Birth-12 months Parenting a baby is exciting and challenging. Join other parents and their babies for this special time together. Talk about feeding, sleeping, soothing and adjusting to parenthood. This is a non separating class. Sibling care is available during the daytime class for a small fee.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Ages 3 months-5 years old This special evening opportunity is all about your family enjoying time together in an Early Childhood classroom. Each week there will be a new theme with art, math, science, sensory and more. The first hour will be parent-child exploration and play experiences. Then a robust circle time filled with singing, storytelling, and props. A parent and family teacher leads this class and welcomes older siblings (ages 6-8) to tag along for a "Magnificent Monday" evening.

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

Kids, bring your mom or any special grown up, to the classroom. Enjoy some special time together. $12.00 per family Register by April 6, 2026.

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

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.

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.