Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education during distance learning

Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs are participating in distance learning for the start of the 2020-21 school year. Lessons will be provided live and guided by their teacher on Seesaw and Google Meet. Additional lessons are being pre-recorded for at-home learning.

These ECE programs include the following:

• Preschool programs:
  • High Five for four year olds
  • Alphabet Soup for three year olds
  • Three School for three year olds
• Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)
• Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

Making distance learning work for families

Under distance learning, families will should know the following:

• Your child’s ​teacher will check in regularly with you and your child.
• It’s important that families ​share their needs and expectations with your child’s teacher​ so that we can do everything possible to help.
• Each High Five classroom will have a​ Parent Educator ​to provide child development information and parenting support and resources.
• ECFE Parent Educators will use Google Meet and ECFE child teachers will use Seesaw. ECFE teachers will host home visits by phone or Google Meet.
• Also make sure your contact information is up to date. Call your school to report any changes to your phone number, email or address.

Teen Parent Services (TPS)

For the TPS program that supports all pregnant and parenting students, onsite childcare will be provided to support Student Parents at the North High School and Longfellow High School Early Learning Center locations. School bus transportation will be provided along with Go-To cards for eligible Minneapolis Public School Student Parents. Student Parents may pick up breakfast and lunch at the Early Learning Center location or any of the Meal Box pick up locations. Click here for locations. Please contact Kirstin Johnson-Nixon at 612.669.0945 or kirstin.johnson@mpls.k12.mn.us.

Early Childhood Screening

MPS’ Screen at 3 Program is continuing to provide FREE early childhood screenings, but through a virtual process during distance learning. Children should get screened when they turn three years old, but they can get screened any time before school entrance. Screening helps find possible health or developmental concerns that may impact a child's learning. 

The virtual screening process focuses on those concerns. Parent’s complete an emotional-social questionnaire, a developmental questionnaire and a medical history questionnaire for their child.  An Early Childhood Screening staff member will review with the parent all information received.  Book an appointment at this link or call 612.668.3715 and leave a voicemail that you would like to schedule an appointment; staff check voicemail every day.

Welcome to Early Childhood Education!

Minneapolis Public Schools provides a range of early learning childhood programs and services for children ages birth to kindergarten and their families. Children learn a range of skills to prepare them for success in kindergarten, school and life, as their families learn how best to support their children as they grow. These programs and services include the following (see interactive map of locations):

• MPS First Stop connects families with young children to resources and community supports.
   
• Early Childhood Screening encourages families to get their child screened at age 3 (state law requires all children to be screened before entering kindergarten). Book a free appointment today.
   
• Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) provides more than 30 classes and other services for families and their child from birth to 48 months.
   
• Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) serves students from birth to kindergarten identified as having a Developmental Delay (DD) or other disability.
   
• Preschool programs:
  • High Five for four year olds
  • Alphabet Soup for three year olds
  • Three School for three year olds
     
• Minneapolis Kids before and after-school care.
   
• Teen Parent Services supports all pregnant and parenting students enrolled at MPS and their children with a variety of programming including high-quality early education.
   
• Tips for Transitioning to Kindergarten

Progress Indicators

The State of Minnesota’s early learning standards, called Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs) were revised and expanded in 2016. These standards provide a framework for a common set of developmentally-appropriate expectations for children ages birth to kindergarten. The ECIPs are aligned to the Minnesota Kindergarten Academic Standards.

Program Partners

Early Childhood Education values the strong partnerships of community providers and public programs. Some of our key partners are:

•     Abbott Northwestern Hospital
•     City of Minneapolis
•     Head Start
•     Hennepin County Library
•     Hennepin County Hospital
•     North Memorial Hospital
•     Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ)
•     People Serving People Inc.
•     Resources for Child Caring (RCC)
•     Twin Cities United Way
•     University of Minnesota
•     Way to Grow
•     YWCA Minneapolis