The role of the early childhood director has been a neglected area of research in Australia. This study set out to address the gap in understanding of directors and the administration/management function in child care and preschool settings. Through a survey of practicing directors and a series of follow-up interviews with selected respondents, baseline data were gathered which identified the background, experience, means of recruitment, levels of satisfaction, training needs, and other concerns of administrators in a representational sample of preschool and child care centers in New South Wales. Results showed that while the cohort overall has experience in a director's role, 41 percent of directors worked in the field for less than two years before taking on the role of director. Administrators rated in-service training as much more useful than pre-service degrees or courses. Most stated that they had a full understanding of their position, or that they knew most things about it, before taking it on. A majority of respondents identified technical and human relations issues as the most difficult for them as new directors, but almost half also claimed that these issues were the ones for which they were best prepared. Most directors were motivated to pursue their positions because of their desire for a change or challenge or because of positive impressions about the job or inspiration from a specific role model. Only 5 percent were pursuing their position for the salary. Almost one-third of respondents were appointed without going through competition processes. Overall, the majority of directors reported a strong personal and professional commitment to the management role, and they reported success at foraging out their own information and support resources. (Contains 25 resources.) (EV)