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 Dates: January 2nd - May 17th

Location: Southgate Elementary (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 three 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

Being a parent is a time of excitement and wonder. This class will include adjustments to parenting, attachment, sleep, feeding, play and development. Dates: Mondays, January 8th - May 13th from 11:00am-12:00pm

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

Ages: 11-23 Months

Cost: $60 per family

Young toddlers love to play and explore as long as parents are near. The ECFE room offers lots of fun opportunities for exploration and discovery. Children learn through play while you discuss toddler parenting topics in another part of the room. This is a

non-separating class.

Dates: Mondays, January 8th - May 13th from 8:30am-9:45am

Ages: 24-35 months

Cost: $60 per family

Two-year old's are filled with wonder and excitement. Explore fun and creative ways to enjoy parenting and playing with your children. Parent education time takes place in a separate room and will include topics chosen by the parents. This is a separating class.

Dates: Tuesdays, January 2nd-May 14th from 8:30am-10:00am

Ages: 24-47 months

Cost: $60 per family

Ready, Set Grow! Learn social skills through play and develop fine and gross motor skills with circle time fun and creative arts. The most important lesson you and your child will leave with is a love for learning through play! Parent education time takes place in a separate room and will include topics chosen by the parents. This is a separating class.
Dates: Tuesdays, January 2nd-May14th from 8:30am-10:00am

Ages: 3-5

Cost: $60/month

Dates: Tuesdays AND Thursdays from 10:30-12:00

January 9th - May 16th

Packer Play and Learn is a brand new ECFE preschool opportunity for your 3-5 year old. Let us partner with you to offer your child a meaningful and fun learning opportunity. Social skills and independence will grow through a variety of engaging outdoor and indoor STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) experiences. Children must be independently bathroom trained.

Parent participation will be expected through a variety of opportunities as part of this enrollment.

This is a child only class (parents do not stay).

Ages: Birth-5 Years Old

Cost: $60 per family

Parents and children will explore a wide variety of activities together to stimulate all senses. Class activities will be designed around the ages of the children enrolled and the interests of the families. This is a separating class with interpreters.

Dates: Thursdays, January 4th-May16th from 8:30am-10:00am

Ages: Birth-5 Years Old

Cost: $30 per family

Discover fun in the ECFE classroom and great outdoors (weather permitting). Meet new friends and join us for music, art, science, story, play and parent time! This is a non-separating class.

Dates: Thursdays, March 21st - May 16th 4:00pm-5:15pm

Age: Birth-5 Years Old

Cost: $20 per family

Time: 8:30 am - 9:30 am

2nd Friday of each Month

January 12th, February 9th, March 8th, April 12th and May 10th

Parents can participate in person or via Microsoft TEAMS for parent discussion. Coffee and tea will be available for parents in person.

This is a time for your child to explore the ECFE classroom while you enjoy some time with other parents and our Parent Educator in discussing important topics to your child's development.

Age: Birth-5 Years Old

Cost: $20 per family

Time: 9:30 am - 10:30 am

1st Friday of each Month

January 5th, February 2nd, March 1st, April 5th and May 3rd

This multi-age experience for families promotes music awareness and appreciation through the various integrated arts activities based on seasonal themes. Classes will be held at the MacPhail Center for Music and taught by a MacPhail staff member.

Age: Birth-5 Years Old

Cost: $20 per family

Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am

4th Friday of each Month

January 26th, February 23rd, March 22nd, April 26th and May 17th*

Observe the seasonal changes from winter to spring. Discover the great outdoors during each class. Dress for all kinds of Minnesota weather! Classes are held at the Hormel Nature Center.

Parent Only Class

Cost: $20 per family

Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm

3rd Tuesday of each Month

January 16th, February 20th, March 19th, April 16th and May 14th

Child Care is provided. Registration for child care is required when signing up for the class. Please call our office at 507.460.1700 to register for child care.

Are you looking for new ways to respond to your child's challenging behaviors? Do you need ideas on how to help your child follow directions and household rules? Do you you want to create a positive relationship with your child? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then the Positive Solutions workshop series may be for you!

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.