Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a program for all Minnesota families with children from birth through third grade. ECFE is based on the idea that the family provides a child’s first and most significant learning environment, and that parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. The goal of ECFE is to enhance the ability of all parents to provide the best possible environment for their child’s learning and growth.

Our Mission

At Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), we are dedicated to fostering community, building meaningful connections, and empowering confidence among parents and caregivers of children from birth to age five. We recognize that raising young children is a transformative journey, and we are here to walk alongside you—offering support, guidance, and encouragement in your important role as a parent, grandparent, or caregiver.

We believe strong families build strong communities, and our programs are designed to support both children and adults as they learn, grow, and thrive together.

What to Expect at an ECFE Class

When you arrive at an ECFE class, our staff will warmly welcome you. The room is thoughtfully prepared with themed activities designed to engage young learners through play, exploration, and connection.

Each class typically includes three components:

• Parent & Child Time: Families come together to explore crafts, activities, and open-ended play that support early learning and connection.
• Circle Time: A shared group experience that may include stories, songs, movement, or short activities designed to build early literacy and social skills.
• Parent Discussion Time: While children enjoy supervised play and snack time in a separate space, parents meet with our trained parent educator to discuss topics such as sleep routines, tantrums, potty training, and other early childhood experiences. This time also provides space to connect with other parents, share experiences, and build community.

Our goal is to provide both practical strategies and meaningful support so families feel confident and connected throughout the early childhood years.

Family Events

Each month, we host a special ECFE Family Event designed for all families in the community with young children—regardless of whether they are enrolled in ECFE classes.

These events are created to:

• Strengthen parent and child relationships
• Support healthy early childhood development through play-based activities
• Build community by connecting families with young children
• Provide fun, engaging experiences for the whole family

Older siblings are always welcome, making ECFE Family Events a great opportunity for the entire family to learn, play, and connect together.

At ECFE, we are here to support you in every step of your parenting journey—because you are your child’s first and most important teacher.