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Child Development Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Learning Care Group

Child Care Center Cook

Des Moines, IA

$12.75 - $16.75/hr

Follow the daily menu provided by the Director which incorporates USDA, licensing, and/or health ... development in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. As experts in childcare and early ...

Learning Care Group

Child Care Center Cook

Johnston, IA · On-site

$12.25 - $16.25/hr

Follow the daily menu provided by the Director which incorporates USDA, licensing, and/or health ... development in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. As experts in childcare and early ...

Learning Care Group

Child Care Center Cook

Ames, IA · On-site

$12.75 - $17/hr

Follow the daily menu provided by the Director which incorporates USDA, licensing, and/or health ... development in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. As experts in childcare and early ...

Learning Care Group

Child Care Center Cook

Grimes, IA · On-site

$12.75 - $17/hr

Follow the daily menu provided by the Director which incorporates USDA, licensing, and/or health ... development in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. As experts in childcare and early ...

Learning Care Group

Child Care Center Cook

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$12.75 - $16.75/hr

Follow the daily menu provided by the Director which incorporates USDA, licensing, and/or health ... development in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. As experts in childcare and early ...

Learning Care Group

Child Care Center Cook

Johnston, IA · On-site

$12.25 - $16.25/hr

Follow the daily menu provided by the Director which incorporates USDA, licensing, and/or health ... development in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. As experts in childcare and early ...

Learning Care Group

Child Care Center Cook

Grimes, IA · On-site

$12.75 - $17/hr

Follow the daily menu provided by the Director which incorporates USDA, licensing, and/or health ... development in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. As experts in childcare and early ...

Easterseals Iowa

Childcare Associate

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$14.75 - $15/hr

Work at a licensed child care center, registered child development home, or child care home in Iowa ... If serving as a director or administrator, be counted regularly in the child-to-staff ratio * Not ...

Easterseals Iowa

Childcare Associate

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$14.75/hr

Work at a licensed child care center, registered child development home, or child care home in Iowa ... If serving as a director or administrator, be counted regularly in the child-to-staff ratio * Not ...

Easterseals Iowa Careers

Childcare Associate

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$14.75 - $15/hr

Work at a licensed child care center, registered child development home, or child care home in Iowa ... If serving as a director or administrator, be counted regularly in the child-to-staff ratio * Not ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsChild Development JobsChild Development Director JobsChild Development Director Jobs in Iowa

Child Development Director information

See Iowa salary details

$15K

$89.9K

$167.2K

How much do child development director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for child development director in Iowa is $89,896.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,500.00 and $107,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a child development director do?

A Child Development Director oversees the daily operations of early childhood education programs, such as preschools or daycare centers. They are responsible for managing staff, developing curriculum, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering a safe and supportive learning environment for young children. Their role also includes communicating with parents, setting policies, and maintaining the overall quality of the program. In addition, Child Development Directors often handle budgeting and enrollment processes to ensure the center runs smoothly.

What are some common challenges faced by a child development director, and how can they be effectively managed?

A Child Development Director often navigates challenges such as balancing administrative duties with fostering a positive, engaging environment for both children and staff. Managing staff turnover, maintaining compliance with state regulations, and ensuring high-quality curriculum implementation can also be demanding. Effective communication, ongoing staff training, and building strong relationships with parents and the community are essential strategies to address these challenges. Staying organized and proactive in problem-solving helps create a supportive and thriving learning environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a child development director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Child Development Director, you need expertise in early childhood education, program management, and a relevant degree—often with state-specific director credentials. Knowledge of child assessment tools, curriculum planning software, and regulatory compliance systems is typically required. Leadership, strong communication, and relationship-building skills help foster positive environments for children, staff, and families. These abilities ensure high-quality programming, regulatory adherence, and supportive learning environments that promote healthy child development.

What is the difference between Child Development Director vs Preschool Director?

AspectChild Development DirectorPreschool Director
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's or master's in early childhood education or related field, along with experience in child developmentOften requires a high school diploma or associate's degree, with experience in preschool management
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple programs or facilities, focusing on child development policies and staff supervisionManages daily operations of a preschool, including staff, curriculum, and parent relations
Industry UsageUsed in non-profit, government, or large childcare organizationsCommon in private preschools and daycare centers

The Child Development Director typically has a broader scope, focusing on program development and child welfare across multiple settings, while the Preschool Director manages daily operations within a specific preschool. Both roles require early childhood education credentials but differ in scale and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Child Development jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Child Development jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Child Development Director jobs in Iowa? For Child Development Director jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Child Development Director jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Child Development Director jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Child Development Director jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Child Development Director job openings:
Child Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Child Development Director job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Part Time. Highlights an 88% In-person, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,896 per year, or $43.2 per hour.

Child Care Center Cook

Learning Care Group

Des Moines, IA

$12.75 - $16.75/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Learning Care Group rating

5.2

Company rating: 5.2 out of 10

Based on 111 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

11th of 19 rated daycare providers

Job description

This is more than just a daycare job. It's a journey, where you learn, grow, thrive-and play-every day. Working at a childcare center is something special.

The Child Care Cook, Food Specialist, is responsible for overall food preparation for the school's enrolled children. This role should be able to adapt to menu changes and meet meal and snack schedules.

As a Food Specialist, you will be:

  • At home in the kitchen! Create home-style, nutritional meal plans in the boundaries of their school's menu and budget, as well as state and federal requirements. Prepare meals/snacks for children and staff and distribute food to the classrooms.
  • Focused on health and safety! Follow the daily menu provided by the Director which incorporates USDA, licensing, and/or health department regulations.
  • Organized! Maintain inventory of food and supplies and order more when needed.
  • Helpful! Assist in classrooms as needed as an Assistant Teacher/Floater.

Job Requirements:

  • Work experience in cooking and/or food preparation for multiple individuals in a childcare facility, preferred.  
  • A willingness to learn and adhere to all current state and local regulations.
  • Flexibility as to the hours and schedule of work.
Learning Care Group, Inc. is North America's second-largest for-profit childcare provider and a leader in early childhood education. We offer specialized programs for children from 6 weeks to 12 years, delivered through our unique family of brands. Our commitment to excellence drives us to create cutting-edge facilities, equipped with advanced technology and expertly crafted curriculum designed by our in-house Education team.

Our Promise

We strive to make a meaningful impact on every child, their families, and the communities we serve. From infants to school-age students, our comprehensive, research-based curriculum supports holistic child development in a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment. As experts in childcare and early education, we prepare children for school, instill a lifelong love of learning, and build a strong foundation for their future success

What Learning Care Group employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Learning Care Group

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Learning Care Group, Inc. is the second-largest for-profit child care provider in North America and a leader in early education. Our programs are designed for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years. Across our eight unique brands, we're committed to creating state-of-the-art facilities with the latest technology and expert-driven curricula created by our own Education team.

Industry

Education

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Novi, MI, US

Year founded

1967

Social media

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