Bloomington ECFE

S.,
My son and I have been to several classes starting when he was about 6 months old. Their really great and fun espically during the frigid winter months Mn offers us. You can go to your local library and pick up a book that has all the classes in it with all the prices too. Have fun

I've been with Bloomington ECFE for 6 years now (3 kids) and LOVE IT!!!

I know there is a toddler class Monday nights at the Richfield site (70th and Portland area...Bloomington and Richfield are combined in ECFE) which is a parent/child class with no separation (meaning the kids stay in the same room with you even during parent discussion). You play with your kids (both structured and non-structured activities) and have time to talk with the other parents with a parent educator leading the discussion. It's a great time to spend time with your kids without thinking about laundry, dishes, etc. And I always find the parent discussion topics interesting and informative. The class is 1 hour and 45 minutes, I believe. (6:15-8pm)

There is also a "new walkers" class on Wednesdays, also in Richfield which is a more loose class...not as much structure. Its focus is play time in the gym with parachutes, toddler bikes, balls, songs, etc. There is no formal parent discussion or topics. That class is 1 hour 30 minutes. (6:30-8pm)

There is a class at the Pond Center in Bloomington (mentioned below) on Thursday nights, but I don't know if it serves younger toddlers or not.

Vonnie will be able to give you more details. Fall session is well under way, but Winter session starts shortly after Thanksgiving, so you'd be able to sign up for that session soon.

Class fees are based on income, and if you are a Bloomington resident, you will not be turned away for inability to pay. I think the fees are very reasonable, considering each session is 13 weeks long and is staffed with licensed teachers and paras.

Good Luck and Have Fun! ECFE has been one of the best things I have done as a mother (both for myself and for the kids).

Hi, I highly recommend it. We'd been doing ECFE since my little one was 4 months old. The ECFE Office for Bloomington is Pond Center. It is located behind Kennedy HS at the corner of Nicollet and 98th Street. There is a website for ECFE Bloomington with information. Here's the info with the number. I did want to tell you that 98% of the teachers are phenomenal but there are a few (usually the new ones) where there is still a learning curve so feel free to ask me when you are signing up and I can tell you whether I've had that teacher or not.

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 ###-###-####.

S.,

I attend ECFE in Roseville, but I wanted to let you know that all the ECFE classes have a pay schedule that is a sliding scale based on income... lower incomes pay less, higher incomes pay more. They are generally great programs.

Jessica