Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)
CONTACT US
General Information
651-403-8390
Fax: 651-403-8310
Registration Information
651-403-8353 or
651-403-8390
Laurie Hume
Early Learning Assistant Director
651-403-8350
laurie.hume@isd197.org
Aleshia Leivermann
Early Learning Program Manager
651-403-8353
aleshia.leivermann@isd197.org
David Owens
Tech Pro
651-403-7364
| david.owens@isd197.org
Welcome to School District 197 ECFE
The 2025-2026 Way To Grow early learning program brochure will be online and mailed to homes in early August. Registration opens on August 14 and continues until classes full. The fall semester starts on September 8, 2025.
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a program that offers parents/guardians and their children from birth to pre-kindergarten opportunities to grow and learn together in a supportive and stimulating environment.
Age-specific classes are offered in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings. Most sessions last 1 to 2 hours. A typical session begins with time for parents and children to enjoy classroom learning and fun activities together. Parents are then provided time to share experiences and explore ideas with each other and a licensed parent educator. Children continue to play and learn under the supervision of a licensed early childhood teacher and an assistant.
ECFE is a unique Minnesota program offered in school districts statewide and has been active for four decades! Participant feedback and research show that ECFE is a major resource for families with young children. It sets the stage for parent involvement and children’s success in K-12 education. ECFE creates more caring communities by bringing families from all backgrounds together around their common goals as parents. ECFE has a sliding fee scale so that all families may participate.
Flip through ECFE's Way to Grow brochure to find a class for you and your little one! Registration for classes begins January 3 and remains open until classes are filled. Sliding Fee Scale information is found on page 13.