Central Nebraska Adds 20 Childcare Providers, 200+ Licensed Childcare Spots through 6 Regions, One Nebraska Initiative

Central Nebraska – Supported by a state-administered grant, a regional childcare expansion strategy is bearing fruit. In less than a year, the Central Childcare Champion project has awarded $50,000 in startup stipends to help 20 childcare businesses attain licensure. Collectively, these businesses have created 218 new childcare spots in communities across Central Nebraska.

The process began in 2024 at a 6 Regions, One Nebraska meeting in Grand Island. Dozens of leaders from the Central Region gathered to discuss regional economic data provided by Dr. Josie Schafer, director of the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Together, these leaders then considered how to best invest $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to make a significant regional economic impact. The group decided to launch a project to increase access to quality childcare, with an emphasis on growing family in-home businesses. The Central Child Care Champion project was born.

In partnership with Buffalo County Community Partners, the Central Childcare Champion project recruited and contracted with six Childcare Champions—two of whom are bilingual—to work alongside aspiring in-home childcare providers. Each of the Champions has extensive experience creating, licensing, and running childcare businesses. Drawing on this firsthand knowledge, they are guiding prospective childcare providers through the licensing and startup process. All while connecting them with other business and childcare resources in Nebraska.

Through the Central Child Care Champion project, each newly licensed business that achieves Step 1 (the application and orientation phase) of the Nebraska Early Childhood Quality Rating Program is awarded a $2,500 business startup stipend. The project has already progressed to 70% of its goal to create 300 new licensed childcare spots in the Central Region by September 2026. Assistance and stipends are still available. Please see the attached flyers in Spanish and English or access the intake form here (bit.ly/childcarelicense).

The Central Childcare Champion project is funded by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development through the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative. 6 Regions, One Nebraska is a statewide, data-driven economic development strategy that brings together business leaders, community partners, and state agencies to address regional priorities through collaboration and targeted investment. It is a partnership of the Governor’s Office, Department of Economic Development, & Nebraska Chamber