Nebraska Association For The
About Nebraska Association For The
Nebraska AEYC is worth caring about if you think early childhood work should be easier to stay in, better supported, and taken seriously. Through scholarships, mentoring, coaching, accreditation help, and advocacy, it gives educators practical ways to keep building their skills without having to do it alone. It also reaches families and communities with programs that support young children’s social-emotional development, which makes the work feel grounded in real life, not just paperwork.
What sets Nebraska AEYC apart is how wide its support reaches without losing the human side of the work. A scholarship can help an educator finish coursework, an apprenticeship can pair them with a mentor, and community-based efforts like Rooted in Relationships and PIWI bring that support to children and parents too.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
TEACH Early Childhood® Nebraska
Provides scholarships to help early care and education professionals complete coursework at local colleges and work toward associate, bachelor's, and CDA credentials in Early Childhood Education.
Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program
Matches apprentices with a mentor and provides 1-on-1 support to help early childhood educators learn, grow, and stay in the field.
Rooted in Relationships, Lancaster County
Partners with communities to implement evidence-based Pyramid Model practices that support children's social-emotional development from birth through age eight.
Circle of Security™ Parenting
Helps parents respond to children's needs in ways that strengthen connection, confidence, and security.
Infant/Toddler Quality Initiative (ITQI)
Supports Early Head Start and community child care partnerships with coaching, mentoring, professional development, and materials to improve infant and toddler care.
Nebraska AEYC Leadership Academy
Builds the knowledge, skills, and abilities of early childhood program administrators and family child care providers.
RESPECT Nebraska
Partners with higher education and other institutions to prepare early childhood educators, reduce barriers to education, and increase financial assistance and compensation for students studying to be early educators.
PIWI
Uses evidence-based practices to increase confidence, competence, and positive relationships for parents and children ages 0-2.
Accreditation Program Support
Provides support and on-site consulting for programs going through the NAEYC accreditation process.
Quality enhancement projects
Provides support and funds to early childhood professionals who want to enhance the quality of their programs, compensation, and leadership skills.
Other agency mission projects
Supports the early childhood community through additional mission-driven projects and services, including member support, professional development opportunities, and accreditation support.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Nebraska AEYC provides opportunities that promote excellence in early childhood for Nebraska’s early childhood educators, children and families through education, advocacy and leadership.
Who they serve
Nebraska early childhood educators, early care and education professionals, child care providers, children, families, and program administrators.
Their impact
- 419 Nebraska children served directly
- 369 Nebraska families served directly
- 165 one-on-one coaching sessions
- 2,281 people reached through communication
How your donation helps
- Educator resources
- Training and education
- Support for an Apprenticeship participant
- Sustaining the Apprenticeship Program
- Scholarships for associate, bachelor's, and CDA study
- Coaching and mentoring for child care providers
- Materials for social-emotional development and program quality improvement
Our story
Nebraska AEYC’s statewide story goes back to 1976, when representatives from the National Association for the Education of Young Children met with a small group of Nebraskans to form the Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children. From there, it grew out of earlier affiliate activity in Nebraska and kept building a statewide network of local chapters, conferences, and early childhood support programs.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Nebraska Association For The’s services.
Early care and education professionals can apply year-round for TEACH scholarships, including support for associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and CDA credentials. Licensed child care centers and family child care providers in Lancaster and Saunders counties serving infants and toddlers can participate in ITQI at no cost by committing to coaching, goal setting, and professional development.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
TEACH has given me the opportunity to go to college, further my education, and help the next generation grow and develop.
TEACH helped me to follow my dreams and to become the lead teacher at Educare of Omaha in spring of 2024.
I couldn't have done it without the TEACH program.
Events
Week of the Young Child
annualAn annual event that celebrates young children and the early childhood teachers and caregivers who support them, while raising awareness of issues affecting young children and families.
Nebraska Young Child Institute
annualA statewide early childhood institute listed among upcoming events.
UNK Early Childhood Conference
annualAn early childhood conference listed among upcoming events.
Thriving Children and Families Conference
annualA conference listed among upcoming events.
NAEYC Annual Conference
annualThe annual conference of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, listed among upcoming events.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Nebraska Association For The has shared.
Current needs
- Additional funding for the RESPECT/Nebraska AEYC Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program
- Support for educator resources, training, and education
- Sustained support for scholarships and coaching for early childhood professionals
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- Distinguished Service to Children Award
- Emerging Leader Award
- Honorary membership award
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
Who can apply for TEACH Early Childhood® Nebraska scholarships?
Early care and education professionals can apply for scholarships to help cover coursework toward associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and CDA credentials. Applications are open year-round.
What support does the apprenticeship program provide?
Apprentices are matched with a mentor and get 1-on-1 support as they build their skills and knowledge in early childhood education.
Who can participate in ITQI?
Licensed child care centers and family child care providers in Lancaster and Saunders counties that serve infants and/or toddlers can participate at no cost if they want to improve program quality.
What kinds of help are included in ITQI?
Participants can receive on-site coaching and mentoring, professional development, technical assistance, access to community resources, and materials for quality improvement.
What does Rooted in Relationships do?
It helps communities implement the Pyramid Model, offers training and ongoing coaching to child care providers, and includes child assessment, collaboration meetings, and grants for social-emotional development materials.
Similar nonprofits
Other youth development programs nonprofits in NE.