It is a truth universally acknowledged that libraries are amazing. But what if there were a library dedicated solely to early childhood education and learning? This is not just a dream, it is here right here, right now! The Nebraska Department of Education's Early Learning Library serves the entire state. Even if you aren't able to visit the physical location in La Vista, you can request books online and they will be sent to you, for free, along with a free shipping label to mail it back! Learn more about this incredible resource from this episode's guest Angela Thelen, the library associate who is here to help anyone who would like to access the library's resources.

Visit bit.ly/NELLibrary to learn more about the Nebraska Early Learning Library!

What is self care? What is burnout and compassion fatigue, and are they related? Learn answers to these questions and most importantly, learn strategies and tactics around how to best care for yourself in stressful moments, hard moments and all the moments in between. In this episode of Quality Time, you'll hear smart and easy ways to be your own best friend from Nebraska Extension Engagement Zone Coordinator and Licensed Mental Health Practitioner Carrie Gottschalk.

When a child care provider enrolls in Step Up to Quality, or even when they reach a Step 5, the expectation is never that they need to have "quality" figured out. Step Up to Quality is a journey, not a destination. It's all about continuous quality improvement, even at the final stages of the process. In this episode of Quality Time, we're starting from the beginning and exploring the new Quality Foundations group coaching, a benefit that starts at Step 1. You'll hear from two providers and a coach who have recently finished their Quality Foundations session, as they explain what they learned from their cohort.

Internationally known early childhood consultant, online course creator, speaker and author Rae Pica joins our host Colleen to talk about advocacy and empowerment in the field. Rae's most recent book, Spark a Revolution in Early Education, encourages early childhood education professionals to advocate for change by using research and their own personal experiences. In this episode, Rae talks about all the seemingly small ways people connected to early education can advocate for children that add up to joyful childhoods for all.

The CHIME program is designed specifically for early childhood professionals and educators, and has been in Nebraska since 2017. In this episode, our host Colleen talks with Jaci Foged, who currently helps manage the program with Nebraska Extension and was also formerly a child care center director. She explains how CHIME guides early childhood teachers and provides skills that lead to harmony both in and outside of the classroom.

Many misconceptions surround the Environment Rating Scales (ERS) that participants in Step Up to Quality have the option to choose. Learn more about the ERS choices and how these tools can support child care providers rather than bog them down. Guests Erica Timperley, the ERS anchor in Nebraska, and Natalie Hanna, a family home child care provider, talk about how ERS can be a tool and a roadmap for providers who want to view their environment and teaching from the lens of a child.

Step by step, Carime Ruvalcaba achieves her goals. She recently reached Step 5, the first bilingual child care provider to accomplish this impressive milestone in Nebraska. Hear more about her story, including her tips for participating in Step Up to Quality, in our first episode recorded in both English and Spanish.

Our Quality Time podcast host Colleen Schmit calls CLASS training "life-changing." Find out why in this episode, as she discusses the philosophy and intent behind this important development tool with Trisha Edwards, a client implementation specialist with Teachstone, the organization that developed CLASS. Even more than guiding your teaching style and affirming your mindset, it might even change your life outside of the classroom!

Learn all about Whole Body Classroom, a FREE 12-hour training custom developed by our host Colleen Schmit and Traci Strazdas. Developed for anyone who teaches young children in Nebraska, this training has practical tips, reminders on strategies to implement right away in the classroom, opportunities to share stories and an intentional self-care space in every session. In this episode of Quality Time, you'll learn about how the training was created, and the three components that set it apart from other early childhood education professional development opportunities.

B.E.T. Learning Academy was the first program to be rated under the new Step Up to Quality 2.0 process, and they came out on top at a Step 5! B.E.T. Learning Academy's CEO Bernard Turnbo Jr. encourages programs to participate in Step Up to Quality and to take advantage of the professional development and coaching opportunities. "It enhanced what we were doing already," he said. Learn more about Bernard's journey and his advice for programs who are thinking about enrolling in this episode of Quality Time.