Child care licensing in Iowa requires directors to have a minimum of 30 semester hours in general education. The Iowa Department of Human Services operates the state-wide QRIS, which is based on a point system. Points are awarded if a program director has a national administrator credential or is a licensed principal. Elementary principals are required to have a master’s degree and teaching experience. Pre-K is included in the licensing grade-level range. State pre-K classrooms must be NAEYC accredited programs, which includes qualification standards for directors related to their level of general education and specialized training in early childhood education and business administration. There are no early childhood leadership degree programs or leadership academies offered in the state.
