EARLY CHILDHOOD FAMILY EDUCATION

SERVES CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO 5 YEARS

A Community Education program of the Bloomington and Richfield public schools. The Center's mission is to strengthen families through quality education and support in parenting and parent-child relationships. At the Family Center, we focus on both parents and kids and know that a parent is a child's first and most important teacher!

The Center provides classes, programs, and services for families with young children from birth to kindergarten age. Quality educational childcare is provided on site, for a small fee, for siblings not enrolled in classes. The Family Center operates on a sliding fee scale; no one is turned away for inability to pay.

EARLY CHILDHOOD FAMILY EDUCATION  ECFE classes help parents meet the challenges of parenting and help young children (birth to 5 years) develop socially, physically, emotionally, and intellectually.  The program sets the stage for parent involvement and children's success in school while strengthening the parent-child relationship. Over 70 ECFE classes a week are offered at three sites, mornings, evenings and Saturdays.  ECFE is a public school program staffed by licensed parent and early childhood educators. Call Vonnie at 952-681-6221.

SCHOOL READINESS PRESCHOOLS Family Center preschools help children develop learning  readiness skills so they will have the confidence, independence, and social abilities to become successful learners. Preschool classrooms and activities are designed to provide a variety of fun and meaningful hands-on learning experiences and staff members pay close attention to meeting children's individual and developing needs. All teachers are licensed in early childhood family education or early childhood special education. Parent involvement is an important part of our  preschool programs. The Family Center offers four unique preschool programs for both three-and four- year olds at three sites in Bloomington and Richfield.  See the Preschool page for more details or call Gwen at 952-681-6212.

EARLY CHILDHOOD SCREENING helps identify children who may benefit from early childhood services before they enter school and connects them with the appropriate resources and programs.The Family Center conducts screenings for children in Bloomington and Richfield. The state of Minnesota requires that all children be screened before they enter kindergarten. This screening should be done by the time your child turns four years old. If you have a concern about your child's development at age three, the Family Center will perform specially requested screenings. Call 952-681-6200 with questions or see the Screening page for more information.

SPECIAL NEEDS Many of our classes and preschools are offered in collaboration with Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). Children identified with special needs are provided opportunities for successful participation through joint  programs and collaboration with our district's Early Childhood Special Education department. For information, in Bloomington call Early Childhood Special Education at 952-806-8900 or visit their website through Related Links. For Richfield information call 612-798-6720.

(952) 681-6200