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LINCOLN — Across the state, Nebraskans highlighted the importance of affordable, quality child care during the 4th annual We Care for Kids/Por todos los niños Week, held Oct. 19-25, 2025. Access to quality child care is top of mind for Nebraskans, with an overwhelming majority saying they support the state making major, long-term public investments in quality child care and early learning.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen celebrated the week by holding an official proclamation signing on Oct. 21 in the Warner Legislative Chamber of the State Capitol. Campaign partners including the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, and the Center for Rural Affairs attended the ceremony.
In addition to the Governor’s recognition of the week, communities across the state joined in the celebration. Campaign partners hosted events to bring attention to the importance of quality child care. The Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative Parent Ambassadors group held house parties to raise awareness. In Battle Creek, St. John Early Learning Center hosted dress-up days for their students and distributed materials to parents. Other organizations sent information to their communities, distributed materials at trunk-or-treats, and shared information about quality early childhood education on social media.
We Care for Kids/Por todos los niños Week also celebrated the essential role that early childhood educators play in preparing children for school and life. Campaign partner Ilissa Talkington, the director of the Parent Ambassador program at the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, said about the week, “Early childhood educators play a vital role in the wellbeing of children, families, and communities. Their tireless efforts to provide love, care, and education have a profound impact on shaping the minds of future generations. As a society, it is essential that we recognize and value their professionalism, and during We Care for Kids Week, we celebrate their remarkable contributions to empowering our next generation of leaders.” A 2024 statewide survey from We Care for Kids/Por todos los niños and Nebraska Extension showed Nebraskans overwhelmingly support making major public investments in ensuring access to quality child care and early learning, including: - 83% agree that state legislators should support child care and early learning like they do for Kindergarten through 12th grade and higher education. - 83% say access to quality, affordable child care is essential to Nebraska’s ability to strengthen the economy and help workers be able to provide for their families.
The widespread celebration shows that quality child care continues to be a top concern for Nebraska families.
“For the fourth year running, Nebraskans came together during We Care for Kids Week to celebrate that quality early childhood care and education allows Nebraska to thrive,” said Claire Wiebe, We Care for Kids/Por todos NebraskaCaresForKids.org • contact@nebraskacaresforkids. org los niños Campaign Manager. “The message from Nebraskans is clear—communities and families are ready for our leaders to invest in solutions.”
Information about the campaign and community resources can be found in both English and Spanish at www.NebraskaCaresForKids.org.
