Early Childhood Screening

What is Early Childhood Screening?
Minnesota law requires Early Childhood Screening (ECS) before a child can enter kindergarten.  ECS is a check of a child’s hearing and vision, weight and height, health history, immunizations, speech and language, general development and motor skills.  Screening is free to parents and is offered once during a child’s preschool years.  

Where is screening held?
Screening is held at St. Mark Church on North Road in Circle Pines seven times per year.  Parent’s are called by the district prior to their child’s fourth birthday. 

Shouldn’t I wait until my child is five to have them screened so they do better on the test?
No, screening is used to identify children who may have health or developmental concerns as early as possible so they can be off to a good start when they enter school. Through this process, parents gain information about their child’s health and overall development.  Resources that help children grow are available.  Screening is NOT a readiness test for kindergarten. 

How do I schedule a screening appointment?
If you are not called within two months after your child turns four, please call 763-792-6000 to leave a message for the screening secretary.  District census information is used to identify and call parents for screening appointments.  If you are new to the district or have a new baby, please call 763-792-6177 to make sure you are on the census.

For more information on screening call Renee Dietz at 763-792-6134 or Donna McKenny at 763-792-5025.
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Advisory Council

The Centennial Early Childhood Advisory Council is a group of parents who meet throughout the year to provide input for early childhood program development. This is an excellent way for you to meet other parents or pre-schoolers and make suggestions that will help in designing classes and events that meet your needs. Child care is provided for all meetings.
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New Baby Visits

Centennial ECFE offers a free home visit to families with new babies in the Centennial School District. An ECFE representative will come to your home with resources available in the community for you and your family, information on classes, playtimes that ECFE offers, and a free gift.
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Resource Library

ECFE has an ever growing library of books, videos and totes for Centennial District parents to checkout. Books on parenting, discipline, and education are some of the topics.
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Census

If you have a child from birth to kindergarten age, please by sure they are on the school district census. You will automatically receive the ECFE brochure, early childhood screening information, and other district news. Call  763-792-6177 to check on the census.
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