Preschool

A perfect place for learning

Building a block tower with friends. “Cooking” in a play kitchen. Sitting on the floor for a story. Making a craft. These are activities that occur every day in our preschool program.

Under the guidance of our exceptional teachers, hands-on daily activities are designed to promote each child’s physical, creative, cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Best of all, with such a wonderful start in a nurturing, stable and loving environment, our young students gain a solid foundation for future school success, through play.

We offer structured programming for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds that emphasizes socialization and self-expression through manipulatives, art, music, fine and gross motor skills, and hands-on activities. Social-emotional development (not academics) is our main focus for the 2 and 3-year-old programs. The 4-year-old program introduces kindergarten readiness concepts through play-based activities.

Our Preschool Program is certified by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and all of our staff meet the qualifications set forth by this agency. 

We look forward to fostering a love of learning in your child!

We Offer Full-Day Options!

Looking to have your child attend school from 9:00am-3:00pm? We have wonderful options to help build your child's day, including traditional play-based Preschool, Nature Preschool, and enrichment programs. All preschool programs are housed within the Maine Park campus. Our staff will take your child from class to class ensuring smooth transitions throughout the day.

Click here to view Fall 2024 Full Day Options


If you have any questions please contact:

Brooke Plofsky, Supervisor: 847-685-4400 or bplofsky@prparks.org
Katie Aumiller, Assistant Supervisor: 847-685-4400 or kaumiller@prparks.org

Preschool

Our curriculum focuses on social/emotional development and kindergarten readiness skills. Our DCFS licensed preschool rooms and dedicated outdoor classroom spaces are full of fun things to play with to make learning fun while making new friends. 

2024-2025 School Year

For the 2024-25 school year, all children must be age appropriate by September 1, 2024. 

2024-25 School Year Fees:

2-Day: $1,530 R/$2,188 NR
3-Day: $2,185 R/$3,124 NR
5-Day: $3,713 R/$5,307 NR

2-Year-Old Program

Step right in without Mom or Dad. Develop social skills and grow as an individual in this playful setting. There is something for everyone in this preschool class. Cook in the pretend kitchen, roll the cars and trains, build a tower, and make new friends. Nurturing teachers help your child with craft projects, outdoor adventures on the tot playground, and circle time fun. Little ones practice following simple directions and separation from parents/caregivers. All children must be completely toilet trained.

Class Days

Time

M/W/F

9:00am-11:30am

Tu/Th

9:00am-11:30am

 

3-Year-Old Program

There’s so much to do in so little time! Get an introduction to numbers, letters, shapes, and color recognition. Teachers facilitate everything through fun and games in this play-based classroom. Emphasis is placed on a wide range of child development stages including emotional, social, language, and cognitive, as well as fine and gross motor skills. All children must be completely toilet trained.

Class Days

Time

M/W/F

9:00am-11:30am

M/W/F

12:30pm-3:00pm

Tu/Th

9:00am-11:30am

Tu/Th

12:30pm-3:00pm

M-F

9:00am-11:30am

 

4-Year-Old Program (Pre-Kindergarten)

Practice your ABC’s and 123's! This class is all about kindergarten readiness, problem solving, and making new friends. Our warm- hearted teachers provide a colorful and stimulating learning environment ready for creative imaginations and discovery. Throughout the year, we continue to work on many important skills including: self-help, social, emotional, gross and fine motor, along with academic skills expected for kindergarten. A Preschool Graduation Ceremony takes place in the spring.

Class Days

Time

M/W/F

9:00am-11:30am

M/W/F

12:30pm-3:00pm

Tu/Th

9:00am-11:30am

Tu/Th

12:30pm-3:00pm

M-F

9:00am-11:30am

M-F

12:30pm-3:00pm

 

Playtime Pals All-Day Option

Students start their day in our morning play group filled with friends and fun! Class includes time for a snack and outdoor play. They then transition to their enrichment class, where they eat their parent-provided lunch and enjoy specialty activities before attending afternoon preschool. Our enrichment classes introduce pre-k skills, foster social growth, and offer gross motor time. Our teachers walk the children to each class throughout the morning until they arrive at afternoon preschool.

The schedule is as follows:

  • 9:00am-11:15am    Playtime Pals
  • 11:15am-12:30pm    Lunch and Enrichment Class
  • 12:30pm-3:00pm    Afternoon Preschool

2024-2025 School Year Fees:
Mon/Wed/Fri  $1,638
Tues/Thurs  $1,162

For more information, contact Brooke at bplofsky@prparks.org.


Guidelines for Preschool

  • Registration is held online at prparks.org. In-person registration at Maine Park Leisure Center is also available if needed.
  • All preschool classes are held at the Maine Park Leisure Center.
  • Children must be age appropriate for their class by September 1st of that school year.
  • We are unable to take friend or teacher requests.
  • Parents must provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate and other paperwork that will be distributed before the school year starts.
  • Each child will be given a school supply list.
  • Classrooms have two hand washing stations and a bathroom. 
  • Children will be required to bring their own nut free snack and water bottle.
  • Children will need to separate from their caregiver/parent.
  • Children will need a basic ability to independently manage self-hygiene and personal needs including: proper hand-washing, toileting, changing their shoes/boots, independently dressing themselves (this includes their outerwear), and verbally expressing their needs. Teachers will continue to help encourage and teach these skills at school.

preschool children