Summary: OOH: Planning ECFE Classes Summary

Open Office Hour: Planning ECFE Classes Summary

Date: January 22, 2026 (1:00-2:00pm)

Audience: ECFE Educators

Key Take Aways: Key takeaways from the discussion included the importance of using attendance data and preregistration, when available, to decide whether classes should continue, pause, or pivot. Programs shared that consistency in class day, time, and location supports attendance, while changes often lead to drop off. Late afternoon classes before dinner tend to work better than later evening options, which can conflict with bedtime and staffing capacity. Participants emphasized prioritizing age specific classes first, then adding topic based, multi age, or parent focused options, and using one time events and community partnerships to reach new families. There was also shared recognition that educators are holding space for families experiencing heightened stress and uncertainty, and that flexibility, responsiveness, and alignment with district guidance are essential when navigating sensitive topics.

Planning Considerations

• Programs balance consistency with flexibility in class planning
• Clear thresholds help decide when to continue or pause classes
• Small and rural programs use different planning approaches
• Timing strongly affects attendance, especially late afternoon options
• Evening classes can strain families and staff
• Attendance data and family feedback both inform decisions
• Programs are expanding beyond traditional weekly classes
• Onetime events are effective for outreach
• Community partnerships increase engagement
• Topic based and parent focused classes are popular
• Class planning responds to changing family needs and data

Class Ideas

• Active Adventures with open gym, open swim, or skating
• Late afternoon classes before dinner
• Non separating evening family time
• Topic based ECFE classes with focused parent discussion
• Parent only options for older families
• Fun parenting classes like Caffeine and Connection
• Free drop in options such as story time or large motor play
• One-time themed family classes
• Seasonal family events
• Family engagement nights with meals
• Culturally grounded parent gatherings
• Values based parenting conversations