The Buffett Early Childhood Institute is again conducting a statewide survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on early childhood programs serving young children and families in Nebraska.

The Buffett Institute conducted surveys early in the pandemic (March and June 2020) and found that Nebraska’s early care and education providers were under extraordinary stress and needed more support to stay in business. More than 1,000 licensed family home-based and center-based child care providers responded to the second survey, reporting that the economic, health, and personal stressors reported earlier had continued and were increasing.

As the pandemic continues, the Institute is seeking to hear from owners, directors, or administrators of family child cares and child care centers. 

“We want to learn about the continuing impact of COVID-19 on the operations of early childhood programs across the state,” said Kate Gallagher, director of research and evaluation at the Buffett Institute. “The survey provides an opportunity to listen to the voices of the dedicated professionals who care for and educate young children in our state.”

Child care providers are critically important for Nebraska’s quality of life and economy.  One of the top states in the nation where all available parents are in the workforce, 75 percent of children under the age of 6 live in homes where all adults in their family work outside the home.

Public and private early childhood programs operate in Nebraska through schools, centers, and homes. The Institute’s survey will be distributed to programs by state and community partners. 

All early childhood programs and services in the state are encouraged to complete the survey by Feb. 11. The survey results, which will be released this spring, will inform the efforts of Nebraska early childhood partners and agencies working to support this workforce.