Denita Julius is a passionate early childhood educator who has owned and operated her in-home child care program, Little Sprouts Childcare, for over 21 years. What began as a job became her lifelong profession after realizing how critical the first years of a child's life are for development. This insight sparked a commitment to continuous learning and quality improvement, leading Denita to pursue ongoing training and education throughout her career. 

Her journey was deeply shaped by the Sixpence Child Care Partnership (CCP), which offered not only financial support but also personalized coaching that helped her set and achieve meaningful goals. Through the course of the six years she partnered with Sixpence, Denita earned her Child Development Associate (CDA), became a Step 5 provider in Nebraska’s Step Up to Quality system, and completed her interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education in 2022 through the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship. Most importantly, Sixpence helped her view herself as a professional in a field that deserves to be recognized as such—something that has fueled her passion for advocacy and mentorship. 

In June 2023, Denita joined Educational Service Unit 13 (ESU13) as a coach with the very program that once supported her. She considers it a privilege to serve in this role—supporting other early childhood professionals across the Nebraska Panhandle through a program that offers so much in a field that so often lacks the resources and recognition it deserves. Despite her coaching responsibilities, Denita continues to operate Little Sprouts Childcare to help meet the high demand for care in her community. With the support of her dedicated team, her program earned its second Step 5 rating in June 2024. 

Denita also serves on the Advisory Board for the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative, is a member of the We Care for Kids committee, and has had the privilege of collaborating  with First Five Nebraska. She recently stepped down from the Child Care Licensing Committee due to increased family commitments but remains active in the field. She has participated in a research initiative focused on wellness in early childhood professionals and is helping organize her team’s fifth annual Summit for Early Childhood Professionals, following the fourth, held August 8–9. 

Denita is passionate about empowering others in the field—especially those who may not yet realize the significance of their role. Through her coaching, she hopes to uplift and advocate for child care providers across the state, just as she was once uplifted herself.