Auburn Preschool Partnership Featured at State Early Childhood Conference

A preschool partnership that began in Auburn 16 years ago was highlighted as a unique Nebraska model at the Thriving for Children Conference on Sept. 22 in Kearney.
Deb Reiman, founder of Little Learners Preschool; Samantha Wehenkel, Director of School Improvement and Curriculum at Auburn Public Schools; and Chantelle Wilke, current owner and teacher at Little Learners, shared the story of the public/private partnership with early childhood professionals from across the state.
The partnership began in 2010 when Auburn needed additional preschool opportunities but the school district faced challenges with classroom space, staffing and transportation.
“We weren’t trying to create an innovative model,” Reiman said. “We were trying to solve a problem. We didn’t start with a model. We started with a need.”
Together, Little Learners and Auburn Public Schools created a privately owned, Rule 11-approved preschool taught by a certified teacher and supported by the school district. Auburn Public Schools receives state aid for eligible four-year-old children attending Little Learners, making the program part of the district’s preschool approach while Little Learners remains privately owned and operated.
It is the only public/private preschool model of its kind currently operating in Nebraska.
Each partner brings something different. Little Learners provides the teacher, preschool program and family relationships, while Auburn Public Schools provides a paraeducator, screenings, professional development, technology and other supports.
Tiny Tots Childcare is another important part of the partnership. Owner Lynsey Schmidt renovated the space above Tiny Tots — “up the rainbow stairs” — for Little Learners Preschool. Having preschool directly above the child care center also allows children receiving full-day care at Tiny Tots to attend preschool without needing transportation between programs.
Today, Little Learners serves up to 40 children each year in morning and afternoon sessions. Wilke, who joined Little Learners as a teacher in 2015, became the owner in 2021.
Over 16 years, the location, schedule, ownership and needs of families have changed, but the partnership has continued to adapt.
“We weren’t committed to protecting one model,” the presenters shared. “We were committed to meeting the needs of our community.”
The Auburn model has generated interest from other Nebraska communities, particularly rural communities looking for creative ways to expand preschool access. Reiman, Wehenkel and Wilke also shared a “Building What Works” starter guide at the conference to help other communities explore partnerships using the resources and relationships they already have.
For Auburn, the partnership continues to demonstrate what can happen when a community identifies a need and works together to find a solution that fits its children and families.