Nebraska
Working families in Nebraska need accessible, affordable, quality child care and early learning opportunities for their children.
Currently, federal and state early learning programs reach thousands of young children and their families in Nebraska. But too many working families in Nebraska are missing out. As a direct result of child care issues, the Nebraska economy loses millions of dollars each year in the form of lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
There are 158k children ages 5 and under in Nebraska
72% of these children have all available parents in the workforce
The typical annual cost of child care in Nebraska is around $10,000
The Child Care and Development Block Grant only reaches 9% of eligible families. This federal program helps low-income parents afford child care
Nebraska’s economy loses $781M annually due to child care challenges
Nebraska: In the Headlines
Nebraska voter survey shows heavy support for more state investment in early learning, child care
Nebraska Examiner | May 1, 2024
More than 80% of respondents in a new statewide survey agree, and about half strongly agree, that Nebraska lawmakers should support child care and early learning programs as they do for K-12 grades and higher education.
Child care Accessibility in Nebraska: Report finds a 17% decline in licensed child care facilities
KETV | May 7, 2024
A new report highlights the crisis of childcare accessibility in Nebraska. It shows there was a 17% decline of licensed centers after the pandemic hit. Brand new classrooms and cribs fill up Brown County’s only licensed childcare center.
UNK receives $2M in federal funding to address state’s early childhood workforce shortage
KSNB | May 23, 2024
The University of Nebraska at Kearney is receiving $2 million in federal funding to support and expand the state’s early childhood education workforce.
Nebraska Resources & News
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