ECFE Program Information
The 2025-2026 ECFE school year begins the week of September 8. Weekly classes meet through the week of May 4. ECFE has an extended winter break from December 15-January 2.
- About ECFE
- Location
- ECFE Class Format
- 25-26 ECFE Class Schedule
- Classes by Age
- Weekly Class Descriptions
- Short-Term Class Descriptions
- Drop-In Class Descriptions
- Sibling Care
- Class Fees
- Registration
- Parent Advisory Council
About ECFE
ECFE is for Everyone
ECFE is a place for families with children from birth to age 5 to grow together! We offer regular weekly classes, class series, and one-time classes. All parent-child classes include a discussion with a parent educator so that parents can learn alongside their children and offer each other ideas and support.
Why ECFE?
You are your child's first teacher, and ECFE can help you in this important work. At ECFE, licensed early childhood teachers and parent educators work to strengthen families and enhance the ability of all parents to provide the best possible environment for the healthy growth and development of their children.
All are welcome!
Throughout this online brochure the word "parent" is intended to be inclusive of any adult who has a role to play in a child's development. We welcome parents, grandparents, babysitters, and all caregivers who are interested in participating with a child in an ECFE class.
Location
ECFE Class Format
Each ECFE class may have a different daily schedule depending on student ages and staff, but all will incorporate these periods:
Explore Together
The teacher welcomes families into the classroom, which is prepared with a variety of age-appropriate activities around the room.
Circle Time
Families join in a circle on the floor, and the teacher leads the group in a welcome song. Other circle time activities may include stories, music, and movement.
Parenting
Parents participate in a group discussion with a licensed parent educator. The discussion focuses on topics related to both child and parent learning and allows time to connect with other parents of young children going through similar experiences. The location and length of the parent discussion is determined by the class category in Eleyo:
Non-separating: Parents stay in circle, and the children are encouraged to play in other areas of the classroom.
Gradual Separation: After beginning the year as non-separating, parents spend increasing amounts of time in the parenting room.
Separating: Parents say a quick goodbye to their children, then move to the parenting room where they enjoy a conversation led by the parent educator.
Free Play
While the parents participate in parent discussion, the children stay with their teacher and continue to learn through play. The teacher and paraprofessional encourage children to try a variety of activities. For separating classes, this is a time for your child to practice separation and learn to trust other adults.
Playground/Motor Room
Parents join their children, and the class moves either to the outdoor playground or the indoor gym (equipped with climber, swing, slide, and riding toys).
Goodbye
The teacher leads the group in a final song or game to mark the end of class.
25-26 ECFE Class Schedule
Classes by Age
Age limits are as of the first day of the class (not the first day of attendance). Students cannot age into a class midyear.
Weekly Class Descriptions
Weekly parent-child classes meet for the entire school year and are categorized based on the location/amount of time parents spend in discussion. ECFE follows the school district calendar for non-school days, but has a shorter school year. All age requirements are as of the start of class.
Non-Separating
Parent discussion with the parent educator takes place in the classroom.
Mixed Ages
birth-24 months
This evening mixed-ages class provides an opportunity for new parents and those of toddlers to share experiences and ideas.
Tots
6-18 months
As your infant grows into a toddler, they become more independent, curious, and interested in other children. In these classes, you and your child will have the opportunity for sensory play, socialization, songs, and movement.
Drop-In & Play
Explore with Baby
(see Drop-In Class Descriptions)
Specialty Classes
(see Short-Term Class Descriptions)
Gradual Separation
Begins non-separating, but parents increase time in another room as students grow more comfortable.
Tykes
16-30 months
Parents and tykes enjoy art, sensory, language, music, and other activities. Parent education begins in the classroom, but as children develop independence and trust in other adults, parents work towards full separation for parenting discussions.
Separating
Parents spend half of the class time in a parenting discussion in another room.
Twos
2-3 years
Art, sensory play, language, and games are the focus of this class as parents learn to support their child’s growing curiosity.
Mixed Ages
2-4 years
An evening mixed-ages group allows parents some one-on-one time with their child while also providing a parent discussion opportunity.
Parents & Preschoolers
2 1⁄2-4 years
Children work with parents and staff to build on their growing skills. Good for children who missed the age cut-off for 3-year-old preschool and are not ready to attend without a parent.
Young Explorers
(see Short-Term Class Descriptions)
Separating and Solo
One day is a separating parent-child class; for the second day (added in January) children attend alone
Step Up to Preschool
2 3⁄4-5 years
We start the year as a parent-child class on Thursdays only. After winter break we will transition to a Thursdays together/Fridays solo model. This class is a great option for students who haven't quite mastered toilet training by September or who have limited experience being away from their parent/caregiver. Students must be toilet trained to attend the solo day beginning in January.
We start the year as a parent-child class on Thursdays only. After winter break we will transition to a Thursdays together/Fridays solo model. This class is a great option for students who haven't quite mastered toilet training by September or who have limited experience being away from their parent/caregiver. Students must be toilet trained to attend the solo day beginning in January.
Short-Term Class Descriptions
Titles and dates listed here are tentative; Eleyo registration will have finalized information.
Young Explorers
2 1⁄2-4 years
3-week classes on Tuesdays from 1-2:30 pm, each exploring a specific theme. Register for one, two, or enjoy the entire series! Classes may include a special guest or field trip. Parent discussion takes place in a separate room and focuses on general joys and concerns.
Class |
Dates |
Description |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Young Farmers | Sept 16, 23, 30 |
|
||
| NEW! Young Performers | Oct 21, 28, Nov 4 | Bring out your inner superstar! We'll explore the arts and learn about music therapy. | ||
| Young Scientists | Nov 25, Dec 2, 9 | Opportunities for children to use their minds and hands to play, explore, and learn. What fun things will we create? | ||
| Young Chefs | Jan 20, 27, Feb 3 | We'll be whipping up a variety of recipes you can eat in the classroom and make again at home. | ||
| Young Helpers | Feb 17, 24, Mar 3 | We will discover the helpers in our community - police, fire fighters, postal workers, librarians - and get a chance to be helpers ourselves. | ||
| Young Bakers | Mar 31, Apr 7 | We will explore age-appropriate baking recipes without using an oven. | ||
| Young Gardeners | Apr 21, 28, May 5 |
|
Specialty Classes
1 1⁄2-4 years
On select Fridays from 11 am-12:30 pm, ECFE hosts special one-time classes. These non-separating classes will be organized around a variety of themes. These are terrific opportunities for grandma, uncle, or other special adult to bring a child to ECFE.
Class |
Date |
Description |
| Grandparents Class | Oct 3 | It's a day to celebrate the extra-special people in our lives. Invite your pop-pop or gamma to come to school with you! |
| Stories Come Alive | Oct 10 | We'll learn how to make a story jump off the page. |
| All About Art | Oct 24 | Come dressed for mess as we explore our artistic side. |
| Music & Movement | Nov 7 | We can make our own music, learning about rhythm and melody. |
| Fantasy & Pretend | Nov 14 | Pretend play is the best play! Who can we become? |
| Bakery Shop | Dec 5 |
Put on your chef's hat and get to mixing and kneading! |
ECFE On the Go
Classes that take place at community sites such as the Landings of Lexington or Centennial Square. Offered with interpreters as appropriate. No pre-registration required. Dates are publicized at the community site.
Drop-In Class Descriptions
We appreciate advance registration for these classes, but registration is not necessary and does not guarantee you a spot in the class.
Drop-In & Play
All families are welcome to Drop-In and Play any week! Enjoy sensory activities, music, art, gym/playground, and story time. Come when you can and leave when you like. No parenting discussion time; no sibling care.
Birth-5
$5/child or $10/family per session (no charge for infants)
Payment by credit card only; multi-visit punch cards available for purchase
no sibling care
Explore With Baby
Come any week to meet with other parents of babies and learn ways to help your baby grow while getting the support you need as a parent.
Birth-9 months at first attendance; once started, you are welcome to stay through the end of the school year
FREE
Sibling Care
Sibling care is available for children ages 3 months to 5 years whose parent/caregiver is in class with a sibling. Not every class has sibling care available; see notations on 25-26 ECFE Class Schedule above.
Sibling care provides a safe, supervised environment for children while a parent is in class with a sibling. Our sibling care workers are paraprofessionals with child care experience. Space is limited.
Infants up to three months of age will stay with their parent in class. If you are expecting and will need childcare later in the school year, please let us know as soon as possible.
The cost for sibling care is 1/3 of your class fee, and can be paid annually or monthly. See Class Fees section below. If you are planning to use sibling care, you must register your child(ren) by adding sibling care to your class enrollment.
Class Fees
Fees below are for the year-long weekly classes unless otherwise noted in class descriptions above.
ECFE offers class fees on a sliding scale based on household income. Fees are based on the number of class sessions in the year. Refunds are not given for classes missed due to weather, illness, family vacations, etc. Fees may be paid annually or in 9 installments via credit card or electronic transfer from a bank account. The annual fee or first monthly installment will be charged at the time of class placement. Additional monthly installments are charged on the first of each month, September-April.
No family is turned away because of an inability to pay! Call our office at 763-792-6120 for information.
Payments through Eleyo will appear on statements as “BCS Centennial Community Ed"
Registration
Registration for the ECFE school year begins May 15. All registrations received by 11:59 pm on May 31 will be entered in the class placement lottery to be held on June 1. After the lottery, registration remains open for remaining seats and non-weekly classes. No new enrollments for weekly classes after March 1.
Registration does NOT guarantee class placement. If you register after a class has filled you will be placed on the waitlist, and we will contact you to discuss options. Your child must be the appropriate age by September 1 of the school year to be registered for a weekly class. Note that some classes have their own age restrictions as listed in class description. In order to serve as many families as possible, children are not allowed to register in more than one weekly class. (This limitation does not include short-term or drop-in classes).
You will receive a confirmation email that your registration was submitted. If you do not receive this email, your registration is incomplete. Please log back in and confirm that you have completed all the necessary fields.
Register by phone or in person
You may contact us at 763-792-6120 to register beginning May 15. You are also welcome to stop by our office to register in person
Parent Advisory Council
New members are always welcome!
The ECFE Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of Early Childhood parents who provide input for the program, help plan fun family events, and assist with program fundraising. Each year PAC raises thousands of dollars for Early Childhood programs and activities through the annual Truck Day fundraiser. PAC meetings are held monthly at the Early Childhood Center. Free child care and snacks are provided. If you are interested in joining PAC, contact PAC liaison Amanda Baumann at 763-792-6137 or abaumann@isd12.org for more information.
