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
Supporting Nebraska’s workforce: How employers can help parents access the Child Care Tax Credit
Nebraska's workforce is among the most reliable and industrious in the nation. It's not just the engine that drives our economy, it represents the core values we pass to the next generation of Nebraskans: show up, work hard, provide for your family and grow your...
Join us for a Tax Credit Campaign update on December 10
Campaign Update Tuesday, December 10 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. CST Traducción al español disponible debajo de la versión en inglés. Join us on for a special Zoom update on the public awareness campaigns to promote Nebraska's Child Care Tax Credit and School Readiness Tax...
Everyday advocacy: How small moments can yield big results for kids and families in your community
Earlier this month, Cohort 6 of the Nebraska Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy (PLA) held the second meeting of its 2024-25 program in North Platte. This day-long workshop focused on strategies to build political momentum at the local level for early childhood...
Proveedores de Cuidado Infantil: Obtenga ayuda gratuita para encontrar la cobertura de salud que necesita
El sistema de cuidado infantil en Nebraska, aunque crucial, enfrenta desafíos significativos para atraer y retener una fuerza laboral calificada. Una de las principales barreras es la falta de una cobertura de salud adecuada. Esto no solo afecta a los profesionales...
Child care providers: Get free help in finding the health care coverage you need
Nebraska’s child care system, though crucial, faces significant challenges in attracting and retaining a skilled workforce. One of the principal barriers is the lack of adequate health care coverage. This not only affects professionals in the field, but the families...
Impacto de la Expansión de Subsidios para Guarderías en Nebraska
La investigación es clave para los legisladores para entender los problemas complejos que enfrentan los niños y las familias de Nebraska. Un tema complejo en las políticas públicas para el cuidado infantil es el programa de Subsidio para Guarderías. En First Five...
The Latest on the Blog
State Senators convene their 2025 legislative session
Today marks the first day of the 109th Nebraska Legislature, First Session. This session will be 90 days and the Second Session next year will be 60 days. This morning new state senators were sworn in, committee chairs and the Speaker were elected by secret ballot...
Supporting Nebraska’s workforce: How employers can help parents access the Child Care Tax Credit
Nebraska's workforce is among the most reliable and industrious in the nation. It's not just the engine that drives our economy, it represents the core values we pass to the next generation of Nebraskans: show up, work hard, provide for your family and grow your...