Early childhood professionals are getting a big boost in skills this year.

A partnership between local public and private schools, daycares and the United Way is offering three classes on increasing children’s vocabulary and motor skills along with listening comprehension.

“We have wanted to do this for quite some time,” said Amy Baskin, Director of Community Education at Austin Public Schools.

Baskin said Woodson Kindergarten Center staff have noticed over the past several years a variation in incoming students’ vocabulary and listening skills. That’s why local educators wanted to put together some type of training for early childhood staff who work with pre-school students.

Local educators didn’t have that opportunity until this fall, when Austin Public Schools received a $1,000 grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. School officials reached out to the United Way and local daycares like Apple Lane Community Childcare Center to put three classes together, which focus on tips, tricks and lessons educators can use to make sure students are boosting their vocabulary, increasing their motor skills and gaining understanding of things they hear.

The first class took place Tuesday night. More than 90 people were registered for the event, according to Baskin. The next class takes place Feb. 7 and the last class is on March 6. Early childhood staff of all sorts can still register for classes by contacting the United Way at 507-437-2313.

The group wants to eventually provide free lessons to parents.

“As we learn the tools as staff, and as care providers, we can share that with our parents,” she said.