New Early Head Start Center in Kearney set to open in 2026

KEARNEY, Neb. - A major child care expansion is underway in Kearney. Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska has broken ground on a new Early Head Start facility that will open to families in August 2026.

The new 7,400 square-foot building will sit next to the organization’s existing Head Start center and feature five classrooms, two for infants and three for toddlers along with outdoor play areas and a community conference room.

CCAP CEO Meredith Collins said the project has been years in the making and was made possible by a $2.6 million federal grant from the Office of Head Start.

“Affordable and accessible child care is so, so important, especially for ages zero to three,” said Collins. “We’ve seen a lot of need in that area, and this building is a first start.”

Early Head Start Center Director Samantha Knaub said constraints have limited how many families they can serve.

“We needed more space so we can add more rooms, more teachers, and serve more families in our community,” she said. “There’s a huge need for child care, especially in some smaller towns like Kearney.”

Construction is expected to finish by May 2026, with move-in and setup over the summer before the center opens that fall.

The program is income-based and currently maintains a waitlist for eligible families.