Early Childhood Professionals
“The fact is, we’re essential—we’re linchpins in our communities and economy. The state needs professionals like us to be on the job, day in and day out, without fail—so the rest of Nebraska can get to their own jobs, build stronger families, raise successful children and keep moving forward.”
— Kim Chase | Owner/Operator, Chase’s Childcare Corner
You are essential
Early childhood professionals are the backbone of a broad network of programs and services that keeps Nebraska’s communities and state working. Child care operators and staff, family engagement specialists and others all represent a diverse, highly skilled and essential segment of our statewide workforce.
But Nebraska’s early childhood professionals face a growing array of challenges that make it increasingly difficult to enter, remain and thrive in this crucial field of work. This includes an array of regulatory obstacles and financial challenges that affect the ability of caregivers and educators to keep their doors open and meet the needs of the children, families and communities they serve.
Stand up for your profession
If you are an early childhood professional, your insight is needed to help us create policy solutions that will help develop a stronger and more rewarding early childhood system in Nebraska.
- Get connected to others working in your field through organizations like the Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children (NE AYEC), the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative or the Nebraska Family Child Care Association (NFCCA).
- Enroll in the Nebraska Early Childhood Professional Record System (NECPRS) and Step Up to Quality. These resources give you access to services and resources to advance your professional development, improve your child care program and enable advocates to better understand the needs of early childhood workers throughout the state.
- Create a profile on the Nebraska Child Care Referral Network, a robust website that can connect you more easily with parents seeking child care services, and keep you informed about news and developments affecting early childhood professionals.
Featured Publications
DOL final Overtime Rule could affect child care providers
Editor’s note: Several child care providers and programs have reached out to First Five Nebraska about the upcoming changes to the U.S. Department of Labor’s wage and hour regulations. Because many employees in the child care industry work long hours to meet the needs...
Mejorar el acceso, asequibilidad y estabilidad del cuidado infantil del Fondo de Desarrollo y Cuidado Infantil (CCDF)
Recursos Resumen tematico de FFN: Mejorar el acceso, la asequibilidad y las estabilidad del cuidado infantil en el Fondo de Desarrollo y Cuidado Infantil (CCDF) [PDF descarga] Diapositivas de la llamada Zoom de FFN sobre el borrador del plan estatal del CCDF [PDF...
Improving Child Care Access, Affordability and Stability in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
Resources FFN Issue Brief: Improving Child Care Access, Affordability and Stability in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) [PDF Download] Presentation Slides: FFN Webinar on the Proposed CCDF State Plan [PDF Download] FFN Webinar Video: 2024 Child Care and...
New cost estimation tool examines cost of providing quality child care
The Nebraska Child Care Cost Model, a new tool developed in collaboration with First Five Nebraska and Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies (P5FS), examines how the expense of delivering high-quality child care services relates to the actual revenue earned by providers....
State senators set to begin work on early childhood interim studies
First Five Nebraska is looking forward to working on interim studies with state senators over the next several months. Senators and legislative committees may introduce resolutions to take a closer look at topics of interest after the Legislature adjourns for the...
First 5 reasons Nebraska child care providers deserve our appreciation and support
Nebraska child care providers play a crucial role in nurturing and shaping the lives of young children in their care, and their unwavering support makes an immense contribution to the healthy development of the next generation. Providers approach their work with...
The Latest on the Blog
DOL final Overtime Rule could affect child care providers
Editor’s note: Several child care providers and programs have reached out to First Five Nebraska about the upcoming changes to the U.S. Department of Labor’s wage and hour regulations. Because many employees in the child care industry work long hours to meet the...
Mejorar el acceso, asequibilidad y estabilidad del cuidado infantil del Fondo de Desarrollo y Cuidado Infantil (CCDF)
Recursos Resumen tematico de FFN: Mejorar el acceso, la asequibilidad y las estabilidad del cuidado infantil en el Fondo de Desarrollo y Cuidado Infantil (CCDF) [PDF descarga] Diapositivas de la llamada Zoom de FFN sobre el borrador del plan estatal del CCDF [PDF...