By Margaret Holler
Park Ridge Park District

Looking for the perfect preschool adventure for your little one? Look no further than the Park Ridge Park District. From tots to soon-to-be kindergartners, our programs are designed to spark joy, curiosity, and a love for learning — through play.

Our preschool program, certified by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), offers something special for every age. Two- and three-year-olds dive into a world of social play and discovery, while our four-year-olds get a jump start on kindergarten with early academics and social skills.

New this year, we’re turning up the fun (and learning) with our STEAM School for four-year-olds, where science, tech, engineering, art and math meet messy, magical hands-on exploration. Students will learn to predict, observe, mix, measure, analyze, collect data, estimate, investigate and, most importantly, use creativity and critical thinking skills.

From tots to soon-to-be kindergartners, Park Ridge Park District programs are designed to spark joy, curiosity, and a love for learning — through play.

Prefer your preschooler be outside exploring the wonders of nature? Our nature preschool at Wildwood Nature Center blends outdoor play with early learning. Think nature walks, bug hunts and seasonal science themes — all tied to Illinois Early Learning Standards.

And if you’re looking for a full-day 9 a.m.-3 p.m. option, we’ve got you covered. Mix and match our preschool, nature preschool and enrichment classes to build a day full of learning, laughter and smooth, staff-led transitions between programs.

At the Park Ridge Park District, every day is an adventure, and every child’s journey starts with play.

To learn more about our preschool programs, 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 2025/2026 school year.