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

Community Education Registration Just Got EasierTriDistrict Community Education has launched a new registration system designed to make it easier for families and participants to browse programs, register, and manage their accounts. While the page may look a little different, your existing account information, login credentials, enrollments, and payment details have all transferred automatically. The new system allows you to register for programs, view invoices, download receipts and tax statements, manage payment methods, and update emergency contacts all in one place. Browse programs and register today.

Welcome to School District 197 ECFE

The 2025-2026 Way To Grow Early Learning Program brochure is located under the first tab below.  Click Here to see updated classes for the Winter-Spring ECFE schedule on PAGE 7.  Classes run through May 21, 2026. Registration remains open and continues until classes are full.                               

The Way To Grow class brochure will be available here by the first week of August. Mailed brochures should arrive in homes that week. 

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a program that offers parents or 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 a teaching assistant.

ECFE is a unique Minnesota program offered in school districts statewide and has been active for five decades! Participant feedback and research show that ECFE is a major resource for families with young children. It sets the stage for parent involvement in children’s success in PreK-12 education. ECFE helps create caring communities by bringing families from all backgrounds together around their common goals as parents. ECFE offers a sliding fee scale to ensure that all families may participate. Sliding Fee Scale information is on page 13. Please note: Sibling Care is only available at the Early Learning & Family Resource Center (ELC). 

Flip through ECFE's Way to Grow brochure to find a class for you and your little one! Registration for classes is open until classes are filled.