By Margaret Holler
Marketing & Public Relations Director
Park Ridge Park District

Did you know the Park Ridge Park District offers a structured preschool program for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds that emphasizes socialization and self-expression through art, music, fine and gross motor skills, and hands-on 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. The 2-year-old program focuses on developing social skills and growing as an individual in a playful setting. The 3-year-old program introduces numbers, letters, shapes and color recognition. The 4-year-old program is all about kindergarten readiness, problem solving and making new friends.

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.

The Park District also offers a nature preschool program through the Wildwood Nature Center, which is a separate but complementary program to the DCSF licensed preschool. The nature preschool program for 3 and 4-year-olds infuses traditional readiness in learning and preschool activities with an emphasis on the natural world. This program is predominantly outdoors. The curriculum incorporates the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards, and it regularly rotates curriculum. Different seasonal nature and science topics are explored to allow your child to attend this unique program for two years.

If you want your child to attend a full 9 a.m.-3 p.m. day of school, 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, and our staff will take your child from class to class to ensure smooth transitions throughout the day.

To learn more about our preschool, please visit PRParks.org, or call 847-685-4400 for our traditional preschool program, or 224-585-4861 for the nature preschool program. We are currently accepting registration for the 2024/2025 school year.