With a grant from Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), New Prague Area Schools Early Learning was able to create 20 literacy kits. Each kit has 13 identical board books for group story time and some additional supplies like puppets, games, and manipulatives. The kits are located at the CEC and providers may check out kits from our Daycare Express Library. To reserve a kit, contact Tara Lund at tlund@isd721.org.

Parents, tell your daycare provider about this opportunity! Register for a 45 minute daycare visit from a licensed NPAS Early Childhood teacher. Visits include circle time with singing, Mr. Bear's clue bag, a story, and activities designed around the theme of the book. Providers will receive one CEU certificate for the visit and each family will receive a newsletter with ideas to use at home. Providers located in New Prague, Lonsdale, and Elko New Market can register for one or up to nine visits during the school year (once per month maximum). If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact Tara Lund at tlund@isd721.org. $20.00 per visit

Parents, tell your daycare provider about this opportunity! Register for a 45 minute daycare visit from a licensed NPAS Early Childhood teacher. Visits include circle time with singing, Mr. Bear's clue bag, a story, and activities designed around the theme of the book. Providers will receive one CEU certificate for the visit and each family will receive a newsletter with ideas to use at home. Providers located in New Prague, Lonsdale, and Elko New Market can register for one or up to nine visits during the school year (once per month maximum). If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact Tara Lund at tlund@isd721.org. $20.00 per visit

Parents, tell your daycare provider about this opportunity! Register for a 45 minute daycare visit from a licensed NPAS Early Childhood teacher. Visits include circle time with singing, Mr. Bear's clue bag, a story, and activities designed around the theme of the book. Providers will receive one CEU certificate for the visit and each family will receive a newsletter with ideas to use at home. Providers located in New Prague, Lonsdale, and Elko New Market can register for one or up to nine visits during the school year (once per month maximum). If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact Tara Lund at tlund@isd721.org. $20.00 per visit

Parents, tell your daycare provider about this opportunity! Register for a 45 minute daycare visit from a licensed NPAS Early Childhood teacher. Visits include circle time with singing, Mr. Bear's clue bag, a story, and activities designed around the theme of the book. Providers will receive one CEU certificate for the visit and each family will receive a newsletter with ideas to use at home. Providers located in New Prague, Lonsdale, and Elko New Market can register for one or up to nine visits during the school year (once per month maximum). If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact Tara Lund at tlund@isd721.org. $20.00 per visit

Parents, tell your daycare provider about this opportunity! Register for a 45 minute daycare visit from a licensed NPAS Early Childhood teacher. Visits include circle time with singing, Mr. Bear's clue bag, a story, and activities designed around the theme of the book. Providers will receive one CEU certificate for the visit and each family will receive a newsletter with ideas to use at home. Providers located in New Prague, Lonsdale, and Elko New Market can register for one or up to nine visits during the school year (once per month maximum). If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact Tara Lund at tlund@isd721.org. $20.00 per visit

Parents, tell your daycare provider about this opportunity! Register for a 45 minute daycare visit from a licensed NPAS Early Childhood teacher. Visits include circle time with singing, Mr. Bear's clue bag, a story, and activities designed around the theme of the book. Providers will receive one CEU certificate for the visit and each family will receive a newsletter with ideas to use at home. Providers located in New Prague, Lonsdale, and Elko New Market can register for one or up to nine visits during the school year (once per month maximum). If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact Tara Lund at tlund@isd721.org. $20.00 per visit

Come and enjoy fun dinosaur activities. We will hatch a dinosaur egg, dig in the sensory bin for dinosaur bones, and have dinosaurs out in our block area. Your child will also complete dinosaur activities and crafts. Class will end with a dinosaur-themed circle time and story. Please register by February 26, 2026.

Join a parent educator in exploring and learning about our community! Sign up for one or all! These community field trips and park visits are planned activities for children ages birth-5 year. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. When registering, please indicate all children and adults attending. Special thanks to all of the community destinations for hosting our community's youngest explorers!! $5.00 per family 10/20: Cedar Lake Farm 11/17: Wagner Park, Elko New Market 12/8: Coborn's 1/12: Sugar Rose 2/9: Elko New Market Police/Fire Station 3/23: Uncle Earl's Pet Shop 4/20: Southside Park 5/11: Memorial Park

Are you looking for a gift for that special someone? New Prague Early Learning has the perfect solution. An Early Learning gift certificate allows the receiver to choose a class, event or activity that interests them at a time that works into their schedule. Your family and friends will appreciate this personal, hands on gift. Gift certificates can be made for any amount (if the amount you would like is not one of the options, call 952-758-1674 and we will create it as desired). A paper copy can be mailed out or can be picked up at the early learning office.

A free event for NPAS Preschoolers, ECFE, ECSE and WRAP families. Explore 11 unique kid-powered play spaces where families have fun together, kids take the lead and playful learning is always front and center. You’ll also get the chance to explore the extraordinary world of Thomas & Friends™ featuring engines and destinations inspired by the popular children’s series. This event is FREE for all NPAS Early Learning families. All siblings are invited to come along. The cafe will be open if you would like to purchase dinner or snacks on site. Admission is free for your entire family. The museum will be closed to the public and only NPAS families will be exploring the museum. You are responsible for the $7.50 parking fee.

Do you know of a new childcare provider in the New Prague Area school district? Please let us know so we can welcome them to the world of early learning. We have a special bag with resources that can be used in their daycare. To request a bag, contact a parent educator at: parenteducator@isd721.org.

This event is for preschoolers and their grandma, grandpa or any special friend. The bumpers will be in place so everyone has a chance to knock down the pins! Meet at Strike Force Bowl in New Prague, bowl a game and then have pizza. $15 fee includes one game, shoe rental, and pizza per individual. You must register each person individually. For example, if you have one child and 2 grandparents attending, the total cost would be $45.00 ($15.00 for each person attending) If you have any questions regarding the registration, please call Sharon at 952-758-1674. When you register in Eleyo, you will need to register each person individually. Do not list any additional users with your child's registration. Ages 2 1/2 - 5

All ages Back by popular demand!! The first Tuesday-Thursday of each month in October and May enjoy an Outdoor Story Walk with your child(ren) on your own schedule, during daylight hours. The Outdoor Story Walk will be at a local establishment. Parents and children will be able to get outdoors for some exercise, while also enjoying a story and lots of fun, related activities. Once you complete the walk, we invite you to sign our guest book and pick out a prize! This event is free. Donations are welcomed. However, registration is required so we have enough supplies. One week prior to Story Walk, you will receive an email with details about the walk (location of walk, book title, activities to do with your child related to the book and other important details.)

Want to start potty training, but aren’t sure where to start? Struggling with getting your child to go to bed or stay in bed? Worried about your child’s eating habits and nutrition? Concerns with separation or language development? We have just the resource for you!! Thanks to a generous gift from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, we are able to provide resource bags full of great information to support parents and childcare providers. Each bag can be checked out for up to three weeks at no cost. The following is a list of 13 different resource bags available for check out: 1. Potty Training 2. Sleep 3. Sibling Relationships 4. Healthy Separation & Separation Anxiety 5. Teaching and Supporting Emotions and Feelings 6. Nutrition and Family Mealtimes 7. Language & Literacy Development 8. Tantrums & Challenging Behaviors 9. Boundaries & Setting Limits 10. Play Ideas + Importance of Play 11. Teaching Identity & Inclusivity (Celebrating Diversity & Special Needs) 12. Divorce, Co-parenting, Single parenting, Blended Families Please email parenteducator@isd721.org to request a bag on the topic of your choosing.

This special time is for kids and their dads only. Don't worry about dinner, we will provide a pizza dinner and then off to the classroom you go! There will be wonderful activities for Dads and kids. Ages 3-5 years old $15.00 pr family Please register by 2/9/2026

Join us at the Central Education Campus parking lot for our FREE end of the year celebration. Children will have the opportunity to be up close to cool vehicles and meet the people that drive these special rigs. No pre-registration is necessary.