The Inside Wayzata Podcast episode celebrates National Community Ed Day by exploring the impact and offerings of community education in the Wayzata school district. We discuss the diverse programs available for all ages, from early childhood to adults. The conversation highlights the importance of community connection, lifelong learning, and the unique opportunities provided by Community Ed, including after-school programs, adult education, ECFE, and volunteer initiatives.

• 00:00:00 Introduction to Community Ed
• 00:01:45 Programs for All Ages
• 00:03:00 After-School Opportunities
• 00:04:20 Adult Education
• 00:06:45 Funding and Scholarships
• 00:08:45 Putting the Community in Community Ed
• 00:10:20 Volunteer Initiatives and Community Engagement
• 00:12:34 Welcome Center
• 00:13:50: Wayzata Kids and other opportunities
• 00:16:15 Unique opportunities
• 00:19:50 Future Initiatives and Expansion
• 00:23:08 Rapid Fire Questions

On today's episode, Zach sits down with the director and a couple of stars from the fall musical at Wayzata High School: Anything Goes!

The conversation emphasizes the significance of community involvement in local high school musicals, highlighting how these events are integral to the high school experience and provide a platform for young artists to showcase their talents.

Get your tickets today! https://www.whstheatre.com/

In this episode of the Inside Wayzata podcast, host Zach Nelson speaks with Michele Bedor, the director of early learning, about the Wayzata Early Learning School. They discuss the various programs offered, including Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and preschool options, emphasizing the importance of community support for parents and the developmental benefits for children. The conversation also covers the transition to kindergarten and the Connect at Three initiative, which aims to engage families early in their child's education.


Takeaways

The Wayzata Early Learning School offers programs for children from birth to five years old.
ECFE provides support and community for parents of young children.
Building connections among parents is a key goal of ECFE.
Children learn social skills and independence through early learning programs.
Preschool focuses on learning through play and exploration.
Full-day preschool is integrated with childcare services.
Connect at Three is an early childhood screening initiative.
The focus is on preparing schools and communities for children, not the other way around.
Parents can schedule tours to see the early learning environment.
The early learning programs aim to make families feel connected to the district.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Early Learning at Wayzata
01:08 Overview of Early Learning Programs
03:38 The Role of ECFE in Parenting Support
07:52 Benefits for Children in Early Learning
10:11 Transitioning from ECFE to Preschool
12:38 Learning Through Play in Preschool
14:54 Understanding Full Day vs Part Day Preschool
17:41 Connect at Three: Early Childhood Screening
21:51 Preparing for Kindergarten
23:44 Conclusion and Resources for Families