Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is helping to build the blocks for family and school
success. If you have children from birth to age five and are looking for support, information and education on raising children please join us at ECFE.

We welcome new families, your first term is always free.

ECFE is a Community Education program for ALL families and children birth through kindergarten. We offer a comfortable, informal parent discussion group, and a fun place to meet, learn, and play with other parents and children.

Immunization Form

Winter-Spring 2021 Offerings

Babies & Toddlers
(Non-Separating Classes)

Baby & Me
Toddler Time

Baby & Me

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 3: Jan. 20, 2021 through March 24, 2021.
Term 4: April 7, 2021 through June 2, 2021

Toddler Time

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 3: Jan. 20, 2021 through March 24, 2021
Term 4: April 7, 2021 through June 2, 2021

Topics for All Ages
(Separating Classes)

Podcast Parenting

When you are too busy to read, podcasts can be a great alternative. Podcasts are educational, informative, and easy to use. You can listen to them anywhere with access to a cell phone or computer, whether it’s in your car, at the gym, or while folding laundry. In this class we will pick a different podcast each week to listen to and discuss instead of a book.

Option 1: with Heather Millard (two-term class)

When: Mondays, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Where: Early Childhood Room 106
Terms 3-4: Jan. 25, 2021 to March 22, 2021 and April 12, 2021 through May 24, 2021

Option 2: with Lynnea Pfohl (Term 3 only)

When: Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5*/5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Early Childhood Room 106
Term 3: Jan. 25, 2021 to March 22, 2021

*In order to allow parents with later work schedules to join our evening ECFE class, we will have a mini “This Week In Parenting” session from 5-5:30 pm, during which the parent educator will provide an article or a bit of relevant news for the group to discuss. Child drop-off begins at 5.

Untangled

Wouldn’t it be helpful to know what we can do in early childhood to support our children as they transition into pre-teens and beyond? This book helps caregivers “understand, connect, and grow with their children." When parents know what makes their child tick, they can embrace and enjoy the challenge of raising a healthy, happy young adult. — Lisa Damour

This book is not just for parents of girls!

When: Tuesdays, 8-10 a.m. (in-person) OR Wednesdays, 7:30-9 p.m. (virtual)
Where: Early Childhood Room 106
Terms 3 and 4: Jan. 19, 2021 through June 1, 2021

Vitamin N

This class will focus on enjoying nature with children. We will use the children-and-nature movement leader, Richard Louv’s books as a guide through this class. Get ready for creative new activity ideas, ample resources, exciting discussions, and even opportunities in the Parent Ed room for at-home crafting and “busy bag” preparation. .

When: Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or 5*/5:30-7 p.m.
Where: Early Childhood Room 106
Term 4: April 12, 2021 through Monday, May 24, 2021

ECFE Pre-K Options

Wee Create

Wee Create will provide creative opportunities for parents and children to bond together, through project-based play. Every Friday, pick up a packet which will include a newsletter with ideas of activities, sensory exploration and messy play to enjoy with your child. PLUS, supplies for at least 2 projects to complete together at home. No contact packet pick up will take place weekly, on Friday, from 9-10 a.m. in a drive-through style, at the Early Childhood wing of Goodview Elementary. This class will be supplemented with at least 3 social media posts/week to share what is happening within the Early Childhood room and provide support on how parents can extend the learning at home.

This is a virtual class for children birth to 5 years of age.

When: Packet pickup on Fridays, 9-10 a.m.
Where: Virtual class
Terms 3 and 4: Jan. 22, 2021 through March 19, 2021 and April 9, 2021 through May 28, 2021

Discovery Cove

In Discovery Cove, we focus mainly on social skills -- learning to be away from mom and dad, sharing, speaking up about our needs, and interacting with others. The daily schedule includes a circle time focusing on a weekly theme, art, story time, active play, snack, and lots of time for free choice play and exploring. This class will also provide parent education via weekly newsletters, education on developmentally appropriate expectations and activities to supplement each learning domain at home.
This is a drop-off class for children ages 3 (after Sept. 1 of 2020) to 4½ years old.

When: Thursdays, 8:30-10 a.m.
Where: Early Childhood Room 106
Terms 3 and 4: Jan. 21, 2021 through March 18, 2021 and April 8, 2021 through May 27, 2021

Great Start at Home

Do you have a kiddo age 3-5 that needs fun and simple activities to do at home with almost no prep? Here is a GREAT online preschool option that includes: A weekly lesson plan posted on Seesaw for activities that can be done at home. Daily videos from the teacher to walk your child through some activities, read books, or play games (videos are not live). A live circle time on Monday mornings at 10:00 am with the whole class.

This is a virtual class for children 3 to 5 years of age.

When: Mondays, 10-10:30 a.m. (live circle time)
Term 3: Jan. 25, 2021 through March 24, 2021
Term 4: April 12, 2021 through May 24, 2021

Other Opportunities

Drop-In Playgroup

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

Phone Consultation and Home Visit

Winona Area Learning Center & Winona Senior High School

Itty Bitty Book Club

ECFE Around Town

ECFE Around Town is a traveling Early Childhood Family Education program for families, caregivers and children ages birth to 5 years old. This is a program that travels to different locations around town to provide you with a wonderful ECFE experience that includes ideas for creative, fun, age appropriate activities, as well as time to discuss questions on kids and family. Information and ideas on child development, parenting and community resources are also available. Free and no registration required.

When: Tuesdays, 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Where: Different places in Winona. Locations will be posted on the Winona ECFE Facebook page.

Other Information

Early Childhood Special Education

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) services are designed for children from birth until kindergarten enrollment who have been identified with a delay in development. Evaluations and services are provided at no cost to the parents.

Early Intervention Services for children birth through age two are provided in their natural environments through the public school system. A variety of service providers which may include an early childhood special education teacher, physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech/language clinician may provide direct services or consult with your child's team based on the family and child's identified needs.
Preschool Special Education services for students age three to Kindergarten entrance are typically provided in early learning environments. Specialized services such as speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, developmental adaptive physical education (DAPE), early childhood special education, and busing are provided based on the student's needs within their learning environment.

If you have concerns about a child in either of these age group, please make a referral in through one of the available options listed. Someone from the district will contact you to follow up with your concerns.

Birth to Age 5 Referral Printable Form
Birth to Age 5 Referral Electronic Form
Call 507-494-0842 to make a referral by phone.

If you would like more information about early childhood development or to make a referral through the Minnesota Help Me Grow system, visit the Help Me Grow website at http://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/index.htm .

Class Fees

How do I determine class fees?

The class fee is determined by your family income (see sliding fee schedule)
The fee is per child with a family maximum
No family will be turned away due to inability to pay
Pay for your ECFE class with a credit card OR pay in person by cash or check.
Please make checks payable to: ECFE

Family's Yearly Gross Income	Fee per child per class	Max per family per class
90,000 +	$95	$190
80,000-89,999	$81	$162
70,000 -79,999	$71	$142
60,000-69,999	$59	$118
50,000-59,999	$45	$90
40,000-49,999	$37	$74
30,000-39,999	$32	$64
20,000-29,999	$26	$52
Under 19,999	$11	$22

Early Childhood Education Programs
Goodview Elementary School
5100 West 9th Street, Winona

Video Tutorial on the Registration Process

Common Questions

What is ECFE?

How does ECFE work?

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.

What are the benefits of ECFE?

Where is ECFE located?

Are there fees?

When is the registration deadline?

When will registration be processed?

Are parents involved in the program planning?

Meet the ECFE Staff

Debbie Brady

Early Childhood Educational Assistant

School: (507)494-0913

Jill Burt

Educational Assistant

School: (507)494-0918

Stephanie Gilliland

Early Childhood Screening Coordinator, School Readiness Coordinator

School: (507)494-0915

Heather Millard

Early Childhood Family Education Coordinator, Parent Educator

Lynnea Pfohl

Parent Educator

School: (507)494-1468

Hannah Sweet

Early Childhood Family Education Teacher

ECFE PTA

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity that contributes to the quality of life for families with young children in our community? Join EFCE PTA! Contact the ECFE office at 507-494-0913 for more information.