Early childhood family education (ECFE) is a program in Moorhead for all families with children from birth to kindergarten.
Unlike HeadStart and early childhood special education, ECFE is available to all families, regardless of income level or special education eligibility.
Additionally, ECFE differs from preschool in that it offers educational programming to families and young children birth to kindergarten (compared to a school readiness program just for children ages three to five).
Where available, ECFE is typically funded through state aid and local property taxes and can also be supplemented with program participation fees.
Our family began attending early childhood family education courses when my son was six months old. We were looking for courses where he could socialize with other children that would also provide the opportunity to learn more about parenting and childhood development.
While it took some research to find a program that worked best for our family, we have consistently attended each week for the past two years.
Why We Started ECFE
As a North Dakota resident, I began researching the state’s early childhood family education (ECFE) services, hoping to find a public program near us in Fargo.
However, I soon found there are very few options for ECFE and nothing available widely and publicly through the local school districts.
Our solution to the lack of these resources was to participate in Minnesota’s public ECFE program at Moorhead Area Public Schools. As a non-resident of the school district, we can enroll in ECFE classes for a small fee each semester.
Note: In addition to the early childhood family education courses, the district also offers a school readiness program (Jumpstart Preschool) and early intervention services to children ages three to five who reside within the district.
It didn’t take long for us to fall in love with Moorhead’s ECFE program (and staff)! It’s now a staple in our weekly calendar and will remain so until our now three-year-old is ready to attend half-day preschool in a couple years.
Why We Love ECFE
While we initially started attending Moorhead’s ECFE program due to a lack of options in North Dakota, we continue with the program because of its amazing staff, inviting environment, and ample offerings that work with our ever-changing family schedule.
Top-Notch Educators
Our early childhood education teachers are like an extension of our family’s parenting team.
Engaging with dozens of students every day, they have exponentially more experience with children than any parent/guardian.
They are knowledgable. Having college degrees in how best to guide and instruct children so they flourish inside and outside of the classroom.
They become our own friends and confidants, greeting us with the smile and encouragement that we so often need as a parent.
Also, they’re patient. When a child is having a meltdown, they don’t flinch at the cries but instead scoop them up and show them every ounce of love that we do as parents.
Safe Learning Spaces
Our early childhood education teachers welcome all families with open arms, no matter their race, religion, family structure, or economic status.
They encourage open dialogue and safe learning spaces for children and adults, allowing us to be our authentic selves while still supporting one another.
Also, they offer opportunities for learning that are outside of our own comfort zones. The early childhood education teachers offer it all: finger painting, rice tables, worms and dirt, slime, modeling clay, and bubble bins.
My child walks into his teacher’s classroom with gleeful anticipation for the day’s offerings and activities.
Flexible Schedule & Structure
Moorhead Schools offers a variety of ECFE courses throughout the week, with additional activities offered on Saturdays and throughout the summer.
Our family participates in one of the weekly classes where the first half of the class is spent with all parents/guardians and children together for open play time.
During these 45 minutes, children may choose to play in the classroom with educational toys, complete a craft activity, dive into the sensory table, or run, jump, build, and climb in the activity room.
The class reunites in the classroom for circle time, where a final ten minutes together culminates in music, movement, and stories.
As the children sit down for snack, parents/guardians leave them with the licensed early childhood educator and join a licensed parent educator in a nearby classroom. (Parents wishing to remain with their child in the classroom are welcome to do so, as separation is optional, but encouraged.) There, the parent educator offers guidance and instruction on topics ranging from potty training to discipline to child development.
Courses are typically take place once a week for an entire semester during the school year and follow the Moorhead Public Schools calendar. Summer courses are either once a week for a traditional style course or three consecutive days for an activity style course.
Register for ECFE Today!
Looking for more local educational opportunities? Check out our post on Parenting Classes in Fargo & Moorhead.
