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Early Childhood Development

Early Childhood Education

Immediate openings for preschoolers at both centers. Enroll today and receive FREE tuition until January 2025!

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Now Enrolling Preschoolers and Toddlers at both Omaha Early Childhood Education Locations

Kids Doing CraftsResearch shows that the first five years of a child’s development are the most formative. Reliable early childhood education is essential to facilitate a child’s growth and provide children and preschoolers with the support they need to learn – while giving parents and guardians vital peace of mind that their children are in a safe, caring environment.

Our Early Childhood Education program provides nurturing care in two state-of-the-art facilities: CSI at 4545 Dodge Street and the Spellman Child Development Center, managed by CSI, on the College of Saint Mary campus. Both locations embrace a community-driven approach for children ages six weeks to six years, ensuring every family feels like they belong here.

To ensure your child is prepared for kindergarten, we use Creative Curriculum in our preschool classrooms, a standard in most school districts. Through proven creative teaching strategies and project-based learning, your child will be set up for success as they enter kindergarten! New preschool enrollments will receive FREE tuition until January 1, 2025!*

Applicable for new, private pay preschool enrollments at either childcare center.

Both centers participate in the Nebraska Step Up to Quality program, which holds centers to a high standard of care. You can learn more about the program here.

Our teachers are experienced, competent and passionate about their work, providing the support and encouragement children need to thrive. Take a tour today to see why families love CSI!

Schedule a Tour

Inquire Today for Pricing or to Schedule a Tour

Both of the Early Childhood Education Center on 45th & Dodge and the Spellman Child Development Center are accepting enrollments for new preschoolers and toddlers to join the program. New preschool enrollments will receive FREE tuition until January 2025! Schedule a tour at either location (or both) today.

Contact Us

Our Locations

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CSI Early Childhood Education Center

4545 Dodge Street | Omaha, NE 68132 | Phone: 402.553.6000

Child Saving Institute’s Childhood Education Center is licensed for 120 children and located on the CSI campus.

The Early Childhood Education Center at 45th & Dodge is currently enrolling  preschoolers and toddlers. New preschool enrollments will receive FREE tuition until January 2025! Contact us today to set up a tour to come visit.

Spellman Child Development Center

6908 Mercy Rd | Omaha, NE 68106 | Phone: 402.390.2028

The Spellman Child Development Center, managed by Child Saving Institute, is a 10-classroom facility licensed for 140 children. The center is located on the College of Saint Mary campus in the heart of Omaha.

The Spellman Child Development Center is currently enrolling preschoolers and toddlers. New preschool enrollments will receive FREE tuition until January 2025! Contact us today to set up a tour to come visit.

Details

(Both Locations)

Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Ages Served
Children ages 6 weeks to 6 years

Meals
Nutritious snacks, breakfast and lunch provided daily that is prepared on-site in one of our commercial kitchens

Center Highlights
Our state-of-the-art center features one of the few nationally-certified “Nature Explore” classrooms in the country!

Our early childhood education centers ensure children are kindergarten ready by using proven creative teaching strategies and project-based learning known as Creative Curriculum (the same curriculum used by most school districts).

On-site Enrichment Activities
Stretch-n-Grow programs including Fitness, Dance, Sports and Yoga

Program Leaders

Kristina Norwood

Program Director
Early Childhood Education
4545 Dodge Street Campus & Spellman Child Development Center

Email Kristina

Read Bio
Jana Habrock

Site Director
Early Childhood Education Center
4545 Dodge Street Campus

Email Jana

Read Bio
Briana Lozano

Assistant Site Director
Early Childhood Education Center
4545 Dodge Street Campus

Email Briana
402.553.6000 x 818

Read Bio
Julie Knight

Assistant Site Director
Spellman Child Development Center
College of Saint Mary Campus

Email Julie
402.390.2028

Read Bio

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the educational goals of CSI's Early Childhood Education program?

Our goal is that children in our child care centers build a solid foundation for developing and maintaining future healthy relationships with others, as well as prepare them to be academically and socially ready for kindergarten.

  • Approaching life as an invitation to learn
  • Becoming a confident and competent lifelong learner
  • Developing emotional intelligence, personal power and social skills
  • Developing the social and cognitive skills necessary for school success

How will you assess my child’s development?

We use the scientifically-proven assessment tool, Teaching Strategies GOLD®, to observe and document your child’s progress every day and assess their learning and development over time. This includes documenting activities on a daily basis; taking notes about what we see and hear; collecting samples of your child’s drawings, artwork and writing attempts.

Our qualified educators utilize Creative Curriculum to ensure children enrolled in our program are kindergarten ready! These proven teaching strategies and project-based learning is developed specifically for the developing brain. In fact, most school districts use the same Creative Curriculum that we do at CSI!

I'm not quite ready to enroll my child in child care but I am interested in continuing to hear about what is happening at the center. How can I get information?

If you are interested in learning more about what takes place in our centers, we encourage you to follow Child Saving Institute on Facebook and/or Instagram. We regularly highlight the fun and learning taking place in both CSI early childhood education centers.

Are all staff trained in CPR and First Aid?

Yes, all of the staff at both centers are trained and certified in CPR and First Aid.

How do I inquire about your tuition costs?

We highly encourage you to schedule a tour using the form below so that we can meet with you and discuss our tuition pricing. You are also welcome to contact us via the form below and we can provide additional details.

Both of the Early Childhood Education Center on 45th & Dodge and the Spellman Child Development Center are accepting enrollments for new toddlers and preschoolers to join the program. Any new preschool enrollment will receive free tuition at either childcare center until January 1, 2025 (applicable for private pay families only). Schedule a tour at either location (or both) today.

Do you have a waitlist? If so, how do I join it?

We’re glad you asked! The best way to be added to our waitlist is to contact us via the form below. Again, we encourage all those interested to first take a tour; however, please feel free contact us and we can discuss the process in more detail.

Both centers are currently enrolling toddlers and preschooler! Schedule a tour or contact us today for more information.

I'm interested in applying for a job at this center. How can I apply?

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Kristina Norwood

Program Director - Early Childhood Education

Kristina, Program Director of Early Childhood Education, brings over 24 years of diverse experience in education to Child Saving Institute. Driven by her passion for high-quality early childhood programs, Kristina's commitment to excellence makes her an invaluable asset to the organization.

Having held various positions such as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, program evaluator and preschool consultant, Kristina's extensive background has honed her expertise in identifying the key components of successful early childhood education. Her dedication to open communication and setting clear goals fosters a collaborative environment that consistently aims to provide the best support for children and families.

In her personal life, Kristina is actively involved in volunteering, with a focus on children and military families. She has participated in numerous initiatives such as coaching Special Olympics basketball, supporting families with special needs, leading Girl Scout troops and contributing to military community programs like Wild Blue Yonder and Military Key Spouse Program.

As a voracious reader, Kristina balances her love for both fiction and non-fiction. She also enjoys traveling the world, attending sports events and watching Broadway shows with her family. When she's not immersed in a book or exploring new destinations, Kristina can often be found channeling her creativity through cooking. Her diverse interests and unwavering dedication make Kristina a well-rounded leader in the field of early childhood education.

Jana Habrock - Program Director

Jana Habrock, BS, IMH-E®

Site Director - Early Childhood Education Center

Jana poses an illustrious 30-year tenure at CSI. Her career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to enhancing the strengths of others. In her role, she skillfully oversees multiple programs, all of which prioritize the well-being of children and families.

Jana's journey within CSI is one of evolution, having served in various capacities before taking on her current leadership role. Through her educational foundation in family studies, acquired at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, combined with a master's certificate in Infant Toddler Mental Health from Portland State University, Jana has honed her expertise in understanding and nurturing the early relationships crucial to a child's lifelong success.

Before CSI, Jana worked at Boys Town, where she forged a profound appreciation of positive early relationships in shaping adolescents' lives. This experience ignited her passion for working with young children, aligning perfectly with CSI's philosophy.

One of Jana's core values is encapsulated in her mantra, "Be the reason someone feels welcome, seen, heard, valued, loved and supported." This philosophy extends beyond her professional life, as she actively volunteers for initiatives that enhance the lives of children. Additionally, her personal encounters with cancer have driven her to support cancer research, underlining her commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need.

Away from her professional and volunteer pursuits, Jana finds solace in nature. Whether hiking along the scenic trails of Omaha or exploring the parks of Nebraska with her faithful canine companion, Jana revels in the beauty of the outdoors. She also cherishes quality time with family.

Julie Knight

Assistant Site Director - Spellman Child Development Center

With 20 years of experience in early childhood education, Julie is a passionate and dedicated leader at Spellman Child Development Center. As the Assistant Site Director, Julie is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the center, while also building strong relationships with staff, children and parents. 

Julie's journey with CSI began 20 years ago, when she worked as an aide in the toddler room at the center while her daughter attended the multi-age room. After a 10-year hiatus, Julie re-joined CSI as the Assistant Site Director, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the organization's values. 

"I love having the opportunity to interact with all the children, parents and staff at the center," Julie says. "I'm also excited to be at Spellman on the CSM campus, where I graduated from college. It's a dream come true to be back in this community." 

Julie's role at CSI is made up of many different components, but she says her favorite part is making connections with everyone she meets. She prioritizes getting to know each staff member, parent and child, and takes the time to understand their unique struggles and strengths. " I love the fact that every day I am learning something new about CSI or a member or a staff member and I am just extremely grateful to be a part of all of these adults and children's lives," Julie says. 

One of Julie's core values is understanding and empathy, and she believes that this is essential for both individual and team success. She says, " When I am leading or guiding, I try to be gracious of everyone's individual situations and journeys and try to support them the best I can where they are at with no judgement." 

When not working, Julie loves to spend time with her three wonderful children, who share her passion for history and day trips to museums and landmarks. She is also an animal lover, with two cats and a dog, and enjoys cooking and feeding those around her. Julie's love for fashion is evident in her "Fancy Friday" tradition, which encourages children to express themselves and embrace individuality. 

Julie's love for community is evident in her extensive volunteer work, which has taken her to local food pantries, shelters, and other organizations. She says, "volunteering is a wonderful way to connect with people and learn about the resources available in our community. I've made lasting relationships and gained a deeper understanding of the importance of service and compassion." 

Briana Lozano - Assistant Site Director

Briana Lozano

Assistant Site Director - Early Childhood Education Center

Briana is a dedicated professional with a profound commitment to CSI where she has contributed her expertise since 2020. Beginning her journey as a lead educator in one of CSI's classrooms, she quickly ascended the ranks, earning the esteemed position of Assistant Site Director at the 45th and Dodge location.

Briana is passionate and enthusiastic about her role. She takes pride in being a part of an organization that prioritizes quality and utilizes best practices, while also extending its reach to serve the entire family, offering a comprehensive range of services and resources. Briana's eyes light up when she discusses her favorite aspect of the job—witnessing the children's growth as they achieve significant developmental milestones. However, it's not just the children that bring her joy; it's the entire CSI community of dedicated team members who share a genuine concern for every family they support.

Briana's journey in the field of child care began in 2007. Her career has been a diverse in serving many different roles prior to her current position at CSI. Her passion for working with children was ignited during her high school years, when she had the opportunity to work at a daycare and intern at an elementary school. These experiences solidified her love for early childhood education.

Beyond her professional life, Briana is a well-rounded individual with a deep passion for community well-being. She has a long history of volunteering with community organizations, reflecting her dedication to making a positive impact beyond merely the workplace.