Preschool

Preschool pricing information is available in the Park District’s program brochures as well as the preschool section of our website: https://www.pdop.org/preschool/

Children will interact with natural environments, allowing them to learn by doing and to experiment with ideas inside and outside. We provide countless opportunities for discovery, creativity, problem-solving, and STEM education. Learning activities are designed and chosen to provide organic learning opportunities presented through play and with social-emotional development in mind.

We use an emergent, play-based curriculum. Lesson plans are made weekly and studies usually last two to three weeks based on the interests of the students. Past studies have included topics such as Insects, The Water Cycle, Dinosaurs, Bioluminescence, Nocturnal Animals, Animal Tracks & more.

Our goal is to be outside 50% of the school day. When the
weather is nice, we may be out longer. If the weather is making students uncomfortable, we go in earlier. The student’s comfort is our guide, but families are expected to send their child in appropriate clothing that allows us to be outside even on the colder winter days.

Severe wind and thunder & lightning are the only things that keep us inside.
Warm snowsuits, warm boots, hats, and water-proof gloves/mittens allow us to enjoy learning outdoors on the coldest days, and rain gear on the wettest ones.

There are 20 children in each class.

One lead and two assistant teachers. The low teacher to child ratio is a unique benefit to the Nature Preschool program and supports learning and safety outside.

8:30-8:55 Arrivals, greetings, & initial exploring/activity outside
8:55-9:05 Morning meeting (good morning song, book, discussions, & sharing)
9:05-10:10 Morning walk followed by Outdoor Investigations & Play
10:10-10:20 Transition to inside classroom, put things away, change shoes, & wash hands
10:20-10:35 Snack & conversation (outside on especially nice days in the spring)
10:35-10:45 Sign-in & quiet reading time or journaling
10:45-10:55 Whole-group time (calendar, jobs, book, topic discussion, science experiment)
10:55-11:25 Choice time/small groups (art, science & nature, literacy, writing, math, engineering)
11:25-11:30 Clean-up time
11:30-11:40 Closing whole-group (book, topic discussion, science experiment, final song)
11:40 Get ready to go home
11:45 Parent/Guardian pick-up from east doors

PreK runs from 8:30A to 12:00P.

8:30-9:00 am Check in & initial exploring/activity outside
9-9:15 am Circle time
9:15-10:20 am Play time/Centers
10:20 am Clean up and get ready for Outside
10:30- 11 am Outside
11:10 am Snack
11:20ish Kids will go to the library section as they finish. Circle time: Movement and story time
11:45-12:00 pm Get ready and Check out

Yes. If your child has any dietary restrictions, please have them bring a tree nut/ peanut free snack. We are a nut free facility.

Yes.

Potty training is not a requirement, but we ask that the process be underway. Sharing any details about the language, routines, or strategies used at home can help us support your child in the classroom and maintain consistency for success. Caregivers will be contacted if a child has a bowel movement, as we are not licensed to assist with wiping. However, we can guide children in changing their clothes independently if needed when it is not a bowel movement.