In addition to providing preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, IGH Early Learning offers Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes for parents and other caretakers of children birth through age 5 in ISD 199. According to the Minnesota Association for Family and Early Education, “Brain research confirms that the first three years are an extremely critical period in a child’s development,” and ECFE helps parents make the most of those years.

Our district’s ECFE classes focus on developing each child’s language and communication, learning, social-emotional, and motor skills. However, they also focus on parents, who are children’s first and most important teachers. Parents learn about and practice important parenting and family life skills and build supportive relationships with other parents in the community. The skills learned and resources gained in ECFE classes allow parents to provide the best possible environment for the healthy growth of their children, paving the way for success in school and life.

Every ISD 199 ECFE class includes a licensed parent educator to provide parents with the most current research and techniques and an educator trained in early childhood development who provides a learning-rich, play-based environment for children to explore while their parents learn. Our staff’s training also means that they can identify developmental concerns so they can be addressed early for better results. The program’s Family Support Team also offers visits to address individual concerns.

The main goal of ISD 199’s ECFE classes is connection. In our classes, parents connect with their children, research-based parenting information, and each other, setting up every family and student for lifelong success. 

To stay informed of ECFE programs and opportunities, Inver Grove Heights Schools families are also encouraged to fill out the ISD 199 Family Census Survey. Click here to fill out the ISD 199 Family Census Survey. All information is for educational purposes only, and addresses and phone numbers are considered private data.