Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)

• ECFE classes are open to all families with children from birth to pre-kindergarten five year olds.
• To keep classes safe and comfortable for participants, we do limit the number of families in each class. 
• You will receive a Course Registration Confirmation email if you have gotten into class. If you pay by credit card online, your card will be charged as soon as your child is enrolled.
• You will receive a Waitlist Registration email if the class is full. Class openings do occasionally become available and we will reach out to you and let you know if/when that happens.
• ECFE welcomes all families, including adults and children with disabilities. All school buildings are handicapped accessible. If special accommodations are needed, please let us know at the time you register.
• Registrations will be accepted throughout the sessions until the classes are full.

Register for ECFE classes here 

Our goal is to provide affordable, quality programming for all Spring Lake Park Schools families. Class fees are based on your total family income. Payment for class and sibling care must accompany registration. No Spring Lake Park Schools resident will be turned away because of an inability to pay the listed fees. Class fees may be reduced or waived. All payments will be confidential.

Use your gross annual household income to determine the suggested fee for each class. Include the fee amount in the space provided online. Fill out the online form completely and include payment for class and sibling care, if needed. Sorry, no registrations will be processed without payment.

Class fees can be made in one or two payments.  If paying in two payments, the second half will be due on 1/21/2025.

Busy Bees Playgroup: $5 per child or $7 per family per week or $90 per child or $125 per family per year

Family Fun Playgroup: $5 per child or $7 per family per week or $90 per child or $125 per family per year

Virtual Parenting Class- Lunch & Learn: $30 per 10-week session

Little Panthers:  $60 per child or $85 for more than one child per 10-week session

Tot Time: $3 per child or $5 more than one child

For information about tuition assistance, please call 763-600-5900.

• 7 days prior to the start of the 1st Class, a full refund will be issued. (minus a $5 or 10% processing fee whichever is greater). 
• Within 7 days of the start of the 1st Class and the start of the 2nd Class, a 50% refund will be issued. (minus 10% or $10 whichever is greater processing fee)
• No refund will be given if requested after the 2nd Class. 
• Cancellation notice must be given either by phone or email to: 763-600-5900 or earlychildhood@district16.org. 
• There is no reduction in tuition charges or related fees for delays or closures due to emergencies or inclement weather or staff professional days. There are no refunds issued due to family illness/sick days/vacation days.
• ECFE reserves the right to cancel any class due to insufficient enrollment. Full refunds will be given.

Summer Classes will open for registration on 5/1/24 at 8:30 a.m.

Summer Play Date:  (ages 1 month - 6 yrs) Come and explore new toys, sing songs and enjoy time together as a family and with an ECFE teacher.   We will provide playful learning activities and clean up the mess. 
Registration must be done by parent or guardian even if they will not be attending.  Every person MUST be registered to attend.  Sib care is not available.  Cost is:  $20 for 1 child or $28 for 2 or more. 

District Services Center 
1415 81st Ave NE., Spring Lake Park

• Tuesdays - 9-10 a.m. (currently full) or 10:15-11:15 a.m. - July 9-30 (currently full)
• Wednesdays - 9-10 a.m. Still Available or 10:15-11:15 a.m. - July 10 - July 31 (currently full)                                                                                                                                                                    

 Click here to register.

(Children ages Birth-5 and their families)   Maximum: 10 children
This class is for parents and their children who are learning English and are looking for a way to practice their language skills with other families in a welcoming environment. Participants will come together for parent and child play time for the first half of the class. For the second half, parents will meet in a separate room with a family educator for discussions while the children continue to learn and play in the classroom. Sibling care is not available. Registration is required. Please contact us thru email earlychildhood@district16.org or call 763-600-5900 if you need financial assistance for this class.
Cost: Sliding Fee Cost information (see above), Section B

District Service Center
Tuesdays, 12:30- 1:45 p.m. 
September 10- May 13

Anoka county nurse will join class on: 9/17, 11/19, 12/17, 1/21, 3/18, 4/15, 5/20

(Ages: Birth - 6 years)  Maximum: 10 families
Just for district staff!  This class is exclusively for moms, dads and grandparents among our SLP staff and your very own little learners.  Join your colleagues and friends for this session of play and learning with your children (or grandchildren).  No sibling care is available.
Cost:  $60 per child or $85 for more than one child per 10-week session

District Services Center
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Thursdays

Session 1:  September 19- December 12
Session 2: February 20 - May 1

This online class is designed for busy parents who want to attend ECFE over the lunch hour. It will be led by a licensed parenting educator via Webex, and will include topics such as positive discipline, avoiding power struggles, helping kids learn to listen, true self-esteem, issues with sleep or mealtime issues, peaceful parenting, and more.
Cost: $30 per 10-week session

12:15 - 1:00 p.m.
Thursdays

Session 1:  September 19- December 12
Session 2: February 20 - May 1

(ages 4 months-kindergarten)
Sibling care is available for age-specific ECFE classes (refer to class description to check availability).  Infants under four months old are welcome to attend class with the parent.  For babies older than four months, please use sibling care or make other arrangements for childcare.

Sibling care registration must be made at the time of class registration.
 Cost: Sibling Care Cost (see above)

Looking for a place for the kids to expend their energy in the winter? Come to Tot Time open gym! Children will have access to gym equipment and have room to run around while enjoying the company of other families.  Cost:  $3.00 per child or $5.00 more than one child

Saturdays at Centerview Elementary from 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
November 9, 16
January 4, 11, 18, 25
February 8, 22
March 1, 22

You must register to attend.  (registration will open in August)

Register here

ECFE Meet & Greet:  September 4
Centerview Elementary - 10-12 p.m.
District Services Center - 10-12 p.m.

Truck Event: September 14th at the High School parking lot from 11 a.m - 1:30 p.m. 

Fall Carnival: November 2 at Centerview from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Winter Dance:  February 1 at Centerview from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

We offer FREE individualized consultations and/or home visits for parents with children ages Birth-5 who are looking for support. Our Licensed Parent Educator will guide you through questions you may have about child development, provide suggestions for behavior support, or help connect you to resources throughout the community. Please call our main Early Childhood office at 763-600-5900 to schedule an appointment.

Spring Lake Park Schools Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program believes parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. ECFE supports parents in providing the best possible learning environment for their child. Our classes and programs give parents and children a special time to play and learn together to foster development of the skills needed for successful lifelong learning. Our curriculum follows the standards outlined in the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress and the Minnesota Parent Education Core Curriculum Framework.  Licensed teachers develop hands-on learning activities for parents and children that promote positive relationships and development in sets the foundation for successful, life-long learning in the areas of: 

• Social and Emotional Development 
• Positive Approaches to Learning 
• Language, Literacy and Communication 
• Movement and Physical Development 
• Math 
• Arts 
• Science

Parents help to choose their discussion topics so that we can explore the individual interests and needs of the parents in the class. During the parent discussion time, licensed parent educators provide current, research-based information and parents have time to share experiences and support one another in their parenting journey.

Once you have an online child care or preschool account set up, you are able to log in to do several things, including:

• Set up or make changes to your auto-pay account using your credit card, checking or savings account
• Make payments to your account
• View and print invoices, receipts and tax statements
• Register new contracts (if the program allows)
• Update contact and family information

Access your account