Early Childhood (ages 0 - 8)
Popular Questions
According to Nebraska law:
- All children up to age eight must ride correctly secured in a federally-approved child safety seat.
- Children ride rear-facing until up to age two or until they reach the upper weight or height limit allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer.
- Children under age eight must ride in the back seat, as long as there is a back seat equipped with a seatbelt and is not already occupied by other children under eight years of age.
- Children ages eight to eighteen must ride secured in a safety belt or child safety seat (booster seat).
Most children with too much lead in their bodies do not seem sick or have symptoms. A doctor can perform a simple blood test to determine how much lead is present in the blood. If a blood lead test shows elevated levels of lead, more testing will be done to ensure the blood lead level goes down. To get your child tested for lead, ask your child's doctor about blood lead testing.
Nebraska law entitles children to receive free pulic education the year that they turn five on or before July 31st. This is the only requirement for starting kindergarten.
Nebraska law entitles children to receive free public education the year that they turn five on or before July 31. Schools cannot test age-eligible children for kindergarten entrance, nor suggest delaying entrance. It is the responsibility of schools to be ready to meet the individual needs of every age-eligible child, regardless of their abilities. School districts are allowed to enroll a child who misses the cutoff date of July 31, but turns five between August 1 and October 15.
If you are interested in enrolling you child early contact your school as soon as possible to ask about the procedure for early entry assessment.
If you have a concern about your child’s development, or your child has been diagnosed with a health condition that will affect their development, they may be eligible for early intervention services.
Early Intervention can help you and your family support and promote your child’s development within your family activities and community life. Nebraska’s Early Development Network (EDN) supports children birth through three years of age who have special developmental needs. The Nebrask Early Development Network program “connects” families with early intervention services, such as occupational, speech or physical therapy, to help infants and toddlers grow and develop and help their families in this process.
Nebraska's Early Development Network website
EDN's Family Resource Guide to help you navigate the process of becoming eligable for an receiving early intervention services.
The first step to obtaining early intervention services is to make a referral for your child to your local Early Development Network Referral Agency. Find your EDN Agency here.
Once you contact Nebraska's Early Development Network (EDN) your child will be assigned a EDN Service Coordinator. The assigned EDN Services Coordinator will request your written permission for evaluations through the Special Education Department of your school district. Evaluations are conducted by a Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MDT), consisting of professionals within your school district and yourself. The evaluation process will determine if your child is eligible for early intervention services.
If eligible, your child can receive early intervention services. You will have a meeting with your EDN Services Coordinator and other service providers to write an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Your first IFSP meeting must be held within 45 days of the referral. Services begin when you have agreed to the IFSP that has been developed. The plan will reflect your family’s concerns and priorities.
Parenting classes give parents the confidence they need to competently raise children.
There are several parenting classes options for you.
Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) promotes and strengthens a close, safe and nurturing relationship between a parent and their child, age 5 or under.
Find a CPP Provider
Circle of Security™ is an 8-week parenting program designed to help you learn how to respond to your child’s needs in a way that enhances your connection with him, which often leads to changes in the child’s behavior
Learn more about Circle of Security™
Guardian/Conservator Training Classes provides information for those serving as a guardian or conservator. Participants must register.
Register for a Guardian/Conservator Training Classes
Co-Parenting for Successful Kids is a class that helps parents understand the impact of divorce on their children and provide concrete steps parents can take to help their children succeed through the process.
Learn more about Co-Parenting for Successful Kids class
Your child’s doctor is a great first step. It is important to remember every child is unique and differences in their rate of development can be expected. There is no one measure to identify. You can also check out this Nebraska resource to help determine your child’s development:
Staying on Track
Guidelines to help parents and professions to determine how a child compares with most children their age.
Here are National resources you may also find useful:
If you have concerns about your child’s development, a developmental screening or evaluation can determine whether your child's development is within the typical range.
If your child is between 0 and 3 years of age, contact a Services Coordinator in your region.
Early Development Network
For concerns with children 0 up to age 21, contact ChildFind or call 888-806-6287.
ChildFind
Head Start believes that the parent is the child’s first and primary teacher. Parents know their children best and are looked upon as partners in their child’s Early Head Start or Head Start experience.
Head Start/Early Head Start
Each student must be protected by immunization against the following diseases (unless otherwise exempted from this requirement under provisions of 173 NAC 30010):
- Measles
- Diphtheria
- Invasive pneumococcal disease
- Mumps
- Tetanus
- Rubella
- Pertussis
- Polio
- Haemophilus
- Influenzae type b (Hib)
- Hepatitis B
- Varicella
School require the presentation of an immunization history which includes the name of the vaccine and the month, day, and year of administration.
Yes. You will need a statement signed by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner stating that, in the health care provider’s opinion, the specified immunizations required would be injurious to the health and well-being of your child or any member of your family or household. Also acceptable is a notarized affidavit signed by your child or, if he or she is a minor, by a legally authorized representative of the child, stating that the immunization conflicts with the tenets and practice of a recognized religious denomination of which the child is an adherent or member or that immunization conflicts with the personally and sincerely followed religious beliefs of the child.
