Every Nebraskan should have access to quality and affordable early childhood education, according to University of Nebraska at Kearney interim Chancellor Charlie Bicak. This commitment aims to address a significant challenge facing the state.
“Improving early childhood education in rural Nebraska is vital for our campus, our community, and the entire state,” Bicak said during the announcement of a new initiative.
Bicak spoke at an event marking the launch of the Knowledge Network for Early Childhood Education Workforce (KNEW). The initiative is a collaboration between UNK, Nebraska Extension, and Communities for Kids. It aims to recruit and retain early childhood educators, especially in rural areas, with support from a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, who helped secure the funding, called the program an “investment in Nebraska’s next generation.” She emphasized that it would significantly impact early childhood education across the state. “We will empower educators with training and resources, enabling them to provide high-quality care for our children now and in the future,” she stated.
Fischer described early childhood educators as the “unsung heroes” of their communities. She stressed the need for collective efforts to support these professionals and serve Nebraska families better. “As Nebraska’s industries grow, the need for a strong early childhood education system will only increase,” Fischer noted.
Recent statistics reveal the urgency of the child care crisis in Nebraska. A 2023 report from Voices for Children in Nebraska shows that 84 of the state’s 93 counties lack enough licensed child care spots. Nine counties have no licensed facilities at all, creating “child care deserts.”
Furthermore, a survey from Nebraska Extension and We Care for Kids indicates that nearly one-third of parents with children under 5 have left their jobs due to a lack of affordable child care. Seventy-four percent of parents view the lack of quality early learning options as a serious issue.
“It’s increasingly difficult for working parents to find affordable child care,” Fischer said. “We have too few providers, too few workers, and too many families seeking help that isn’t available.”
Bicak emphasized the need for change: “No Nebraskan should have to miss work or quit a job to care for their children.”
The KNEW program, led by UNK associate professor Philip Lai and his colleagues, aims to strengthen the early childhood education workforce through collaboration. The multi-year project will involve over a dozen communities, creating a network for sharing successful strategies and best practices.
This initiative also includes funding for recruitment, retention, and professional development for early childhood educators. The project team plans to develop a “teaching toolkit” to improve training for both new and current educators.
Mark Reid, dean of the UNK College of Education, remarked, “The KNEW project will enhance early childhood education, improving lives in Nebraska by supporting working parents.”
Nebraska Extension and Communities for Kids will play crucial roles in outreach and program implementation. Communities for Kids currently collaborates with 71 communities statewide to enhance early childhood education.
Kara Nickel, assistant vice president and project coordinator, highlighted the importance of early childhood professionals in shaping children’s academic and emotional growth. She believes the KNEW program will help make Nebraska the best place for kids.
“We all depend on someone who relies on child care,” Nickel said. “Initiatives like KNEW will provide valuable insights into supporting this essential profession.”
Holly Hatton-Bowers, an associate professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, echoed these sentiments. She shared a poignant story of a family that left their rural home due to a lack of child care. “This issue is a lived experience for many Nebraskans,” she said. “This project offers us a chance to improve access to high-quality child care.”
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