Nebraska Family Child Care Association

01/13/2024

The start of a new calendar year is a good time to consider how a local support group might benefit your early childhood tribe! Read the blog article below and learn how you can start something in your community. Have questions? Contact Erin or Kim for more information!

Looking to connect with fellow early childhood providers? Join or create a support group where you can share practical insights and find understanding peers. Discover more on the blog! 👉 https://bit.ly/47pUAUP

09/21/2023

Take action!! A bill has been introduced to eliminate Tiers and increase reimbursements permanently. Please go to the link below for more information. Contact your Congressman and let them know how important this is to providers!

https://www.cacfp.org/2023/09/19/child-nutrition-enhancement-act/?fbclid=IwAR1SF5DZGLqP6uX7vAhlS5_ZT_EPfkGAoRLjH1DU3X05m6SCnGv3xbrOZ_k_aem_AaNub-DDwmLfyD0a7-z_T3evaej5RsyL56otLk9Iz9ZGJq0AvyEQZNIhXBk8AyFtAYk&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

The Child Nutrition Enhancement Act was introduced in the House by Congressman Landsmen and Congresswoman Bonamici to permanently increase reimbursement and eliminate tiering.

07/20/2023

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has remaining funds available for Nebraska schools and licensed child care facilities to sample for lead in their drinking water. All public, parochial, and private schools from pre-K through high school, and public and in-home child care facilities qualify.

Locations that wish to sample their drinking water should contact their health departments to request test kits. Participating local health departments are working with NDEE to oversee and coordinatethe program in their areas. Local health departments have educational material that can help schools and daycares understand their results and inform them on what steps to take next.

07/19/2023

ACTION ALERT! Read the comments below and go to the website link below to comment on the proposed regulation changes.....

The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families proposes to amend the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations. This notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) proposes changes to lower families' child care costs, which can be a significant financial strain for families and disincentivize work, training, and education. It proposes changes to improve child care provider payment rates and practices to increase parent choice for child care arrangements and help stabilize operations for participating providers. It also proposes ways for CCDF Lead Agencies to streamline eligibility and enrollment processes so families can receive child care assistance faster and so program bureaucracy is less likely to disrupt parent employment, training, and education and impede access to child care. The NPRM also includes technical and other changes to improve clarity and program implementation.

In order to be considered, written comments on this proposed rule must be received on or before August 28, 2023.

05/05/2023

Family child care providers from across the state are advocating for LB754 and sharing their message on what a tax credit for early childhood educators would mean to them! Contact your State Senator to share your thoughts on what this important piece of legislation means to your early childhood program. (find your Senator here https://nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_find.php)

Financial pressures are driving talent away from the profession at a time when desperately needs to strengthen its early childhood workforce. If passed in the Nebraska Legislature, (formerly ) would reinstate the School Readiness Tax Credit, offering refundable tax credits between $2,300 and $3,500 to qualifying childcare employees or self-employed providers.
Learn more about LB754 at FirstFiveNebraska.org and tell your state senator why now is the time to encourage early childhood professionals to pursue their careers in this critically important industry.

05/02/2023

Apply to the Family Child Care Network Advisory Council!

NECC's Family Child Care Network Advisory Council aids, advises, and collaborates with NECC staff on the continuous development of FCCN programs and services. Members of the Advisory Council meet regularly with NECC staff and share important resources and information with other providers in their own networks.

NECC is accepting applications for open seats on the council until May 17th!

Click on the link to apply:

Thank you for completing the application for NECC's Family Child Care Network Advisory Council. The FCCN staff will review the submitted applications using a scoring rubric. Considerations during the selection process will include ensuring a cross representation of Nebraska's family child ca...

05/01/2023

May has another round of winners! Congratulations to the Champions of the month!

We Care for Kids - Congratulations to our May Early Childhood Champions, Hilary and Heather! 🏆 Read more about the passionate work of these providers on the blog! 👉 https://bit.ly/3NfZEoo

04/26/2023

April's Champions - Who will be Mays?!?

We Care for Kids Before the month is over, we would like to congratulate our Early Childhood Champions one more time! 🏆 Thank you, Dina & Sara, for your dedication to providing excellent child care! Read Dina & Sara's full stories on the blog ➡️ https://bit.ly/3GAI4ae

04/26/2023

A way to look at “child-led” learning and helps you to explain to parents. Supporting the play that children need for their best development.

04/21/2023

Did you know.... The CACFP site has lots of free resources for providers. This download includes parent newsletters that you can share with families on the importance of nutrition. https://www.cacfp.org/assets/pdf/USDA+FNS+-+Nibbles+for+Health+EN-SP+cacfp.org/?fbclid=IwAR1umBDd9Zmej5grWQpTgGhu9g4CCSJ6byjz4S1zqIgr8zoOWtJgiyP49Xw