Early Childhood Family Education

You are your child’s first and most important teacher! Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes help you be the best parent you can be. ECFE classes are designed for you and your child age birth to five. ECFE is unique to Minnesota and is a program of Eden Prairie Schools Community Education. Our Early Childhood Family Educators work hard to provide program options that allow for safe learning, connection and quality age appropriate content whether in person or virtually.

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) registration
for the 2024-25 school year is now open!

ECFE 2024-25 Catalog Click here to Register

ECFE Courses

0-1 Babies

Young Infants

Did you have a baby in the last 6 months? We would love to meet you and walk with you during your child’s early months. Come join other parents with little ones and feel the support that comes from talking with others, gaining education, and beginning to develop your village!

Small Wonders

Enjoy this relaxing, informative class for children who are less than one year old. This class is designed to be your time to slow down, enjoy your little one and develop a supportive network with other parents. Parents and children enjoy songs, puppets, musical instruments and other fun activities in our bright and baby-safe classroom. A knowledgeable parent educator will lead interactive discussions on feeding, sleeping, safety, brain development, balancing your life as a new parent and more. Non-Separating

Select your class based on your child’s age as of September 1, 2024.

Contact:
Holly Chester (Holly_Chester@edenpr.k12.mn.us, 952-975-7289)

Feel free to check out the teacher's website here.

1 Year Olds

Tiny Explorers

Toddlers grow, change and try new things at a rapid pace. Join this class where eager students turn a whirl of activity into learning that inspires confidence. You will learn songs, games, stories and activities to extend your child’s learning at home. There will be parent discussion time to explore what is behind your toddler’s endless energy and enthusiasm. Child-Led Separation.

The curriculum covered will have some repetition from prior short-term sessions and will focus on each child/family's needs.

Select your class based on your child’s age as of September 1, 2024.

2 Year Olds

Movers and Shakers

Two year old's use experimentation to help interpret their world. Join this class and watch your child explore every learning opportunity with curiosity and passion. Children will practice social skills such as taking turns, listening to the teacher and following in line while experiencing a fun and loving classroom environment. Parents will meet and discuss topics like healthy eating habits, toilet training and how to set limits with love. Enjoy parent/child time including songs, activities and games that will help your child thrive in every way. Relax and enjoy the parent support and discussion time while building a network of friends for your child and family. Separating.

*Please note that short-term sessions may not separate. Separation is not our first priority due to the variety of experience and age range of the children. The curriculum covered will have some repetition from prior short-term sessions and will focus on each child/family's needs.

Select your classes based on your child’s age as of September 1, 2024.

Feel free to check out the teacher's website here.

3 and 4 Year Olds

Little Learners

Three and four year old's are excited to explore the world and meet new friends! The preschool years are full of discovery, but can also be a parenting challenge. Your child will build positive self esteem, confidence and independence while they are in the classroom with the early childhood teacher. Parents will spend time with a licensed parent educator and other parents to support one another and learn more strategies for successful and effective parenting. Separating.

Ready for preschool now? We have many great options for 3s and 4s in Little Eagles Preschool!

Select your class based on your child’s age as of September 1, 2024.

Multiple Ages

Daddy & Me

This class provides time for interactions between dad and child or children. Boost your parent bond through planned activities, circle time, music, gym time and more. Relax and enjoy the parent discussion time while building a network of friends for your child and family. Separating.

For children ages 1 to 4 years old by September 1, 2024.

Fantastic Fridays

Register weekly for indoor exploring time in the Historic Gym with a children's teacher and parent educator in this non-separating class. Children birth to 5 are welcome and each week will bring new activities. Weekly registration opens on Saturday for the upcoming week.

Weekly registration required. Cost: $5/child, $10/family

Outdoor Learning

Outdoor experiences naturally provide children with opportunities to develop their whole selves while also learning hands-on about the world around them. Children’s free time outside dropped by 38% between 1979 and 1999. “Unstructured” outdoor play today amounts to only about 30 minutes per week for each of our children. That’s barely 4 minutes per day.

Research shows that when children have outdoor experience in nature, they are happier, healthier and do better in school. It also improves learners’ attention, levels of stress, self-discipline, interest and enjoyment in learning and physical activity and fitness. (Jeffers Foundation)

ECFE Outdoor Learning/Nature-based play, will include but not limited to the following: digging holes, exploring, building stick forts, daydreaming in your secret spot or just “mucking around” in the woods. Class will happen all Fridays ECFE is in session, no matter the weather. Please dress for the weather and the bugs! Free class, no registration required!

There are two sessions to choose from! Classes will be held Mondays 3:30–4:30 p.m. and Fridays 12-1 p.m. at Cedar Ridge Outdoor Learning area. The address is 8905 Braxton Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55347.
*Park in the general parking lot and walk to the left side of the building to the sign for Outdoor Learning and the path into the woods.

Call 952-975-7200 with questions.

Outreach Classes - FREE

Outreach Classes

Early Childhood Family Education is a wonderful resource for Eden Prairie families. Finances or transportation should not be a barrier for families interested in learning more about how to best support your child's growth and development. In an effort to make ECFE classes available to all families, we host outreach classes that are taught throughout the community which includes time to connect with Early Childhood staff and parent educators.

Please note - we only have space for each family to enroll in ONE section of Outreach. To enroll in a class, you must be a resident of the complex.

A daily outreach schedule typically looks like this:

Parent-child interaction time
Instructor-led group activity (such as a song, story, etc.)
Storytime with a small snack provided
Parent session led by a licensed parent educator while the children are guided through an activity by a licensed early childhood instructor

Current Locations:

Briarhill Apartments (Residents Only)
7025 Woodland Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55346
Prairie Meadows
The Preserve Barn (Priority to Residents)
11221 Anderson Lakes Pkwy.
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Classes are held throughout the school year. A detailed schedule is available at class. Pre-registration is requested. Additional outreach locations may be added throughout the year. Check our website to learn more!

Register for FREE online at www.edenpr.org/epcommunityed or call 952-975-6940.

Family School

Our Family School program offers free English classes for adults, Little Eagles preschool for 3 and 4 year olds, and an infant and toddler classroom for younger children or children 5 and under who are not enrolled in preschool. Adult English classes are provided by Metro South Adult Basic Education, and children's classes are staffed by early childhood educators. For the 2021-2022 school year, Family School will take place in person during the mornings. Preschoolers who are 3 year old by September 1, 2021 attend morning classes at Lower Campus Preschool Center. Preschoolers who are 4 years old by September 1, 2021 attend morning preschool at your assigned elementary school. Adults and any other children 5 and under who are not enrolled in preschool will attend classes two days a week at Lower Campus Early Childhood Center. Adult classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays or on Tuesdays and Thursdays, depending on your English level.

If you see a note that this class is full, please enroll anyway. Everyone who enrolls in the class will be on the waitlist until we receive a test score from Metro South ABE and place you in a specific class section.

Family School is a collaboration between Eden Prairie Schools Community Education and our partner Metro South ABE. Metro South is partially funded with a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using state and/or federal funding, Minnesota Statute Section 124D.522 and/or CFDA 84.002, Adult Basic Education-Grants to States.

Parenting Classes- Virtual and In Person

Join a virtual class with other parents to learn and discuss topics of interest.
Choose from:

Emotion Coaching for Parents

This five-week online class will focus on parent’s role in supporting their child’s emotional growth and intelligence. Using research from Gottman Institute, “Emotion Coaching: the Heart of Parenting”, we will discuss and explore the five-step method that builds emotional intelligence and creates positive, long-lasting effects for children from toddlers to teens. Class Zoom links will be sent via email upon registration.

Mindful Parenting

In this five-week virtual class we will discuss ways to be a more mindful parent, learning how to respond rather than react in stressful parenting situations. Mindful parenting means that you bring your conscious attention to what’s happening, instead of getting hijacked by your emotions. Managing our own emotions and behaviors is the key to teaching kids how to manage theirs. Parenting young children is difficult, let’s support each other and learn skills to be more mindful of our responses to our children. Class Zoom links will be sent via email upon registration.

Positive Solutions for Families

Are you struggling to get your child to listen, follow directions or manage their big emotions? Are you ready to learn some new strategies that will help you gain cooperation and connect with your child? Join us for this 9-week parent only on-line class that will give you the opportunity to reflect, create a plan and practice new strategies in a safe environment with other parents. Class Zoom links will be sent via email upon registration.

Participate in a one-day session, offered three times a year,
to learn how to support kindergarten readiness:

READY! for Kindergarten

In person- Register online under "Parent Education"

READY! for Kindergarten is a nationally recognized program that has been shown to give parents and caregivers the skills and tools to help children enter kindergarten at or above grade level. This class will include training for parents on reading, writing, math and social-emotional skills that children need to thrive in school and is taught by a licensed early childhood parent educator. Every family that attends a READY! for Kindergarten session receives a high-quality collection of learning tools to further their child's progress towards school readiness. Additionally, there is a fall, winter, and spring session and each session offers new content and new toys, so register for all three sessions!

The session is for the parent/caregiver ONLY. Please register yourself for the class and include any additional adults that will be attending with you. Childcare is available while parents are in the training session. Advance registration is required.

Please note: READY! for Kindergarten is funded through a grant from The Foundation For Eden Prairie Schools (FEPS) and is only offered at no cost to Eden Prairie residents who meet the income requirement.

This is a professional development opportunity for educators and caregivers to earn CEU credits, as well as for parents.

Join a 10-week class with other parents to connect and discuss challenges of parenting a preschooler:

FREE! Parents of Preschoolers

In person - Register online under "Parent Education"

Do you have a preschool aged child and would like support with parenting your preschooler? Join other parents in a Parent-Educator led class to share the joys and challenges that come with this stage! This adult only class provides education, connection and strategies to support your child on the topics of development, cooperation, communication, problem solving, emotional intelligence, and more.

Held in person at the Community Education Building, 8100 School Road. FREE for adults with preschool age children. Parents of all preschoolers (not just Little Eagles families) are welcome! This class is free, but registration is required. Sibling care available for an additional fee.

For Parents

Group Parent Education

In person- Register online under "Parent Education"

Invite 6 - 12 of your friends to your home for an hour-long personalized parent education session. Together with early childhood professional, you will choose a date, time and topic for your group. Staff will bring materials and facilitate a discussion. Fee is $75 per session.

For more information, email Kathy_Matthews@edenpr.org.

Parent Resources

In person- Register online under "Parent Education"

Do you have questions about tantrums, sibling relationships, bedtime routines, healthy eating, or developmental milestones? Schedule a confidential one-on-one consultation with an experienced parent educator who will connect with you by phone, email, at home, or at one of our locations. This consultation is free to all Eden Prairie families with children ages birth through 5 years old. Parents of a K-12 child may also request a consultation for a $35 per hour fee.

For more information, email Kathy_Matthews@edenpr.org.

Community Resources

If your family has a need, reach out to Family Resources! Family Resources connects families with community resources for things such as financial assistance, childcare, school supplies, transportation, and literacy/translation needs.

For more information, call or Reta_Johnson@edenpr.org or 952-975-7030

What You Need To Know

ECFE FAQ

What can I expect at a typical ECFE class?

Parent-Child Activity: Time for you and your child to learn and play together, with songs, stories, and developmentally appropriate activities you can do at home.

Parent Discussion: Spend time with other parents discussing the joys and challenges of parenting while learning effective, research-based parenting strategies. A licensed parent educator will guide the discussion and share information about child development.

Children's Learning Time: In classes where children and parents separate for the parent discussion, children will stay with licensed early childhood teachers. Children will learn social-emotional skills while playing and learning with other children.

When do ECFE classes start and end?

Where are classes held?

What is a non-separating class?

Do you have a new baby?

Registration FAQ

ECFE Class Fees for 2024-25
ECFE classes are priced on a sliding fee scale based on your household income. Payment for 1 time classes and seasonal classes are made in full at time of registration.

Yearly Household Income	Year-Long Class Fee	Seasonal Class Fee	One-Time Class Fee	Sib Care Year-Long Class Fee	Sib Care Seasonal Class Fee	Sib Care One-Time Class Fee
$130,000 and Above	$595	$198	$20	$298	$99	$10
$100,000-$129,999	$567	$189	$17.50	$284	$95	$9
$80,000-$99,999	$485	$162	$15	$243	$81	$8
$60,000-$79,999	$406	$135	$12.50	$203	$68	$7
$40,000-$59,999	$312	$104	$10	$164	$55	$6
Under $40,000	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0

Preschool Class Fee
There is a $100 non-refundable registration fee for school-year preschool classes. There is a $20 processing fee for classroom changes. Payments are billed on the 1st of the month from September to May.

Birth Date Guidelines
For both ECFE and preschool classes, please select your class based on your child's age by Sept. 1 of that current school year. This age requirement aligns with district kindergarten age requirements.

Birth Certificate
A copy of your child’s birth certificate is required for any child participating in ECFE or preschool. They can be emailed to ComEd@edenpr.org or dropped off at the Lower Campus Early Childhood office.

Immunization Law
All students in Minnesota must have immunizations up-to-date and on record with the school before the child starts class. Click here to download the immunization forms.

Photos and Video Policy
Class participants in our programs may be photographed and filmed for marketing purposes (e.g., website, social media, catalog and flyers). If you would prefer not to have you or your child photographed or filmed please email comed@edenpr.org after registering.

Cancellation Policy for ECFE
If you need to cancel, please notify us at; 952-975-6940 and we will refund your tuition minus a $5 processing fee. No refunds will be given on or after the starting date of class for ECFE.; For year-long ECFE classes, refunds will not be given after class starts, but further installment payments will not be charged.

Cancellation Policy for Preschool
Any changes to the child’s schedule, including withdrawal from the program, must be given 10 business days prior to when the change is needed. If notice is not given, two weeks of tuition will be charged to the account. A $20 processing fee is charged for all cancellations and classroom changes. No refunds are given for emergency or weather closings or for days missed due to illness or vacation. Please note, the ($75) registration fee is non-refundable.

Cancelled Classes
Classes may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment up to one week before classes begin. Full refunds will be issued.

Registration Checklist

✓ Complete registration online or in person.

✓ Pay non-refundable registration fee ($75 for Preschool only).

✓ Submit copy of immunization form.

✓ Submit copy of birth certificate.

THE EASIEST WAY TO REGISTER IS ONLINE!
We have one convenient place to register for all Community Education programs from early childhood through adult classes! Create an account to register yourself and your family members for a class or activity. The registration site makes it easy for you to register for a class, make a payment, and manage your account all in one convenient place.

To register, please follow these easy steps:

Go to www.edenpr.org and click on “Register” in the menu bar.
Click on “Sign In.”
If needed, then create an account and fill in your personal information.
After this step, you will be able to add family members to your family profile. You are now ready to register online.

**Computers and iPads are available at Lower Campus Early Childhood and Community Education Office for registration.**

Haddi aad ubaahan tahay caawinaad af Somali so wac 952-975-7254.

Early Childhood PTO (EC PTO)

The Early Childhood PTO is for early childhood and Little Eagles programming. It is very easy to be a part of our group. There is no membership process and no requirement to attend meetings. In a nutshell, it's a group for parents and guardians to connect and learn more about early childhood while also supporting the programming through fundraisers and grants.

Participants are connected to the Early Childhood PTO in other ways have a channel to make their voice heard, weigh in on Early Childhood and Family Education (ECFE) and Little Eagles planning and programming, participate in organizing and promoting school fundraisers and help organize and vote in the annual Advisory Council Grant Program for ECFE and Little Eagles teachers. Meeting attendees also hear from educators, District Superintendent, or legislators throughout the year as well.

Because the Early Childhood PTO is always evolving and transforms to best serve the needs of parent participants each year, it's hard to summarize the group's purpose and activities. We encourage you to attend an upcoming meeting to learn more in person!

Have questions? Email us at epecpto@gmail.com.

Early Childhood Family Education

Quick Links