Podcast

This is Your Quality Time

Step Up to Quality’s podcast was created especially for Nebraska’s early childhood education professionals.


While it does have great information for parents, educators of older students, administrators and really anyone who cares about kids, we purposefully plan episodes with child care providers in mind.

Each episode focuses on uplifting those in early childhood education — providing a self-care space, showing appreciation for professionals in the field and creating a new platform to learn from others in Nebraska. And we know your time is valuable, so each episode is about 30 minutes, give or take.

How to Listen to Quality Time

You can listen (and subscribe!) to Quality Time from all the popular podcast apps. You can always find the latest episode, and the library of previous episodes, at the bottom of this page. Click the “play” button on each episode to start the show. Be sure to keep the window open on your internet browser. If you close the window, the audio will stop.

About Our Host

We are fortunate to have the most wonderful host for Quality Time, Colleen Schmit. Colleen has worked in early childhood education as a teacher, consultant, program evaluator and speaker for 20 years, and she has also authored two books about the field.


Colleen earned her master’s degree in early childhood education at Concordia University and began her career as a teacher in Omaha, Nebraska. She is also a certified CLASS trainer and online CDA facilitator through Teachstone. Colleen and her husband, Bob, enjoy spending time with their four kiddos and eating lots of pizza.

Have Ideas for Quality Time?

If you have any suggestions about episode topics, people to interview or just general feedback, email us at nde.stepuptoquality@nebraska.gov.

Listen to Season 3!

RSS Quality Time Podcast

  • Season 3, Episode 40 - Creating an Early Love of Literacy February 5, 2025
    We’re joined by two special guests this week to chat about instilling a love of literacy during early childhood. Laura Cady and Olivia Alberts join the podcast this week to discuss strategies for making reading inclusive and meaningful for children in their early years. The key: don’t overcomplicate things. Listen at the link in our […]
    Nebraska Step Up to Quality
  • Season 3, Episode 39 - Caring for the Caregivers January 21, 2025
    Dr. Walter Gilliam, Executive Director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, joins the Quality Time podcast this week to discuss the often-overlooked care given to caregivers. Drawing from his extensive background in education and psychology, Walter explores how society values, or undervalues, the vital work of caregivers. He highlights the ripple effects this has on […]
    Nebraska Step Up to Quality
  • Season 3, Episode 38 - Why Play Matters January 8, 2025
    Author and early childhood expert Rae Pica returns to discuss her newest book, Why Play? Rae explores the importance of play in early childhood education and how it directly supports children’s growth and learning. You’ll hear how play is at the heart of both advocacy and education, with Rae’s passion amplifying this season’s theme by […]
    Nebraska Step Up to Quality
  • Season 3, Episode 37 - Farm to School Program December 18, 2024
    This week, Sarah Meyer, Farm to School Specialist with the Nebraska Department of Education, joins us to discuss the Farm to Early Care and Education program. Sarah highlights how connecting young children to fresh, local foods fosters healthy habits, community support, and respect for our food and its journey. Tune in to explore how this […]
    Nebraska Step Up to Quality
  • Season 3, Episode 36, Tools for Trauma-Informed Care December 4, 2024
    We're thrilled to welcome back one of our favorite guests, Carrie Gotschalk, Nebraska Extension Engagement Zone Coordinator and Licensed Mental Health Practitioner. She returns to the Quality Time Podcast to discuss the critical topic of trauma-informed care. Carrie examines how trauma impacts a child’s neural development and highlights the vital role of self-compassion for educators […]
    Nebraska Step Up to Quality
  • Season 3, Episode 35 - Quality Through Curriculum November 13, 2024
    In this episode, we welcome Catie Limbach, Education Specialist at the Nebraska Department of Education, to discuss the power of a purposeful curriculum. Catie explains how an intentional approach—one that follows children’s interests—can be fun while also fostering engaged, active learning. She also emphasizes how a well-designed curriculum can create quality experiences for every child, […]
    Nebraska Step Up to Quality
  • Season 3, Episode 34 - The Power of Play-Based Learning October 31, 2024
    This week, we’re joined by pediatric speech-language pathologist Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP, who discusses the transformative impact of play-based learning on child development. Cari shares insights on how play goes beyond fun—it fosters deeper learning and embraces neurodiversity through experience-based activities. She also highlights the importance of advocating for play as a powerful, research-backed tool […]
    Nebraska Step Up to Quality
  • Season 3, Episode 33 - Healthy Habits Start with Go NAPSACC October 16, 2024
    In this episode, we explore the Nebraska Go NAPSACC program with Ashton Figgner, UNL Extension Educator and Go NAPSACC Coordinator. Ashton shares insights into how the program equips childcare providers to implement best practices in nutrition, physical activity, and overall well-being. We also discuss how Nebraska Go NAPSACC works in partnership with Step Up to […]
    Nebraska Step Up to Quality
  • Season 3, Episode 32 - Nature-based Learning October 2, 2024
    Continuing our season-long theme of advocacy, for episode 2 of Quality Time we welcome Katie Krause, early childhood extension educator at UNL and Hannah Rennard-Ganley, director of education & outreach at Keep Omaha Beautiful. Both Katie and Hannah are advocates of nature-based learning, and in this episode they talk about what nature-based learning is, why […]
    Nebraska Step Up to Quality
  • Season 3, Episode 31 - Why Advocacy Matters September 16, 2024
    Season 3 of Quality Time is all about advocacy. In our first episode of season 3, Step 5 providers Liz Arnold and Shannon Hampson, both from Lincoln, share with us how they weave advocacy into their everyday lives and how they model it for the children in their care. They share ideas like championing play-based […]
    Nebraska Step Up to Quality