Nature Preschool

Nature Preschool

Providing children a solid foundation for future school success

This Wildwood Nature Center program infuses traditional readiness learning and preschool activities with an emphasis on the natural world and daily outdoor discovery. The curriculum incorporates the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards.

Fall 2024 Registration Information

Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year is ongoing!

General Information

  • Some classes may be full due to advance registration for children currently enrolled in our Nature Preschool Program.
  • A $100 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration. Balance is due by August 16, 2024.
  • Children must be age appropriate by September 1, 2024.
  • All Children must be completely toilet trained to participate.
  • Start date is Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
Kids playing and learning with nature hands on activity
Preschool Program

Looking for a more traditional preschool setting? Check out our Maine Park preschool program.

Learn more

Have Questions?

Nature Preschool is a separate, but complementary program to the Park Ridge Park District Licensed Preschool. If you have any questions please contact:

Molly Kowalski, Supervisor

224-585-4861 or mkowalski@prparks.org

Maggie Martin, Assistant Supervisor

224-585-4862 or mmartin@prparks.org

Programs

5160310 / Nature PlaySchool Fall 2024

Hike the trails around the pond, prairie, and woodland, draw in their journals, turn over logs to look for insects and worms, and get to know the animals at Wildwood all while developing lifelong learning skills in the classroom and outside. Nature PlaySchool rotates curriculum, exploring different seasonal topics each year and different curriculum each day. This allows your child to attend a unique program for multiple individual days and for two years. All children must be completely toilet trained to participate. Age is 3-4 years old as of September 1. Priority Registration for currently enrolled students begins Friday, February 9th at 10:00 am online. Open registration for all new students begins Friday, March 1st at 10:00 am online.
5160310-1 - Nature PlaySchool Tue am
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/3/2024 - 12/17/2024
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
3.00-4.99
5160310-2 - Nature PlaySchool Thurs am
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/5/2024 - 12/19/2024
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
3.00-4.99
5160310-5 - Nature PlaySchool Friday am
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/6/2024 - 12/20/2024
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
3.00-4.99

5160320 / NPS MWF

Wildwood's nature focused program for children ages 3-4 infuses traditional readiness learning and preschool activities with an emphasis on the natural world and daily outdoor discovery. The curriculum incorporates the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards. In addition to their ABC’s and 123’s, preschoolers hike the trails around the pond, prairie, and woodland, draw in their journals, turn over logs to look for insects and worms, and get to know the animals at Wildwood all while developing lifelong learning skills in the classroom and outside. Nature Preschool rotates curriculum, exploring different seasonal topics. This allows your child to attend a unique program for two years. All children must be completely toilet trained to participate. Age is 3-4 years old as of September 1. Priority Registration for students currently enrolled begins Friday, February 9th at 10:00 am online Open Registration for new students begins Friday, March 1st at 10:00 am online No Class No Class October 14, November 25-29, December 23- January 3, January 20, February 17, March 24-28. Registration for the program is online. If you have never registered for a Park District program, you will need to set up your Household account with the Park Ridge Park District to create an account.
5160320-1 - Nature Preschool MWF am
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
9/4/2024 - 5/7/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Septem
5160320-2 - Nature Preschool MWF pm
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
9/4/2024 - 5/7/2025
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Septem

5160330 / NPS TTh

Wildwood's nature focused program for children ages 3-4 infuses traditional readiness learning and preschool activities with an emphasis on the natural world and daily outdoor discovery. The curriculum incorporates the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards. In addition to their ABC’s and 123’s, preschoolers hike the trails around the pond, prairie, and woodland, draw in their journals, turn over logs to look for insects and worms, and get to know the animals at Wildwood all while developing lifelong learning skills in the classroom and outside. Nature Preschool rotates curriculum, exploring different seasonal topics. This allows your child to attend a unique program for two years. All children must be completely toilet trained to participate. Age is 3-4 years old as of September 1. Priority Registration for students currently enrolled begins Friday, February 9th at 10:00 am online Open Registration for new students begins Friday, March 1st at 10:00 am online No Class No Class October 14, November 25-29, December 23- January 3, January 20, February 17, March 24-28. Registration for the program is online. If you have never registered for a Park District program, you will need to set up your Household account with the Park Ridge Park District to create an account.
5160330-1 - Nature Preschool TuTh am
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
9/3/2024 - 5/8/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Septem
5160330-2 - Nature Preschool TuTh pm
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/3/2024 - 5/8/2025
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Septem

5160342 / Lunch Bunch

Extend your Preschool or PlaySchool day at Lunch Bunch. Bring your lunch then enjoy free play indoors and outdoors after your meal. Children are escorted to and from lunch and the Nature Preschool and Nature PlaySchool program by staff. No class on days that Preschool or Playschool are not in session. Priority registration begins for students currently enrolled on Friday, February 9th at 10:00 am online. Open registration for new students begins in Friday, March 1st at 10:00 am online.
5160342-1 - Lunch Bunch Fri
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
9/6/2024 - 12/20/2024
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Septem
5160342-2 - Lunch Bunch Mon
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
9/9/2024 - 12/16/2024
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Septem
5160342-12 - Lunch Bunch Tu
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
9/3/2024 - 12/17/2024
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Septem
5160342-13 - Lunch Bunch Wed
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
9/4/2024 - 12/18/2024
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Septem
5160342-14 - Lunch Bunch Th
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
9/5/2024 - 12/19/2024
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Septem

5160352 / NPS M-F

Wildwood's nature focused program for children ages 3-4 infuses traditional readiness learning and preschool activities with an emphasis on the natural world and daily outdoor discovery. The curriculum incorporates the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards. In addition to their ABC’s and 123’s, preschoolers hike the trails around the pond, prairie, and woodland, draw in their journals, turn over logs to look for insects and worms, and get to know the animals at Wildwood all while developing lifelong learning skills in the classroom and outside. Nature Preschool rotates curriculum, exploring different seasonal topics. This allows your child to attend a unique program for two years. All children must be completely toilet trained to participate. Age is 3-4 years old as of September 1. Priority Registration for students currently enrolled begins Friday, February 9th at 10:00 am online Open Registration for new students begins Friday, March 1st at 10:00 am online No Class No Class October 14, November 25-29, December 23- January 3, January 20, February 17, March 24-28. Registration for the program is online. If you have never registered for a Park District program, you will need to set up your Household account with the Park Ridge Park District to create an account.
5160352-1 - Nature Preschool M-F am
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
9/3/2024 - 5/8/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Septem
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