This article discusses the integration of managers in the professional staffs of early childhood schools. The municipal managers of early childhood schools of 78 municipalities in the State of Espirito Santo, Brazil, responded to a questionnaire, based on which data were mapped. Through Bakhtin's theoretical framework, affirming the premises of democratic management of education, this study develops a discussion with the Brazilian legislation and studies on educational management, seeking to understand how managerial posts are filled, and the process of professional development of managers in early childhood schools. The survey data indicate that in most of the municipalities surveyed, the professional manager is a part of the staff of the early childhood school, though not all of the schools in the municipal network have this job title. Due to the outstanding professional presence on the staff of these schools, this paper focuses on the paucity of the joint processes that result in the forms of appointment of this professional. This indicates an ongoing challenge to generate democratic management in early childhood schools.