Expected Annual Pay (Texas)
$45,000
Average salary range
Job Title
Program Owner (Home‑Based Child Care)
Job Outlook (Texas)
+14%
Employment growth
Level of Education Required
Most home-based child care program owners have a high school diploma or GED. Some pursue college coursework or degrees in early childhood education, child development, business administration, or a related field to strengthen their knowledge of child development and program operations.
Minimum requirement
Credentials or Licenses Required
While there is no specific degree or credential required, home-based child care providers operating regulated programs must meet applicable Texas Child Care Regulation requirements, including licensing, registration, or listing requirements based on the type of operation. CPR and First Aid certification and required pre-service and ongoing training are commonly required.
Licenses / Certificates
Work Experience Typically Required
Many home-based program owners have experience working in child care centers, preschool programs, Head Start programs, family child care settings, or as family, friend, and neighbor caregivers. Experience caring for children, working with families, managing daily routines, and maintaining health and safety standards is often valuable.
Related experience needed
What is this role responsible for day to day?
A home‑based program owner is responsible for operating a licensed child care program out of their home while providing direct care and education to children. Day‑to‑day responsibilities may include:
- Providing daily care and early learning activities for children
- Managing enrollment, family communication, and scheduling
- Ensuring compliance with Texas child care licensing, health, and safety requirements
- Maintaining records, documentation, and required reporting
- Managing business operations such as budgeting, supplies, and payments
- Balancing instructional responsibilities with administrative and operational tasks
Career Snapshots
Explore different career paths within education and find the one that fits your passion
Teresa
Teresa began her career as a lead teacher in a child care center and spent more than a decade working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. She eventually decided to open a home-based child care program so she could create a smaller, more personalized environment for children and families. She enjoys building close relationships with families and hopes to eventually mentor new home-based providers entering the field.
Javier
Javier started as an afterschool teacher while attending college and later worked as an assistant teacher in a child care center. Through those experiences, he discovered that he enjoyed working directly with children while building strong partnerships with families. As a home-based program owner, he values the flexibility to shape his program around the needs of the children he serves. In the future, he hopes to expand into a larger center-based child care program.
Nicole
Nicole began providing care for children in her community as a family, friend, and neighbor caregiver. Over time, she completed training, learned about licensing requirements, and decided to establish a regulated home-based child care business. She plans to remain a home-based program owner long-term because she enjoys combining entrepreneurship with direct work with children and families and appreciates the close-knit community she has built through her program.
What are some skills or personal traits that people in this role typically have?
People in this role are self‑directed, organized, and adaptable. They are comfortable managing multiple responsibilities independently and often value flexibility, close relationships with families, and working directly with children.
What are some jobs that people had earlier in their careers?
People in this role often previously worked as:
People in this role often previously worked as:
- Child Care Provider or Assistant
- Lead Teacher
- Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregiver
What are some jobs that people in this role have later in their careers?
With experience, people in this role may move into:
With experience, people in this role may move into:
- Center‑Based Program Owner or Director
- Early Childhood Consultant or Mentor
- Small Business Owner in Related Child or Family Services