Blog
Step Up to Quality RFP Release and Announcement
In 2013, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB507, establishing the Step Up to Quality Child Care Act – resulting in Nebraska’s Early Childhood Quality Rating and Improvement System. The implementation of Step Up to Quality is in the early stages but much has occurred in its development that will provide valuable information for moving forward.
Nebraska Law Enforcement Leaders: Quality Early Care and Education Would Reduce Future Crime
Lincoln Public Safety Director Tom Casady has called on lawmakers to expand high-quality early care and education to lower crime. Casady spoke on behalf of Nebraska’s 80 members of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.
TBT: Kirk Cameron, Moms, Summer Fun & Kool-Aid!
“Kids are kids . . .And moms are moms; they know what’s good for kids . . . Moms are moms; they know what’s fun for kids.”
Keep Your Family Safe This Summer!
It’s summertime and a variety of activities fill the schedules of kids and families. The warm weather brings more opportunity for fun outdoors, but also the potential for accidents. Here are a few safety rules to keep you and your loved ones safe as you enjoy the summer.
5 Books for the 4th!
Reading together builds closer relationships plus language and literacy skills for the youngest people in our lives!
Step Up to Quality’ Debuts July 1
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.
Buffett Early Childhood Institute Marks First Year
The Buffett Early Childhood Institute is an innovative, multidisciplinary research, practice, and policy institute of the four University of Nebraska campuses. Our mission is to ensure that all children, birth to age 8, especially those who are vulnerable because of poverty, abuse, or developmental, learning, or behavioral challenges, have the opportunity to reach their potential.
Father’s Day Celebrates Heroes
This adorable father/son superhero team’s photo went viral last year, gathering almost 1.7 million comments in just two days, according to the Huffington Post. One commenter pinpointed why the image struck such a chord: “A good dad is always a hero to their kids. Capes just let the world see it a little better.”
For Kids, Vacation Can Be as Much About the Journey as the Destination
School is out for the summer and many families are planning their vacation. The logistics of pulling off a family vacation are huge—scheduling time off work around swim lessons and day camps, booking hotels and things to do, buying airfare or mapping out a road trip, and packing.
75% of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Service
An astonishing 75% of young adults in the U.S. could not qualify to join the military due to (1) failure to meet the educational requirements, (2) criminal convictions, or (3) being overweight. Moreover, one in five U.S. military recruits score too low on the Armed Forces Qualification Test to join the Army.
Quality Early Childhood Education Impacts High School Graduation Rates
Thousands of Nebraska high school seniors will graduate in the next couple of weeks and celebrate the milestone with family and friends. Graduating high school is a significant achievement that impacts the well-being of our state.
Sixpence Engages Parents to Close the Achievement Gap
At-risk children under age 3 in Nebraska currently face long odds to gain access to high-quality early childhood learning opportunities. Estimates are that only 1 in 10 at-risk Nebraska children have access to early learning experiences that close the achievement gap by age 3.