What is ECFE? Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes are designed for any and all families with children ages birth through Kindergarten. At ECFE, we understand that you are your child's first and most influential teacher. Our goal is to support you in your child-raising journey and it is our mission to provide the best possible environment for the healthy growth and development of your children. ECFE offers Play & Learn classes, School Readiness classes and monthly events that are open to the public. ECFE Play & Learn Classes:
Our Play & Learn class is open to parents/caregivers AND their children ages birth through Kindergarten. All classes have mixed ages. Children and parents spend the first portion of class together, learning through art, music, stories and a variety of developmental activities. Your child will have the opportunity to build relationships with peers and to participate in small and large group activities, free play, teacher-led experiences and a short snack time. For the remainder of class time, the children’s learning experience continues while parents meet together to discuss various parenting topics. Not only is this a time for you and your young child to bond outside of his or her usual home environment, it is also a time to connect with other parents, talk about concerns, exchange stories and offer/receive advise about all the challenges parents of young children face. This time will allow you to form friendships and a network of support with others who are experiencing the same joys and challenges of parenting that you are. ECFE School Readiness Classes:
School Readiness Preschool is for children ages 3 to 5. The goal of school readiness is to prepare and support all students in achieving high standards of learning and development before they enter Kindergarten – emotionally, intellectually, physically and socially. Above all, we want to nurture a strong love of learning by encouraging curiosity and enthusiasm! Class Options:
3 year old class (for those turning 3 by September 1st of that school year) – focuses on vocabulary building through fun-filled activities, projects, songs, finger plays, stories, nursery rhymes and free play.
4 year old class that focuses on building Kindergarten readiness skills through a fun learning experience using the same reading curriculum as ISD 361
School Readiness classes are available for FREE with both half day and full day options for your preschooler. Bus transportation is also available for all preschool students. ECFE Event Planning Committee:
Education is a partnership between home and school. We value parent involvement at every level and encourage you to partner with us. That is why the ECFE Event Planning Committee is comprised of both teachers and parents, whose input helps us create a program that meets the needs of its participating families. We work together to plan ECFE events and to brainstorm new ideas for the future in order to keep the classes and events fun and exciting. Want to be more involved with your child's fun learning experience? Have great ideas for events and/or activities that our community's youth would enjoy? We encourage you to consider joining the ECFE Event Planning Committee! New committee members are always welcome and greatly appreciated, as our quarterly open-to-the-public events are organized solely by committee members and other great volunteers. Also, feel free to contact the committee at any time with questions, concerns or ideas. ECFE contact Information:
You may contact Community Education at any time for general ECFE info or to register for classes at (218)283-2571 ext. 1186
You may also contact the ECFE instructors directly:
Jenesa Balaski - ECFE Play & Learn and 3 year old School Readiness Instructor; Ext. 1126
Missy Walls - School Readiness 4 year old instructor
Kristie Lavigne - School Readiness 4 year old Instructor
