Early Childhood Family Education
Hey parents! We've got your back.
Hey parents, we see you sleep-deprived and stressed, trying to keep it all together.
We see you trying to balance that tiny baby on your shoulder while trying to get work done and still keeping an eye on your toddler.
We see you as you’re trying to parent the way you wish you had been parented; learning more about your child’s needs and the best way to meet them.
As wonderful as your child is, let’s be real, there are moments when you’ll feel overwhelmed. The good news is you’re not alone. Whether you are single parenting or with a partner, we’re here to support you.
The Early Childhood Family Center (ECFC) offers a variety of ways for you to connect with other parents of children from birth to age five. It’s a safe space to learn, laugh, reflect, and vent! Come learn practical tips and tricks from parents who have been right where you are and get advice from Parent Educators. Play with your child as they interact with other kids, connect with other families in the community, and make some new parent friends.
Contact
Early Childhood Family Center
651-351-4000
Classes, Events and Resources
- Registration Procedure and Fee Schedule
- Calendar
- Handbook
- Welcoming a Baby
- Babies
- Toddlers
- Tender Twos
- Mixed Ages
- Special Classes and Family Events
- Early Childhood Screening
- Family Consultations
- Parent Resource Videos
Registration Procedure and Fee Schedule
ECFE Registration Procedure and Fee Schedule
Registration
Families may register for one semester-long class per child. If spaces are available one week after class starts, families may register for an additional semester-long class. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the teachers with questions.
ECFE Fees
ECFE fees are based on your income level. Checks, VISA and MasterCard are accepted.
| Income Range | Semester |
|---|---|
| $120,000 and over | $365 |
| $100,000-119,000 | $300 |
| $80,000-99,999 | $235 |
| $60,000-79,999 | $190 |
| $40,000-59,999 | $125 |
| $20,000-39,999 | $65 |
| $19,999 or less | $35 |
| Wisconsin Residents | $380 |
Fee Assistance
All families are welcome in the ECFE program. We will find a way for you to participate based on individual circumstance and/or financial need. Call 651-351-4000 to make arrangements.
Immunizations
All children registered in ECFE sessions need to have an up-to-date record of immunizations or an exemption on file. No registration is complete without an immunization form.
Our youngest babies may not have started their shots when they are registered. When that is the case, please make a note on your registration form and bring in the immunization form when shots have been started.
Waiting Lists
If all class choices are filled, families will be placed on a waiting list when they register and called if an opening occurs or a new class is formed.
Wisconsin Residents
Wisconsin fees reflect a non-resident rate.
Refunds for Semester-Long Classes
Withdrawal must be made one week before the first class to receive a full tuition refund minus a $20 processing fee. A 50% refund will be offered after one week; no refund after three weeks.
All other Refunds
Refunds (minus a $5 processing fee) for one-day and short-term classes are available if you cancel at least 5 business days before the class begins.
Calendar
October 2026
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Stillwater Area Public Schools
No School (ECFE)
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Stillwater Area Public Schools
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No School (ECFE)
All Day
Stillwater Area Public Schools
No School (ECFE)
All Day
Stillwater Area Public Schools
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Stillwater Area Public Schools
Stillwater Area Public Schools
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Handbook
In this handbook, the term “parent” refers to parents, grandparents, and other caregivers.
Registration
Families are invited to register for one semester-long class per child. If spaces are available one week after the start of class, families may register for an additional semester-long class. Exceptions may be made on a case-bycase basis. Please contact the teachers with questions.
Refunds for Semester-Long Classes
Withdrawal must be made one week before the first class to receive a full tuition refund minus a $25 processing fee. A 50% refund will be offered after one week; no refund after three weeks.
All other Refunds
Refunds (minus a $5 processing fee) for one-day and short-term classes are available if you cancel at least 5 business days before the class begins.
Immunizations
All children registered in ECFE sessions need to have an up-to-date record of immunizations or an exemption on file. No registration is complete without an immunization form. Families must provide immunization information before the first class, either via PowerSchool or to the school nurse. Our youngest babies may not have started their shots when they are registered. When that is the case, please make a note on your registration form and bring in the immunization form when shots have been started.
Illness
Please stay home if you or your children are ill. This includes:
• Oral temperature of 100 degrees or higher (without the use of fever-reducing medication) • Undiagnosed rash, or one associated with an illness
Vomiting or diarrhea
• Significant nasal discharge
• Bacterial/viral infections
• Frequent sneezing or coughing
• Earaches
• Sore throat
• Red eyes, or unusual discharge from the eyes
• Doesn’t feel well enough to enjoy school
Children must be fever-free and symptom-free for 24 hours (without medication) before returning to class.
Contact Us
General 651-351-4000
Registration/ Refunds/Class Changes 651-351-4020
Advisory Council
The Stillwater Early Childhood Advisory Council is a group of ECFE parent/ caregiver volunteers who support the program through advocacy and community building. Everyone is welcome to join the Advisory Council. Meetings are held in the evenings, and children can attend if needed or desired.
Attendance
If you need to miss a class for illness or vacation, please contact your teachers. If families miss more than 3 consecutive classes without communication, we reserve the right to fill your spot with someone on the waitlist if the class is full.
School Closures
If Stillwater Area Schools cancels school, ECFE will be canceled. If Stillwater Area Schools has a late start, morning ECFE classes will be canceled. If additional cancellations are made for ECFE, families will be notified via text and/or email.
Healthy Habits
• All family members must wash their hands when arriving at ECFE.
• Put mouthed toys in the provided bins for the ECFE staff to sanitize.
• Change diapers only in the designated changing areas and dispose of them in the red bins. • Use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, or controlled substances is strictly prohibited on school district property.
Lobby
The lobby is a shared space, and it adjoins classrooms that are in use during the day. Please keep your children with you, maintain a talking voice level, and avoid congregating for a long time.
Phones
Please silence and put away your phone while at school For privacy and confidentiality, do not take or share photos of children other than your own.
Hot Beverages
Hot beverages are allowed in the parent rooms only. If you have a hot beverage, please leave it on the shelves in the hallway outside the early childhood rooms until you move to the parent room.
Circle Time Participation
We have a circle time during each class that often includes songs, community connections, and a story. Please join us in our songs and activities! Children typically learn to participate in circle time when they see you join in the fun! It is common for very young children (2.5 and under) to participate in circle time while wandering in and out of the group.
Parent-Child Time Participation
One of our ECFE goals is to create community, and we love it when parents and families get to know each other! During Parent-Child Time, we encourage adults to prioritize interaction with their own child. This is a meaningful opportunity for connection. There are two good clues to knowing that it is time to end a conversation with another adult: • Your child shows that he/she wants your attention • You become aware that you have not noticed your child for the last few minutes In this handbook, the term “parent” refers to parents, grandparents, and other caregivers.
Parenting Group Participation
BE SAFE. Keep valuables with you. Please park strollers outside the children’s classroom. BELONG. Be open and honest. Be responsible for your learning. Actively participate by speaking and/or listening.
BE RESPECTFUL. There are many positive ways to parent. Maintain confidentiality. Clean up after yourself. Respect differing opinions.
Outdoor Play
Classes noted in the registration guide with an asterisk go outside daily, weather permitting. Temperature, children’s ages and needs, wind, rain, and air quality will impact the decision as to whether classes will be outside on any given day. Outdoor gear is available as needed.
Clothing
Hands-on learning is messy! You and your child will be exploring paint, mud, clay, and other sensory materials. Dress for a mess!
Shoes
Sneakers are best for active play at school. Please avoid open-toed sandals and Crocs.
Diapering/Toileting
Diaper changing tables are available in all restrooms. Diapers must be changed on these changing tables, and soiled diapers must be disposed of in the red trash cans.
Snacks
For safety and allergy reasons, do not bring food from home into the children’s classrooms.
Emergency Drills
ECFE practices drills for emergencies, including: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate (fire), and Shelter (severe weather). Drills are conducted in a developmentally appropriate manner, and staff support children and families calmly throughout the process.
Mandated Reporting
ECFE staff are mandated reporters under Minnesota law. If we have reason to believe a child may be experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual abuse or neglect, we are required to report our concerns to the appropriate authorities.
Welcoming a Baby
Congratulations, you're welcoming a baby! Whether welcoming a baby through birth, adoption, or surrogacy, find support here.
Join a FREE prenatal parent education course focused on parent-child attachment, Secure Attachments: Thriving Kids. In 2024, this course was generously supported by a grant from the St. Croix Valley Foundation. In 2025, the course was fully funded through The Partnership Plan. In 2026, the course is again funded by the St. Croix Valley Foundation. Secure Attachments: Thriving Kids is geared toward those who are welcoming a newborn or have recently welcomed a newborn.
ECFE also offers training for soon-to-be parents and parents of newborns focused on infant crying. Caring for a Crying Infant goes through an evidence-based program called The Period of PURPLE Crying. It supports parents and caregivers in understanding why newborns sometimes have long periods of crying and what to do when this happens. It can feel overwhelming and stressful when a newborn is hard to soothe. These feelings of overwhelm and stress can negatively impact views of a newborn and as a parent. Parents are not alone and support is here to cope through The Period of PURPLE Crying and know this period does not last forever.
Babies
You’ve read all the “What to Expect...” books, but now that baby is here, find some real-world advice. Come learn from experts! In the New Parent Connection and Busy Babies classes, parents not only get support from Parent Educators, they also connect with other parents going through similar experiences. Parents and infants do not separate in these classes.
Activities to do with infants at home
Getting outside in Winter with baby
Songs to sing with infants
Toddlers
Understanding what to expect as toddlers grow is important. ECFE provides an opportunity for parents to learn and play together. Parents separate from the children to discuss topics such as: responding to challenging behaviors, activities that support toddlers’ learning, to benefit the family, etc.
Our Toddler classes are gradually separating, meaning parents will eventually move to a separate room for a parent discussion with a licensed parent educator while the children continue to explore and learn with a licensed early childhood teacher and an education assistant.
The Tiny Explorers class does not separate.
Tender Twos
Parenting a two year old can be so rewarding and challenging at the same time. Spend time with your two year old, encouraging and engaging in their learning. Share time with other parents talking about parenting styles, teach children to be independent, setting limits, and preventing power struggles and temper tantrums.
Our Tender Two’s classes separate for half of the class, meaning parents move to a separate room for a parent discussion with a licensed parent educator while the children continue to explore and learn with a licensed early childhood teacher and an education assistant.
Mixed Ages
Children learn so much when they explore the world together. This is especially true in these classes that encourage and challenge language development, social interaction and physical development across ages. Parent discussion may include topics such as: sleep issues, fostering child creativity, behavior guidance, activities encouraging early literacy and math skills.
Most of our Mixed Ages classes separate for half of the class, meaning parents move to a separate room for a parent discussion with a licensed parent educator while the children continue to explore and learn with a licensed early childhood teacher and an education assistant.
Special Classes and Family Events
Early Childhood Screening
Early Childhood Screening
Any child who will go to school in the state of Minnesota must have an Early Childhood Screening record before entering kindergarten. It involves a simple, easy method of finding out how a child is growing and developing in areas of vision, hearing, speech, and thinking skills, as well as general health and growth.
The ideal age to have your child screened is between 3 and 5. Families living within the school district should receive a postcard about screening when their child turns 3. If you've not received the notice, please call our Enrollment Office at 651-351-8412.
Schedule Your Appointment
Schedule an in-person screening appointment online or call 651-351-4022. Screenings are held at the Early Childhood Family Center, 1111 Holcombe St. S. in Stillwater. Appointments typically take one hour.
Goals of Early Childhood Screening
- Find out how your child is growing and developing.
- Connect families with early childhood programs and other community services that may be needed.
- Answer any parenting questions/concerns you may have.
- Identify any possible health or learning concerns so that they may be addressed before a child enters school.
Early Childhood Screening is not a kindergarten readiness assessment and should not be put off until right before kindergarten. Children usually go through screening one to two years before they enter kindergarten. However, if your child is five years old, not eligible for kindergarten, and not yet been through preschool screening, call to arrange an appointment.
Family Consultations
Stillwater Area Public Schools Early Childhood Family Education provides free, individualized family consultations. A licensed parent and family educator can meet by phone or video chat to discuss and troubleshoot a child's behavioral struggles or any other parenting challenges. This form helps to plan for the consultation.
Please fill out the form below and a parent and family educators will reach out.
Eligibility for family consultations:
- If the child is birth to 5 years old (prior to kindergarten), the family must live within the boundaries of the Stillwater Area Public School district.
- If the child is 5 years old (kindergarten eligible) to 8 years old, the child must be enrolled in Stillwater Area Public Schools.
* Required
Parent Resource Videos
Below are some general suggestions for things that caregivers can do to help support the growth and development of their children. These are general suggestions, meant to be useful for almost any child.