- Cambridge-Isanti Schools
- Early Childhood Programs
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Kim Goodmanson, Coordinator
Main: 763-691-6691 | Attendance: 763-691-6693 | Fax: 763-691-6692
428 2nd Ave NW Cambridge, MN 55008
Early Childhood Quick Links
- Register for C-I Preschool Here
- Register for ECFE Here
- Pay Preschool or ECFE Fees
- Early Childhood Screening
- Adventure Center Before & After School Program
- C-I Preschool FAQ & Registration Checklist
- Early Childhood Calendar
- Enroll My Child in the EC Census
- What If I Have a Concern About My Child's Development?
- Community Backpack
- Volunteer Information
Upcoming Events
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Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EC Screening
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Thursday
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Baby Cafe
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April 1, 2023
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9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ECFE First Birthday Party!
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April 2, 2023
Early Childhood News
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2022-2023 Cambridge-Isanti Preschool Supply List is available!
Cambridge-Isanti Preschool has joined the K-12 Schools in using TeacherLists.com!
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What is Early Childhood?
Early Childhood is a broad term used to describe programming for families & their children ages birth to kindergarten entrance. Early Childhood can include ECFE (classes that parent & child attend together), Preschool (child attends on their own), School Readiness (a tuition assistance program for preschool), and Early Childhood Screening (the Minnesota required screening that every child must have before entering Kindergarten). It can also include Early Childhood Special Education, where services are provided for children ages birth to kindergarten entrance for any special needs that have been identified. At Cambridge-Isanti we use the term “Early Childhood” to refer to all of our programs, like an umbrella.
Early Childhood Programs
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Early Childhood
What is ECFE?
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a program for all Minnesota families with children between the ages of birth to kindergarten entrance. The program is offered through Minnesota public schools. ECFE is based on the idea that the family provides a child’s first and most significant learning environment and parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. ECFE works to strengthen families. ECFE’s goal is to enhance the ability of all parents to provide the best possible environment for their child’s learning and growth.
Cambridge-Isanti ECFE classes are offered several times throughout each week, mornings and afternoons. ECFE classes are on a sliding fee scale so families choose which price fits their budget the best or they can pay the suggested price listed. No family is ever turned away for inability to pay.
What happens in ECFE?
ECFE programs are tailored locally to meet the needs of families in each specific community. Most programs contain the following components:
- Parent discussion groups
- Play and learning activities for children
- Parent-child activities
- Low cost sibling care is offered in many classes. This enables parents to attend a class with one child while a trained professional in an adjacent classroom is caring for another child.
- Special events for the entire family
- Home visits
- Early screening for potential children’s health and developmental problems
- Community resource information for families and young children
- Libraries of books and other learning materials
Who participates in ECFE?
Parents and children participate together. Participation is voluntary and services are offered free, or for a nominal fee. ECFE is committed to accessibility for everyone, so fees are waived for families unable to pay.
It is the goal of ECFE to serve a representative cross-section of families with young children in each community. All families have different needs. Programs usually offer several sessions with specific topics to meet the needs of families with special concerns, such as single parenting, teen parents, children with special needs, etc.
Can't Come to Us? Let Us Come to You! 763.691.6691
What is Preschool?
Cambridge-Isanti Preschool is for children ages 3 to 5. We offer classes in Cambridge (inside Cambridge Intermediate School) and Isanti (inside Isanti Primary School). Classes meet 5 (M-F), 3 (M/W/F) or 2 (T/Th) days a week. We have full-day classes (7:40-2:15), half-day morning classes (7:40-10:25) & half-day afternoon classes (11:40-2:15). Preschool is a tuition based program, $30 per contracted full-day & $15 per contracted half-day. There is a non-refundable $40 registration fee due at time of registration.
Cambridge-Isanti Preschool has scholarship monies available for families in need of tuition assistance. We have School Readiness & Pathway II scholarships. We also accept Pathway I scholarships. Many times we are able to help even if a family doesn’t qualify due to a higher income, reach out to us as we may be able to find another way to determine eligibility.
What is the difference?
The main differences between ECFE & Preschool are:
ECFE Preschool
parent & child attend together
parent drops child off
sliding fee scale
tuition based
How to decide which to enroll my child in?
The decision on which program to enroll into resides solely on the family. Each family is so different and there are so many different ways to approach Early Childhood learning. Rest assured that whatever decision you make in regards to Early Learning, it is the best answer for your family at that time. We are here to support you & your family in any way without judgement, so feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need help deciding which class to take. Many families participate in ECFE & Preschool simultaneously from birth until their child enters Kindergarten while others participate in just one program at a time. What works for your family works for us!
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Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)
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Preschool
We have many preschool options for families. All preschool options are for children that are 3-5 years old. There are low student-to-staff ratios, and all classes are led by passionate and experienced staff.
Preschool is tuition-based. A non-refundable registration fee is due at time of registration.
C-I Preschool classes are full or half-days 2, 3 or 5 days per week. Classes are held at Cambridge Intermediate School and Isanti Primary School and closely follow the K-12 calendar. Full-day classes for 3-4 and 4-5 year olds are available at Cambridge Intermediate School and a full-day class for 4-5 year olds is available at Isanti Primary School.
2023-2024 Preschool tuition is $30 per contracted full-day and $15 per contracted half-day.
Registration for 2023-24 school year is open! Registration is on-going as space is available.
Scholarships are available and can be applied for at any time. Click "Yes" during registration or contact our office for an application.
2022-2023 Preschool Family Handbook
The Adventure Center Program provides options for families looking for before and after-school care for preschool ages. More information about Adventure Center can be found here.
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Early Childhood Parent Advisory Council
Cambridge-Isanti Early Childhood relies upon the input of parents/caregivers in the district. Those on the council provide leadership, give input on class offerings and help to build a sense of community. It's a great way to be involved in your child's education!
Everyone is welcome! We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of every month during the school year, held at Cambridge Intermediate School, 428 2nd Ave NW, Cambridge. Meetings are held in the Early Childhood Parent Education room and are 6 - 7 pm.
The PAC puts on four main events each year:
- The Halloween Bash
- EC Family Fun Night
- The Sweetheart Dance
- EC Family Garage Sale
For more information about the Early Childhood Parent Advisory Council, contact Kim Goodmanson at kgoodmanson@c-ischools.org or 763-691-6612 OR register now & show up to see what we are all about!
Need child care? Register your kiddo's too! FREE child care while you are here - child care is limited to ages birth - 8 years.
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Connect with Early Childhood
Early Childhood Parent Advisory CouncilCambridge-Isanti Early Childhood relies heavily upon the input of parents in the district. Parents on the council provide leadership and help to build a sense of community.For more information about the Early Childhood Parent Advisory Council or to join contact Kim Goodmanson at 763-691-6612 or kgoodmanson@c-ischools.org.
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Enroll with Us