Austin Public Schools ECFE

In order to register for ECFE classes- you must enroll your child in Austin Public Schools. You can do this at any time! https://www.austin.k12.mn.us/district-offices/enrollment-office/early-childhood-enrollment/ecfe-enrollment

Enrollment process can take up to 1 business day to process. Once you have officially enrolled in our school district- you will have access to the CLC Store where you can select the class or classes that you would like to participate in. Please note- once you have enrolled you may also call our office at (507)-460-1700 and ask us to register your child in a class.

If you do not see a class that you feel your child should be age-eligible for it may mean that the class is full. Please call our office to be put on a wait list!

Class Store Opens Monday, January 6th!

Class Dates: January 21 - May 23

Location: Woodson Education Center (unless otherwise noted)

• Together Time: Class begins with parent/child activities designed to enhance your child's learning. You will also get ideas for things you can do together at home.
• Parents' Time: Parents participate in a discussion led by a licensed parent educator. The discussion is based on Minnesota Department of Education's Core Curriculum areas of parent development, parent-child relationship, early childhood development and culture and community.
• Children's Time: While parents are in the discussion group, children are learning through activities designed by a licensed Early Childhood teacher to help them grow and develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, physically, and in their communication skills.

When Austin Public Schools are delayed due to weather, morning ECFE classes before 11:00 am are cancelled. Afternoon and evening classes will be held as scheduled.

When Austin Public Schools closes early, all classes scheduled to begin after 11:00 am are cancelled.

When Austin Public Schools are closed there are no ECFE classes.

Sibling Care will only be offered during our Baby Connection Class at this time. There are four classes scheduled that are Birth-5 Year Olds to support families who do not have additional care for their children during class time!

Please note that we will be following CDC, MDH and APS recommendations for safety procedures.

Ages: Birth-12 Months

Cost: FREE

Non Separating

What to Expect: This class offers invaluable insights into the joys and challenges of raising children. We'll explore essential topics such as adjusting to the parenting role, fostering secure attachments, establishing healthy sleep routines, navigating feeding practices, and encouraging play and development. Join us to connect with other parents and equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to thrive in this wonderful adventure.

Dates: Tuesdays, March 18th - May 20th from 10:30am-11:30am OR Wednesdays, March 19th - May 21st from 4:30-5:30pm

Sibling Care is available for Baby Connections only if needed. You must call (507)-460-1709 to register for Sibling Care!

Ages: 11-23 Months

Cost: $45 per family

Non Separating

What to Expect: ECFE room is filled with exciting opportunities for discovery, allowing your little ones to learn and develop while you connect with other parents. In one part of the room, children will be learning through play. In another part of the room, you'll discuss essential toddler parenting topics, sharing insights and experiences. This non-separating class fosters both independent exploration for children and community building for parents.

Dates: Mondays, January 27th - May 19th from 8:30am-9:45am

*No class on February 17th, March 10th, March 17th, and April 21st

Ages: 24-47 months

Cost: $60 per family

Separating

What to Expect: Discover the power of play in developing essential social skills and enhancing fine and gross motor abilities! Our engaging circle time activities and creative arts sessions will ignite your child's love for learning while providing a fun and supportive environment. During parent education time you’ll have the opportunity to discuss topics chosen by fellow parents, fostering a sense of community and shared learning. This separating class is designed to give both you and your child the tools to thrive together. Ready, Set, Grow!

Dates: Tuesdays, January 21st - May 20th from 8:30am-10:00am

*No class March 11th

Ages: 3-5 Years Old

Cost: $60/month

What to Expect: Packer Play and Learn offers a dynamic preschool opportunity for your 3-5 year-old, where we partner with you to create a meaningful and enjoyable learning environment. Through a variety of engaging indoor and outdoor STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities, your child will develop essential social skills and foster independence.

To participate, children must be independently bathroom trained. While this is a child-only class, parent involvement is encouraged through various opportunities throughout the enrollment period.

Dates: January 23rd - May 22nd

Mondays AND Thursdays from 10:30-12:00

*No class February 17th, March 10th, March 13th, March 17th, and April 21st

Ages: Birth-5 Years Old

Cost: $60 per family

Separating

What to Expect: In this engaging class, parents and children will dive into a wide variety of activities tailored to the ages of the children enrolled and the unique interests of each family, ensuring a personalized experience for everyone.

This is a separating class, allowing children to explore independently while parents can enjoy discussions with interpreters.

Dates: Wednesdays, January 22nd - May 21st from 8:30am-10:00am

*No class March 12th

Ages: Birth-5 Years Old

Cost: $45 per family

Non Separating

What to Expect: Discover the joy of learning and play in our ECFE classroom and the great outdoors (weather permitting)! In this non-separating class, families will have the opportunity to meet new friends while engaging in a variety of activities, including music, art, science, stories, and imaginative play.

Join us for special parent time, where you can connect and share experiences with other families. This inclusive environment fosters community, creativity, and exploration for both children and parents.

Dates: Thursdays, January 23rd - May 22nd from 8:30-9:45

* No class March 15th

Ages: Birth-5 Years Old

Cost: $30 per family

Non Separating

What to Expect: Discover the joy of learning and play in our ECFE classroom and the great outdoors (weather permitting)! In this non-separating class, families will have the opportunity to meet new friends while engaging in a variety of activities, including music, art, science, stories, and imaginative play.

Join us for special parent time, where you can connect and share experiences with other families. This inclusive environment fosters community, creativity, and exploration for both children and parents.

Dates: Tuesdays in April from 5:30-6:45pm

April 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th

Age: Birth-5 Years Old

Cost: $20 per family

Non Separating

What to Expect: This is an engaging hands-on outdoor class at the Hormel Nature Center! Experience the captivating transition from winter to spring as we observe nature’s changes and have fun learning together outside. Dress for all types of Minnesota weather as you embrace the beauty of the seasons we encounter.

Dates: 1st Friday of Every Month from 11:00 am - 12 pm

February 7th, March 7th, April 4th, and May 2nd

Age: Birth-5 Years Old

Cost: $20 per family

Non Separating

What to Expect: Designed specifically for your child’s developmental stage, this engaging class encourages exploration of musical concepts and experimentation with a variety of instruments. Each session fosters creativity and curiosity in a playful, active learning environment, helping children develop essential school-readiness skills while having fun. Join us for a delightful musical journey where playtime meets learning, and watch your child thrive as they discover the joy of music!

Dates: 3rd Friday of Every Month from 9:00 am - 10:00 am

February 21st, March 21st, May 16th

*No class April 18th

Classes are held at MacPhail

Age: Birth-5 Years Old

Cost: $20 per family

Non Separating

What to Expect: Opportunity for families to stay and play together and with others in our gym area or outside when the weather cooperates. Movement activities will be available to learn, play and grow with.

Dates: 4th Friday of February, March, April and May from 10:00 am - 11:00 am

February 28th, March 28th, April 25th and May 23rd

Age: Birth-5 Years Old

Cost: FREE

Non Separating

What to Expect: Parents and children will enjoy singing songs, listening to delightful stories, learning finger plays, and participating in themed activities designed to foster early literacy skills.

Registration is not required, but we'd love to know you're coming! Please call 507-460-1700 to indicate your interest.

Come and explore the joy of reading and learning together!

Dates: Wednesdays from 12:15 pm-1:00 pm

January 22nd - May 21st

*No class March 12th

Classes are held at Austin Public Library

Cost: $20

What to Expect: This class captures the essence of parents sharing different parenting techniques and ideas with various children's books. We will look deeper into specific children's books as we talk together about how each book relates to our parenting style, family dynamics, temperaments and more. Parents Only.

Dates: 4th Thursday of Each Month from 5:00pm-6:00pm

January 23rd, February 27th, March 27th, April 24th

Do you have a 3-5 year old? Early Childhood Screening is a quick and simple check of how your child is growing and developing.

Screening can detect possible health or learning concerns so that children can get help before they start school.

For information on how to enroll for Early Childhood Screening please call 507-460-1700.

Are you new to the community and have young children? Was your baby born someplace other than the Austin Mayo Clinic? Do you have new neighbors with young children? We need your help!

ECFE funding depends upon having accurate information about the children, ages birth to kindergarten, who reside in our school district. Please call our office at 507-460-1709 so we can add the child's name to our census data.