This weekly gathering time is for babies (up to 12 months old) and their caregivers. Bring your questions and insights, and enjoy conversation with other parents of little ones in our engaging baby play space! A licensed parent educator will be present to visit with families and will facilitate a circle time during the last half hour of class. Arrive anytime during this drop-in experience; we’d love to see you!There is no cost for this drop-in class.Questions? Reach out to lynnea.pfohl@winona.k12.mn.us

Drop-In Playgroup is an opportunity for children to learn, grow and develop through play. There is something to keep every child happy and busy, with a baby and toddler area, activities for preschoolers, a great outdoor space plus lots of art, craft and messy play. And what’s even better - we clean up the mess afterwards!

ECFE Around Town is an exciting extension of our Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program, designed for families, caregivers, andchildren from birth to age 5 across the district. Just like our traditional ECFE classes, this program offers:★ Fun, age-appropriate activities★ Opportunities to connect with other families★ Discussion time focused on parenting and child development★ Helpful resources and community informationThe home base for this class will be at Wesley Church, but often moves to various outdoor playgrounds. Watch our “Winona ECFE” Facebook page for updates on location. We will also be doing fun “POP UP” events throughout the year, keep an eye on our Facebook page for advertising.

PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS FOR PARENTS & CAREGIVERSAs your child’s first and most important teacher, we want to support YOU. The best part is that we can do this in the comfort and privacy of your chosen location. Whether you’re a new parent or have years of experience, this ECFE offering is designed to meet you where you are emotionally & physically! Licensed parent educators provide these FREE consultations & create a supportive space for you to reflect on your parenting, troubleshoot with a professional, & connect with community resources. Sample discussion topics: Prenatal questions & concerns, postpartum difficulties, navigating life’s transitions, family changes, infant care, developmental concerns, emotional challenges with children, sleep concerns, separation, challenging behaviors, and more.If you are an expecting parent or a parent with a child up to one year old, we will also bring a FREE ring sling and teach you how to use it during a special WELCOME BABY visit.Contact the ECFE office at 507-494-0913 to schedule an initial consultation.

Get into the holiday spirit and create lasting memories with your little ones! In this special non-separating class, you'll craft side by side with your child to make beautiful personalized ornaments. Each child will have the chance to create five unique ornaments, and possible more if time allows! These make wonderful gifts for grandparents or treasured keepsakes for your own family. If you're bringing more than one child, consider inviting another adult to lend a hand. This class is designed for young children from birth through kindergarten, and parent participation is required. Spaces are limited-please register early to reserve your spot! You must be registered to attend.

The Itty Bitty Book Club delivers engaging early literacy & circle time experiences directly to the homes of our Licensed Child Care Providers that are located in the Winona Area Public Schools District. SIGN UP for a monthly home visit from our Licensed Early Childhood Staff. Each visit includes:★ Fun, age-appropriate activities★ Interactive circle time★ A playful reading program★ Resources on early literacy for parents& caregivers★ Support to the providerVisits run September-May & are scheduled once a month.Call 494-0920 for more information or to get started!

Playing outside promotes curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Studies have found that children who spend more time in nature exploration had improved learning outcomes. Come join us as we discover our world and learn together. There will be a combination of guided exploration and open-ended nature play. We will meet rain or shine, and we will spend time outdoors. Please dress yourself andyour child appropriately.

Through the exploration of various podcasts on varying topics, parents gain confidence in their problem solving and critical thinking. This helps continue to increase parenting skills as children advance through developmental stages. The primary procedure for the teaching of this class will be through the sharing, listening and discussion of various Podcasts. The teacher will share a podcast for the week for parents to listen to before class and then a discussion will be held on the podcast/topic during class. Small groups, round robins and individual discussion will also be used. ★ Each week, prior to the start of class the teacher will send out an email to the parents in the class with the information about the podcast(s) that we will discuss. Parents will be given a running list of all podcast episodes shared and discussed along with readings, notes, and handouts to keep. Children will participate in learning activities with a licensed teacher that are tailored to meet their needs while parents are in discussion group.★ This class requires time on your own outside of class.

Join us for Reindeer Games! This joyful class invites children, and their grown-ups to celebrate the season together with joyful large motor play, creative holiday activities, and plenty of laughter. Dash, dance, and play side by side as we make magical memories that sparkle with holiday cheer! Children ages birth through 3rd grade are welcome to attend, however please note that all activities will be geared towards ages birth to kindergarten. The goal of this class to provide fun interaction time for you and your child. Parents are responsible for supervising and assisting their children with activities throughout the entirety of the class. *PLEASE NOTE* This class is a a shortened 4 weeks series unlike our normal ECFE classes that run 8 weeks or more. Due to this when selecting your sliding fee scale please cut your number in half so you will be charged properly for length of the class. For example: If your income is 80,000-89,999 and you would normally pay $81 per class, please choose the 40,000-49,999 option and pay $37 for this class. If you fall on the lower end of the pay scale please pay what you can. If you have concerns about payment reach out to our office at 507-494-0913.

Join us for a fun and creative ECFE class where stories come to life! Each week, we will read a favorite children’s book together and then dive into a hands-on art project inspired by the story. This class encourages early literacy, creativity, and parent-child bonding in a playful and supportive environment. Perfect for young children who love to imagine, explore and create!

Welcoming a new baby brings big changes for the whole family. In this three-part series, we'll explore how a baby's first year impacts family dynamics, relationships, and routines. From shifting roles between partners to helping older siblings adjust, we'll talk about the joys and challenges of growing a family. Come connect with other parents, reflect on your own experience, and gain practical ideas to support smoother transitions and stronger family bonds. Join a licensed Parent Educator online for topic-specific information based on research and reflective dialogue with other parents. These pop-up, virtual classes are designed for parents of infants ages Birth to kindergarten. You will leave with take-away tips to add to your parenting toolbox.

Have you or your child experienced any trauma? Are you looking for parenting support so that you can be the best parent possible? In this separating trauma-based parentingclass we offer parents/caregivers education and support to understand the effects of trauma on children and develop strategies for healing and building safe, secure relationships. This class covers topics such as; understanding trauma’s impact, building safety and trust, self-care for parents and promoting healing for yourself and your family.