What is Early Childhood Family Education?
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is based on the idea that parents provide their child’s first and most significant learning environment and parents are children’s first and most enduring teachers. ECFE works to support you as a parent/caregiver and to strengthen and empower families. The goal is to enhance the ability of all parents and other family members to provide the best possible environments for their child’s learning and development.
Early Learning at Washburn believes in supporting the development of children starting at birth through a partnership model with families and caregivers. ECFE staff design classes and opportunities for families to learn together as we support the learning of children from birth to starting kindergarten.
Play is the central work of learning. In ECFE, we have designed programming to help your child develop in all areas of learning. Each classroom is set up for child focused learning using state standards and taught by our licensed teachers.
All families are welcome. No one will be denied participation due to inability to pay.
ECFE Classes
Registration for 2025-26 ECFE classes is open now. Browse through the Early Learning at Washburn catalog to see what ECFE classes we have to offer. Click the Register button for each of the classes you’re interested in to learn more and sign up.
What to Expect in ECFE Classes
Classes include learning for everyone! Every class provides learning for both children and parents/caregivers.
- A licensed early childhood teacher and paraprofessional are with your child the whole class time. Each classroom is designed to provide learning toys and materials that are just right for your child’s age and development.
- Your child’s teacher will provide learning activities and experiences that support the Minnesota state standards for children ages birth to five years old.
- Whether your ECFE class is a separating class or a class with gradual separation, each class has time for parent education and a time for parent/child learning activities.
Come join your community in raising children who are excited to explore, build friendships, and learn at every age.
One-on-One Parent Coaching
Sometimes there are parenting, behavior, routine or developmental issues that need individual attention beyond the time allotted in your ECFE class. We offer no-cost, confidential, one-on-one coaching to all Bloomington families with children ages birth through five years. A parent can request to meet individually with a licensed parent educator to learn more about a topic, problem-solve an issue, or find resources. These appointments can be by phone, email, a home visit, virtual meeting, or in person at one of our schools. *Available September through May.
Contact
952-681-5500 - English
952-681-6219 - Español
952-681-6412 - Soomaali
Early Learning at Washburn
8401 Xerxes Ave. S
Bloomington, MN 55431
