FAQs
RIE® Parent-Infant Classes
What is Educaring®?
RIE’s Educaring® Approach encourages adult caregivers to see young children as competent and capable humans from birth. The Approach seeks to help parents and professionals build stable, secure, healthy relationships with infants and toddlers, supporting children’s natural abilities from the very start. The Educaring Approach fosters an authentic sense of self and lays a foundation for connection and collaboration, enduring curiosity, and lasting self-confidence to support infants to be:
- Secure
- Competent
- Confident
- Curious
- Cheerful
- Attentive
- Exploring
- Cooperative
- Peaceful
- Focused
- Self-initiating
- Resourceful
- Involved
- Inner-directed
- Aware
- Interested
What are RIE Parent-Infant Classes?
RIE Parent-Infant Guidance classes were established as demonstration classes where the organizations’ founder, Magda Gerber demonstrated respectful interactions with infants and toddlers and supported parents on their journey of discovery of their child and themselves. Current classes follow the same demonstration and relaxed format as originally crafted by Magda.
What is the basic structure of the class?
The typical structure of in-person Parent-Infant Guidance classes are:
- Warm-in as families arrive
- Quiet observation period
- Discussion of observations
- Snack (once all children are sitting on their own)
- Clean-up
- Departure
The environment is set up with developmentally appropriate materials for children to explore at their own pace. Parents are invited to sit back and observe their child’s curiosity, discovery and learning. Facilitators model both allowing children to follow their inner drive and interests and intervening when necessary in peer interactions or acknowledging emotional expressions.
Who can bring my child to in-person classes?
We recognize that there may be multiple people who are an instrumental part of caring for your children. At RIE, since the heart of our approach is relationships, we feel it is important that classes be attended regularly by those who routinely provide care for the child. A visitor may attend our classes with a consistent adult. Please communicate with the facilitator of your class if you plan on bringing a visitor with you.
Do you offer online classes?
Yes. Facilitated by a certified RIE Associate, small groups of no more than 8 families come together in a supportive online forum. A variety of topics that are relevant to the children’s development are covered. Online Parent Guidance classes are topic-driven presentations that include videos, observations, articles and emergent questions that are discussed with a RIE facilitator and other parents in the group related to how to implement the Educaring Approach in your home.
Is parking available for in-person classes?
Yes. Street parking in the surrounding area of our Pasadena and Hollywood studios is available.
How often are classes?
Online classes are once a week for 60 minutes; in-person classes are once a week for 90 minutes.
How much does it cost to attend RIE baby classes?
In-person: The cost for a one-month in-person cycle is $195 and is prorated based on your start date. Classes are billed in one-month calendar-based cycles and are designed to begin as young as 3 months and last until the children are around 24 months. Some months include 3 classes due to closures for holidays or organizational events and some months include 5. The rate is based on an average of 4 classes per month and does not change.
Online: The cost for a one-month online cycle is $180 and is prorated based on your start date. Classes are billed in one-month calendar-based cycles and are designed to begin as young as newborn and last until the children are around 30 months. Some months include 3 classes due to closures for holidays or organizational events and some months include 5. The rate is based on an average of 4 classes per month and does not change. You are welcome to be in both online and in-person classes as each provides a different platform for learning. If enrolled in both classes, there is a 10% discount for the online format.
What is the commitment once I register?
We suggest that you attend at least 4 classes to really begin to get a feeling for the Educaring Approach. You may cancel your enrollment at the end of a monthly billing cycle. Credits for any unused classes will not be refunded.
What are your COVID protocols?
To attend RIE Parent-Infant Guidance classes in-person:
- Our class sizes are limited to 8 families per group, and we ask that one or two adults attend with each child. If you want to bring a visitor to class, please check in with the instructor.
- Adults will wash their hands and their child’s hands upon arrival to class.
- We require you to refrain from attending if you or your child have any symptoms of illness.
- If you receive a positive COVID test result or are exposed to someone who has, we require you to inform RIE’s Program Director, Melissa Coyne, and remain home for the duration of the illness and a 10-day quarantine period. All information will be kept confidential and anonymous.
- In the case of missed classes, refunds for the current billing cycle will not be issued and your spot in class may be filled. If desired, you can pay to hold your spot.
Can I watch a class or schedule a trial class?
At this time we are not allowing trial classes. However, please view our orientation videos or contact us at classinfo@rie.org for more information.
Do I need to purchase any books for the class?
No books are required. A hard copy of the RIE Manual for Parents and Professionals is included in the in-person tuition. For online classes, a hard copy of the RIE Manual can be purchased from the RIE store or on Amazon (availability varies by country). The ebook version is available as a Kindle version on Amazon, through Barnes & Noble, or through Smashwords.
What days is RIE closed to observe national holidays?
RIE classes will be closed for the following dates: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday and weekend following and a two week period at the end of the calendar year. While we recognize not everyone celebrates the same religious holidays, we do not offer credits or refunds for absences of any kind. This is primarily out of fairness to the Facilitators, who do not get paid unless the families pay. They conduct class and hold a family’s spot in that class, but are only compensated based on actual payments received from the families.
For more information, please contact classinfo@rie.org.