This paper describes research regarding preschool director's career decisions and provides a framework for understanding the growth and development of director competence through the career cycle. A 4-page survey about career development was completed by 257 directors of part- and full-day, nonprofit and for-profit early childhood education programs in 4 states. The survey elicited background information on the director, current and past job expectations and concerns, sources of satisfaction and frustration, and reflections about their career decisions. Respondents were asked to select the category that best described their current administrative capability, and to select from one of six career stages that best described their current career stage. Finally, directors were asked to plot on a career path diagram the sequence of different stages they had experienced at different points in their careers and to think of a metaphor that best described their career path as a director. These results and the six-stage career framework are described. A copy of the survey is included. Contains 50 references. (JPB)