The service 'Child Care Provider Associations' is offered at the following sites:
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Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children http://www.NebraskaAEYC.org (external link)
SUPPORTS high quality early care and education for young children in Nebraska; offers a statewide website, quarterly newsletter, advocacy and public awareness, Week of the Young Child activities, program/staff support, chapter development and support and a connection to the National Association for the Education of Young Children – www.naeyc.org
Programs offered include:
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood ® Nebraska – T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) is designed to provide educational scholarship funds for those working with young children. The scholarships address three key issues facing those in the early care and education field: the educational level of the staff, high turnover rates, and low wages.
THE QUALITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT AND THE INFANT/TODDLER INITIATIVE work with a select group of participants who are interested in improving the quality of their early childhood programs. A mentor, in partnership with the child care provider, utilizes the results of the Environment Rating Scales as a foundation for program improvement. The child care provider and the mentor create a plan, based on the rating scales, to acquire materials and/or training to improve the quality of their program.
NAEYC ACCREDITATION supports early care and education programs pursuing voluntary NAEYC Accreditation. Support activities include conference calls, training events, small grants for materials and staff support.
NATURE EXPLORE PROJECT provides mentoring, support and training to programs which are in the process of creating Nature Explore Outdoor Classrooms in a variety of settings across Nebraska.