First Five Nebraska is an initiative of Early Futures Partnership

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First Five Nebraska is an initiative of Early Futures Partnership



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Category: Legislation

Common Ground is Key

by | Mar 17 2015

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.

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2 Bills Aim to Help Close the Achievement Gap

by | Feb 5 2015

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.

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Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine: Link Between School Failure and Crime is Undeniable

by | Oct 8 2014

As a County Attorney, it’s my job to do everything possible to protect the public. Putting people behind bars who commit crimes is one way I do that. But I know from my personal experiences in the courtroom that we can’t simply arrest, prosecute and incarcerate our way out of our crime problems. We have to implement strategies that keep people from turning to crime in the first place.

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5 Questions with Barbara Clay: Nebraska Child Care Provider Participating in Step Up to Quality

by | Sep 18 2014

Tell us about yourself — how did you get started with your child care business? I began U.N.I.Q.U.E. Childcare and Family Services Family Home in 1997 in the North Omaha community. The mission and vision of our child care is: Using Necessary Involvement to provide Quality Unlimited Education to children and their families. We currently serve eight children and are licensed for 10.

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Step Up to Quality’ Debuts July 1

by | Jun 25 2014

Providing child care can be challenging, especially when children come from varied economic backgrounds and home environments. Research shows that children’s experiences during their first five years profoundly affect social, emotional and cognitive skill formation, and healthy life outcomes.

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High-Quality Early Childhood Education Matters: Nebraskans Know It, Now Congress Acknowledges It Too

by | Mar 23 2014

When kids get to be kids—explore their environment, interact with their parents and caregivers, and learn through play—they flourish with curiosity and happiness. Like the little boy in the picture who is peeking for ducks, flowers and maybe even a frog as he explores the National Garden at the U.S. Capitol, children enjoy and grow in environments that are safe and full of enriching educational opportunities.

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