35th early childhood conference hosted in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Neb. — With a shortage across Nebraska in the early childhood field, officials with the childcare conference in Norfolk looked to strengthen relationships with peers in the field.

“We have childcare providers, we have pre-school teachers, we have people who are providing special services for children with special needs,” ESU-1 early learning connection coordinator Erika Fink said.

The conference was meant to provide strategies for those people to work with all types of children.

Nebraska Extension early childhood educator Erin Kampbell said the educators in attendance want to be lifelong learners.

“They’re always learning, always gaining experience but they are always also looking for ideas and new strategies just to keep up to date and keep their information fresh and their skill set fresh,” Kampbell said.

As early childhood educators work with children in the early development stage, Fink stressed the importance of the early years of a child’s life.

“We also want to make sure that they get the professional development they need because they are the first ones who are working with those children before they even go into the school systems,” Kampbell said.

The conference lasted from 8:00 a.m. Saturday until 4:00 p.m.

Over 150 early childhood educators from northeast Nebraska gathered at the event.

Both Fink and Kampbell said the connections made between the educators are important and hope they take the topics into their classrooms and workplaces.