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.

Registration Information

Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year is ongoing! Space is still available in some classrooms for Winter/Spring 2025.

Registration for the 2025-2026 school year begins Monday, March 10, 2025 at Noon.

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.
  • All Children must be completely toilet trained to participate.
  • The 2025-26 School Year starts Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

Preschool Open House

Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Maine Park Leisure Center, 2701 W. Sibley Street

Prospective families interested in learning more about the Park Ridge Park District's Traditional and Nature Preschool Programs are invited to attend our Open House, from 10:00am-11:00am (parents only) or 5:30pm-7:00pm (families welcome).

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

1160310 / Nature PlaySchool Winter/Spring 2025

Hike the trails around the pond, prairie, and woodland, draw in journals, turn over logs to look for insects and worms, sled down hills and trek through the snow, and get to know the animals at Wildwood while developing lifelong learning skills. Nature PlaySchool rotates curriculum, exploring different seasonal nature and science topics. This allows your child to attend a unique program for two years. All children must be completely toilet trained to participate no pull-ups or diapers. A $50 non-refundable deposit required at registration.
1160310-1 - Nature PlaySchool Tu AM
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/7/2025 - 5/6/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
Ages 3-4 as of Sept
1160310-3 - Nature PlaySchool Th AM
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/9/2025 - 5/8/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
Ages 3-4 as of Sept
1160310-5 - Nature PlaySchool Fri am
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/10/2025 - 5/2/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
Ages 3-4 as of Sept

1160340 / Lunch Bunch - Winter/Spring

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, Nature PlaySchoo, Maine Park Preschool, and Wildwood Early Childhood programs by staff. No class on days that Preschool or Playschool are not in session.
1160340-1 - Lunch Bunch Fri
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/10/2025 - 5/2/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Sept 1
1160340-2 - Lunch Bunch Mon
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/6/2025 - 5/5/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Sept 1
1160340-3 - Lunch Bunch Tues
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/7/2025 - 5/6/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Sept 1
1160340-4 - Lunch Bunch Wed
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
1/8/2025 - 5/7/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Sept 1
1160340-7 - Lunch Bunch Thur
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/9/2025 - 5/8/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Sept 1

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. No Class Dates: October 13, November 24-28, December 22-December 31. Registration for Fall 2025 Registration for Nature Preschool is for the full school year. There is a $50 non-refundable deposit due at the time of registration that deducts from the total fee for the program. When you register you can select to pay in full or select the payment plan option. If you choose the pay in full (PIF) option, the remaining balance will come due on your account on 8/15/2025. If you choose the payment plan option, it will show a balance of $50 in your cart for the deposit, and they remaining fee is split into 4 equal payments on 8/15, 9/15, 10/15, 11/15. Registration Dates - February 10 at 12:00 pm- Nature Preschool students enrolled in the current school year can register for Nature Preschool for 2025-2026 School Year - February 24 at 12:00 pm – Registration open to current Maine Park Preschool and Toddler Tree School families. - March 10 at 12:00 pm– Open Registration for all new students 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. Please reach out to the Registration Office at 847-692-5127 for more information about setting up an account.
5160310-5 - Nature PlaySchool Friday am
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
9/6/2024 - 12/20/2024
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Wildwood Nature Center
Ages
3.00-4.99

5160311 / Nature PlaySchool

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. No Class Dates: October 13, November 24-28, December 22-December 31. Registration for Fall 2025 Registration for Nature Preschool is for the full school year. There is a $50 non-refundable deposit due at the time of registration that deducts from the total fee for the program. When you register you can select to pay in full or select the payment plan option. If you choose the pay in full (PIF) option, the remaining balance will come due on your account on 8/15/2025. If you choose the payment plan option, it will show a balance of $50 in your cart for the deposit, and they remaining fee is split into 4 equal payments on 8/15, 9/15, 10/15, 11/15. Registration Dates - February 10 at 12:00 pm- Nature Preschool students enrolled in the current school year can register for Nature Preschool for 2025-2026 School Year - February 24 at 12:00 pm – Registration open to current Maine Park Preschool and Toddler Tree School families. - March 10 at 12:00 pm– Open Registration for all new students 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. Please reach out to the Registration Office at 847-692-5127 for more information about setting up an account.
5160311-1 - Nature Playschool Tuesday
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/2/2025 - 12/16/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Wildwood Program Center
Ages
3.00-5.15
5160311-2 - Nature Playschool Wednesday
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/3/2025 - 12/17/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Wildwood Program Center
Ages
3.00-5.15
5160311-3 - Nature Playschool Thursday
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/4/2025 - 12/18/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Wildwood Program Center
Ages
3.00-5.15

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
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