Blog | First Five Nebraska

Legislature Adjourns Sine Die; Senators' Bipartisan Support for Early Childhood Remains Strong

Our Legislative Highlights report summarizes bills affecting the early learning and development of our state's youngest learners. Read More

April 20, 2016 | Posted in General

New Sixpence School-Child Care Provider Partnerships a Game Changer

The Sixpence Board of Trustees announced a new grant opportunity this week that transforms how communities can work together to support early learning opportunities. Read More

October 02, 2015 | Posted in Legislation

Senators Campbell and Sullivan: Unique LB547 Partnerships Will Reach More At-Risk Children

With true bipartisanship, Nebraska senators passed and Governor Ricketts signed legislation to allow partnership between child care providers and schools to help young children receive the kinds of early experiences known to foster cognitive and character skills that lead to success in school and life. Read More

May 28, 2015 | Posted in Legislation

Child Care Providers Can Be Part of the Solution in Closing the Achievement Gap

As child care professionals, we know that good quality early childhood environments matter. Read More

May 07, 2015 | Posted in

Common Ground is Key

Child care and education fall under the purview of two different systems in Nebraska, and each approaches early childhood from a unique standpoint. For the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees child care, the issue revolves around ensuring that children’s fundamental requirements for health and safety are met while in care. Nebraska’s education system, on the other hand, focuses on whether children begin kindergarten ready to learn and prepared to advance academically. The science of early childhood development tells us that these two aspects of child development shouldn’t be addressed as separate considerations. Early child care environments are, or ought to be, learning environments—just as the health and safety of young children are necessary for quality learning to occur. Read More

March 17, 2015 | Posted in Legislation

2 Bills Aim to Help Close the Achievement Gap

We know that a significant number of Nebraska’s children arrive at kindergarten unprepared to learn. In fact, more than 64,000 children ages birth-5 are at risk of failing in school. Of these, about 30,000 are infants and toddlers who are not receiving the kinds of early experiences known to support strong brain development during the first three years of life. Read More

February 05, 2015 | Posted in Legislation

Sixpence in Broken Bow: Where Early Learning is Hard, Soft, Squishy, Smooth, Shiny Work

It’s a beautiful, mild October afternoon in Broken Bow—a good day to get out with kids, which suits Nancy Ferguson and her colleagues nicely, although no one is quite sure how many families to expect for today’s activity. Read More

November 18, 2014 | Posted in General

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