Parenting Your Newborn

Ages 0 - 4 mos | Non-separating 

Welcome to ECFE! We have the perfect space for new babies and parents to connect with other parents and a licensed parent educator will lead discussions. The questions never end during this amazing time in your child's early development. Topics will vary from week to week and are specific to postpartum care and infant development in the first few months. Weekly weight checks are available. This class is offered all semester, join at any time. We will help you select a new class when your child nears 16 weeks.

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Incredible Infants

Ages 0-12 months | Non-separating

Welcome to ECFE! We have a wonderful and safe space for new babies to explore, sing, and play while you connect with other parents and a licensed parent educator. You will gain support, knowledge and encouragement during this exciting and sometimes challenging time. Topics will vary from week to week based on parent input and feedback. Weekly weight checks are available. Register for the session that best meets your needs.

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Little Explorers

Ages 9-18 months

Non-separating

As your little one moves from crawling to walking, come explore our classroom with activities just right for young toddlers. Meet other parents going through the same stage as you while you discuss the joys and challenges of parenting. You and your child will stay in the classroom together during the parent discussion. 

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One-Year-Olds (year long options available)

Ages 12-24 months | Non-Separating and Separating Options

Learning takes place for one-year-olds as they are moving and exploring, often not far from their parents. Discuss the wonders and challenges of parenting during this exciting time with our parent educator. Your child will explore in our toddler room, learn with peers their same age and participate in a circle time designed just for one-year-olds!

Wonderful Ones | Non-Separating

Wednesday Ones | Separating

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Busy Bodies

Ages 15 – 30 months | Separating

Join us as you and your toddler discover safe and age appropriate activities; including art, music and sensory play. Parents will gain knowledge and support from a licensed parent educator and other parents during discussion time.

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Twos and Threes (year long options available)

Ages 2-3 years | Separating

Independence, language, problem solving and social skills are emerging during these ages. The classroom will foster all these developing skills, and you will value the parent discussion where you can learn, share and appreciate this stage of your parenting journey.

Get your Motor Running Together at ECFE

Ages 2-5 years | Separating

Come to ECFE and start your week with large motor activities. We will start class in one of our amazing large motor spaces, designed for climbing, biking, tumbling and more. Then we will move to the classroom for more fun including block building, sensory experiences, and play with our great selection of toys for all ages. While the children explore with peers, parents will have time to separate and connect with other parents and a parent educator to discuss a variety of parenting topics.

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Messy Masterpieces

Ages 3-5 years | Non-separating

Does your child enjoy getting messy while having fun? Do you love the fun but not the mess? Come for the mess and leave the clean-up to us. Join us for a class that includes many options to spark your child’s creativity. Each week you and your child will be able to explore a variety of materials that promote creativity, appeal to multiple senses, and encourage curiosity.  

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School Readiness

Ages 3-5 years | Non-separating

Little Readers & Writers - Parents and children will explore our early childhood classroom where they will experience fun and engaging activities designed to support your child’s reading and writing development. Parents will receive information and tips about early reading and writing along with appropriate expectations for development. Together they will practice strategies to use at home in the form of print-based games and hands-on learning activities. 

Little Mathematicians - Join us in the early childhood classroom where you will learn what early math looks like and experience fun games and hands-on activities designed to build your child’s understanding of number concept, numeracy and spatial relationships. You will learn about preschool appropriate math strategies and what to expect when your child reaches kindergarten. Leave each week with simple activities and fun game ideas for home!  

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Stepping Stones

Ages 3-5 years

This 2 day per week class combines traditional ECFE and Preschool for the perfect blend of fun.  

Day 1 - ECFE class includes time for parent/child interaction and parent education.

Day 2 - Drop your child off for their two hour preschool experience where children will practice sharing, taking turns, using manners, pretending, following directions and engage in early literacy and math experiences...all in a play-based environment.

Children are not required to be toilet-trained to attend this class.

Explore, Create, Discover

Ages 0-5 years | Separating

Explore in our classroom designed for young children through pre-kindergarten. Get creative using a variety of art tools and opportunities. Discover together through parent/child activities, circle time, music, stories and parent discussion. Parenting topics will include the importance of everyday parenting.

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Friday Play Day

Ages 0-5 years | Non-separating

Join us to play and learn together. This non-separating class will include gym/large motor time, art, sensory play, and circle time with an early childhood teacher. You and your child can connect with other families in our safe and fun environment, so end your week with some uninterrupted play!

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Good Inside

Ages 0-5 years | Separating

Are you looking for specific and actionable strategies to help you connect and work through challenges with your child? Join the Good Inside class to learn parenting approaches based on the philosophies of Dr. Becky Kennedy, licensed psychologist and author of Good Inside. Children will explore our classroom with their caregivers, and then continue to play with our early childhood staff while caregivers separate for a discussion with a licensed parent educator.

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Music, Movement & More!

Ages 0-5 years | Separating

Whether you have one child or more, infant to pre-kindergarten, this movement, art and music class introduces your young artists to an exciting variety of sensory experiences. Children will learn through play in a multi-age setting using different mediums, colors, textures. Create and enjoy music, rhythm, and movement together through parent/child activities, circle time, music, and large motor activities. 

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Step into Learning

Ages 0-5 years | Separating

Step into learning with your child as they explore and grow. Infants through pre-kindergarteners will have opportunities for sensory play, social interaction and build developmental skills. Grown-ups will have time to meet with a parent educator to discuss the celebrations and frustrations that come with the parenting journey. This class will separate first for the parent discussion.

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ECFE Adventures

Ages 0-5 years | Separating

ECFE Adventures is a class for parents and children birth to pre-kindergarten. This class will include all of the ECFE classics, such as art projects, circle time with songs, and uninterrupted play time alongside your child. Separation will include time to connect with other parents and a licensed parent educator discussing the celebrations and frustrations related to parenting.

A Valentine Evening

Ages 0-5 years | Non-separating

Spend the evening with the ones you love! At this one time event we will focus on hearts and love. Parents and children will have the opportunity to make a card to give their Valentine on Valentines Day, sing songs, listen to a story at circle time, and play together.

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Sing Into Spring

Ages 0-5 years | Non-separating

This one time event will have you humming your favorite tune. You and your child will enjoy quality time in our ECFE classroom, making music together, singing and dancing at circle time, and creating a musical instrument.

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ECFE Outside (Add-on)

Ages 3-5 years 

Learning takes shape in a variety of ways, and anything you can learn indoors you can learn outdoors. Drop off your child ready to spend the afternoon outdoors and learn to look at the world in a different way. We will explore nature and play while we are learning. Must be concurrently enrolled in a separating ECFE class. Child must be 3 yrs old by Oct 15. Children are not required to be toilet-trained to attend this class.

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Family School

Ages 0-5 years

Family School is a program that combines Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and English as a Second Language (ESL) at the Crystal Lake Education Center. Classes are free and provided for families with children from infants to the start of kindergarten. Adults and children attend Family School at the same time. While the adults learn and practice English, children play and learn with peers in the early childhood room. Class meets Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:30-2:45pm September - May. Contact us to learn more information.

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LGBTQ+ Family

Ages 0-5 years

LGBTQ+ families, join us for an ECFE class where you will find community, resources and a welcoming space. Explore and play with your child/ren and then separate to discuss relevant parenting topics. You will gain knowledge and support from a licensed parent educator, honoring your unique experiences in this group of parents, caregivers and children who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.