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.

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

2024-2025 Registration Information

Registration for the 2024-2025 school year is ongoing!

  • 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.
  • Birth Certificates are required for all new children enrolling.
  • Children must be age appropriate by September 1 to enroll.
  • 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.
  • School starts Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
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

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.

Fall 2024 Options

Preschool Students

Programs

5140103 / 4 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. This class concentrates on kindergarten readiness skills. All children must be completely toilet trained and 4 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.
5140103-1 - 4 Yr Old Preschool MWF AM Learning Lane
Register
Availability
Waitlist
Res/NonRes
9/4/2024 - 5/7/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 4 by 9/1/2024
5140103-6 - 4 Yr Old Preschool T/TH AM Learning Lane
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/3/2024 - 5/8/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 4 by 9/1/2024
5140103-9 - 4 Yr Old Preschool M-F AM Creative Court
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/3/2024 - 5/8/2025
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 4 by 9/1/2024

5140104 / 3 Year Old Afternoon 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 and fully potty trained. A $100 deposit is due at time of registration. Payment plans are available, please visit or call Maine Park to set up.
5140104-3 - 3 Yr Old Preschool MWF PM Discovery Drive
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/4/2024 - 5/7/2025
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3 by 9/1/2024

5140105 / 4 Year Old Afternoon 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. This class concentrates on kindergarten readiness skills. All children must be completely toilet trained and 4 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. Balance is due August 16th, 2024.
5140105-1 - 4 Yr Old Preschool MWF PM Imagination Way
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/4/2024 - 5/7/2025
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 4 as of 9/1/2024
5140105-6 - 3-4 Yr Old Preschool T/TH PM Creative Ct
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/3/2024 - 5/8/2025
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
3.00-4.99
5140105-10 - 4 Yr Old Preschool M-F PM Exploration Ave
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/3/2024 - 5/8/2025
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 4 as of 9/1/2024

5140106 / 3 Year Old Afternoon 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. A $100 deposit is due at time of registration. Payment plans are available, please visit Maine Park to set up. Children must be fully potty trained and 3 years old by September 1, 2024.
5140106-1 - 3-4 Yr Old Preschool T/Th PM Creative Ct.
Register
Availability
Unavailable
Res/NonRes
9/3/2024 - 5/8/2025
12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3 as of 9/1/2024

5140343 / Lunch and Play

Munch and crunch your lunch in the comfort of our vibrant but cozy Ridge Room with our preschool teachers. After you finish eating, you can relax and play until it's time to go to your next class. Teachers will escort your child to their afternoon program.
5140343-12 - Lunch and Play Tues
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/3/2024 - 12/17/2024
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Septem
5140343-14 - Lunch and Play Th
Register
Availability
Available
Res/NonRes
9/5/2024 - 12/19/2024
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Maine Park
Ages
Age 3-4 as of Septem