Frequently asked questions
What are the overall services offered by the PECE program?
- Child care for children ages 1-5 years old, while their parent is attending an Adult Education class in the Wellstone Center.
- Preschool for children ages 3-5 years’ old who are not enrolled in another preschool program.
- Online and in-home visits for families enrolled in the child care or preschool program
Our early childhood education services are designed to help young children gain the academic and social-emotional skills they need to be ready for school. Teachers partner with students’ caregivers to provide fun and educational activities that identify child and family needs, promote healthy development, and address developmental issues.
What are the hours of the program?
Child care & Preschool
- Child care: Wellstone Center, Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
- Preschool: Wellstone Center, Monday – Friday, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Preschool: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Online and in-home sessions
- Online and in-home visits are offered Monday – Friday mornings and afternoons. The specific meeting time is chosen by the family. Home visits last one hour if the session is in person, and 30 minutes if the session is online.
How can I volunteer to support this program?
You can find current volunteer opportunities at Neighborhood House by clicking here to be directed to our volunteer page.
Who is eligible to enroll in your programs?
We keep our eligibility requirements simple.
- Child care eligibility requirement: the child is ages 1 – 5 years old, and their parent is attending a class inside the Wellstone Center at the same time.
- Preschool eligibility requirements: The child is ages 3 – 5 years old, the child is toilet trained and not wearing diapers or pull ups to class, and the child is not enrolled in any other preschool program.
- Home Visits: The child is enrolled in Neighborhood House’s child care or preschool program.
What are the costs for my family to participate in your services?
All of these services are tuition free.
Who are the staff members in your program and what are their qualifications?
The Parent and Early Childhood Education teaching team has a combined total of more than 35 years of experience working with young children and their families. All staff members on the teaching team have a Bachelor’s Degree focused in Social Work, Anthropology, Human Services, or Education with a teaching license.
Does your program serve meals during class?
Our program provides all children a snack during each class session. We encourage caregivers to feed their child a meal before class if they anticipate their child may be hungry during class.
Do you provide transportation for my child to and from early childhood education classes?
We do not provide transportation to and from early childhood education classes.
What does my child need to bring to class?
Your child does not need to bring anything to class. We provide all materials and snacks. Bringing a spare set of clothes in a backpack is recommended, but not a requirement.
My child has never attended a child care program before. What happens if they cry while I am dropping them off for class?
It is normal for children to be nervous or sad to be away from their parent or caregiver for their first few weeks of school. Most children become increasingly comfortable in class the longer they attend. Bringing your child to class regularly will help your child become familiar with their new routine of going to school.
English is not my family’s native language. Can my family participate in this program successfully?
Yes. We serve many dual-language families. The teachers will work to help your child increase their English language acquisition skills during in-home and online sessions, as well as during their time in class. Teachers can also arrange for translators to be present during meetings with students’ parents or caregivers.
My child has a disability and/or needs tailored assistance. Can the teachers make accommodations for my child in class?
Yes. The teachers are committed to inclusive programming and serving students who need additional support or assistance. Please share your child’s needs with the teachers during your enrollment meeting.
What will my child learn in class?
The skills children work on in class depend on the child’s age and development level. All children will be immersed in activities that build on literacy, math, language, motor, and cognitive skills, such as exploring the alphabet, nurturing emergent reading and writing skills, and learning number concepts and operations. Student growth in social-emotional skills will also be fostered, like identifying feelings, emotional regulation, developing friendships with peers, and sharing.
What will my child learn during in-home and online sessions?
Unlike in the classroom, where children learn together in a large group setting, the teacher will work one on one with your child during in-home and online visits. The teacher will bring games, books, and activities to your home to work with your child to help them get ready for school. The teacher will also ask for your input regarding what kinds of activities you would like to see your child work on, and you will be invited to participate in the activities with your child. Common topics of discussion between the teacher and caregiver during sessions include the child’s progress in class, behavior guidance, dual-language learning, child development, school-readiness, and family-friendly events in the community.
Do I need to do anything to prepare in advance for an online or in-home session?
No. The teacher will provide all of the activities and materials needed.
How do I find out more information or enroll my child in these services?
Please call our Service Connect line at 651.789.3602. You will complete a brief intake and then will be connected to a teacher. The teacher will coordinate a time for you to tour the classroom, meet the teaching team, and fill out registration paperwork. After the paperwork is completed, your child can begin attending class and participating in online or in-home learning sessions.
