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Early Childhood
Course Category
About Early Childhood

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes are a unique parent-child education program. Weekly classes have three parts:

1) LEARNING TOGETHER - During the first half-hour of class, choose from many planned activities designed just for you and your child in the early childhood classroom. Learn new ideas for activities to do at home.

2) PURPOSEFUL PLAY FOR CHILDREN - The remaining portion of class is designed for children to learn through play with their peers. All children benefit from the guidance of a licensed early childhood teacher and experienced educational assistant. The goal is to help children develop a healthy self-concept and a love for learning.

3) CONNECTING WITH OTHERS - While children are learning with their teachers, parents join together in an informal group setting for a discussion led by a licensed parent educator. The group discusses current family topics; they share ideas, learn more about their child's development and benefit from feeling connected to other parents.

For more information about ECFE, call the Early Childhood Office at Shirley Hills Primary School at 952.491.8480 or email the Program Coordinator at grimms@westonka.k12.mn.us.

All ECFE classes are located in the Educational Service Center, 5901 Sunnyfield Road East, Minnetrista, 55364.  You will enter through the lower level of the building.

Featured Courses

  • Early Learning | Early Childhood Play Time at the Westonka Activity Center

    Early Childhood Play Time at the Westonka Activity Center Join our weekly ECFE classes for playtime at the WAC. Sign up for any or all of the following dates. We ask that you list your child’s names and ages when registering. Fridays; 1/10, 1/31, 2/14, 2/28, 3/14, 4/4, 4/18 $8 per family 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Westonka Activity Center #0593-D24F January 10 #0593-E25W January 31 #0593-F25W February 14 #0593-G25W February 28 #0593-H25W March 14 #0593-I25W April 4 #0593-J25W April 18 #0593-L25W All Winter/Spring Dates (includes all of the above dates )
  • Early Learning | ECFE Summer Camp (Ages birth to 5 and caregiver)

    ECFE Summer Camp Ages birth to five and caregiver Outdoor learning and activity fun are the main focus of this class. Join us outside as we pretend to camp, ride our bikes, play with chalk and do all the things we love to do outside in the summer. Each class you will meet the ECFE staff outside in our nature based play area where we will play and learn, we encourage you to wear your play clothes. In the case of inclement weather, class will move indoors to the ECFE classrooms. We hope your family will come join us at camp this summer! We are offering three sessions this summer -- please sign up for the session that works best for your family: (please list each child and their ages when registering) ECFE Summer Camp Tuesdays, June 3 - 24 Educational Service Center | Suite E (lower level, enter thru east side of building) 9:30 - 10:45 am #0591-A25S $60/family rate ECFE Summer Camp Wednesdays, June 4 - 25 Educational Service Center | Suite E (lower level, enter thru east side of building) 9:00 - 10:15 am #0591-B25S $60/family rate ECFE Summer Camp Wednesdays, June 5 - 26 Educational Service Center | Suite E (lower level, enter thru east side of building) 10:30 - 11:45 am #0591-C25S $60/family rate