Public Schools & ESUs
Nebraska school districts offer home- and center-based early childhood programs for children birth to age 5. Find resources to support district-operated programs, including regulations, outcomes, and reports.
Resources for district-operated programs
Use the tabs below to explore our resources.
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.
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
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.
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 Kristine Luebbe at kristine.luebbe@nebraska.gov or 531-510-8101.
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.
Reports & program impact
See how Nebraska’s district operated birth to age 5 programs are supporting children, families, and communities. Our annual report highlights statewide outcomes, grant funding, and the impact of partnerships and strategies that strengthen early childhood education.
2024-25 Early Childhood Education Report
Other reports:
Subscribe to the Preschool Post newsletter!
The Preschool Post is a bimonthly e-newsletter published during the school year (August–May) by the Nebraska Department of Education Office of Early Childhood. Each issue shares updates, resources, and practical guidance to help educators and administrators strengthen and sustain high-quality early childhood programs across Nebraska.