PANHANDLE -- The Panhandle Childcare Expansion Project is kicking off this year after being awarded $65,000 through the 6 Regions, One Nebraska (6R1N) Challenge Grant. 

The childcare project has been organized to support a regional effort to expand licensed childcare capacity and strengthen workforce stability across the Nebraska Panhandle. 

6 Regions, One Nebraska – a statewide, data-driven economic development strategy that brings community entities together to determine regional priorities – determined that the region has been in great need of childcare. 

Roberta Pinkerton with 6 Regions, One Nebraska said between 2019 and 2023, there was a decreasing number of childcare providers. 

A study in 2022 showed there were 5,874 children with both parents in the labor force, and the capacity of licensed childcare facilities was 3,784, so it left about 2,000 children that there were not licensed spots for. 

“This project will allow families who need childcare – in order for the parents to fill some of the open jobs in the region – to have adequate, quality childcare and be able to join the workforce,” Pinkerton said. 

Over a 30-month period, the project aims to create 25 new or expanded licensed childcare programs and add 200–250 new childcare slots, helping working families access reliable, high-quality care while supporting employers’ ability to recruit and retain workers. 

“The Panhandle Childcare Expansion Project is truly a workforce development project, and we’re really excited to be part of that,” Pinkerton said. 

The Panhandle Childcare Expansion Project is led by regional partners with Panhandle Partnership, Inc. serving as the fiscal agent. The initiative includes collaboration with the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, Educational Service Unit 13, University of Nebraska Extension and Rural Prosperity, workforce and economic development organizations, and more than 20 local businesses and community partners providing matching support. 

“The western region has raised over $67,000 to match that grant, so the fund for the project is really double, at about $132,000,” Pinkerton said. 

A key component of the project includes the hiring of a Western Region Childcare Navigator, who will help potential in-home childcare directors with the necessary training to become licensed and provide good, quality childcare. 

“The childcare provider can also receive stipends; as they meet certain training and requirements, they will be given stipends to help get their business started,” Pinkerton said. 

The project will benefit the 12 counties in the Panhandle, as well as a sliver of western Cherry and Arther counties. 

“If you are an in-home childcare provider now and have not gone through the licensing process, this is a great way to get some help,” Pinkerton said.

If you are looking to open a childcare business or need further assistance in the licensing process, you can reach out to Tashia Jones with 6 Regions, One Nebraska at 816-387-6908 or email at tjones@nechamber.com.