DMACC Early Childhood Education

08/06/2026

Today, our Child Development Center Director, Jenn and our Child Development Specialists Lizzie, Kodi and Natalie are attending the Readiness & Writing for Pre-K training by Learning Without Tears!

We’re excited for them to bring back fresh ideas, hands-on strategies, and developmentally appropriate practices to support our youngest learners as they build the foundational skills needed for future writing success.

We are committed to continuous learning because when our educators grow, our children benefit. We can’t wait to see how these new ideas inspire our classrooms this year! 💙🍎

06/25/2026

The Des Moines Area Community College Child Development Center is looking for a Part-Time Temporary Instructional Coach at the Ankeny Campus!

What You’ll Do:
❤️Provide practice-based instructional coaching through observation, modeling, feedback, and ongoing professional development to support high-quality teaching practices.
🤩Support implementation of evidence-based, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive practices (including National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations strategies) to promote positive outcomes for children, families, and ECE students.
✏️Use data and assessment tools to guide coaching, monitor progress, and promote continuous program improvement.
✅Assist in maintaining compliance with Iowa Department of Health and Human Services licensing, Child and Adult Care Food Program - Pennsylvania CACFP, Iowa Quality for Kids, and The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation through documentation and quality assurance processes.
👩‍💼Provide administrative and operational support, including maintaining staff records and supporting program systems and workflows.
👩🏽‍🏫Provide classroom support and ensure continuity of care by assisting with coverage and supporting daily program operations.

📍 Location: Ankeny Campus, IA
⏰ Start Date: As soon as possible
💵 Pay: $26.95 per hour
🗓️ Schedule: Varied partial & full days

If you or someone you know meets the requirements, head over to DMACC’s job site to apply! Applications accepted until position is filled. Feel free to share this post with anyone interested!

🔗 Apply now:

Part-Time Temporary Instructional Coach to support high-quality teaching and instructional practices within the DMACC Child Development Center (CDC), which serves as the lab school for the Early Childhood Education department.

05/08/2026

Today we celebrate National Provider Day and all of the incredible individuals who dedicate their hearts to supporting children and families every single day!

At the Des Moines Area Community College, we are especially thankful for our amazing students who are stepping into the field of early childhood education with passion, creativity, and a willingness to learn and grow. Watching you build relationships, create meaningful experiences for children, and develop your professional skills has been such a joy.

We also want to recognize and thank our outstanding mentor teachers- the Child Development Specialists at the DMACC Child Development Center. Your patience, guidance, encouragement, and willingness to share your knowledge help shape the next generation of early childhood professionals. The impact you make reaches far beyond the classroom walls.

Early childhood education is more than a job, it is a calling that requires compassion, flexibility, dedication, and heart. Today we celebrate all of you who make a difference in the lives of children every day. Thank you for the love and care you pour into this important work!

05/06/2026

Congratulations to all of our Des Moines Area Community College Early Childhood Education graduates! 🎓💛

Today we celebrate your hard work, passion, growth, and dedication to the field of early childhood education. You have spent countless hours learning, planning, observing, reflecting, and building the skills needed to make a difference in the lives of children and families. We are so proud of everything you have accomplished and cannot wait to see the impact you will continue to make in our communities.

“Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.” – Lady Bird Johnson

Thank you for choosing a profession built on love, patience, advocacy, and learning. The future is brighter because of educators like you. Congratulations graduates, your journey is just beginning!

04/30/2026

We’re hiring! 📣

The DMACC Early Childhood Education program is currently looking for a daytime adjunct instructor to teach two sections of ECE courses at Terrace Learning Center through our partnership with the Ankeny Community School District.

This position is employed through the Des Moines Area Community College (not ACSD) and is a great opportunity to make an impact by supporting future early childhood educators right here in our community.

Minimum qualifications include:
✔️ Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field
✔️ At least 3 years of experience working with children under age 8

Know someone who would be a great fit? Please share!

👉 Apply here: https://jobs.dmacc.edu/postings/14645

For questions, please reach out to our Program Chair, Katie Champlin at [email protected]

Come join us in shaping the next generation of educators! 🌱

Adjunct Early Childhood Education Instructor for Fall Semester 2026 to teach in-person at an off-site location in the Ankeny area.

04/15/2026

Don’t miss your chance to register for summer classes before seats fill!

This is a BIG one, for the first time, both ECE 243 Early Childhood Guidance AND ECE 343 Early Childhood Guidance Lab are being offered during the summer semester!

That means you can complete this required course + lab combo in one semester and keep moving forward in the program without delay. 💪

Whether you’re looking to stay on track, get ahead, or finally check these off your list, this is your opportunity!

Spots are limited and they WILL fill quickly, so don’t wait. Head to the schedule and get registered today!

Questions? Reach out, we’re here to help you make a plan that works for you!

Katie Champlin, Program Chair [email protected]
Julie Clark- [email protected]
Catherine Parmerlee- [email protected]

03/06/2026

Summer Semester is almost here at DMACC! 🌞

Did you know the Early Childhood Education program offers a variety of courses during the summer semester? This year we are excited to offer ECE 243 – Early Childhood Guidance and ECE 343 – Early Childhood Guidance Lab for the first summer ever!

With these additions, students can now complete the entire ECE Certificate in just ONE semester during the summer! 🎉

Many summer courses are also offered 100% online, including lab-based experiences for students who are currently working in the field with children ages 2–5.5 years old. This makes it easier than ever to keep working while continuing your education.

Explore the summer course schedule:
https://www.dmacc.edu/schedule/index.html?semester=202603&subject=CHLD

If you have questions about getting started or planning your courses, feel free to reach out!

Katie Champlin – Program Chair
📧 [email protected]

Julie Clark – Program Coordinator
📧 [email protected]

Catherine Parmerlee
📧 [email protected]

02/13/2026

The Des Moines Area Community College Child Development Center is looking for a Part-Time Temporary / Substitute Child Development Specialist at the Ankeny Campus! If you love working with kids aged birth to 5 and want to make a difference in their early learning years, this could be the perfect role for you!

What You’ll Do:
⭐️ Create & maintain a safe, healthy, and inclusive environment for children that follow the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services regulations
❤️ Build positive relationships and support their growth & development using strategies from
✏️ Help lead learning experiences that follow Iowa Quality for Kids guidelines

📍 Location: Ankeny Campus, IA
⏰ Start Date: As soon as possible
💵 Pay: $18.15 per hour
🗓️ Schedule: Varied partial & full days during fall & spring

If you or someone you know meets the requirements, head over to DMACC’s job site to apply! Applications accepted until position is filled. Feel free to share this post with anyone interested!

🔗 Apply now:

Temporary, part-time/Substitute Child Development Specialist for the Child Development Center. Provide care for children in the program.

02/04/2026

The Des Moines Area Community College Early Childhood Education Program is proud to have joined the early childhood community in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC), a milestone year honoring four decades of leadership in relationship-based, respectful, responsive care for infants and toddlers! 

Since its beginning, PITC has transformed how educators and caregivers think about, engage with, and support the youngest learners, emphasizing the importance of warm, attuned interactions and partnership with families. From its roots in California to its influence across the country and beyond, PITC’s work has shaped the field of infant and toddler care and continues to inspire excellence in professional practice. 

This year’s “Celebrating the Early Years: PITC 40th Anniversary Conference” brought together educators, advocates, and leaders to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and build momentum for the future of infant and toddler care. 

To all who have learned from, contributed to, and lived the PITC philosophy, THANK YOU! Your commitment to nurturing children’s growth through relationship-based care makes a difference every day.

Here’s to 40 years of impact, and to the next 40!

Interested in learning more? Check out the PITC Website here: https://www.pitc.org/

Did you know that when you complete ECE 221 Infant, Toddler Care and Education with DMACC you earn PITC Certification? Grounding your practice in respectful, responsive, relationship-based care, check it out today!

02/03/2026

Part of our Des Moines Area Community College Early Childhood team is honored to be attending the 40th Anniversary Conference for the Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC)!

This conference brings together early childhood professionals from across the country to reflect on 40 years of research, relationships, and responsive caregiving for infants and toddlers, and to look ahead at how we continue to support our youngest learners, their families, and the educators who serve them.

We’re excited to learn from national leaders, engage in meaningful conversations around infant/toddler development, and bring fresh ideas back to our students and programs at DMACC. Investing in high-quality infant and toddler care is investing in the future and we’re proud to be part of that work!