tours. The result? Chaos, frustrated teachers, and parents who noticed the disorganization.

How to avoid it: Write down roles and responsibilities. Even a simple chart ensures everyone knows what’s theirs to own.  Then have conversations with each team member to go over their responsibilities.

6. Poor Communication With Parents

After a playground accident, a child went home with a scraped knee. The teacher documented it, but the director never informed the parents. They heard about it later from another family and nearly withdrew.

Families need timely, transparent communication to feel confident in your care.

How to avoid it: Be proactive. Send weekly updates through your parent app, introduce yourself early, and reach out directly when issues arise.

7. Neglecting Enrollment and Marketing

One director assumed, “Families always find us.” She ignored tour requests, let the website go stale, and never tracked inquiries. Within six months, enrollment dropped by 20%.

Enrollment drives revenue. Without consistent marketing, even great programs struggle financially.

How to avoid it: Update your website, respond quickly to inquiries, and build community connections that feed referrals. If marketing isn’t your strength, partner with organizations that specialize in childcare enrollment growth.

How to Avoid These Pitfalls 

Every childcare leader makes mistakes, but you don’t have to repeat the most common ones. By focusing on delegation, communication, compliance, and enrollment, you’ll set yourself up for success from the start.

If you want to skip the trial-and-error and build your confidence faster, consider structured training. Pushing through alone often leads to wasted time, missed opportunities, and preventable mistakes.

👉 Ready to lead with confidence? Enroll in Georgia’s state-approved Director Training course today. It’s one of the fastest and most affordable ways to strengthen your leadership skills, meet licensing requirements, and ensure your program thrives.

Enroll in the Director credentialing class