Meet Michelle Rasmussen, director and owner of Lighthouse Preschool in La Vista, Nebraska. As one of the first providers enrolled in Step Up to Quality, Michelle recently secured her second Step 5 rating for her family child care home. Learn more about Michelle’s life-long dedication to increasing and maintaining quality child care practices.

What inspired you to become an early childhood professional?

I’ve always loved working with kids, and I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher. Between babysitting and working in different centers, I noticed that care didn’t often extend beyond safety standards, but I knew that early years are incredibly important for development. I wanted to make a difference in young children’s lives.

After high school and spending a year as an exchange student in Spain, I was offered the TEACH scholarship, so I started taking classes in early childhood, then student-taught in second grade and kindergarten.

I taught Head Start for about five years up until I was expecting my first child. I didn’t want to leave her in child care one place then work at an early childhood center across town. My boss at the time encouraged me to open an in-home program — I thought that was something that I would never do, like it may be a step back in my career. But I fell in love with providing in-home child care and realized it didn’t compromise high-quality care. That was 15 years ago.

What is your child care philosophy?

It takes a village to raise a child. A child’s parent is their first and most important teacher. We work with families to provide the best education and care for each child so they can live up to their full potential. By working together, we know that the children who walk through the doors of Lighthouse Preschool each morning will develop a pure enjoyment of learning and will be prepared for the rest of their lives.

My philosophy is also very focused on hands-on learning through play. Our daily activities are connected to the children’s interests, like building or creating art, so when they go on to school, they continue to be excited by learning and will want to continue to learn.

How did you learn about Step Up to Quality? Why did you decide to join?

I attended one of the first Step Up to Quality orientations. I wanted to prove to others that it’s not just me saying that I’m quality — I can show through my actions, which are supported by Step Up to Quality, that I do run a quality program.

Step Up to Quality has really helped me feel professional again. I didn’t have to make a lot of changes in my program to go through the steps, because I was already determined to provide high-quality child care. It validated that what I’m doing is important.

How does it feel to be re-rated at a Step 5 level?

It feels great. Since my original Step 5 rating, I’ve moved to a larger home, and I’ve also changed to a Family Child Care Home II license. Despite all those changes, I’m proud to have been able to maintain that level of quality.

Did you have a Step Up to Quality coach? How was the experience?

The coach I had when first going through the steps was amazing. They encouraged the positive things that I was already doing and suggested small improvements to take on bit by bit.

I know some providers can get overwhelmed or nervous that a coach is going to have a bunch of negative, time-consuming suggestions, but as an individual child care provider, my coach was super encouraging and made me feel like I was doing a great job.

In what ways has Step Up to Quality helped boost the quality of your child care practices? What have you learned and implemented?

Step Up to Quality has helped me advertise my child care and better communicate the quality of my program to parents — to prove to them that this is a strong, quality program, and they don’t have to take my word for it.

What words of encouragement do you have for providers who are considering joining Step Up to Quality or are still working through the steps?

Just keep going, one step at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed with the big picture. Focus on each tiny step and reach out for help along the way, like other providers who have gone through the process or a Step Up to Quality coach.

Meet Josh Gillman, chief operating officer, and Jason Albeno, early childhood education director, at Kids Can Community Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Josh and Jason are long-time advocates for evolving programs and practices to provide the very best care for children and their families. Learn more about how Kids Can has achieved, maintained and celebrated a Step 5 rating over the past decade.

What inspired you to work in the early childhood field?

Josh: I’ve been involved in youth development work since I graduated from college. I’ve been with Kids Can as the chief operating officer since 2014, which was my first exposure to early childhood programs versus more with school-age programs.

I was eager to join Kids Can to support the important early years of children’s lives. Over the past decade, it’s been incredible to see our programs grow and evolve into the highest quality they can be. My role is primarily on the administrative side, supporting the program as much as possible. My main goal is to enable our teachers to do what they do best — building relationships with students in the classroom.

Jason: My journey started in high school when I worked as an after-school para in an early childhood program. I quickly fell in love with early learning and how it forms the foundation for children and families. Since then, I’ve earned my degree and focused on promoting the incredible learning adventures that happen through play. Over the last five years, I’ve worked in different classrooms and settings. Now, I get to bring all of that experience together as the early childhood education director, supporting teachers, overseeing day-to-day operations and making sure we’re having fun, learning and helping children grow through their developmental milestones.

What is the child care philosophy of Kids Can?

Josh: Our broad focus is ensuring students are kindergarten-ready academically, socially, emotionally and physically. As Jason said, while we push students to develop these skills, the “how” is just as important. We emphasize play, hands-on activities and the significance of nurturing adult-child relationships. The environment we create is key. It needs to be supportive and nurturing to lead to those outcomes.

Jason: We often refer to our mission statement: educate, engage and inspire. This applies not just to children and teachers but to families as well. We create opportunities for community members and parents to share their knowledge, building engagement and partnerships. Additionally, we inspire future generations by working with interns, student teachers and practicum students, allowing them to see best practices firsthand. Our curriculum-based approach uses Teaching Strategies GOLD and Nebraska’s Early Learning Guidelines.

How did you learn about Step Up to Quality? Why did you decide to join?

Josh: I attended my first Step Up to Quality orientation in December 2014, so we were early adopters when it was rolled out in Nebraska. It wasn’t required, but as an organization, we’re always looking for ways to measure ourselves against best practices and engage with others in the community who are focused on doing what’s best for students.

We enrolled in the program as soon as we could. I’ve been through three reviews now, and while the process can be challenging, the opportunity to grow and improve makes it worthwhile. At the end of the day, we’re here to serve students and families, and if this process helps us do that better, then it’s worth every effort.

Jason: My background is more hands-on, focused on classroom evaluations and outcomes. Now that I’m seeing the administrative side, I’ve made so many connections, which I always recommend to colleagues. You gain a deeper understanding of both being evaluated in the classroom and the purpose of evaluations. It’s all about growth and improvement.

How does it feel to have successfully maintained your Step 5 rating?

Josh: We were re-rated in July 2024. Although we had maintained a Step 5 rating before, the process had evolved, so there was still some anxiety about making sure we upheld that standard. It required a lot of work, but the most rewarding part was celebrating with our team, especially the teachers. They’re the ones making the biggest impact on students.

It was also special to celebrate this achievement with a larger team in our expanded facility. When we first earned the rating, our program was smaller, and we didn’t even have infant care. This time, we could share the recognition with new team members. Having that validation from an external source was incredibly meaningful.

Have you worked with a Step Up to Quality coach? How was the experience?

Josh: We had a coach when we started the process, and they were invaluable, especially in helping us interpret standards and understand what was expected. They provided clarity on meeting criteria and helped us develop manageable plans to achieve our goals over time.

A coach is also there to encourage you when the process feels overwhelming, ensuring you’re using your time effectively. While we no longer need a coach at this stage, the Step Up to Quality team is always available to answer questions and provide support. We never feel like we’re on our own.

In what ways has Step Up to Quality helped boost the quality of child care practices at Kids Can? What have you learned and implemented?

Josh: Step Up to Quality provides a framework for defining and communicating what “quality” means. It can be a vague concept, but having standards and examples helps everyone understand what we’re striving for. For instance, it outlines how many training hours teachers need annually and gives specific examples of how to support families transitioning their children to kindergarten.

We also use tools like the CLASS observation to validate our instructional practices and guide new team members in understanding what quality interactions look like. It’s a powerful way to connect the work we do to long-term, positive outcomes for children.

Jason: I see Step Up to Quality as a navigational tool — like a Rosetta Stone for quality care. It shows you where you are and what steps to take next. It’s also great for networking to share ideas and strategies with other centers and directors. Early childhood is always evolving, so having those connections and resources is invaluable.

What words of encouragement do you have for providers considering joining Step Up to Quality or still working through the steps?

Josh: It’s worth the effort. Be proud that you’re invested in what’s best for children. The supports in place from the Step Up to Quality team make it less daunting, and you’ll likely find that you’re already doing many things well. It’s a validating process and a great opportunity to grow.

Jason: No matter where you are in the Step Up to Quality process, you can only go up from here. Even if you feel stuck, remember that it’s part of a continuous journey. Focus on your motivation to provide the best quality care for children, and the rest will fall into place.

Step Up to Quality has achieved an incredible milestone: Over 1,000 providers have taken the steps to enhance the quality of child care in Nebraska!

Participating in this program means a commitment to providing quality care in Nebraska and going above and beyond regular requirements and best practices for child care and early childhood education. With more than 1,000 providers now participating in our program, we want to express what a great achievement this is, not only for our community to be expanding, but for elevating the overall caliber of care in Nebraska. Thousands of children in the state are currently benefitting from these enriched learning environments.

If your child is enrolled with a Step Up to Quality provider, take a moment to thank them for the work they do. If you’re a provider looking to enhance your program, consider joining Step Up to Quality today!

5 steps, 1 goal

The 5 steps guide providers through a process of assessment, improvement and recognition for all of their hard work. Whether it’s a child care center with more than 100 children or a family child care home providing care for a tight-knit group, each provider is on an important journey to elevate the level of care they provide.

Celebrating our providers

To our valued providers: Your work is important and is actively making a difference. This milestone isn’t just about numbers — it’s about the educators, caregivers and directors who make it possible. The children in your care are learning, socializing, developing and growing because of your hard work and dedication. Thank you for being part of the Step Up to Quality family and for shaping the future of our state, one child at a time. We’re excited to continue this journey and can’t wait to see how many more providers step up in the future.

Meet Stoney Straatmann, director and owner of Stoney’s Home Daycare in Hastings, Nebraska. Stoney’s love for child care was instilled at a young age and has continued to grow through two Step 5 ratings. Learn more about how Stoney has achieved and sustained higher quality child care practices along her journey.

What inspired you to become an early childhood professional?

I’ve always had a love for kids. Growing up, I babysat and helped at a licensed home child care. When I was 16, I started working at a child care center. It’s been a lifelong goal of mine to run a child care home. So, I went to college, earned my associate’s degree, and a few months later, I had my own child care home up and running.

It’s been my dream, and now I’m living it, taking care of eight kids every day. I’m also working on my Inclusive Early Childhood BA online, made possible with the support of T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Nebraska and the RESPECT Scholars Program. I believe there’s always more to learn, so I’m constantly looking for ways to improve and expand my knowledge.

What is your child care philosophy?

I believe every child is unique, and I’m a big advocate for child-led play. Play is so important — it’s how they learn and grow. I aim to be their biggest supporter and encourager, helping them explore the world around them with curiosity. Outdoor play is a huge part of my philosophy, the dirtier the better! My goal is for the kids to have meaningful experiences and build lasting childhood memories, all while growing into well-rounded adults.

How did you learn about Step Up to Quality? Why did you decide to join?

I’d heard about Step Up to Quality when it first launched but wasn’t sure if it would make a difference for me. My families already knew I went above and beyond, and so did a lot of the community. But when I became the first partner of the Hastings Sixpence Child Care Partnership, enrolling in Step Up to Quality was required, so I started the process.

At first, I was hesitant because documenting everything felt like extra work, and I wasn’t sure I’d see the benefit. But I also wanted to have first-hand experience to be able to encourage other providers to join and show them that it’s not as overwhelming as it seems.

After I organized my documentation, I did see the value. It’s a confidence builder. It shows that I’m doing what I should be doing. I feel it, then I can see it, then others can see it. People don’t just have to take my word that what I’m doing is important.

How does it feel to be rated at a Step 5 level?

This is my second time receiving a Step 5 rating — my first was five years ago. It feels amazing to maintain that level of quality. The improvements I made have stayed with me day in and day out, and it’s reassuring to know that what I’m doing is still making a positive impact on the kids.

This time around, the rating process was easier because I knew how to document my work better. I also chose the CLASS observation instead of FCCERS, which I used the first time. Observations can be a little intimidating, but I always encourage providers to relax and just do their thing. Observations can help celebrate and validate what you’re doing well or show you areas for improvement. The tools are valuable once you take the time to process them, and coaches can be a great resource in understanding them.

Did you have a Step Up to Quality coach? How was the experience?

I had a coach through my Sixpence partnership, who was very encouraging. My second coach, who was directly through Step Up to Quality, was also incredibly supportive and helped me find resources when I needed them.

At first, I was nervous about letting someone new into my home child care. I worried about how the kids would behave or if I’d feel judged. But letting the kids meet my coaches and build that relationship was the best decision. The kids looked forward to their visits. Coaches are only there to help you, not criticize you, and they are great to bounce ideas off of because they understand what it’s like to be in your shoes.

In what ways has Step Up to Quality helped boost the quality of your child care practices? What have you learned and implemented?

Step Up to Quality has helped me improve how I communicate with families. Before, I would tell them what was going on, but now I also explain why it’s important. It’s also made me more collaborative with families, working as a team for their children’s development.

What words of encouragement do you have for providers who are considering joining Step Up to Quality or are still working through the steps?

Just do it. Sometimes it’s overwhelming, but take it step by step. It will prove the quality of your care beyond just saying it. It’s been an adventure, and I’m glad I did it. I have solid proof that I’m providing the best care possible for the kids and their families.

As child care providers, we play a vital role in shaping the future of our communities by teaching the next generation about civic responsibility. Even from a young age, children are eager to participate in building a better society. We can nurture this desire by providing opportunities for them to actively participate in their community, including volunteering and learning how democracy works.

Ways to foster children’s sense of civic responsibility

One of the most hands-on ways to teach civic responsibility is through volunteering. Whether it’s cleaning up a local park, helping at a food drive or supporting a cause they care about, give children choices by researching local volunteer opportunities and presenting them with options that align with their interests. This approach not only teaches civic responsibility but also fosters leadership, decision-making skills and a sense of ownership in their contribution.

While children may not be able to vote, there are still many ways to teach them about democratic principles. Shannon Hampson, a Step 5 child care provider, shares about her “Me and My Senator” program on our Quality Time podcast. Through the program, children not only learn about and meet their representatives at the Nebraska capitol, but they also begin to understand the importance of civic engagement and advocacy.

“The whole emphasis is to let our senators know who their littlest constituents are. Almost every one of our kids knows who their senator is,” said Shannon. “We’re not only teaching those younger kids, they’re passing knowledge on to the parents.”

Even small acts, like writing letters to elected officials or discussing how to improve the local community, can make children feel like they are contributing to the larger democratic process.

Resources for teaching children civic responsibility

There are many online resources available to help child care providers teach civic responsibility. PBS provides a free lessons calendar, “You, Me and Community,” with structured activities designed to help children understand the importance of community involvement. These lessons introduce concepts like civic duty, cooperation and advocacy in an accessible, engaging way for the early childhood age group.

Additionally, your local library is a great place to find books and other educational materials about civic responsibility. For inspiration, check out this curated book list, including titles like “Right Now! Real Kids Speaking up for Change” and “Can We Help? Kids Volunteering to Help Their Communities.”

If you’re a provider looking for even more ways to elevate the quality of your care, we’re here for you. Step Up to Quality has helped hundreds of Nebraska child care and early childhood education programs with supports and resources that improve quality. Learn more about getting started.

It’s time to wake up our napping podcast! Quality Time season 3 is now live and the first episode is available for streaming now on Spotify, Apple, Google, Stitcher or right here on the Step Up to Quality website.

This season is all about advocacy. That word means a lot of different things to different people, so we’re exploring what it means for early childhood educators in Nebraska. The first episode features Step 5 family home child care providers Liz Arnold and Shannon Hampson, who both live in Lincoln. Both Liz and Shannon are proud advocates of the early childhood education field, and the child care provider profession.

“I want to raise the awareness of how important we are,” Liz said of child care providers.

This upcoming season promises more of what our listeners loved from seasons 1 and 2 (like two more meditation episodes!) and then some. Our wonderful host Colleen Schmit, an educator, speaker, author and observer with Step Up to Quality, has interviewed local providers and national experts about the various facets of advocacy, including things like play-based learning, trauma-informed care and instilling an early love of reading.

Regardless of the topic, our goal is to uplift anyone working in early childhood education. We hope this new season will continue to leave child care professionals feeling inspired, appreciated and supported in the powerful work they do every day. That’s what Quality Time is all about!

New episodes will be released every other week on Wednesdays — a great opportunity for a midweek recharge. Be sure to subscribe to the Step Up to Quality e-newsletter for new episode alerts.

Meet April Bender, director and owner of Fremont Children’s Academy, a child care center in Fremont, Nebraska. April unexpectedly entered the child care profession and opened her center nearly two decades ago, and we’re thankful for her vulnerability about her process and experience with Step Up to Quality. Learn more about April’s journey to quality improvement.

What inspired you to become an early childhood professional?

My children had been going to an unlicensed in-home provider while I was working for Child Protective Services, and that wasn’t working out for a variety of reasons. So I was kind of in panic mode. We had tried a center but didn’t feel it was quite the right fit for our family. We tried nannies, alternating our work schedules… it just wasn’t working.

People told me I should open a center, but I wasn’t interested. Then, one day, I drove by what’s now our current building and saw a “for lease” sign. I gave them a call. It wasn’t a center prior to us being here, and the landlord wanted a $6,000 down payment that I didn’t have. I thought that call got it out of my system, but the Lord just kept pursuing, as the rest of the story goes.

I continued to work my other job to have funds to open the center and buy all the supplies. I watched a few kids at my own home for friends and family to earn extra money, and I was able to get a loan. Other than that, I did not have experience in early childhood. So I started up my center while also starting in the field. It’s been 19 years since.

What is your child care philosophy?

We provide children with educational experiences to empower them to be successful members of our community. As a mom, I felt like there wasn’t often an educational component to child care. Children are in our care for many hours each day, and that’s an opportunity to teach them. I’m very passionate about making it an experience where they can learn as much as possible while they’re little sponges. I want to fuel their passion for learning from a young age.

How did you learn about Step Up to Quality? Why did you decide to join?

I learned about Step Up to Quality through a couple trainings I had attended. At the time, it seemed incredibly overwhelming, so I was super resistant and pretty adamant about not doing it. Then, I was sitting in church, and the pastor said, “If you’re trying to figure out what it is you’re supposed to be doing, then look at something that’s come up multiple times that you’ve said ‘no’ to.” So I decided to finally look into it and open my heart to the opportunity.

We signed up, and I just wanted to get it all done in a hurry. I thought I could rush through and get it over with. That was not the case. I learned to take it one step at a time and slow down the process. Slowing down relieved a lot of stress, because I was not only doing my job but traveling to different towns to complete trainings. Rushing wasn’t helpful for me or my team.

How does it feel to be rated at a Step 5 level?

It is such a good feeling. It felt so out of reach. The odds were against us in so many ways — we joined during the pandemic, then there was the great hiring crisis, the great resignation, and it just seemed like we were taking one step forward and four steps back. So to reach a Step 5, knowing that we put our hat on and stuck to it, is really, really gratifying.

Did you have a Step Up to Quality coach? How was the experience?

Our coach Dee Mueller was fantastic. We definitely couldn’t have continued the path without her.

I didn’t think that she was going to come in and try to change things, but I was initially worried about shame or embarrassment around not doing things right. It was the polar opposite. She was so supportive, and she gave such positive feedback about all of the things that we were already doing. That was very encouraging to keep moving forward and not feel like we were starting from square one.

We did have a lot of positive things already going on, and for her to point those out, especially to the teachers, helped us see things in a different light and gave us momentum. We built up our strengths even more and could work on some of our weaknesses. Her support was more of an offer than any sort of demand. She didn’t make us do anything. She did her homework, met with our teachers and provided resources for us.

She met us where we were and was so supportive, never once making me feel like we were a lost cause. Now, I’m a huge advocate for coaching.

In what ways has Step Up to Quality helped boost the quality of your child care practices? What have you learned and implemented?

What led me to start our center was to provide a high-quality environment, and a lot of that is based on relationships. What our teachers are doing behind the scenes and how they’re interacting with students can’t be photographed or fully communicated. So when I learned about the CLASS observation tool as an option for Step Up to Quality, it really aligned with my passion and philosophy for teaching and for interacting in our everyday environment. It was encouraging to me that our mindset aligned with what the State and Step Up to Quality saw as important.

From an administrative perspective, having a system and a checklist to follow was right up my alley. There are reasons why certain things should be on the walls, why things are labeled, why children’s artwork should be at their level, why we post a written schedule, etc.

All of this hard work is still a daily work in progress, but to be evaluated and rated to show that we’re doing something well is invaluable. There aren’t a lot of other ways to measure quality beyond what a building may look like or what a negative news story may say. Achieving a Step 5 made our teachers feel even more supported and recognized for their work, because this industry doesn’t get a lot of recognition.

What words of encouragement do you have for providers who are considering joining Step Up to Quality or are still working through the steps?

I had read these provider interview blogs when I was at a Step 2 for quite awhile, and it was easy to assume that others had no problems achieving a Step 5. It’s been a challenging experience getting to where we are, and that’s normal. It’s not an easy process for a reason.

When I started, I wish I would have known to look at the bigger picture, make a game plan and be strategic. And to know that taking a few steps back doesn’t mean you’re heading in the wrong direction. Make a map of where your points need to be earned and when and in what order you want to focus on things. If you go into the process just winging it, you’re probably going to do more work than necessary.

I also recommend being honest with your coach. There were coaching sessions where we didn’t even talk about Step Up to Quality directly. We’d discuss what it’s like to be a leader and how it feels to be discouraged or lonely in this position. If I wouldn’t have been honest with her, I may not have been able to continue through the steps. Knowing that she was there for me as a person and a leader, while also helping me improve quality, was very helpful. She did an excellent job of caring for my heart, not just helping me achieve a certain status in the Quality Rating System. Be willing to be vulnerable and honest with your coach when you need that. They’re real people too, and they’ve been in your shoes.

2024 marks Step Up to Quality’s 10-year anniversary. Throughout the past decade, we’ve been honored to help hundreds of Nebraska child care providers and educators take steps toward even higher quality practices, serving a collective 47,161 children since our program began.

This past year, enhancing the Step Up to Quality coaching experience has been a focus for our team. Notably, we created and launched a dual-language binder for providers and educators who participate in Quality Foundations coaching, ensuring they can track their learnings, organize their thoughts and feel confident moving through each step of the process.

Since our last annual report, 120 more programs began actively participating in Step Up to Quality. We’re so proud of the 800+ child care programs enrolled across Nebraska who are committed to continuous quality improvement every day, supporting an excellent experience for the children in their care.

Want to know more about our latest stats? Find out more in our 2023-2024 annual report, including the number of programs that have taken advantage of free coaching, the number of providers at each of the five steps and the amount of quality incentive bonuses distributed to date.

Looking forward, we’re excited to make our resources even more accessible, engaging and actionable for programs and parents — stay tuned for updates! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay connected.

Thank you for taking this journey with us as we continue to learn and grow alongside the parents, programs and policymakers dedicated to ensuring our youngest Nebraskans have the brightest futures. Cheers to the next 10 years of quality improvement!

Meet Angie Herman, director of Tiny Treasures Daycare in Albion, Nebraska. Angie’s enthusiasm for early childhood shines throughout her career and her Step Up to Quality journey. Learn more about how Angie and her staff bring high-quality child care to Boone County.

What inspired you to become an early childhood professional?

I always wanted to be a teacher. In high school, I was a student aide for the kindergarten classroom, and I never wanted to leave. I loved it so much. I knew I wanted to go into early childhood, and while I was at Southeast Community College in Lincoln in the ‘80s, we built the college’s childcare center. I was just totally smitten by working with kiddos.

How long has Tiny Treasures been established?

Tiny Treasures Daycare has been in our community for over 23 years. I’ve been here for nearly 13 years. We’re a hospital-owned daycare with two daycare homes right next to each other across the street from the Boone County Health Center. We’re all hospital employees.

It’s kind of fantastic when you think about it — businesses weren’t putting child care in their establishments 23 years ago. But Boone County Health Center stuck their neck out and started a daycare. Now, we’ve grown to two daycares, and we’re hoping to add another one for infants.

I also help educate adults. I do required trainings for the State of Nebraska: the Early Learning Guidelines and the Safe With You training. I give these trainings to my staff and other licensed providers in Boone County. I try to offer three or four opportunities each year.

What is your child care philosophy?

My philosophy is to have a safe, loving environment where the kids have lots of fun and experience lots of joy throughout the day when they’re away from their parents.

How did you learn about Step Up to Quality? Why did you decide to join?

When I was doing my trainings, the state introduced Step Up to Quality. They wanted trainers to promote it to whoever was licensed. After a while, I realized I couldn’t encourage these providers to do it if we didn’t sign up ourselves. So, we joined Step Up to Quality in 2019. It took us a while with trainings and the pandemic, but it was well worth it.

Did you have a Step Up to Quality coach? How was the experience?

Yes, it was terrific. I cannot say enough about our coach. My staff was always excited to welcome her. She would come in, meet with staff one-on-one and motivate them with the things that they were already doing. We loved her positivity.

I’ve always said that, even when you’re the best, you can be better . And when we’re improving, we feel good about what we’re doing. That’s another reason I wanted to join Step Up to Quality. My staff listens to my ideas and my opinions, but I really wanted someone else to coach them with an outside perspective. We miss her now that we’re done with coaching, but she stays in contact.

In what ways has Step Up to Quality helped boost the quality of your child care practices? What have you learned and implemented?

I have so many examples. One was naming and explaining children’s emotions when they’re going through something. The kiddos would look at us and say, “Yes, that’s it, that’s what’s going on.” We did that already, but this advice built on our practices and strengthened our interactions with them.

We also began to create portfolios for our children’s development. Having a physical portfolio to show a child’s growth is pretty incredible to share with their parents. We see children every day, and sometimes we don’t notice changes until we look back at what they’ve accomplished.

Our biggest achievement was building an outdoor classroom. Our coach realized early on that we spent a lot of time outside on our huge playground. The insides of our centers weren’t being used as much, so she recommended that we bring the centers outside.

We created areas outdoors to reflect every area we had indoors — a quiet area, a reading area, a science area and a potted garden. We have a place for riding bikes and climbing. We incorporated music with a wall that holds lots of instruments. We have a stage with a CD player so the kids can choose songs and perform. Our awesome hospital maintenance staff built us mud kitchens with a full range of utensils, aprons and hats.

Our playground is terrific. In the winter, we mourn its loss because we don’t get to spend as much time out there. But that is the biggest thing that we implemented because of our coach, and it’s the most rewarding. Not only do we enjoy it, but the kids enjoy it. We do almost everything outside.

How does it feel to be rated at a Step 5 level?

It’s incredible. My staff all feel like it was well worth it, and we’re really proud of it. We have big “We’re quality” signs outside. I hear my staff tell parents daily what they learned from our coach. I think it just continues to grow.

How was the observation process?

Of course, we were nervous. But we knocked it out of the park each time. We have two daycares, so each site was observed over two days. But when you’re confident in what you’re doing, it’s no big deal to have someone come in and observe.

What words of encouragement do you have for providers who are considering joining Step Up to Quality or are still working through the steps?

I definitely encourage everyone to join. Sometimes, we stagnate in our jobs, just doing what we do. It’s nice to feel revived and encouraged. Do it at your own speed so you don’t get overwhelmed. There’s no hurry or time limit.

High-quality care and education, starting in infancy, has been proven to build a strong foundation for learning, emotional intelligence and better health for the rest of a person’s life. Choosing a child care provider is one of the most important decisions that working parents will make, and while the search can be overwhelming, we’re here to make it easier.

As a part of the Nebraska Department of Education, the mission of Step Up to Quality is to help great child care providers in our state become even better. For families, we’re proud to offer a free provider search tool that helps you narrow down your search and feel confident in your choice among hundreds of high-quality child care providers.

As you begin your child care search, you may have some questions, including timing, what to look for and how to tell if a provider is the right fit for your family.

Searching for infant child care

It’s almost never too early to begin your child care search, but pregnant parents should begin searching for infant care as early as 20 weeks into a pregnancy. Because infant child care providers are required to have a low teacher-to-child ratio, there are fewer available infant spots.

Beginning your search during the second trimester will provide cushion time for likely waitlists, and it’ll also allow time for research, tours and provider interviews. Here are some questions to ask yourself — and providers — when considering a program for your infant:

• Are the ratios and group size appropriate for my infant?
• Do caregivers hold the infants or engage with them on the floor?
• Do caregivers speak, sing and read to the infants?
• How do you assess an infant’s skills, strengths and needs?
• How will you communicate with us about our infant’s learning and development?

Every family has different child care needs. Download Step Up to Quality’s infant checklist as a starting point for your visit.

Searching for toddler and preschool child care

If you don’t plan to enroll your child in care until they’re a little older, begin your search at least one year ahead of your start date. If you currently have a toddler or preschooler, the time to begin your search is now! You don’t need to commit to a provider right away, but it’s important to know your options.

Inevitably, you may be in a situation where your ideal provider isn’t available. Don’t worry if you need to go with your second choice in the interim — you never know when a spot may open up.

Here are some questions to ask during your visit:

• Are toys and materials well organized so that children can choose what interests them?
• Is a daily schedule posted, using pictures and visuals, so that children can anticipate what will happen next?
• Do staff answer children’s questions patiently? Do they ask children questions?
• Do children have the ability to be involved in the creation of their daily activities? Is play prioritized?
• How do you adapt learning activities to meet the needs of each child?

Learn more questions to ask in Step Up to Quality’s toddler and preschool child care checklists.

Start your search today

 Congratulations! By reading this blog, you’ve already begun your child care search. Ready to take the next step? Use our child care provider search tool to filter by age group, program type and distance to find a high-quality Nebraska child care program near you.

Reflect on the best coaches you’ve encountered in your life — the ones who bolstered you through moments of uncertainty, acknowledged your capabilities and provided unwavering support. These individuals played, and often continue to play, a pivotal role in our personal and professional journeys.

Early education providers serve as the earliest coaches for children as they navigate their developmental milestones. Embracing a coaching mindset, whether you’re a professional “coach” or not, can significantly enhance both your personal growth and the quality of interactions with the children in your care.

Practicing a coaching mindset

Coaching is a collaborative, empowering process. Diane Rindlisbacher, a healthcare leader who specializes in executive coaching, underscores the deep impact of a coaching mindset in cultivating psychological safety, effective leadership, and a thriving organizational culture — all crucial elements for nurturing success among your program’s staff and children. We can integrate her six coaching strategies into our daily interactions:

1. Facilitate awareness
   A coaching mindset requires ongoing awareness of ourselves and others. When we are present, we can identify patterns and be more sensitive to others’ needs.
2. Realize the potential
   Every individual, from ourselves to our staff to the children in our care, possesses the potential to be even better. Offer continuous encouragement and remain open to possibilities.
3. Activate your curiosity
   Early education professionals are lifelong learners. By continually evaluating and refining our practices, we can deliver our best to both staff and children. Embrace new ideas, challenge assumptions and explore diverse perspectives.
4. Move into deeper listening
   Genuine, undistracted listening fosters trust and strengthens connections with others.
5. Exercise question thinking
   Practice asking open-ended questions to encourage deeper conversations and exploration. Instead of “Did you…?” ask “How did you…?”
6. Shift your perspective
   Being an early education provider is challenging but rewarding work. When facing an obstacle, try shifting your perspective by leaning into curiosity to discover alternative explanations or solutions.

You don’t have to adopt all these strategies at once. Try practicing a few this week and see how it changes your interactions, then add a few more as you get the hang of it.

The impact of a coaching mindset on children

Adopting a coaching mindset invites children to be participants in their learning, and in turn, they’ll start to develop the mindset, too.

Gabi Immelman, CEO and founder of e-learning platform Mindjoy, recommends being a “co-researcher” with children, asking them questions rather than only giving instruction. Active listening, withholding judgment and emphasizing progress over perfection all contribute to cultivating curiosity, critical thinking and empathy in children.

Connect with a coach

At Step Up to Quality, we recognize the transformative power of coaching. That’s why we offer group and one-on-one coaching opportunities for early education providers enrolled in our program. Our specialized, professional coaches help providers navigate through our five steps, ultimately improving educational experiences for children.

Quality Foundations Coaching is a group coaching opportunity available once providers achieve Step 1, facilitated through weekly virtual meetings. Providers join together to learn about high-quality practices, gain motivation, prepare for one-on-one coaching and build a network of support across the state.

One-on-one coaching is available once programs complete the requirements for Step 2. Your coach will help you identify and maximize your strengths and guide you along your path to quality improvement.

Remember, coaches are invested in your success and are committed to supporting you every step of the way. Coaching isn’t about focusing on weaknesses; it’s about collectively shaping the future you aspire to achieve. Begin your coaching journey today.

Meet Shannon Hampson, director of Wild Child Daycare in Lincoln, Nebraska. Shannon knows that quality comes in many forms. To her, quality means boosting children’s skills and learning with lots of outdoor play and real-world experiences. Learn how her Step Up to Quality journey complemented and improved her program.

What inspired you to become an early childhood professional?

I’m the oldest of nine kids — I’ve just always helped. I’m originally from Canada, where I had my first child. Then I came here and had my second. It was a very big change from having a year of paid maternity leave to six weeks. So, I decided to stay home.

I was also helping friends with their kids before and after school. People kept asking me for help, so I just kind of fell into it, but it’s always been my thing to take care of kids. I started providing child care, technically license-exempt, in 2012 and became licensed in 2017 when I bought my own house.

I didn’t initially have the name “Wild Child,” but people kept asking me what the name of my daycare was. It made me realize I do have a daycare, don’t I? I spend a lot of time outside and am very into child-led, free play. People remark that my kids always have a lot of energy, and I realized that, yeah, we are kind of wild. And it’s okay to be wild. Wild isn’t bad, it’s fun and exciting. We like new experiences, and we like to spend time in nature.

Why do you think these new experiences are important?

They support children’s learning. I can tell a child about a firetruck or show them a picture of one, or I can take them to see a real firetruck. Learning hands-on and being able to experience it is a long-lasting memory. Research shows that if you learn something through play, you can retain it much faster than getting that same information from books and paper.

We play in the rain, we jump in puddles, and we play in the snow. We play in my mud kitchen with measuring cups and wooden spoons where they’re doing math, experimenting and mixing colors. All of this is learning, but it’s not on a worksheet. Each family is different, and if they prefer a different teaching style than I have, that’s okay, and it doesn’t change my quality. Some people value worksheets, others value the quality of outdoor play, and some value child-led play — quality comes in a lot of forms. It’s not a checkbox.

What is your child care philosophy?

I strive to follow my slogan: “Learning through experiences: inside, outside, and beyond.” I provide a child-led interest, play-based program that follows what the children are interested in while providing an integrated nature/outdoor-based curriculum. I believe so much in this that I wrote my own curriculum, submitted it to the Nebraska Department of Education and received approval.

I want children to learn about the world they live in, experiencing it with all of their senses and exploring as much as they can. We meet the members of our community from Miss Ali, the librarian at Around Town Storytime, to our dance teacher Miss Kari, to the city employees who help take care of the parks where we play. At the zoo, we learn about the world beyond our city through the animals and staff. We walk to the Capitol to meet their Senator and learn how our government works. We visit beautiful gardens and engage with the volunteers that take amazing care of them. We learn about growing food at the Southern Heights Food Forest. There are so many local places that we can adventure to for experiences that help us become contributing members of society.

How did you learn about Step Up to Quality? Why did you decide to join?

Honestly, I was skeptical of Step Up to Quality when I first learned about it. I said I would never do it. But I serve a lot of families with low income, and the majority of my children receive child care subsidies. I had a couple of families who were getting close to exceeding the income limits and would not qualify for a subsidy, but there was no way they could afford child care on their own. I wanted to join Lincoln Littles to get additional assistance, but the program required having a Step 2 rating from Step Up to Quality. After some encouragement, I decided to go for it despite my reluctance.

Step 1 was just registration, and Step 2 was training — thankfully online. As a family home provider, I can’t afford to close for a day, and my families can’t afford for me to close either.

I thought I might stop there. But I talked to my coaches and other contacts, and they said it’s not that difficult to get a Step 3 rating. I looked into it, and the pay increase was an incentive for me with subsidy families. It would get me much closer to what families without subsidies pay. One of my friends is also a family home provider, and her philosophy is similar to mine, so we teamed up and went through the process together.

It took a lot of time. I think it’s important for people to understand that it’s not something you’ll get through quickly. I spent many hours on paperwork because as a family home provider, I know a lot of things, like our policies and drills, but I don’t necessarily write them down. Getting everything on paper makes me feel more professional, and it also allows me to show the quality of my program, even if I do things differently.

How does it feel to be rated at a Step 5 level?

When I secured a Step 5 rating, it felt like I was able to prove that all quality doesn’t fit in a box, and it strengthened my belief in my program. Whether I would have received a 5 or not, I believe I’m a quality program. And no matter what, there’s always room for improvement.

My family home provider friend and I actually got our results the same day, so we took our kids to a party store, bought balloons and party hats, and they picked out celebration items to take to the park.

In what ways has Step Up to Quality helped boost the quality of your child care practices? What have you learned and implemented?

CLASS being offered as an observation tool for family home providers made a huge difference. CLASS is my style of quality, focusing on the children and interactions with them. I want to prepare the kids in my care for the world, and these are their most important years of learning. If I can equip them with social-emotional skills, coping skills and resilience, that’s going to help them succeed in life. And those skills are built through interactions, experiences, making mistakes and trying again.

Step Up to Quality also helps family home providers remember they’re a small business. When your business is your home, it’s easy to be casual about it. But we’re a small business, and to prove our quality, that includes paperwork. I feel like I’m a real business now. If anyone said I wasn’t a business, I’d laugh, because it’s all documented.

Some providers haven’t written down their philosophy, and even if you have it in your mind or have an idea of how you want to provide care, writing it down formally creates confidence: Yeah, this is me. This is my program.

Did you have a Step Up to Quality coach? How was the experience?

I’ve had several coaches through other programs who all helped prepare me for Step Up to Quality. I also had a Step Up to Quality coach who supported me when I had questions. I would encourage people to use a coach, especially if they are just starting out in the child care profession. They’re there to help you as much or as little as you need, to motivate you and to keep you accountable.

What words of encouragement do you have for providers who are considering joining Step Up to Quality or are still working through the steps?

Don’t be afraid to ask. Don’t be afraid to push a little. And be ready to be a bit uncomfortable. When I did my baseline observation, I cried after getting my results, and I came around to being okay with it. I think it’s important to be prepared to be upset about your observation scores. You have to realize that you won’t get certain points, and you’re not expected to get a perfect score. It doesn’t mean you’re less quality, it means your quality may be different.

I also encourage people to reach out to other providers. If you’re part of another group or have a coach, talk to them about Step Up to Quality. It’s okay to be nervous, it’s okay to be frustrated, and it’s okay to shed a few tears — to me, these are all signs of growth, which is ultimately the goal of Step Up to Quality. Even if you think Step Up to Quality is not for you or it’s unattainable, you can do it. It isn’t easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.

And finally, don’t forget that you’re probably already providing quality care, and there’s always room for improvement. I wish I had thought this way at the beginning of my journey — these are just guidelines to help improve my quality.

Meet Sara Voss, an administrative coordinator at Fingerprints Child Development Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. Seasoned in the early childhood field, Sara shares her experiences working with Step Up to Quality throughout her career as a center director, administrative coordinator, observer and coach.

What inspired you to become an early childhood professional?

I’ve always loved kids. I studied elementary education and early childhood development in college. After graduation, I taught first grade for about five years at a school with students from low-income households. Witnessing the barriers they faced, I started focusing on the importance of having a solid learning foundation from birth, which led me back to early childhood.

What is Fingerprints’ child care philosophy?

We strive to be a safe, Christian environment that encourages the growth and development of each child. We foster creativity and develop problem-solving skills, and investigation through play is supported by well-trained, caring staff who love children. Families are highly encouraged to participate and share in activities both inside and outside of the classroom.

Tell us more about the work you do at Fingerprints as an administrative coordinator.

As an administrative coordinator, I’m responsible for staff development, child development and program quality. There are three of us on the administrative team, and we each have different strengths. For me, my strength is working in the classroom and focusing on teachers. For others, it’s the budget and payroll. It helps us not be spread too thin.

Fingerprints opened in 2004, and I’ve been there for about two years. Prior to this program, I was the director of another center for 17 years. Both Prudence, Fingerprints’ director, and I had heard about Step Up to Quality through the directors’ association we were a part of. It seemed like a great program to join — we’re always looking for ways to improve and give our children and families the highest care possible, and Step Up to Quality gave us a path to follow.

I’m also a Step Up to Quality coach and an observer, so I’ve been able to give our staff extra coaching as needed.

When did you decide to become a coach?

It was about two years ago. I was looking to do something different after being a director for 17 years. I went through Step Up to Quality with my previous program and had a great experience with my coach, so I knew a bit about the role. It was a really good fit for me at that time, and I’ve continued to do it.

Did your center work with an additional Step Up to Quality coach?

Yes — I was an on-site coach, but it was nice to get another perspective from our coach, Jen. She focused on the Environment Rating Scale, and I focused on CLASS, so I felt like our staff got a good picture of what “quality” really is.

We weren’t sure if we were going to do observations, but Jen really pushed us to try it out, so we decided to go for it and surprised ourselves with how well we did.

It’s always intimidating to have an outside person coming in to observe your program. I think our staff was a little more accustomed to it because I had been doing several observations in their rooms, so they knew what to expect. We took the pressure off by telling them to just go through their normal day, and they happened to do really well.

How does it feel to have Fingerprints rated at a Step 5 level?

We feel really proud to have earned a Step 5. We’re always critical of everything we do, so it was nice to get that recognition. We had a week-long Step 5 celebration including t-shirts and lunch for the staff, cookies for the families and a visit from Kona Ice.

In what ways has Step Up to Quality helped boost the quality of your child care practices? What have you learned and implemented?

We were at the point where we needed to get new curriculum for our center, and Step Up to Quality helped us set those deadlines and pushed us to make decisions while our staff went through the Step Up to Quality process.

Our staff has always been really good at planning intentional activities to keep our kids engaged and learning, but this process reminded us how crucial it is for teachers to have time to plan and collaborate. We added some staff work days and more time in their schedules to focus on planning intentional opportunities for the children.

What words of encouragement do you have for providers who are considering joining Step Up to Quality or are still working through the steps?

Don’t be overwhelmed with the process. Go through the Rating Request Form and start gathering your evidence — you may be surprised by how much you’ve already done.

We recently chatted with Marti Spitz, director of Beginnings Early Development Center in Hastings, to learn more about her Step Up to Quality journey and how the process has fostered continuous quality improvement at her center.

 What inspired you to become a child care provider?

I didn’t actually set out to be a child care provider. I was a nurse, and when I had my youngest son, child care was difficult to find. So, I decided that I would leave my nursing career for a short time and stay home with him.

While I was at home, I had some other nurse friends who needed care for their kids, and I said, “Hey, I’m at home anyway, so just bring them over!” It was one person, two people, three people, and before I knew it, I thought, “Well, maybe this is what I need to be doing!” Within the first year, I had a wait list. Within the first two years, I decided to expand to a center. That was 20 years ago.

What is your child care philosophy?

Our mission statement is to deliver excellence in child care services, surpassing the standard of care, and a nurturing environment where children are safe, happy, growing and learning.

We know that quality child care provides the foundation for the rest of a child’s life, and that has always been at the forefront for us. It’s not about how many children you can fit in your building, it’s about the quality of care you can give them.

How did you learn about Step Up to Quality? Why did you decide to participate?

When Step Up to Quality first came out around 10 years ago, I was a little hesitant at first because it was new. Our Infant/Toddler Quality Initiative coach, Jo Smith, introduced it to us because she knew our goal was to provide quality child care. She’s now coaching for Step Up to Quality, too.

Step Up to Quality involves a lot of trainings, so it can be difficult to get started with staff turnover. It took me a long time to get to the point of having consistent staff, and I think that’s the biggest barrier for the directors I’ve spoken with. But once key people are in place, you can move through steps rather quickly.

How does it feel to have achieved the Step 5 level?

It’s very personally rewarding as a director but also rewarding for our staff. As a director, I can’t take all the credit. I can put the paperwork together, I can schedule things, but it’s my team that does all the work.

Our entire team works together for the quality care of our kids, and I am so proud and grateful for them. I am very blessed to have a team that was willing to take part in this and to allow people to come in and observe us. Multiple evaluations can be a big ask, but they knew it was for the quality care of the kids, and they were all on board.

While we have reached Step 5, a misconception is that Step Up to Quality is something that you want to “achieve.” It is an achievement, but you’re not done there. It’s ongoing!

In what ways has Step Up to Quality helped boost the quality of your child care practices? What have you learned and implemented?

Step Up to Quality isn’t just about the hands-on care of kids, it takes a lot of things into consideration. We’ve especially learned and implemented practices in the administration area. We had a wage scale, but it didn’t take into consideration the education, experience and trainings of the people we hire, so we implemented a new scale. In the classrooms, we began having the teachers do self-assessments, which we had never done before joining Step Up to Quality. We also have our supervisors go in the classroom and do observations.

Step Up to Quality has also helped us learn what trainings our teachers need and how we can use those trainings to help educate our teachers, positively impact children and increase the quality of the entire center. We now encourage all of our staff to train to their next level. We want everyone moving up and expanding in their career.

What words of encouragement do you have for providers who are considering joining Step Up to Quality or are still working through the steps?

Step Up to Quality is a process. If you’re struggling in a certain area, like administration or staff turnover, that’s okay! You’re going to start from Step 1, and you’re going to work up from there. You don’t have to have all of your ducks in a row from day one. My advice is to jump right in, and as you’re going through those steps, you’ll see quality improve.

Step Up to Quality makes it really easy for providers. They tell you exactly what they’re looking for and what quality means to them. They meet you where you’re at, strengthen your foundation and walk with you step by step to the next rating.

Meet Carime Ruvalcaba, director and owner of Karime Child Care, LLC, a family child care home in Grand Island, Nebraska. Achieving a Step 5 rating is one of Carime’s many accomplishments. Her continual learning and involvement in the early childhood education field has elevated the quality of her care and helped others along the way.

What inspired you to become a child care provider?

I worked in the meat processing industry for many years, and after getting through some difficult life circumstances, I found the reason why God sent me into this world: to educate, protect and take care of children.

I wanted to own a business, and I have now been director of my own program for six years. I am the first Hispanic person in early childhood daycare services who has achieved this level in Grand Island. I take care of up to 10 children, and my waitlist has continued to grow. My childcare and educational philosophy is driven by the well-being and development of children.

Although I don’t know English, with the help of my phone and Google Translate, I’ve completed more than 280 hours of training in the past six years.

With the support of Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) and a large group of providers in the Omaha area, I obtained my National Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. NECC has also recognized me as an Elevated Provider of the Month in December 2021 and as Early Childhood Champion in March 2023 for my dedication to developing the future of Nebraska and helping our communities prosper. I continue to be a part of NECC’s Elevate program.

I also have the honor of being a member of the Nebraska Early Childhood Workforce Leadership Cadre by the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, which brings together 26 leaders in the field of education. We provide information and ideas that help implement projects that increase the quality and quantity of professionals dedicated to early childhood education.

I am certified as a Safe With You trainer in Spanish, and I volunteer with a group of organizations in monthly meetings, which are held in College Park in Grand Island every last Wednesday of the month. We offer free assistance to people interested in taking care of and educating children. We explain the process of how to obtain a license, offer trainings and share information that helps them improve their programs. I am happy to share my knowledge and experience.

How did you learn about Step Up to Quality? Why did you decide to join?

I learned about Step Up to Quality through the Nebraska Early Childhood Professional Record System (NECPRS) and decided to join to raise the quality of my program. The first five years of a child’s life determine the kind of adult they will become. The way that you interact with a child influences their brain development, memory, emotions, learning, reasoning, problem-solving and decision-making. I want to be one of the people who positively influences the lives and futures of children and their families.

How does it feel to be rated at the Step 5?

I feel very proud and satisfied. It is a great achievement for my program, and it allows me to further my career as a professional in early childhood education and child care.

In what ways has Step Up to Quality helped boost the quality of your child care practices?

Thanks to the training I completed through Step Up to Quality, I can offer more and better interactions with children, and I can also identify and respond adequately to the emotional and physical needs of each child in conjunction with families. The observations were very important to identify the things I’m doing well and to give me the opportunity to make improvements. I believe better results are obtained if you build instead of repair.

What words of encouragement do you have for providers who are considering joining Step Up to Quality or are still working through the steps?

Joining Step Up to Quality allows you to learn and improve your program, which then gives you the opportunity to improve the future of Nebraska’s children and families. And as part of the Nebraska Department of Education, Step Up to Quality training truly makes you a professional.