Early Childhood Family Education | ECFE

The ECFS (Early Childhood Family Services) Advisory Council supports Early Childhood programming within District 196. This programming includes Early Childhood Family Education, Connections Preschool and Family School. The Advisory Council is a highly valued resource for District 196 ECFS and assists in the development, planning and monitoring of Early Childhood Family Education programs.

New members are always welcome.

To learn more and submit your application, visit their web page.

Parents learn with your child!

Family School, a literacy program for English language learners, has four important parts:

• a preschool program for children ages three or four
• time for parents and children to play and learn together
• parent education and adult education

Parents and their preschool children can attend school together Monday through Thursday mornings at District 196 learning centers in Apple Valley. Families must be District 196 residents, have preschool children, and a goal in Adult Basic Education as an English learner (EL) or GED student.

Find Out More

Meet Our Teachers

All Connections Preschool and ECFE teachers are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Education.

Immunization Record - Minnesota law requires children enrolled in early education programs to be immunized against certain diseases or to have a legal medical or conscientious exemption form on file. (See the MN Department of Health recommendations.) Immunization records should be updated once per school year. The form can be turned in to your ECFE teacher, emailed to our office at ecfe@district196, or faxed to us at 952-388-1948. Download the form: English | Somali | Spanish

ECFE Registration Form - If you have trouble with the online registration system, feel free to download and print this registration form and drop it off or mail it to Dakota Valley Learning Center, 4679 144th St. W., Apple Valley, MN 55124.

District 196 Information

Early Childhood Screening - The State of Minnesota requests that children be screened between the ages of 3.5 and 4 years old. Screening offers a snapshot of your child's health and development. It can also help identify the need for early intervention before the start of kindergarten. Screening is located at the District Service Center, 14301 Diamond Path W., Apple Valley, MN. Call 651-423-7899 or schedule online.

Early Childhood Special Education - For information on evaluations and early intervention, call 952-388-1900.

ECFE Parent Handbook

Kindergarten and Magnet Schools - General information for incoming kindergarten families. Or go directly to kindergarten enrollment to start the pre-enrollment process.

New Baby - Do you have a new baby? Are you new to town? If so, please complete the District 196 online census form or contact Student Information Services at 651-423-7640 with your family’s updated information so you receive important program information and updates.

Playschool Program at District High Schools - The child development classes at our District 196 high schools run a playschool program for children ages 3-5 as part of their class curriculum. Contact these teachers for more information: Apple Valley High School - nichole.christensen@district196.org | Eagan High School - rachael.fair@district196.org | Eastview High School - mia.battistone@district196.org | Rosemount High School - erin.stencil@district196.org

School Attendance Locator

Activity Ideas

• Macaroni Kid Community Resources
• ECFE Sings Lyrics

Favorite Links

• Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
• Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning at Vanderbilt University
• Common Sense Media
• Conscious Discipline
• The Ellyn Satter Institute - Models for Feeding Dynamics and Eating Competence
• Head Start (CAP of Scott, Carver & Dakota Counties)
• Healthy Children - American Academy of Pediatrics
• Help Me Grow - A resource for Minnesota families to understand developmental milestones and learn if there are concerns. This helps families take the lead in seeking additional support or referring their child for a comprehensive, confidential screening or evaluation at no cost. Accessing early intervention services as early as possible will ensure the best developmental outcomes for these children. 
• Kids in the House
• Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, Ed.D.
• Mom Enough
• Pacer Center - Champions for Children with Disabilities
• ParentAware - Tools and information to find quality childcare and early education
• Parenting Counts
• PBS Parent Resources
• Positive Discipline
• Simplicity Parenting
• Zero to Three

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) recognizes that parents are their child’s first and most important teachers. ECFE offers parents hands-on learning experiences that will nourish a lifetime of teachable moments. ECFE works to support parents/caregivers and to strengthen and empower families. The goal is to enhance the ability of all parents and other family members to provide the best possible environment for their child's learning and development.

All ECFE classes are taught by licensed early childhood teachers and parent educators to provide the quality education parents are looking for. ECFE teachers use the Parent Education Core Curriculum Framework and Early Childhood Indicators of Progress: Minnesota’s Early Learning Standards provided through the Minnesota Department of Education.