Early start - Waseca Childcare Fair

The Waseca Intermediate School played host to the 41st Annual Waseca Early Childhood Fair on Friday, March 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. Some 23 organizations from Waseca and the Waseca area participated in the event, coordinated by the Waseca Family Education Center.

The purpose of the fair is to provide families with the tools to help their children succeed while encouraging them to participate in their child’s education.

There were plenty of opportunities for the students to have fun. Some of the highlights included Waseca County Dairy Princess Maia Bartelt making an appearance with a calf for children and adults alike to pet. Kim and Steve Scheffert brought piglets and a baby goat.

If a mini petting-zoo wasn’t quite what the kids were looking for, there were many other activities including a giant Connect Four game, a fishing pond, and Play-Doh tables. Even the Waseca Fire and Police Departments and the County Sheriff made an appearance and provided fun activities which also gave information about safety.

While the children had fun, organizations from all over the local area provided the parents with information they could find useful. Some of the agencies are located in town, including TEAM Academy School, Jays’ Nest, and Waseca Head Start. Other agencies outside of Waseca County were the Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota (based out of Mankato) and Families First of Minnesota.

Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota provide support to families that may be struggling with nurturing their children due to financial strains or housing problems. Families First is an agency that has a Head Start program for preschools.

The evening provided many opportunities for both the soon-to-be students and their parents to learn more about the options available to them. It especially gave the parents a chance to get educated themselves on how they can get more involved in their child’s education while receiving support along the way.