In this article, the author discusses the importance of child care directors. Paula Jorde Bloom (1992) refers to the director as the "gatekeeper to quality" and Gwen Morgan (2000) writes of the director as the "key to quality." The child care director is responsible for every aspect of the early care and education program. Emerging from the author's description is the picture of a complex job with an overlay of day-today detail, and a need to communicate and collaborate at every level with clarity and precision. The role is multi-faceted, ranging from basic sanitation to educational, fiscal, and legal responsibilities with far-reaching implications. It requires skill in communication, decision making, resource management, and leadership. Child care directors are an integral part of their community, providing both services and leadership. Thus, not "just anyone" can do this job well. It takes someone who is dedicated, insightful, committed, and educated.