Quality Time Podcast

In this episode, we welcome Catie Limbach, Education Specialist at the Nebraska Department of Education, to discuss the power of a purposeful curriculum. Catie explains how an intentional approach—one that follows children’s interests—can be fun while also fostering engaged, active learning. She also emphasizes how a well-designed curriculum can create quality experiences for every child, highligh...

This week, we’re joined by pediatric speech-language pathologist Cari Ebert, MS, CCC-SLP, who discusses the transformative impact of play-based learning on child development. Cari shares insights on how play goes beyond fun—it fosters deeper learning and embraces neurodiversity through experience-based activities. She also highlights the importance of advocating for play as a powerful, research-ba...

In this episode, we explore the Nebraska Go NAPSACC program with Ashton Figgner, UNL Extension Educator and Go NAPSACC Coordinator. Ashton shares insights into how the program equips childcare providers to implement best practices in nutrition, physical activity, and overall well-being. We also discuss how Nebraska Go NAPSACC works in partnership with Step Up to Quality, to advocate for healthier,...

Continuing our season-long theme of advocacy, for episode 2 of Quality Time we welcome Katie Krause, early childhood extension educator at UNL and Hannah Rennard-Ganley, director of education & outreach at Keep Omaha Beautiful. Both Katie and Hannah are advocates of nature-based learning, and in this episode they talk about what nature-based learning is, why it is important, how it fits into Step...

Season 3 of Quality Time is all about advocacy. In our first episode of season 3, Step 5 providers Liz Arnold and Shannon Hampson, both from Lincoln, share with us how they weave advocacy into their everyday lives and how they model it for the children in their care. They share ideas like championing play-based learning, sharing stories on social media, collaborating with other providers, challeng...

We're putting the Quality Time podcast down for a nap again as we prepare for Season 3! Thank you to all our listeners, especially the early childhood education professionals in Nebraska who work so hard to provide a high quality experience for our littlest learners. We're looking forward to continuing the self-care conversation we started this season as we move our focus toward advocacy in Season...

In this Mindful Moment, our coaching specialist Lynne encourages us to reframe our daily tasks. Take a few minutes to center yourself and find gratitude for where you are, what you need to do today, who you are and what you mean to the people around you.

We created the Quality Time podcast especially for early childhood educators in Nebraska. Our intention at Step Up to Quality was to uplift and support all the teachers, directors, administrators and others who educate our future leaders. We know it can be a difficult and exhausting job, so we went a step further and recorded some special guided meditation episodes. We had two in Season 1, and we'...

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 onl...

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...

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...

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...

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 bot...

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 fo...

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 y...

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 Ti...

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 Be...

In this episode of the Quality Time podcast we welcome the iconic Dr. Jean Feldman. With nearly 50 years of early childhood experience, Dr. Jean brings a wealth of knowledge to our field. This week we are diving into the power of play! Tune in to hear Dr. Jean and your host, Colleen, discuss the importance of bringing joyful singing and simple silliness into early childhood spaces.

Welcome to season 2 of Step Up to Quality's podcast! In this back to school episode of Quality Time, Colleen and her two guests explore kindergarten readiness from various perspectives: early childhood educators, kindergarten teachers, parents, and of course the kids themselves.

If Season 1 of the Quality Time podcast were a baby, it would be all swaddled and ready to nap! We're officially done with Season 1...and we will see you soon for Season 2! Our host Colleen has some great things in store for us, including more national speakers and also more features on Nebraska providers. In the meantime, if you're interested in participating in Step Up to Quality, please refer t...

We know being a childcare provider is a difficult job. You are appreciated, you are supported and you deserve a moment just for you. Treat yourself to a mindful moment by listening to our second guided meditation episode on the Quality Time Podcast. This episode is brought to you by our coaching specialist and meditation expert, Lynne Cook.

We created the Quality Time podcast especially for early childhood educators in Nebraska. Our intention at Step Up to Quality was to uplift and support all the teachers, directors, administrators and others who educate our future leaders. We know it can be a difficult and exhausting job, so we went a step further and recorded some special guided meditation episodes, starting with the first one tod...

As an Early Childhood Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Dr. Holly Hatton-Bowers focuses on identifying and implementing effective ways of promoting well-being among early childhood educators, families and young children. In this episode, Dr. Hatton-Bowers talks about what self-care is, what it's not and why it matters. She acknowledges that self...

Jené Chapman, a Program Specialist with the Office of Early Childhood at the Nebraska Department of Education, discusses the successes and challenges of her experience in the field of child care and education. She talks about growing through professional development and helping providers overcome barriers to earn their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in Nebraska.