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

Ages birth - 5 yrs You choose if you will stay and play with your child or drop and go. A teacher will be in the classroom to provide a nurturing environment, movement,fun songs at circle time, and learning activities to encourage your child’s growth and independence. Parents take this time to do your grocery shopping,housework, appointments, meetup with a friend for coffee/lunch, or enjoy time to yourself OR stay in the classroom with your child and enjoy this time together! Come one time or as many as you would like. No need to register. If you choose to stay and play, there will be a $3.00/child or $6.00/family. If you choose to drop and go, there will be a charge of $5.00/per child.

Study after study shows that when children spend time playing outside they develop confidence, language, curiosity, imagination, problem-solving and social interaction skills. The great outdoors provides unique stimulation and heightened sensory experiences that can't be replicated indoors. Together, parents and children will explore nature through a variety of experiential, hands-on outdoor activities. Dress for outdoor play and the weather as we will begin each class in our Outdoor Classroom at Falcon Ridge Elementary. After an outdoor circle time, children will stay outdoors with the classroom teacher while parents go indoors for a parent educator-led discussion about ways to support and engage your child in nature.

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.

Ages 3-5 yrs Come and explore the preschool classroom with your child. Class includes parent/child school readiness activities and circle time. Parents separate for the last half of class and discuss parenting topics of their choice.

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.

Kids driving you crazy? Not sure what to do? If you have questions or concerns about your child's behavior and would like to talk to someone, we can help. We will schedule a phone call, informal online meeting or in-person visit with one of our parent and family teachers. Confidentiality and meeting your needs are our top priorities. Please email Krystal Erickson (krerickson@isd721.org) or Tara Lund (tlund@isd721.org), our ECFE Parent educators. They will then reach out to you.

Ages 12-23 months You and your child will love playing together and exploring the toddler classroom with activities selected for this age. Enjoy the first half of class together playing, learning, and singing at circle time. After circle time, parents will go to a separate room to meet with the parent teacher to talk about healthy separation, positive parenting, setting limits and other issues important to the group. Sibling care is available however you do need to register your child for this.

Ages birth-5 yrs (no separation) Unstructured motor time in the CEC gym for the first hour, end class with a group activity led by a teacher. $3/child, $6/family, non walkers are free You do not have to pre-register, you will pay at the door

Newborn Talk- Year Round Congratulations on the arrival of your baby! This class is for parents with babies 0-16 weeks.A nurse and parent educator will be available to answer questions about your newborn and provide support, connection and resources. Some topics include feeding, sleeping, attachment, development and returning to work. Plus, we will offer weekly baby weight checks! Free! No registration needed. 10:45AM-12:00PM (except holidays) Location: New Prague Early Learning, 410 Central Avenue North (door #1)Free sibling care is available.Questions? Please contact Krystal at 952-758-1754 or krerickson@isd721.org

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.

Ages 2 1/2 - 4 years old Is your child attending preschool next year? Get them excited and prepared for school by joining us for a great introduction to the routines and structure of preschool. More time for learning for both children and parents. Class will include parent/child school readiness activities and circle time. At separation time, children will explore the learning centers and have a reading circle time. Parents discuss ways to help get preschoolers ready for kindergarten and other parenting topics of their choice. Sibling care is available.

Walk and Talk This gives parents and caregivers with children under age 8, an opportunity to connect with other moms, dads, nannies, grandparents and get in “steps.” A time to put on some comfy pants and lace up those tennis shoes for an hour of adult connection & movement. We will meet in the ECFE wing at 11:45 am. There will be a discussion question, a parenting tip and resources each week based on the interests of the group. Walk inside or out. Ms. Tara will be available to walk and connect with you too! You can pack a lunch for your little one and drop them off in the ECFE classroom. The class is free, but you do need to register for sib care. Cost is $30.00 per family per session.