Kylie Burket has an adorable little boy, Hudson, who requires childcare while his mom returns to graduate school this fall to become a
mentalhealth counselor.
Malika Lockett works at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln Children’s Center, yet as the major breadwinner faces the daunting price tag of childcare for her three children: Zy’Aire, who is five years old, Melani, two, and little Lovely, 10 months.
Lincoln Littles tuition assistance for childcare gave both Lincoln women hope for the future.
“It was a complete game changer,” Kylie says. “I didn’t qualify for state subsidies, so I was so excited when I found out I could get tuition assistance.”
The assistance is provided monthly and doesn’t cover costs in full, she explains. “But it’s making all the difference because now I can manage the fees. I was actually considering not going to grad school. But today I know Hudson will be safe and I can make a life for myself, for my family, for my child. It’s such a blessing.”
Malika agrees. She’s one of the lead preschool teachers at the Children’s Center and loves her job. “But childcare is hard – the expense is so high these days on top of all my other bills, especially trying to make ends meet with three children.”
These days she now works at the same place her kids attend childcare. “Life is doable. Thank you, Lincoln Littles. I am so grateful. You have helped me stay in my field and do the job I love.”
Lincoln Littles – an advocacy group for quality childcare – provides tuition assistance for families. Lincoln Littles focuses on families that are not currently receiving other public funds for childcare, but who still need assistance in covering their childcare payments.
Families can qualify for Lincoln Littles Ongoing Tuition Assistance if their child is under the age of 6 and has not started school, and the family’s gross income is at or below the 80th percentile of the median income for Lincoln (according to data from the U.S. Department of Urban Development).
The family’s childcare program must be a licensed facility that operates full days throughout the year and qualifies as Step 3 – or higher – in Nebraska’s Step Up to Quality system.
“I wish our country would take childcare more seriously,” Malika says. “This is the time when we are shaping the young minds and lives of our next generation. People think it’s daycare, babysitting. But it’s so much more.”
Her family moved to Lincoln from Texas several years ago and she earned her associates degree in early childhood from Southeast Community College. “I’ve always known I wanted to work with young children. I was a stay-at-home mom for a while, but when they offered me this position, I knew I would love working here. I love being a parent and a teacher. And why can’t women do both?”
She heard about the Lincoln Littles Tuition Assistance program when she was struggling to qualify for state subsidies and her childcare tuition costs were mounting. “When I got the letter that I had received financial assistance from Lincoln Littles, I couldn’t believe the support they offered. It changed my life.”
Meanwhile, Kylie earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in South Dakota and relocated to Lincoln with her boyfriend where Hudson was born. “Both my boyfriend and I come from small towns and Lincoln seemed like a good community, a big small town.”
She stayed home with Hudson for almost a year while doing grad school full-time. When she had to begin her practicum in Omaha, she had to choose between having Hudson in childcare or delaying her degree. The costs of childcare were a major roadblock.
“It was a big stress for us and came to the point when we were wondering if I should pause grad school and stay home. Life is so expensive, trying to figure out a budget. We were between a rock and a hard place.”
Kylie also didn’t qualify for state aid, but then someone told her about Lincoln Littles.
“The seeds were planted and I did the research, then we reached out to Lincoln Littles. You know, finances are a hard thing to talk about. You feel so vulnerable. But Lincoln Littles met me with such empathy. The whole process was seamless.”
She was overjoyed to find Lincoln Littles could help with funding, but also more. “We weren’t used to finding childcare in a larger community. It was daunting with so many options. But Lincoln Littles even helps check out childcare centers for you. Yet another relief for me. My “mama bear” was coming out when trying to find a safe, qualified daycare, but Lincoln Littles helped me feel more confident in the programs I toured.”
Malika urges every family to advocate for their children. “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up on your dreams. Right now I’m smiling every single day.”
Kylie echoes that sentiment. “There’s nothing wrong with being an advocate for your child. Use your parental instincts and go with that. Keep looking for community resources. It might feel overwhelming, but there are options out there. It does work out in the end.”
Today Kylie’s son, Hudson, attends a KinderCare program where her little “wild child” climbs, plays, learns and thrives.
She is working on her graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling and plans to finish next spring, complete her clinical mental health therapy internship this fall and spring within Lincoln elementary schools and eventually work with immigrant and refugee families.
“It’s my passion to work with at-risk families, to help people who were in similar situations as I was. That’s the goal. I want to give back some day – and say thanks.”
Lincoln Littles tuition assistance is made possible solely through funds donated by the community. You can can support these efforts by donating here.