PCH Little Sprouts Earns Step 5 Rating from Nebraska Step Up to Quality
Pender, Neb. (August 17, 2026) – PCH Little Sprouts Child Development Center has achieved a Step 5 rating through Nebraska Step Up to Quality, the highest rating available through the state’s quality rating and improvement system for early childhood care and education.
Fewer than 5% of participating programs across Nebraska have achieved a Step 5 rating, making the recognition an exciting milestone for Little Sprouts, its staff and the families and communities it serves.
“We are incredibly proud of our Little Sprouts team and what this achievement represents,” said Laura Gamble, CEO of Pender Community Health. “Achieving Step 5 didn’t happen overnight. It reflects years of learning, training and working together to build a high-quality program for our children and families. Our staff are the heart of Little Sprouts, and we are tremendously grateful for the time, energy and care they have invested to make this possible.”
Little Sprouts staff have spent years working alongside coaches, participating in professional development and evaluating classroom practices and environments to continually strengthen the care and early learning experiences provided to children.
Nebraska Step Up to Quality supports early childhood programs in going beyond state licensing requirements by providing coaching, professional development and resources focused on improving the quality of care and early learning environments.
“It is crucial that providers and educators across the state have a mutual understanding of what quality looks like in the child care environment and that they feel supported on their path to quality,” said Lauri Cimino, director of Step Up to Quality. “Programs enrolled in Step Up to Quality have access to coaching and resources that enable any provider – big or small – to take quality to the next level.”
For Pender Community Health, the Step 5 recognition represents more than a statewide rating. It reflects a commitment to investing in children, families and the future of the communities PCH serves. By providing high-quality child care close to home, Little Sprouts is helping strengthen local families and the community as a whole—another way Pender Community Health is Leading with Care. Serving with Heart.
To learn more about Nebraska Step Up to Quality, visit stepuptoquality.ne.gov and for more information on PCH Little Sprouts Child Development Cetner, visit, visit pchne.org.
About Pender Community Health
Pender Community Health delivers high-quality, compassionate care to communities in northeast Nebraska. With advanced medical technology, experienced providers, and well-coordinated services, PCH ensures patients receive exceptional care close to home. In addition to the hospital, PCH operates medical clinics, retail pharmacies, the PCH Little Sprouts Child Development Center, and PCH Prairie Breeze Assisted Living—serving patients and families at every stage of life.
