Announcements & New Items
This is where we share the latest news about what’s going on with early childhood in Nebraska.
PreK-2 Professional Development Specialist Grants
The Office of Early Childhood within the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) is currently seeking proposals from eligible applicants to compete for grants aimed at improving age three through second grade practices and instructional quality in school districts. Eligible applicants include ESUs, whether individually or in collaboration with other ESUs. The NDE plans to award up to two additional grants across the state, with a focus on addressing the specific needs of each region in one of the seven concentration areas specified in the grant guidance provided below.
Applications are due to Kristine Luebbe, kristine.luebbe@nebraska.gov on or before 5 pm CT on Friday, June 30th, 2023.
Selected applications will be presented to the Nebraska State Board of Education for approval at the August 2023 meeting. Grants will begin September 1, 2023.
The Preschool Post
The Preschool Post is an e-newsletter that will be sent out bimonthly during the school year (August-May). It is a collaborative effort between the NDE Office of Early Childhood and Office of Special Education, developed to provide educators and administrators with helpful updates, information and technical assistance to continue high-quality early education in Nebraska.
Contract Opportunities
Become a Step Up to Quality Coach!
If you are a looking for a rewarding career in early childhood and are committed to helping programs understand and implement quality, consider applying to be a Step Up to Quality coach. The Nebraska Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood is recruiting individuals to join a cadre of early childhood professionals to provide coaching for Step Up to Quality in family child care homes, community child care, school district, and Head Start early childhood programs.
Learn more about the qualifications & apply.
Observers Wanted
The Nebraska Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood is recruiting individuals to join a cadre of early childhood professionals to conduct observations for Step Up to Quality in community child care programs, family child care homes, school district programs, Head Start programs and for Results Matter in public school district early childhood programs. Learn more about the qualifications and how to apply below.