BCHC Recognized for Quality Child Care

By: Aprill Murphy

ALBION, Nebraska (November 22, 2023) Boone County Health Center Tiny Treasures Daycares have been recognized by Nebraska Step Up to Quality for its commitment to quality child care and education. Step Up to Quality programs go beyond state licensing requirements to better serve the needs of young children and their families and to prepare them for success in kindergarten and beyond.

With 90 percent of brain development occurring before age 5, early child care and education is crucial to a child’s future success. Early learning builds the foundation for skills needed in school, work and life. Studies show that children who receive quality early child care and education are more likely to show improved reading and math skills, attend college and earn higher wages.

While the majority of Nebraskans believe quality early child care is very important, only 10 percent strongly agree that young children in our state are prepared to be successful when they begin kindergarten, according to a survey conducted by Buffett Early Childhood Institute and Gallup. Parents believe their local providers could do better when it comes to quality – only 15 percent are very satisfied with the quality of programs where they live.

“It is crucial that providers and educators across the state have a mutual understanding of what quality looks like in the child care environment and that they feel supported on their path to quality,” said Lauri Cimino, director of Step Up to Quality. “Programs enrolled in Step Up to Quality have access to coaching and resources that enable any provider – big or small – to take quality to the next level.”

“The Nebraska Step Up to Quality program, has been very rewarding. Tiny Treasures Daycare’s staff have learned so much about quality standards. While we were already doing many of these things necessary for Step Up to Quality, the program has given us important recognition for doing these things.  It validates what we are doing and has encouraged us to take it to the next level. The children are the benefactors of our hard work, so it is well worth it,” said Angie Herman, Tiny Treasures Daycares Director.