Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)

***Please note the new day of the week on Wednesdays starting in Fall 2020

Join the class at any time; babies and parents are always welcome! Babies bring joy and big changes to families. This is a weekly class for infants, birth to 12 months, and their parents. All of your baby questions and insights will be discussed with a Licensed Parent Educator and other parents of little ones. Opportunities to connect with other parents and find your parenting style are part of our time together. Join the class at any time; babies and parents are always welcomed. Sibling care is available upon request at registration.

Sibling care is available upon request at registration.

• When: Wednesdays, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Where: Parent Education Room 103, Sibling Care Early Childhood Room 106
• Term 1: Sept. 9, 2020 through Nov. 4, 2020.
• Term 2: Nov. 11, 2020 through Jan. 13, 2021. No class on Dec. 30.

REGISTER

***Please note the new day of the week on Wednesdays starting in Fall 2020

This class suits toddlers between 12-30 months of age. During parent/child interaction time, parents and toddlers will participate in a variety of activities geared for the busy world of toddlers. This is followed by a brief discussion time for parents while children continue with activities. Discussion topics include ideas for separation issues, encouraging language development, and more. Class ends with a circle time of songs and movement. Parents and children do not separate in this class. Walking or crawling, all toddlers are invited!

• When: Wednesdays, 8-9:30 a.m.
• Where: Early Childhood Room 106
• Term 1: Sept. 9, 2020 through Nov. 4, 2020.
• Term 2: Nov. 11, 2020 through Jan. 13, 2021. No class on Dec. 30.

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ECFE on Wheels is a traveling Early Childhood Family Education program for families, caregivers and children ages birth to 5 years old. This class will be pending state guidelines. Check back for the most current details.

• When: Tuesdays, 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
• Where: Different places in Winona. Locations will be posted here.
• Term 1: Sept. 8, 2020, to Nov. 3, 2020.
• Term 2: Nov. 10 to Jan. 12, 2020.

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This two-term class uses a scripted curriculum (The Incredible Years) to coach parents through responsive and positive parent child interactions and strategies. If you have questions or would like more information on this class, contact Heather Millard at 507-494-0916. 

• When: Mondays, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
• Where: Early Childhood Room 106
• Terms 1-2: Sept. 14, 2020 through Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. No classes on Nov. 9, Dec. 28.

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We'll start out the year discussing one of our favorite things at ECFE -- reading! We will be discussing Meghan Cox Gurdon's 2019 book "The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction."

• When: Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. OR 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Where: Early Childhood Room 106
• Term 1: Sept. 14, 2020 through Nov. 2, 2020

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Taking in what we learned from "Duct Tape Parenting" from Vicki Hoefle, we will explore some "No-nonsense" strategies to help our children succeed as adults.

• When: Tuesdays, 8-10 a.m. OR Thursdays, 8-10 a.m. OR Fridays, 8-10 a.m.
• Where: Early Childhood Room 106
• Term 1: Tuesdays, Sept. 8, 2020 through Nov. 3, 2020 OR Thursdays, Sept. 10, 2020 through Nov. 5, 2020 (no class Oct. 15) OR Fridays, Sept. 11, 2020 through Nov. 6, 2020 (no class Oct. 16).
• Term 2: Tuesdays, Nov. 10, 2020 through Jan. 12, 2021 OR Thursdays, Nov. 12, 2020 through Jan. 14, 2021 (no class Nov. 26, Dec. 24, Dec. 31) OR Fridays, Nov. 13, 2020 through Jan. 15, 2021 (no class Nov. 27, Dec. 25, Jan. 1).

REGISTER

We will explore principles of Montessori education that you can apply to your parenting and your home.

• When: Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. OR 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m..
• Where: Early Childhood Room 106
• Term 2: Nov. 16, 2020 through Jan. 11, 2021 (no class on Dec. 28)

REGISTER

Drop-In Playgroup is an opportunity for children to learn, grow and develop through play. There is something to keep every child happy and busy, with a baby and toddler area, activities for preschoolers, a great outdoor space plus lots of art, craft and messy play. And what’s even better — we clean up the mess afterwards! No registration required.

• When: Tuesdays, 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
• Where: Early Childhood Room 106
• Term 1: Sept. 8, 2020 through Nov. 3, 2020
• Term 4: Nov. 10, 2020 through Jan. 12, 2021. No drop-in on Dec. 29.

Drop-In Playgroup is an opportunity for children to learn, grow and develop through play. There is something to keep every child happy and busy, with a baby and toddler area, activities for preschoolers, a great outdoor space plus lots of art, craft and messy play. And what’s even better — we clean up the mess afterwards! No registration required.

• When: Wednesdays, 12:30 to 2 p.m.
• Where: Early Childhood Room 106
• Term 3: Jan. 22, 2020 through March 25, 2020. No drop-in on Feb. 12, March 11.
• Term 4: April 1, 2020 through June 3, 2020. No drop-in on April 8, May 13.

Do you have questions about parenting, your child’s development or how to help your child be ready for kindergarten? A Parent Educator is available to meet with you at home, for coffee or conversation over the phone. For information call 507-494-0913.

Teen Parent and Prenatal Programs Parent education, prenatal education, parent-child activities and support for adolescent and expecting parents at the Winona Area Learning Center and Winona Senior High School. Contact Lynnea Pfohl at 507-494-1469 for more information about the Teen Parent Program that is ongoing throughout the school year.

Itty Bitty Book Club brings literacy and circle time activities to our Licensed Child Care Providers homes. Sign up for a monthly home visit from our Licensed Early Childhood Staff. Staff brings in activities, circle time and a fun reading program to the child care setting every month, September through May. Call 494-0916 for more information about the program.

ECFE offers classes and activities for parents and their children from birth to age five. The program offers guidance and support for families from licensed early childhood and parent educators. You will also find support and friendship from other parents of small children. In addition, your child will learn through play and develop social skills along the way.

Separating Classes:
All our classes begin with parent child activities where parents and children play together in the early childhood room. Parents then move on to the Parent Education room, facilitated by a licensed parent educator, to meet other parents and discuss issues related to parenting. The children stay in the classroom with a licensed early childhood educator to enjoy a variety of age appropriate activities. Your child will make new friends, enjoy art activities, music, gym time and a snack.

Non-separating Classes:
In our baby and toddler classes, parents do not separate from their children. The baby group is held in the parent education room and the toddler group is held in the early childhood room.

The program encourages positive parental interactions that affect how children develop and learn. Research has shown that ECFE programs involving parents with their children are more effective than programs focusing exclusively on children. In addition, children whose parents are more involved in their early education are more likely to be successful in school.

ECFE is located at Goodview Elementary School. The address is 5100 West 9th Street in Winona.

Yes, fees are on a sliding scale based on a family's income. No one will be turned away due to inabiliity to pay.

Term 1: Aug. 24, 2020 y noon

Term 2: Oct. 26, 2020 by noon

A confirmation phone call will be made the week following the registration deadline with classes starting on:

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 for Term 1
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020  for Term 2

If you miss our random draw deadline, you can call for availability of remaining classes at 507-494-0913.

YES! ECFE has a PTA/Parent Advisory Council that works with staff on program planning, development and special events. The PTA also sponsors special events like a fall color run and winter family dance.