Quality Child Care | Step Up to Quality - Find a Child Care Provider in Nebraska
Skip to Content

Quality Child Care

In the most formative years of a child’s life, high quality care can make all the difference in their subsequent years.

The case for quality child care.

The type of child care you choose for your child can have a big impact on their future. Early learning builds the foundation for skills needed in school, work and life, with 90% of brain development occurring before age five.

Children who receive quality early child care and education are more likely to:

Show improved reading and math skills, graduate high school, attend college, have a job and earn higher wages

Step Up to Quality helps families identify early childhood providers who demonstrate a commitment to quality care. Step Up to Quality programs go beyond what is required because they strive to do better for their children’s and families’ futures.

Every step counts.

Step Up to Quality is not a typical rating system — it’s a path. Whether a child care provider is at Step 1 or Step 5, they are making a statement: that they want to be the best they can be for the benefit of their children and families.

Programs are rated based on meeting quality standards, which are described in the next section.

  • Step 5 – Far exceeds quality standards
  • Step 4 – Exceeds quality standards
  • Step 3 – Meets quality standards
  • Step 2 – Approaching quality standards
  • Step 1 – Committed to quality improvement
What does quality look like?

Curriculum

Providers should utilize an evidence-based curriculum that is developmentally appropriate, aligned with the Nebraska Early Learning Guidelines and incorporates child nutrition and physical activity.

Learning environments

Whether in a family child care home, a child care center or a preschool, providers should adapt learning activities to meet the needs of individual children.

Teacher-child interactions

Teachers should actively engage children in everyday learning with effective teaching approaches that enhance each child’s learning and development.

Child outcomes

Early child care providers and educators should be knowledgeable of developmental milestones and regularly assess and communicate about children’s skills, strengths and needs.

Professional development and training

Programs should be staffed with knowledgeable, effective and professional staff who pursue lifelong learning.

Family engagement and partnerships

Providers and educators should maintain collaborative relationships with families to help support each child’s learning and development.

Program administration

Quality early child care providers carefully select and guide staff and substitutes. They implement sound business practices for managing income, expenses and facility maintenance.

Here are a couple of resources to help you in your search for a quality child care program: