NORFOLK, Neb. -- A northeast Nebraska early childcare center won a state-wide award this month.

Jami Legate runs Stepping Stones Childcare in Norfolk, one of two recipients of the Early Childhood Champion Award.

The other award recipient is Christina Sigbornson, a primary care provider, in Omaha.

The award is presented by Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) and We Care For Kids.

"The award was created at the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative to recognize the central role that childcare plays in the lives of the children and families they serve, then the major role of economic stability they play in the communities," said Tommy Greco, the Vice President of Impact and Innovation for NECC.

Parents write letters to the NECC and We Care For Kids to nominate early childcare centers.

Greco said the selection committee was impressed with the letters they received for Stepping Stones Childcare.

"We wanted to hear the stories from the families, so we turned that over to our selection committee," he said. "They were blown away with the comments and stories they heard about Jami and the work that she does."

Legate has been running Stepping Stones Childcare since 2018.

She said having her own childcare center has been a dream of hers since she was a child.

"I've always wanted to have a daycare since I was probably nine years old, so I'd say it's been a dream of mine forever," Legate said.

Legate added that even though not every day is easy, seeing these children grow is what makes it work with it.

"I really enjoy watching them learn and grow and it's just very rewarding. It can be hard but it's rewarding," she said. "I see them learn things every single day and I've seen most of them grow up."

Stepping Stones Childcare acts as a preschool for children teaching them how to color, the ABCs, numbers, and other lessons.

If you're interested in learning more about Stepping Stones Childcare or if you would like to enroll your child, you can call Jami at 402-841-6942.