Blog
Elevate20: A virtual business Summit for child care providers is now live!
Elevate20 is a business conference designed specifically to meet the needs of Nebraska family child care homes and child care centers in the areas of technology, human resources, marketing, leadership and finances. The conference is online and on-demand this year and is live through September 12.
Lack of child care costs Nebraskans $745 million per year, report finds
A new study by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Bureau of Business Research for First Five Nebraska finds that gaps in child care availability negatively impact family income, employer profitability and state revenue.
Nebraska Legislature: 2020 early childhood policy highlights
The 106th Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die August 13. Here's an overview and summary of bills affecting early childhood policy from this year's session.
School readiness tax credit program revised to benefit more child care providers
Governor Ricketts signs LB266 into law, giving self-employed child care providers and those classified as S-Corps access to the school readiness tax credit, as intended in the original legislation.
FFN to work with senators on two interim studies
FFN will work with Senator DeBoer and Senator Stinner on interim studies this year, looking at accessing services through the Early Development Network and the fiscal and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nebraska's early childhood workforce and early childhood care and education system.
Statewide campaign highlights relationship between quality child care and economic development
First Five Nebraska launched My Nebraska Story this week, a statewide campaign inviting business leaders, economic developers and others to become involved in strengthening the availability of quality child care in their communities.
Nebraska Legislature reconvenes July 20
The Legislatlure will reconvene July 20 for the final 17 days of this year's session, which was suspended in March due to COVID-19 emergency. Here's a look at what the remainder of the session holds and the status of bills FFN supports.
The FFN Digest
Read at a glance the latest news on early childhood in Nebraska, including the ongoing public health emergency and how public and private sector leaders are responding to the challenge of supporting communities, child care providers, families and children.
Less stringent DHMs now in effect for all Nebraska counties—what that means for child care
UPDATED 7.2.20: Directed health measures further loosening restrictions on child cares and other businesses in effect for all Nebraska counties July 6.
NDE announces redesigned NECPRS website
The Nebraska Department of Education’s redesigned Nebraska Early Childhood Professional Record System offers a mobile-friendly design, easier document upload, user-friendly navigation and an updated training calendar.
Applications are open for the new Nebraska Small Business Stabilization grants
June 26 is the deadline to apply for a Nebraska Small Business Stabilization Grant. Child care businesses with 5 to 49 employees that have closed or sustained a loss of revenue or employment since March 13 are eligible to apply.
CARES Act funds will support Nebraska’s child care system as state moves toward economic recovery
Here's FFN's breakdown of how $20 million in federal funds resulting from passage of the CARES Act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will be used to stabilize and strengthen Nebraska's child care infrastructure and other school-based education services for children.