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Celebrating 40 Years of ECFE in Minnesota…
…and 30 Years of ECFE in Spring Lake Park School District
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Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a universal
educational program for all Minnesota families with children
between the ages of birth and kindergarten.

Parents are an integral focus of ECFE because research
shows that early childhood programs involving both parents
and children are more effective than programs focusing
exclusively on children.
Early Childhood Family
Education (ECFE) recognizes
that parents are their child’s
first and most important
teachers.
ECFE offers families many
hands-on learning
experiences that will nourish
a lifetime of teachable
moments.
Six original ECFE programs 
Ahead of its time, the 1974 Minnesota Legislature began
the piloting of Early Childhood Family Education with an
appropriation of $230,000 for six local programs.

Spearheaded by Senator Jerome Hughes, who had a
doctoral degree in education administration, ECFE is
grounded in research.

Linked the quality of children’s development from birth to
kindergarten with later school success.
Strong Support from Parents

The Council on Quality Education (CQE) grantfunded ECFE pilot programs from 1974 to 1983.
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In that time, ECFE grew from six programs to 36
programs.
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Parents hosted legislators in local programs, wrote
letters, made telephone calls, and testified in
legislative hearings about ECFE.

In the fall of 1984, Preschool, “Latch-Key” (to become
Kids’ Club) and the “Joy of Parenting” (pre-ECFE) all
started in Spring Lake Park School District.

“Joy of Parenting” (JOP) was housed at Westwood
Elementary. Three classes were started.

By 1989, the number of families in JOP jumped from
90 to 217!
Vintage Photos:
 Today,
ECFE is available statewide and
serves over 310,000 parents and children
annually.
 Early
Childhood Family Education is a
program unique to Minnesota that offers
parents the opportunity to "go to school"
and learn along with their child.
Together, parents and children, newborn to kindergarten
age, participate in activities and experiences that foster
each child’s social-emotional, cognitive, physical, and
language/communication skills.
Did You Know?

Half of the ECFE staff in
Spring Lake Park Schools
have 20+ years of service
to the school district.

That’s over 110 years of
experience teaching and
working with infants,
toddlers, preschoolers and
parents!
Parent-Child
Parent
Interaction Time
Education Time
Children’s
Activity Time
Time where parent and child
together enjoy a classroom
filled with developmentally
appropriate learning
activities.
Parent education is a vital component of ECFE-Together with a family educator, adults share ideas
and concerns, discuss relevant topics and feel
encouraged by the support of others.
Come for Your Child, Stay for Yourself!
During parent education time, children explore, gain
independence, and practice social skills while under
the supervision of a licensed children’s teacher and
a paraprofessional.

Reading aloud from birth is
the single most important
thing a parent or caregiver
can do to improve a child’s
readiness to read and
learn.

ECFE encourages ALL
parents to read to their
children every day.
Every $1
invested in
early
education
produces a
7-10%
return.
From: www.first2000days.org
Learning begins at birth and Early
Childhood Family Education is an
investment in our children and
families. All Minnesota families,
regardless of education, income, or
ethnicity, benefit from attending
.

“Absolutely LOVE ECFE
class. Amazing! This is the
place that keeps me
sane.”

“ECFE has been an
indispensable part of my
children’s early learning
experiences. I depend on
the information and
support I get from the
parent educators”

“The ECFE teachers are
knowledgeable, caring
and compassionate. They
really care about my
family.”

“I feel that I am a much
better and more patient
parent because of
attending ECFE. Thank you
so much!”
“I just wanted to thank you for everything you have
done for my family and I. You’ve sat there listening to
my problems and concerns. You don’t look down on
me because I made bad choices and you have always
given me positive encouragement not bad. You have
given me a lot of helpful advice and information. I just
wanted you to know that I do appreciate everything
you have done for us.”
Grateful Mom, 2003
As ECFE celebrates this important
milestone, 40 years of leadership in
Minnesota, we also are gearing up for
the next 40 years of educating the state’s
youngest learners AND their parents.
…to everyone in Minnesota who has been
involved throughout the years in making
Early Childhood Family Education a wellrenowned educational program that
supports families with young children.
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ECO – ECFE Coordinated Outreach for Powerpoint template
www.ECFE.info
Some information retrieved from: www.first2000days.org and
http://ecadmin.wikidot.com/ecfe-implementation-guide
Pam Klemz and Linda Bader for early SLP ECFE photos
Barb Saunders for the design of this presentation
Early Childhood Family Education