The California Early Childhood Mentor Program (CECMP) recognizes that strong leadership is essential to high-quality early childhood programs. To support and develop current and future leaders in the field, CECMP established the Director Mentor Program in 1996. This initiative provides mentoring, guidance, and professional growth opportunities for Program Directors, Site Supervisors, and Family Child Care (FCC) Owner-Operators across California.
Qualifications of a Director Mentor
Director Mentors are experienced early childhood administrators dedicated to supporting leadership development within the field. They are current or retired ECE directors or family child care owner-operators who meet the following qualifications:
- At least three years of administrative experience in an early childhood education setting.
- Completion of at least three units of college-level coursework in ECE Administration and Supervision.
- Current or prior employment in a licensed child development program or family child care home.
- Successful completion of a Program Administration Scale (PAS) or Business Administration Scale (BAS) review during the application process.
Local Selection Committees, composed of community college faculty and child development professionals, review applications, conduct site visits to verify program quality, and interview applicants to assess their leadership and management skills.
Role and Benefits of a Director Mentor
Director Mentors provide one-on-one, peer-based support to help their protégés strengthen their leadership, management, and advocacy skills. Unlike Mentor Teachers, whose mentees are typically college students, Director Mentor protégés are working professionals, new or seasoned administrators seeking guidance and growth in their leadership roles.
Each Director Mentor:
- Provides up to twenty hours of individualized short-term mentoring under an approved contract.
- Assists new Director Mentor applicants in understanding and using the Program Administration Scale (PAS) or Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care (BAS) tools.
- Presents at professional events or shares information about CECMP.
- Collaborates with protégés to identify professional goals and develop effective administrative practices.
- Supports continuous quality improvement in early childhood programs through mentorship, reflection, and shared expertise.
- Participate in ongoing professional development, including monthly Mentor Seminars on supervision, leadership, and advocacy, Annual Mentor Institutes focused on deeper leadership development and mentoring strategies, and public speaking opportunities.
- Receive stipends for both mentoring and professional development participation.
These opportunities help sustain professional excellence, promote leadership within the ECE field, and strengthen community networks among early childhood administrators.
Seeking mentorship? Click below to contact the Coordinator at your local Community College. If you are a current Director Mentor, click below to access your resources and materials. If you have forgotten your Access Key, please email info@cecmp.org.