Northern Early Learning Connection Partnership

Northern Early Learning Connection Partnership Serving early child care and education providers in Northern Nebraska. Erika works within ESUs 1, 8, and 17.

Purpose statement for Northern Early Learning Connection Partnership: “To build an effective, coordinated system for preparing, supporting, and recognizing the early childhood care and education workforce. In order to provide high quality programs for young children and their families.”

The ELC Coordinator for the Northern region is Erika Fink efink@esu1.org

All areas of Nebraska are served by Early Learning Connection Regional Partnerships working to support professional development for early childhood caregivers/teachers in inclusive home, center and school-based programs. These partnerships work collaboratively to achieve high quality, affordable, accessible training for all those who work with young children and their families. The Early Learning Connection Partnerships are supported by the NDE offices of Early Childhood, Special Education, the Head Start State Collaboration Office and the Early Childhood Training Center. Grant awards support a full-time, paid coordinator in each area to provide leadership in maintaining and expanding existing partnerships to continue to improve the availability and quality training.

Check out our September news!!
09/16/2025

Check out our September news!!

Serving Antelope, Boyd, Brown, Cedar, Cherry, Dakota, Dixon, Holt, Keya Paha, Knox, Madison, Pierce, Rock, Stanton, Thurston and Wayne...

Spots are still available for this amazing event, so register today!
09/11/2025

Spots are still available for this amazing event, so register today!

We'd Love to see you there... - For the Tri State Early Childhood Retreat! by Tracey Anderson

09/04/2025

Fit & Healthy Kids Webinar Series is back!
💻 Classes start in October!
To see full schedule and to register ➡️ go.unl.edu/fhkonehour

Take time for YOU at the Tri State Early Childhood Retreat at Ponca State Park on September 27, 2025! It could be the be...
09/03/2025

Take time for YOU at the Tri State Early Childhood Retreat at Ponca State Park on September 27, 2025! It could be the best $30 you ever spent!

Grateful for our amazing sponsors who make this possible!

Register today: https://go.unl.edu/tristate2025

🎤 Meet Our Presenter: Leticia Meitzen 🎤Join us for a powerful morning with Leticia as she leads two uplifting sessions d...
08/12/2025

🎤 Meet Our Presenter: Leticia Meitzen 🎤
Join us for a powerful morning with Leticia as she leads two uplifting sessions designed just for early childhood professionals:
✨ Finding Harmony: Balancing Work and Life
✨ The Power of Emotional Intelligence

📅 Saturday, September 27, 2025
📍 Ponca State Park | 8:30 AM – 1:15 PM

📝 Register here: https://go.unl.edu/tristate2025

Struggling with classroom behaviors? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to be.Join us for a supportive, hands-on traini...
07/30/2025

Struggling with classroom behaviors? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to be.
Join us for a supportive, hands-on training series with Michelle Kelly, designed to give you tools that actually work.

🧠 6 interactive Zoom sessions
📅 August 7 – October 16
🕐 1:00–2:30 PM
💰 Only $30

Each session builds on the last, helping you create a strong foundation and add real, practical strategies you can use right away. 🌼

Grab your spot here:
🔗 https://events.esu7.org/workshops/SectionList.aspx?EntityID=1204

Let’s tackle the tough stuff—together.

📢 Calling All Home-Based Child Care Providers in Nebraska! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity! Join our Healthy Chil...
07/16/2025

📢 Calling All Home-Based Child Care Providers in Nebraska! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity!
Join our Healthy Children, Healthy Communities study today to support children's growth and development in your care. Plus, enjoy great incentives:
✅ Earn up to $595 in Amazon gift cards.
✅ Get 19 in-service credit hours.
✅ A toolkit with interactive activities for children.
✅ Resources for parents
📌 Check the flyer for details & click on the link below to sign up today:
👉 https://go.unl.edu/hchc2
Email us at unlhealthychildren@unl.edu or call 402-472-2605 if you have any questions.
💡 Know a home-based childcare provider? Share this opportunity with them!

07/15/2025

Studies, research and our own experience show that children learn through play. That’s why Step Up to Quality emphasizes play-based learning as a quality indicator in our process.

To find high-quality early childhood education throughout Nebraska, use our search tool at stepuptoquality.ne.gov

Check this out!
07/15/2025

Check this out!

Erika Fink, Nebraska Department of Education and Nebraska Department of HHS, has been awarded the prestigious Region VII...
06/16/2025

Erika Fink, Nebraska Department of Education and Nebraska Department of HHS, has been awarded the prestigious Region VII Head Start Association Tom Mayer Award of Excellence having demonstrated flexibility in her career, advancing early care and
education, and possessing the highest degree of integrity in her representation of Head Start.

“This award is a testament to Ms. Fink’s vision and hard work,” said Donna Veatch, Director of Executive Services, Region VII Head Start Association. Erika is deeply committed to the
Head Start mission, working tirelessly to support staff, directors and programs across the state. While her roots are in the classroom as a preschool teacher and Early Education
Specialist, she now serves as the Northern Early Childhood Connection Coordinator at ESU #1, supporting 16 counties. In this role she leads the Early Childhood Statewide Systems (ECSS) meetings, building bridges between programs and fostering strong early childhood communities.

Please join me in saying "Congratulations" on this very deserving award! 🥰

06/13/2025

🎨 Spark creativity and curiosity by introducing kids to artist Louise Nevelson! In this fun, hands-on activity, children explore her iconic assemblage art and create their own unique sculptures using blocks or recycled materials -perfect for a family event or multi-day lesson!

📄Download activity with corresponding book suggestions here: go.unl.edu/dnd_assemblage

06/12/2025

Yoga and other group exercise activities can help young children experiment with breath, stillness and self-regulation while the physical poses assist in building gross and fine motor skills, coordination, balance and strength. Children love to stretch and engage in pretend play while posing.

🧘‍♀️ For some easy yoga poses, visit bit.ly/3QVRFxj

Address

211 Tenth Street
Wakefield, NE
68784

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Northern Early Learning Connection Partnership posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Northern Early Learning Connection Partnership:

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category