Access Rankings

4-year-Olds
20
3-year-Olds
7

Resource Rankings

State spending
44
All reported spending
9

Total Benchmarks Met

Of 10 benchmarks possible
7

Overview

During the 2022-2023 school year, Nebraska preschool enrolled 13,197 children, a decrease of 163 from the prior year. State spending totaled $30,819,968, down $2,154,827 (6.5%), adjusted for inflation, since last year. State spending per child equaled $2,335 in 2022- 2023, down $133 from 2021-2022, adjusted for inflation. Nebraska met 7 of 10 quality standards benchmark

What's New

During the 2022-2023 school year, the state implemented District Support Plans to provide support across the state more equitably based on the needs of the district. Supports include access to Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) resources and technical assistance.

In May 2022, NDE authorized the use of ESSER funds to be utilized within up to six Educational Service Units to support PreK–2nd grade teachers with dedicated Professional Development Specialists for two years. The intent of these specialists is to provide educators with someone at a regional level with PreK–2nd grade dedicated support in the areas of appropriate teaching practice, curricular support, formative/observational assessment, Pyramid/PBIS implementation, and/or transitions, based on the needs of the specific regions.

Additionally, in December 2022, Nebraska was awarded a federal Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B–5) one year planning grant for $4 million. For more information about Nebraska’s grant, see the FAQ.

Background

The Nebraska Early Childhood Education Program began as a pilot program in 1992 and expanded in 2001, providing preschool education for children ages three to five. Direct financial support is available on a competitive basis for public schools and education service units that partner with child care centers, Head Start agencies and/or human services agencies. Grantees are required to match 100% of the funding with local and/or federal sources. 

At least 70% of the children in the program must have at least one of the following risk factors: disability or developmental delay, living in a home in which English is not the primary language, eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch (185% FPL), having teen parents or parents who have not completed high school, or having been born prematurely or with a low birth weight. The program seeks to serve children of diverse social and economic characteristics. 

Most programs operate 3.5 to 4 hours per day, four or five days per week and must operate for a minimum of 12 hours per week during the school year. All teachers in the Nebraska Early Childhood Education Program are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree and training in early childhood education. The program monitors child, program, and family outcomes annually. 

While the Early Childhood Education Grant Program has expanded, many districts and education service units fund their early childhood programs without the use of grants yet follow the same regulations as the grant program. Those programs are also included in this report.

Nebraska Early Childhood Education Program

Access

Total state pre-K enrollment13,197
School districts that offer state program92%
Income requirement185% FPL
Minimum hours of operation12 hours/week
Operating scheduleSchool or academic year
Special education enrollment, ages 3 and 44,026
Federally funded Head Start enrollment, ages 3 and 43,294
State-funded Head Start enrollment, ages 3 and 40

Resources

Total state pre-K spending$30,819,968
Local match required?Yes
State Head Start spending$0
State spending per child enrolled$2,335
All reported spending per child enrolled*$11,634

*Pre-K programs may receive additional funds from federal or local sources that are not included in this figure. †Head Start per-child spending includes funding only for 3- and 4-year-olds. ‡K–12 expenditures include capital spending as well as current operating expenditures.

Nebraska Quality Standards Checklist

Policy RequirementBenchmarkMeets Benchmark?

For more information about the benchmarks, see the Executive Summary and the Roadmap to State pages.

7benchmarks met
Early Learning & Development Standards BenchmarkComprehensive, aligned, supported, culturally sensitiveComprehensive, aligned, supported, culturally sensitive
Curriculum Supports BenchmarkApproval process & supportsApproval process & supports
Teacher Degree BenchmarkBABA
Teacher Specialized Training BenchmarkECE, ECE SpEdSpecializing in pre-K
Assistant Teacher Degree BenchmarkK-6 Endorsement, 6 credits in CD or ECE, or previous experienceCDA or equivalent
Staff Professional Development Benchmark15 hours/year; PD plans; Coaching for teachers participating in the Pyramid modelFor teachers & assistants: At least 15 hours/year; individual PD plans; coaching
Maximum Class Size Benchmark20 (3- & 4-year-olds)20 or lower
Staff to Child Ratio Benchmark1:10 (3- & 4-year-olds)1:10 or better
Screening & Referral BenchmarkDetermined locallyVision, hearing & health screenings; & referral
Continuous Quality Improvement System BenchmarkStructured classroom observations; Data used for program improvementStructured classroom observations; data used for program improvement