Public Schools & ESUs

Rule 11 is the regulations for all early childhood programs operated by ESUs and school districts in Nebraska. The resources below are designed to help programs comply with these requirements.

Rule 11 changes and implications

The early childhood period is defined as birth through age 8. Nebraska state statute has defined an early childhood program operated by a school district or ESU as the period from birth to compulsory attendance age. More than 200 school districts and Educational Service Units (ESUs) across Nebraska currently offer early childhood programs, making a clear regulatory framework a top priority for our office. To support these districts and ESUs in delivering high-quality early childhood care and education, the Nebraska Department of Education’s Office of Early Childhood has reviewed and updated Rule 11. 

Waivers (003.03A)

• Renewals as part of the Early Childhood Program Report 
• Needed for districts lacking a certified teacher for children 3 and older 
• Timelines and criteria have changed

Home visits as instructional hours (002.21 and 005.02C) 

• In addition to time spent in a center-based program, districts can add up to 2 hours total annually to count as instructional hours for home visits, as reported within the CDC. At least two home visits should occur within the home and should be utilized to support the child’s learning and development. 

Teacher assistant (005.05B)

• District has a certificated and properly endorsed PreK teacher 
• Classroom serving children younger than 3 
• Teacher assistant carries out daily activities of the classroom, planned with the certificated and properly endorsed PreK teacher 
• Can also be used in a before and/or after school program 
• Education requirements  
  • 12 semester hours of undergraduate or graduate credit in child development/early childhood education or the equivalent  

Paraeducator (005.05C)

• Work in classrooms to meet staff/child ratios 
• Meet federal requirements for instructional para professionals

Before/after school care (005.06D)  

• Serving children in the hours before or after typical school day 
• One staff must hold a valid Nebraska Teacher Certificate or be qualified as a teacher assistant 
• Same child/staff ratios as during regular school day hours 

Links to Rule 11 resources

Rule 11

A Guide to Rule 11

Nebraska’s Birth to Five Learning and Development Standards

Kindergarten Eligibility Statement

NDE Approved Early Childhood Programs

Architectural Design for Early Childhood Programs

Approved Equivalency for Paraeducators

Approved Equivalency for Home Visitors

Early Childhood Contacts Map

The NDE Office of Early Childhood developed the Rule 11 System of Support to provide consistent, data-informed support for district PreK programs across the state.

The Rule 11 System of Support is designed to:

• Improve the supports provided to Rule 11 PreK programs.
• Align supports with each district’s K–12 continuous improvement goals.
• Identify areas where additional support may be beneficial.
• Align early childhood supports with the school-age system of support.
• Ensure equitable support and assistance for districts across Nebraska.

Results Matter Nebraska is a child, program, and family outcomes measurement system designed and implemented to improve programs and supports for all young children served by districts and their community partners, which may include Head Start and other community early childhood programs.

Visit the Results Matter Nebraska website for always-up-to-date resources that focus on child, program, and family outcomes and to find answers to frequently asked questions.

Our district toolkit materials are designed to support early childhood educators in district-operated programs as they strengthen high-quality teaching and learning practices. Each downloadable PDF offers practical guidance and actionable tools to enhance classroom instruction, support continuous quality improvement, and promote positive outcomes for young children. Select a topic below to download the corresponding resource.

Observation tool overview

Using observation results

PreK math

Instructional support

Step Up to Quality

The Early Childhood Education Grant Program is intended to support the development of children in the 3 to 5 age range through the provision of comprehensive center- based programs. In most cases the projects expand and/or combine existing pre-kindergarten programs funded through district, federal, or parent fees, including Head Start. Each project receives funding for up to one-half of the total operating budget of the project per year on a continuing basis, subject to availability of the funds. A public school or an educational service unit is the fiscal agent.

Funded projects are required to operate in compliance with Rule 11: Regulations for the Approval of Prekindergarten Programs established by School Boards or Educational Service Units and for the Issuance of Early Childhood Education Grants. Rule 11 reflects research-based elements of quality early childhood education programs intended to produce strong outcomes for children.

The application period for Early Childhood Grants to support 3–5-year-old children in public school district or Educational Service Units for the 2026-27 school year is closed. The application period for the 2027-28 school year will open in GMS at the end of the year.

For further information, please contact Melody Hobson at melody.hobson@nebraska.gov or 402-860-4055.

High-quality early childhood programs can have a lifelong, positive impact on young children and their families. Step Up to Quality helps early child care providers and educators recognize and improve quality.

Programs enrolled in Step Up to Quality have access to coaching and resources that help them on their path to higher quality. These resources enable any provider or educator — big or small — to take quality to the next level.

Public schools, Head Start and accredited programs enter Step Up to Quality at Step 3. For details on participation requirements and available supports for these programs, view the Step Up to Quality info for school districts and Head Start programs.

The Nebraska Department of Education recognizes that it is important for children in kindergarten programs to have expectations appropriate for their physical, emotional, and intellectual capabilities.

We’ve put together guidance and tools that can help your district and families prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond.