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Early Childhood Programming

Early Childhood Family Education is a MN State funded educational program for families with children from birth to 5 (not yet in kindergarten). ECFE helps parents support their child's growth and development. Classes are taught by licensed early childhood teachers and licensed parent educators. 

Winter/Spring ECFE Registration

The lottery for registration for winter/spring 2023 classes takes place November 28 - December 9. Lottery placement will be conducted on Monday, December 12. After that time, we will continue to take registrations on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register  View Catalog EARLY LEARNING Winter/Spring 2023 CATALOG PDF

Fall 2023 ECFE Registration

The fall class schedule is coming soon! Early Bird registration will take place June 5-16 with lottery class placement happening on June 19. Fall semester dates are September 11, 2023 - January 26, 2024.
 

Drop-In Play Sessions

Drop-In Play sessions provide the opportunity for you and your child(ren) to pop in for some parent/child ECFE fun. Most sessions are weekly and run from September through May based on the ECFE program calendar. Registration is not required and sessions are free. Space is limited to 14 children per session. For ages birth - 5 years old.

LIBERTY RIDGE SITE 2 - 11283 EAGLE VIEW BLVD., WOODBURY, MN

  • Mondays 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. 
  • Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
  • Fridays 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

DROP-IN PLAY WILL NOT OCCUR ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:
Jan. 23-30; Feb. 20; March 6-13; April 7, April 21, May 29

Parent/Baby Connection Drop-In (FREE)

In this free, drop-in style class, you will be able to connect with other new parents, ask questions and share ideas related to adjusting to a new baby, feeding, sleeping and more.  For more information or the link to join the virtual class, please call the Early Learning office at 641-452-7181.

LIBERTY RIDGE SITE 2 - 11283 EAGLE VIEW BLVD., WOODBURY, MN

  • Mondays 12:30-2:00 p.m. - ages birth - 4 months
  • Mondays 4:15-5:30 p.m. - ages 3-12 months

VIRTUAL

  • Tuesdays 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - ages birth - 4 months
  • Tuesdays 4:15-5:15 p.m. - ages 3-12 months

Contact

Katie Van Overmeiren
Enrollment
651-425-7181

kvanover@sowashco.org

Beth Quist
Site Coordinator
Liberty Ridge Site 2
651-425-7163

bquist@sowashco.org

Ann Mockenhaupt
Site Coordinator
District Program Center
651-425-6636

amockenh@sowashco.org

Joyce Beaird
Early Learning Family
Services Manager
651-425-7169

jbeaird@sowashco.org

Office Hours:
7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

ECFE Classes and Activities

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Early Learning Blog

Along with the joy of becoming a parent comes a lot of questions about raising a child. It can be hard to find answers and information. Our Early Learning blog can provide the information you seek. Written by one of our own ECFE Licensed Parent Educators, each blog offers insight into child development, parenting strategies, and other important topics that can support parents during their parenting journey. View our extensive blog library of topics as well as our most recent post below:

Embrace Your Child's Uniqueness

From the time we learn that we are about to become a parent, most of us start to think about or wonder what our child will be like. We might develop a picture in our minds of who our children will be as they grow. We might wonder whom our child will take after, what they will like/dislike, and much more. The reality is that once our child has arrived, we might quickly learn that they are their own unique person. No two kids are exactly the same. As parents, one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to embrace and encourage our child’s uniqueness. This of course is not nearly as easy as it sounds.

Overwhelmed with Parenting? Strategies to Ease the Pressure

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” This is true and something parents should keep in mind as they parent their children and not compare them to other children. We also need to hold this truth in our hearts as we look at other families and parents. It can be so tempting to look at another parent and think, “How can they be so put together?” or “They have it all figured out.” Meanwhile, you feel like you are drowning and barely making it through the day. The reality is that most parents feel this way at some point. Some of us might feel it a little more often while others might just be better at hiding it.

It's Ok Not to Love Every Moment!

“Enjoy this time. Before you know it, they will be grown, and you will miss this” “This time goes by so fast. Enjoy every moment!” “I just loved every moment of parenting my kids. You better enjoy this time because it will be over before you know it.” Have you heard these messages or something like them before? It is common for parents to be told to enjoy every moment of being a parent because as the saying goes, “the days are long, but the years are short.” And this is true, but what is not true is that we must enjoy every moment of being a parent

Parent Resources