Preschool

Preschool

A Perfect Place for Learning

Building a block tower with friends. “Cooking” in a play kitchen. Sitting on the floor for a story. Making a craft. These are activities that occur every day in our preschool program.

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.

We offer structured programming for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds that emphasizes socialization and self-expression through manipulatives, art, music, fine and gross motor skills, and hands-on activities. Social-emotional development (not academics) is our main focus for the 2 and 3-year-old programs. The 4-year-old program introduces kindergarten readiness concepts through play-based 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. 

We look forward to fostering a love of learning in your child!

Preschool Classroom

Preschool Registration

  • Residents currently enrolled and continuing in the Preschool Program are given priority registration.
  • Children must be age appropriate by September 1 to enroll in the Preschool Program.
  • All students attending preschool need to provide a birth certificate, a completed medical form, a copy of current up to date immunizations, as well as all required (provided) paperwork required by DCFS. Failure to provide these documents by will result in a loss of your deposit and child’s spot in the program.

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

For information about registration, please contact Brooke Plofsky, Preschool Director, at 847-685-4400 or bplofsky@prparks.org.

2025-26 School Year Registration Information

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

  • Online registration is encouraged. 
  • IMPORTANT: To register online families must have an established account at the Park Ridge Park District. To create an account, please visit the Maine Park Leisure Center at least one week prior to the preschool registration date. Click here for more information. 
  • Some classes may be full due to priority registration for children currently enrolled in our Preschool Program.
  • All children must be completely toilet trained to participate.
  • Proof of residency is required to receive resident rates.
  • A $100 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration. Payment plans are available by calling the front desk.
  • 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).

Nature Preschool

We also offer Nature Preschool, a separate, but complementary program to the Park Ridge Park District Licensed Preschool.

Learn more

Have Questions?

If you have any questions about our play-based preschool program, please contact:

Brooke Plofsky, Supervisor: 

847-685-4400 or bplofsky@prparks.org

Michelle Fata, Assistant Supervisor:

847-685-4400 or mfata@prparks.org

We Offer Full-Day Options!

Looking to have your child attend school from 9:00am-3:00pm? 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. Our staff will take your child from class to class ensuring smooth transitions throughout the day.

Winter/Spring 2025 Options

Preschool Students

Programs

1140343 / Lunch and Play - Winter/Spring 2025

No class Mar 25, Mar 27, Apr 24
1140343-1 - Lunch & Play - Tu
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/7/2025 - 5/6/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140343-2 - Lunch & Play - Th
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/9/2025 - 5/8/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024

1140408 / Preschool Enrichment

Spark your preschooler's imagination in this intro to musical theater class! Students explore movement, music, and storytelling each week with equal class time devoted to dancing, singing, and acting. Children will develop poise, confidence, coordination, as well as motor and language skills
1140408-11 - Enrichment: Rising Stars Theater with Stage School
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
1/6/2025 - 5/5/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-12 - Enrichment: Fitness Fun with Hot Shot Sports
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
1/6/2025 - 5/5/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-13 - Enrichment: Space Station
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
1/7/2025 - 5/6/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-14 - Enrichment: Art Creations with Brickton Art Center
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/7/2025 - 5/6/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-15 - Enrichment: Reading Rookies
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
1/8/2025 - 4/30/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-16 - Enrichment:Sports with All Star Sports
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
1/8/2025 - 4/30/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-17 - Enrichment: Spanish for Preschoolers
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
1/9/2025 - 5/1/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-18 - Enrichment: Rockwall Climbing with Hot Shots Sports
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
1/9/2025 - 5/1/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-19 - Enrichment: Kid Rock!
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
1/10/2025 - 5/2/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-20 - Enrichment: Busy Builders
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
1/10/2025 - 5/2/2025
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-21 - Rising Stars Theater with Stage School
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/6/2025 - 3/17/2025
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-22 - Fitness Fun with Hot Shot Sports
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/6/2025 - 3/17/2025
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-25 - Reading Rookies
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/8/2025 - 3/19/2025
10:15 am - 11:15 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-26 - Sports with All Star Sports
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/8/2025 - 3/19/2025
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-27 - Spanish for Preschoolers
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/9/2025 - 3/20/2025
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-28 - Rockwall Climbing with Hot Shots Sports
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/9/2025 - 3/20/2025
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-31 - Rising Stars Theater with Stage School
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/6/2025 - 3/17/2025
12:45 pm - 1:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-35 - Reading Rookies
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/8/2025 - 3/19/2025
12:45 pm - 1:45 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024
1140408-38 - Rockwall Climbing with Hot Shots Sports
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/9/2025 - 3/20/2025
12:45 pm - 1:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-5 as of 9/1/2024

1140501 / Playtime Pals

Start your child's day in our morning playgroup of 3 and 4 year olds. This is the perfect setting to work on social growth and creativity. Our skillful teachers provide a warm classroom filled with friends and fun. Play on the rug, do an art project or climb on our classroom mountain! These are a just a few of the activities this class provides. Playtime Pals includes time for a snack, circle time, and enjoying our playground. If your child is enrolled in a class at Maine Park after Playtime Pals, staff can transition them to their next location within the building. Your child must be age appropriate by September 1, 2024 to register.
1140501-1 - Playtime Pals Tu
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/7/2025 - 3/18/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-4 as of 9/1/2024
1140501-2 - Playtime Pals Th
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
1/9/2025 - 3/20/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3-4 as of 9/1/2024

5140101 / 2 Year Old Preschool

Our play-based Preschool Program emphasizes socialization and self-expression through an array of creative and fun preschool appropriate activities. Students have fun learning vital social and emotional skills through art, music, manipulatives, and many other hands on activities. All children must be completely toilet trained and 2 years old by September 1, 2024. A $100 deposit is due at time of registration. Payment plans are available, please visit or call Maine Park to set up.
5140101-1 - 2 Yr Old Preschool MWF AM Playtime Pkwy
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/4/2024 - 5/7/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 2 by 9/1/2024
5140101-2 - 2 Yr Old Preschool T/TH AM Playtime Pkwy
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/3/2024 - 5/8/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 2 by 9/1/2024

5140102 / 3 Year Old Morning Preschool

Our play-based Preschool Program emphasizes socialization and self-expression through an array of creative and fun preschool appropriate activities. Students have fun learning vital social and emotional skills through art, music, manipulatives, and many other hands on activities. All children must be completely toilet trained and 3 years old by September 1, 2024. A $100 deposit is due at time of registration. Payment plans are available, please visit or call Maine Park to set up.
5140102-1 - 3 Yr Old Preschool M-F AM Imagination Way
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/3/2024 - 5/8/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3 by 9/1/2024
5140102-3 - 3 Yr Old Preschool MWF AM Discovery Drive
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/4/2024 - 5/7/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3 by 9/1/2024
5140102-4 - 3 Yr Old Preschool T/TH AM Discovery Drive
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/3/2024 - 5/8/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3 by 9/1/2024
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