Buffett Institute

Start Early. Start well.

2019-20 Professional Development for All

Presentation materials from the first institute in the 2019-20 PD for All series are now available. Nearly 250 early childhood professionals attended the Nov. 6 institute, which focused on executive function and self-regulation. MORE

2019 Thriving Children, Families, and Communities Conference

Videos, presentations, and handouts are now available from the 2019 early childhood conference. The Sept. 16 event in Kearney drew more than 400 civic, business, and education leaders from 92 Nebraska communities.

The Nebraska Panhandle: An Assessment of Birth-Grade 3 Care and Education

A new report from ESU 13, the Panhandle Partnership, and the Buffett Institute, who came together to better understand and improve learning and developmental outcomes for children in the Panhandle. MORE

Institute's research on teacher well-being highlighted in top national journal

Well-being and depression among early childhood teachers in Nebraska were examined in a research brief recently released by the Buffett Institute and in a study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology. MORE

Reports and Publications

Read about the Buffett Institute's work and research on early childhood issues. MORE

The mission of The Buffett Early Childhood Institute is to transform the lives of young children by improving their learning and development.

Who we are

We are an innovative research, practice, and policy institute of the University of Nebraska.

We harness the multidisciplinary resources of all four campuses of the university to promote the development and learning of children from birth through age 8. Our efforts are focused especially on children who are vulnerable because of poverty, abuse, or developmental delays. MORE

What We Do

We put knowledge that exists into action to improve children's learning and development.

We transform early childhood development and education through applied research, professional preparation for early childhood educators and providers, public policy, and outreach. MORE

Why We Do It

Research teaches us all that the most effective time to affect a child's future is from birth through age 8.

We believe all children deserve the opportunity to develop, learn, and succeed in life. And we know that the earliest years are the best time to help children build a strong foundation for long-term success. MORE

Current Initiatives

Superintendents' Early Childhood Plan PD for All

A groundbreaking series of free professional development workshops open to all early childhood professionals who serve young children, birth to Grade 3, in the Omaha metro area. MORE

Buffett Institute Graduate Scholars

The Buffett Scholars program awards 1-year fellowships worth up to $25,000 to University of Nebraska doctoral students who are conducting research about young children and their families. MORE

Nebraska Early Childhood Workforce Survey

A survey of teachers and early education professionals who work in licensed home-based and licensed center-based programs, and Kindergarten and elementary school classrooms is the first of its kind in Nebraska. MORE

News Releases

September 16, 2019

Community Leaders From Across the State to Learn About Economic Benefits of High-Quality Early Childhood Education
August 08, 2019

Buffett Early Childhood Institute Awards Graduate Fellowships for 2019-20
August 07, 2019

Buffett Early Childhood Institute Appoints Two to Leadership Positions

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Events

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“For children at risk, early childhood programs are nothing less than a lifeline to success.”

DR. SAMUEL J. MEISELS, FOUNDING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Nebraska’s Children in Need

The Buffett Early Childhood Institute's work begins in our home state, where the need for high-quality early childhood programs and services is urgent and growing.