- Community Education
- ECFE
Early Childhood Family Education
-
Building Blocks for Family & School Success
Are you pregnant or have a child who hasn't started kindergarten yet? Are you looking for something fun to do with your child to wear off energy and talk with other adults? Register for a class today and experience the joy Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes bring to hundreds of families in our community!
ECFE is a Community Education program that offers fun, educational classes for caregivers and children to attend together. Most classes meet once a week and include:
-
Family Time: families enjoy a safe classroom filled with developmentally-appropriate learning activities, such as art, blocks, puppets and sensory play. A portion of this time is spent in “circle time” where parents, children and teachers come together to sing, read and participate in literacy-rich music and movement activities.
-
Adult Discussion: adults join together for a discussion group led by a licensed parent educator. Each session, joys and concerns are shared, in addition to topics pertaining to child development. Depending on the class, discussions occur either within the classroom (non-separating) or in a nearby parent education room (separating).
-
Children’s Time: while parents are in discussion, children participate in child-directed play-based activities facilitated by a licensed Early Childhood teacher. Teachers prepare the classrooms using developmentally-appropriate, research-based curriculum that focuses on meeting each child’s individual needs and development.
Fall classes typically run from September to December, and Spring classes typically run from January to May. We also have numerous special events held throughout the year. Our classes fill up fast, so make sure to register early! Check out our current class offerings on our registration site, Eleyo, or by viewing our most recent class catalog.
-
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What if I can't afford classes?
No one is turned away due to an inability to pay. We offer a sliding scale discount based on household income and family size, scholarships, and payment plans. Please give us a call to discuss your needs and ways we can help.
-
What if I have multiple children?
Depending on the class, all children within a class's age range can attend. Class prices are per family, not per person. If you want to spend quality time with one child in an ECFE class, we offer sibling child care. Simply indicate that sibling care is needed during registration.
-
What is your immunization policy?
Minnesota law requires that all children be immunized before entering school, including ECFE and Little Learners Preschool classes. Up-to-date immunizations must be submitted to ECFE before your child attends classes.
-
Where are ECFE classes held?
Classes are held in the early childhood wing at Liberty Elementary School located at 17901 205th Avenue in Big Lake.

ECFE Staff
-
Phone: 763-262-3233
Email: earlychildhood@biglakeschools.org
Early Childhood Coordinator: Sarah Fritsch
763-262-8128
Early Childhood Secretary: Jeanne Freichels
Teachers: Sarah Fritsch, Molly Ripp , Sara Golder, Heather Kittridge