The Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy will debut in January 2019. The non-partisan project will help citizens learn about the importance of children's earliest experiences and develop skills to engage community leaders, lawmakers and major influencers on early care and learning issues.
Read for the Record is an annual effort to read the same book on the same day across the country to spotlight the importance of high-quality early learning and the power of reading to impact learning. This year’s book is based on a true story and celebrates the magic that can happen when a community comes together to create something beautiful and bring about change.
UNL's Children's Center is committed to providing quality care and education, and has reached the highest quality level in Nebraska Step Up to Quality. Here's why they embraced the challenge and what it means for the children in their care.
The public is invited to offer input for a new federal funding opportunity to improve Nebraska’s existing early childhood infrastructure.
Many Nebraska employers say they find significant gaps in executive function skills in today’s workforce. Learn how these important skills, developed in early childhood, support growth of critical competencies that affect our success as adults.
This is part of a series of blog posts by Nebraska's term-limited senators reflecting on their time in the Nebraska Legislature. We thank them for their dedication and service to Nebraska. In this post, Senator Paul Schumacher looks back at his years representing District 22.
This is part of a series of blog posts by Nebraska's term-limited senators. We thank them for their dedication and service to Nebraska. In this post, former Senator Jim Smith looks back at his eight years representing District 14.
To say outgoing Nebraska Chamber President Barry Kennedy is an advocate of early childhood is an understatement. He has been a long-time champion of Nebraska’s youngest children and has spoken frequently on the importance of access to quality early childhood programs.
Parents can view a map with information on child care providers participating in Step Up to Quality, including the program's name and address, director and size of the program, website, email address and the program's step rating on the 5-point scale.
Policy Associate Elizabeth Lopez Everett represented Nebraska at a recent summit on early childhood along with Senator Mike Hilgers and Senator Sara Howard, and representatives from the Nebraska Depts. of Education and Health and Human Services, Sixpence and other early childhood groups. Focus of the conference was early brain development, policy ideas and innovative programs to support and nurture babies, toddlers and their families.
Engaging kids in reading and enrichment activities during the summer means they will return to school in the fall ready to learn. Unfortunately, children without summer learning opportunities often lose ground, which is a major factor in growth of the achievement gap.
The Nebraska Department of Education has revised their Early Learning Guidelines, which are based on research and practices, and assist early childhood professionals and families support young children’s learning and development.