State of Preschool
Nebraska
Access Rankings
4-year-Olds
22
3-year-Olds
10
Resource Rankings
State spending
45
All reported spending
10
Total Benchmarks Met
Of 10 benchmarks possible
6
Overview
During the 2023-2024 school year, Nebraska preschool enrolled 13,232 children, an increase of 35 from the prior year. State spending totaled $29,435,102, down $1,232,023 (4%), adjusted for inflation, since last year. State spending per child equaled $2,225 in 2023- 2024, down $99 from 2022-2023, adjusted for inflation. Nebraska met 6 of 10 quality standards benchmarks.
What's New
In 2024, legislation passed to allow districts to enroll kindergarten-eligible children in pre-K until they reach the compulsory attendance age. In response to this change, districts are in the process of creating and implementing policies and the state will revise policy/rule for this program.
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 childcare 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 enrollment | 13,232 |
| School districts that offer state program | 94% |
| Income requirement | No income requirement |
| Minimum hours of operation | 12 hours/week |
| Operating schedule | School or academic year |
| Special education enrollment, ages 3 and 4 | 4,133 |
| Federally funded Head Start enrollment, ages 3 and 4 | 3,109 |
| State-funded Head Start enrollment, ages 3 and 4 | 0 |
Resources
| Total state pre-K spending | $29,435,102 |
| Local match required? | Yes |
| State Head Start spending | $0 |
| State spending per child enrolled | $2,225 |
| All reported spending per child enrolled* | $12,156 |
*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 | Requirement | Benchmark | Meets Benchmark? |
|---|---|---|---|
For more information about the benchmarks, see the Executive Summary and the Roadmap to State pages. | 6benchmarks met | ||
| Early Learning & Development Standards Benchmark | Comprehensive, aligned, supported, culturally sensitive | Comprehensive, aligned, supported, culturally sensitive | |
| Curriculum Supports Benchmark | Approval process & supports | Approval process & supports | |
| Teacher Degree Benchmark | BA | BA | |
| Teacher Specialized Training Benchmark | ECE, ECE SpEd | Specializing in pre-K | |
| Assistant Teacher Degree Benchmark | K-6 Endorsement, 6 credits in CD or ECE, or previous experience | CDA or equivalent | |
| Staff Professional Development Benchmark | 15 hours/year; PD plans; Coaching for teachers participating in the Pyramid model | For teachers & assistants: At least 15 hours/year; individual PD plans; coaching | |
| Maximum Class Size Benchmark | 20 (3- & 4-year-olds) | 20 or lower | |
| Staff to Child Ratio Benchmark | 1:10 (3- & 4-year-olds) | 1:10 or better | |
| Screening & Referral Benchmark | Determined locally | Vision, hearing & health screenings; & referral | |
| Continuous Quality Improvement System Benchmark | Structured classroom observations per state rubric; Data used for program improvement | Structured classroom observations; data used for program improvement | |