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Measuring America's Child Care Shortage

Our new interactive map incorporates the most comprehensive child care supply data collected to date

EXPLORE THE MAP

2025-26 Graduate Scholars Announced

Meet Our Scholars

Children are Born Learning

At the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, we believe children are born learning. We partner with colleagues across the University of Nebraska, the state, and nation to ensure that all children and families have access to the quality early learning experiences they need to grow and thrive.

African American little boy with a face covering and using building blocks

Transforming Early Care and Education

We conduct collaborative research to deepen understanding about early care and education, and we develop innovative, research-based policy solutions on behalf of all young children, their families, and the educators who work with them.

Read Our Latest Reports

We harness the interdisciplinary resources and research of the four University of Nebraska campuses to apply the best of what is known about the benefits of early care and education in Nebraska and across the nation.

About the Institute

About the Institute

We harness the interdisciplinary resources and research of the four University of Nebraska campuses to apply the best of what is known about the benefits of early care and education in Nebraska and across the nation.

We partner with early childhood professionals to develop and deliver research-based professional development opportunities that equip educators with the tools, practices, and support they need to reach our youngest learners.

For Educators

For Educators

We partner with early childhood professionals to develop and deliver research-based professional development opportunities that equip educators with the tools, practices, and support they need to reach our youngest learners.

We work side-by-side with local superintendents, principals, early childhood educators, and community partners to connect young children and their families with quality early care, education, and support from birth onwards.

For Schools

For Schools

We work side-by-side with local superintendents, principals, early childhood educators, and community partners to connect young children and their families with quality early care, education, and support from birth onwards.

Featured Stories

Graphic with headshots of two University of Nebraska at Kearney professors, Paula Thompson (left) and Philip Lai

University of Nebraska at Kearney Professors Named Buffett Institute Community Chairs

University of Nebraska at Kearney faculty members Paula Thompson, Ed.D., and Philip Lai, Ph.D., have been appointed as the Cille and Ron Williams Community Chairs for Early Childhood Education. Both chairs include concurrent appointments as Buffett Early Childhood Institute Community Chairs.

Two young children look at and touch a book being held by an early childhood educator

Buffett Institute Awarded $1.295 Million Grant to Boost Early Literacy with Innovative Technology

With this funding, the Buffett Institute will partner with the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the Nebraska Head Start Association, and seven Head Start programs, impacting 1,377 children in urban and rural settings in the first two years of the grant.

Graphic with photos of the 2025-26 Buffett Institute Graduate Scholars

Meet the 2025-26 Buffett Institute Graduate Scholars

The Buffett Institute has selected three doctoral students representing the University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the 2025-26 Graduate Scholars program. Since 2016, the Institute has invested more than $700,000 to support the research of doctoral students from University of Nebraska campuses related to early childhood education and development.

A young child jumps with a child care provider

Learn About the States Investing in Early Childhood Trusts and Endowments

Three states—Connecticut, New Mexico, Montana—and the District of Columbia have established trust funds and endowments to support early childhood programs. A new policy brief from the Buffett Institute provides an overview of recent trusts and how these public investments could reduce costs for parents, raise early educator pay, and improve child care facilities.

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News & Events

Sep 09, 2025
New Interactive Map Reveals 4.2 Million Children Nationwide Lack Access to Child Care, Costing U.S. Economy up to $329 Billion
Sep 04, 2025
Thompson, Lai Named Community Chairs for Early Childhood Education at University of Nebraska at Kearney
Aug 28, 2025
Buffett Early Childhood Institute Awarded $1.295 Million Grant to Boost Early Literacy in Nebraska with Innovative Technology
Oct 17 2025
UNK-Community Early Childhood Conference Oct 17 - Oct 18 University of Nebraska at Kearney
View all news and events
13%

is the average annual return on investments for high-quality, birth-to-5 education

0-8

are the years when the brain is developing most rapidly

72%

of children in Nebraska who are under the age of 6 live in homes where all adults work

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