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Preschool Program Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Preschool Lead Teacher

Ankeny, IA ยท On-site

$15 - $19.50/hr

Under the direction of the School Director, the Lead Teacher plays a vital role in creating a safe ... programs while supporting the physical, social, emotional, and developmental needs of all children ...

Preschool Lead Teacher

Ankeny, IA ยท On-site

$16.94 - $20.84/hr

Under the direction of the School Director, the Lead Teacher plays a vital role in creating a safe ... programs while supporting the physical, social, emotional, and developmental needs of all children ...

Preschool Teacher

Iowa City, IA ยท On-site

$13 - $17.50/hr

About the Role Under the direction of the School Director and Lead Teacher, the Teacher supports ... Education programs. This role helps create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment that ...

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Preschool Teacher

Urbandale, IA ยท On-site

$15.40 - $18.94/hr

About the Role Under the direction of the School Director and Lead Teacher, the Teacher supports ... Education programs. This role helps create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment that ...

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Showing results 1-20

Preschool Program Director information

See Iowa salary details

$25.4K

$51.3K

$72.3K

How much do preschool program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for preschool program director in Iowa is $51,320.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,200.00 and $59,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a preschool program director do?

A Preschool Program Director oversees the daily operations of a preschool or early childhood education program. Their responsibilities include managing staff, developing curriculum, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, and maintaining a safe, nurturing environment for children. They also communicate with parents, handle budgeting, and coordinate enrollment processes. The director plays a crucial leadership role in setting the tone and quality standards for the entire program.

What are the typical challenges a preschool program director faces in balancing administrative duties with staff support?

Preschool Program Directors often juggle a variety of responsibilities, including curriculum planning, regulatory compliance, budgeting, and staff management. One common challenge is finding the right balance between administrative tasks and providing hands-on guidance and support to teachers and staff. Effective directors prioritize open communication, delegate tasks when possible, and establish efficient processes to ensure both the program's daily operations and team development needs are met. This balance is essential for fostering a positive learning environment and maintaining high program standards.

What is the difference between Preschool Program Director vs Preschool Teacher?

AspectPreschool Program DirectorPreschool Teacher
CredentialsEarly childhood education certification, management experienceChild development or early childhood education certification
Work EnvironmentAdministrative office, overseeing programsClassroom setting with children
ResponsibilitiesProgram planning, staff supervision, complianceTeaching children, implementing curriculum

The Preschool Program Director focuses on managing the overall program, staff, and compliance, while the Preschool Teacher directly educates and cares for children. Both roles require early childhood credentials, but the director's role is more administrative and supervisory, whereas the teacher's role is classroom-focused.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a preschool program director?

To thrive as a Preschool Program Director, you need a background in early childhood education, program management experience, and often a relevant bachelor's degree or higher. Familiarity with licensing regulations, curriculum development software, and child assessment tools is essential. Outstanding leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help foster a positive environment for staff, children, and families. These abilities ensure the preschool operates smoothly, meets educational standards, and provides a safe, nurturing space for young learners.
What are popular job titles related to Preschool Program Director jobs in Iowa? For Preschool Program Director jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Preschool Program Director jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Preschool Program Director job openings:

Lead 4 yr Old Preschool Teacher -State Funded Preschool Program

All God's Children

Shueyville, IA โ€ข On-site

$50K - $58K/yr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

The Shueyville Church in Partner with College Community School District

All God’s Children Preschool & Childcare

Preschool Lead Teacher Job Description - Four Year Olds State Funded Preschool

Position: Preschool Lead Teacher – Four Year Olds

Position Summary: The Preschool Lead Teacher will teach one or two sessions of four-year-old preschool. The Lead Teacher is responsible for creating and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum in accordance with the Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards for preschool children. The Lead Teacher delegates duties to the Assistant Teacher.

Position Qualifications: Candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Must meet one of three requirements:

Teacher Endorsement #100 – Prekindergarten through grade three, including special education

Teacher Endorsement #103 – Prekindergarten through kindergarten

Teacher Endorsement #106 – Prekindergarten through grade three

Candidate must have knowledge of curriculum development and developmentally appropriate practices for preschoolers. Candidate must relate well to children, parents, and other staff members.

Hours: Mondays 8:00-4:00 and Tuesday-Friday (Class times 8:30-11:30/12:30-3:30)

Preschool Lead Teacher reports to the Director.
Curriculum Responsibilities

  • Establish a positive atmosphere in the classroom to promote learning for all preschoolers
  • Be knowledgeable of and implement Creative Curriculum, a published and researched based curriculum for preschool children
  • Observe tutorials of Creative Curriculum GOLD On-line or attend class from GWAEA
  • Establish a schedule the allows for ten hours of instruction, apart from two hours of Christian education per week
  • Include hands-on activities that will accommodate various learning styles in the curriculum
  • Promote Christian values through modeling/direct teaching in daily situations that provide for “teachable moments”
  • Decorate classroom to enhance unit of study
  • Attend two field trips per year that correlate with the curriculum
  • Utilize planning time available on Mondays to develop weekly plans vividly detailing the upcoming week of activities, classroom preparation, input of observations for on-line assessments, and collaborate with other staff
  • Implement the concept of the Outdoor Classroom
  • Utilize Jolly Phonics when introducing the letter sounds
  • Assess children using IGDIs in the fall, winter, and spring
  • Utilize Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports to establish expectations and teach problem solving skills
  • Utilize Second Step to enrich self-regulation and social-emotional skills.

Parent/Child Responsibilities

  • Schedule and lead one home visit per family per year
  • Establish and maintain on-going two-way communication with parents and children
  • Observe, document, and assess children’s social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development utilizing Creative Curriculum’s Developmental Continuum Assessment Toolkit
  • Prepare progress reports for fall and spring
  • Schedule and lead two conferences per child per year
  • Handle discipline promptly and in accordance with AGC policy, as written in the Parent Handbook
  • Write monthly newsletters to inform parents of classroom activities
  • Refer children for additional services as appropriate
  • Be familiar with and adhere to contents in the Parent Handbook
  • Document and report to the Director and DHS any cases of suspected child abuse or neglect

Routine Responsibilities

  • “Clock in” at the AGC office.
  • Read ‘Weekly Highlights’ in the AGC office after “clocking in.”
  • Check mailbox and email daily
  • Maintain a safe and sanitary environment
  • Coordinate supplies in advance
  • Prepare and clean up classroom
  • Establish a schedule for cleaning toys and equipment
  • Record daily attendance of students and snack served at each preschool session
  • Conduct and record monthly fire and tornado drills for each preschool class
  • Prepare classrooms to be used for Sunday School and youth activities on Wednesday evenings

Professional Responsibilities

  • Abide by All God’s Children Staff Covenant
  • Display professional ethics and behavior
  • Attend staff meetings and professional development as scheduled by the Director
  • Attend school functions such as parent orientation night, open house, special programs, fundraisers, and other functions as requested by the Director
  • Coordinate and attend preschool programs twice a year
  • Participate in annual assessment of the preschool following the Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards
  • Participate in end of year review with the Director
  • Maintain current training in CPR, First Aid, Universal Precautions, and Mandatory Reporting of Adult and Child Abuse
  • Participate in annual training as outlined in DHS guidelines.
  • Comply with DHS Licensing Standards and Procedures Handbook

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Benefits

  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Paid time off

Work Location: In person