ECFE offers a variety of classes, all designed to help strengthen families through interactive play and relevant, research-based parent education. We invite you to join our ECFE family as we share and learn together.
Our summer session is held from July 11 to August 3, 2023. Registration is open through July 18.
ECFE is a program for parents/guardians and their children during the years from birth through prekindergarten. It is based on the idea that parents/guardians provide their child’s first and most significant learning environment and are the child’s first and most important teachers. We work to support you as a parent/caregiver and to strengthen families. In District 196, we also offer classes for parents with children up to third grade in order to support continued parent engagement in children’s learning and development.
Welcome to this free, informal drop-in baby feeding group. Join our licensed parent educator and certified lactation counselor, along with other parents just like you who are looking for support with feeding your baby. All feeding decisions are supported. Share experiences with parents who are also adjusting to life with a baby. Bring your questions or just come to listen. If you need lactation/feeding support or want to have your baby weighed, stop by, we would love to share some resources with you. No pre-registration is needed.
This is a time for babies and parents to play in our infant environment. Come and explore new toys, sing songs or enjoy other fun activities led by an ECFE teacher. There will also be time to meet other parents and their babies. No pre-registration is needed.
INFANT AND TODDLER PLAYTIME
Ages Birth through Two Years Old
This is a time for you and your little ones to play in our environment designed especially for them. This playtime is for children ages birth through two years only. Register weekly. Online registration opens a week in advance.
Spring only: Wednesdays | Apr 26-Jun 7 | 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Dakota Valley Learning Center, Room 216 | $5 per child
FAMILY PLAYTIME
Ages birth to kindergarten
Pop in and play with your little ones and our ECFE staff. Dress up for dramatic play. Explore the wonders of math, science and senses while you squish, squeeze and create with play dough. Dump, pour, mash and mix in the sensory table. Become a little artist at the easel. Run, jump, climb and learn through movement in our gym. Expand language skills at story and circle time. Register weekly. Online registration opens a week in advance.
Spring: Fridays | 9:00-11:00 a.m. | Apr 7-Jun 2 | skip Apr 21 | Dakota Valley Learning Center, Room 116 | $5 per child Summer: Wednesdays | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Jul 12, 19, 26, Aug 2 | For ages birth to 7 years | $5 per family Summer: Thursdays | 9:00-11:00 a.m. | Jul 13, 20, 27, Aug 3 | For ages birth to prekindergarten | $5 per family
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.
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.
Early Childhood Screening - Silver Bell Learning Center, 2120 Silver Bell Rd., Eagan, MN. Call 651-423-7899. Children between the ages of 3.5 and 4 years old, who live in District 196, need to participate in an early childhood screening.
New Baby - Do you have a new baby? Are you new to town? If so, please 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
Parent Aware is the State of Minnesota's Early Childhood Quality Program Indicator. Star ratings help families identify programs (i.e. childcare and preschool) using the practices that best prepare a child for kindergarten. Learn more at www.parentaware.org
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.
Contact ECFE
Dakota Valley Learning Center (DVLC)
office 952-388-1953
email ecfe@district196.org
address 4679 144th St. W., Apple Valley, MN 55124
Cedar Valley Learning Center (CVLC)
address 14420 Glenda Dr., Apple Valley, MN 55124
