Childcare Director Certificate

A Comprehensive Program for Future Leaders

The Iowa Childcare Director Training was created to help new directors or those who want to become childcare directors. This online training teaches important topics that every director should know, such as:

  • Designing a childcare center
  • Managing money and budgets
  • Creating policies and procedures
  • Hiring and managing staff
  • Building a program's philosophy
  • Creating a positive environment
  • Handling food, health, and safety programs
  • Using curriculum and assessment tools
  • Connecting with services and community resources
  • Using QuickBooks software

The training also includes working with a group of participants, 24/7 access to online materials, and a mentoring program after the training for extra support.

" The director's course was a huge benefit for me as a new director. The course had helpful tools for me to utilize while in the process of opening and many areas to get an idea of what to expect or what I should add to the center. There was a wide range of information available. I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to be a director or even a site supervisor. I am very grateful I had the opportunity to take this course. "
  • Alison Frerichs, Director
  • Little Rascals Clubhouse

Career Opportunities

This non-credit training counts toward required professional development training for individuals in a number positions including:

  • childcare director
  • early head start director
  • education coordinator
  • preschool director

The NECPA Commission, Inc. has approved this educational program as meeting the criteria for continuing education for the National Administrator Credential.

Class Information

The course is divided into two phases:

  • Phase 1: Fully online and self-paced, running from January 20 – April 4, 2025.
  • Phase 2: Live Zoom sessions focused on QuickBooks training, held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 – 9 PM, running from April 7 – 16, 2025 (a total of four sessions).

Cost: $499

How to Get Started

Ready to take the next step? Complete the form below to see if you qualify for this program and connect with a Pathway Navigator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! This course is an online course that lasts for 12 weeks. Upon completion of the course, students will earn 40 hours of continuing education credit and 45 hours of DHS approved training.

This course is geared toward individuals who have a passion to become a childcare director and manage a child care center. Individuals should have the necessary qualifications that meet DHS requirements to become a director before they take this course.

This course allows students to learn the necessary skills needed in order to begin their journey as a director.

We understand that participants taking this course will most likely already be working full time. This course has been designed over a 12 week period, with new topics explored each week. Readings and assignments will be open on Sundays and students will have a full week to complete these before the next week begins. Two weeks out of the twelve weeks, students will be attending an actual Zoom class twice a week in the evening. This evening portion of the course will be learning a specific skill that is essential as a director and is learned much easier through a Zoom format.

An instructor will be available throughout the course and will guide your learning process. The instructor will be available to you via email, web-chat, and phone throughout your entire course.

Yes, once the course begins, you will have access to an instructor for the course. Communication with the instructor will allow you to know when and how to contact them to support you.

To be successful in this course, individuals should:

  • Be passionate about becoming a childcare director
  • Have the necessary qualifications to become a director
  • Be willing to put time into learning new material in an online format
  • Have reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Be self-motivated to complete readings and assignments independently
  • Be willing to ask questions

Contact Us

Career Pathway Navigator

Kay Wenzel
319-296-4296 ext.3111
Email Kay Wenzel