FAQ Category: Preschool

There are 18 children in each class.

Our goal is to be outside 50% of the school day. When the
weather is nice, we may be out longer. If the weather is making students uncomfortable, we go in earlier. The student’s comfort is our guide, but families are expected to send their child in appropriate clothing that allows us to be outside even on the colder winter days.

Severe wind and thunder & lightning are the only things that keep us inside.
Warm snowsuits, warm boots, hats, and water-proof gloves/mittens allow us to enjoy learning outdoors on the coldest days, and rain gear on the wettest ones.

Children will interact with natural environments, allowing them to learn by doing and to experiment with ideas inside and outside. We provide countless opportunities for discovery, creativity, problem-solving, and STEM education. Learning activities are designed and chosen to provide organic learning opportunities presented through play and
with social-emotional development in mind.

We use an emergent, play-based curriculum. Lesson plans are made weekly and studies usually last two to three weeks based on the interests of the students. Past studies have included topics such as Insects, The Water Cycle, Dinosaurs, Bioluminescence, Nocturnal Animals, Animal Tracks & more.

Preschool pricing information is available in the Park District’s program brochures as well as the preschool section of our website: https://www.pdop.org/preschool/ For more information about our preschool program, please reach out to: Natalie Kurek, Early Childhood Program Director, can be reached at Natalie.Kurek@pdop.org and Pilar Martinez can be reached at Pilar.Martinez@pdop.org.