As early childhood educators know, young kids are awesome.
“They’re funny, interesting, honest, innocent, and you get to watch them change right in front of your eyes,” said Mike Stiehl, a Step Up to Quality coach who has been in the profession for 40 years.
So why aren’t more men like Mike...
Read More › - Men, Be Like Mike: Become an Early Childhood Teacher
Teaching and caring for children is in Kim Chase’s blood. Her mom was a teacher, and her aunt was an in-home child care provider.
When Kim was in college, she would do her laundry at her aunt’s house, and sometimes fill in for her aunt and care for the kids.
“When I...
Read More › - An Affirmation of Quality
High quality child care is everyone’s issue.
Whether you have children or not, and whether you have children in child care or not, the state of child care resources in Nebraska should be an issue you feel strongly about:
For first-time parents, searching for child care can be overwhelming, confusing and exhausting.
“It’s the most important decision they’ll make as new parents,” said Step Up to Quality Director Lauri Cimino.
No pressure or anything.
Especially if parents are not familiar with the world of early childhood education – it’s diving into a...
Read More › - When It Comes to Child Care, What Exactly Does Quality Mean?
After Suzanne Schneider's first son started attending child care, it dawned on her that she might like working there. She had a degree in education, and, it turned out, an undiscovered passion for teaching little ones. She quickly became the center's director.
"Early childhood education is so important, and I have...
Read More › - Teaching the Teachers
Jen Nelson has a message for parents looking for child care: it’s OK to be a snob. It’s OK to expect more out of your current provider, too.
As the sole proprietor of Nurture and Nature Family Child Care, Step Up to Quality’s first rated child care provider, and the first...
Read More › - It's OK to be a Child Care Snob
I’m a mom of two biological kids, but in my heart, I feel like I have hundreds.
Fellow child care teachers and facility owners can back me up. It’s not just a job to us. I would do anything for these kiddos, just like I would my own.
My center, Bright Beginnings,...
Read More › - All Kids Deserve Quality Child Care