What is the Downers Grove Park District's basic philosophy for preschool?
What are the qualifications of your teachers?
All teachers are qualified, experienced professionals. Lead Teachers have an education degree, education related degree, or equivalent experience. Each Teacher Aide has previous teaching experience in the area of early childhood education, many within other park district early childhood programs. Professional development sessions are held in-house throughout the year, and staff are encouraged to seek outside development opportunities through our reimbursement program. Learn more about staff.
What are the classroom capacities and teacher/child ratios?
There are six preschool classrooms located at the Lincoln Center. All classrooms have two teachers and a maximum of 18 children (2-year-old classes have a maximum of 14 children). The number of children is based on age as well as the square footage of the classroom, allowing for maximum space.
What does a typical day in the classroom look like?
A consistent daily schedule helps create a sense of security and promotes independence as children transition through the program. A typical day in class includes:
- Arrival & Circle Time – Songs, stories, and movement
- Free Play – Helps with transition and socialization
- Sensory & Art Activities – Hands-on exploration
- Gross Motor Play – We go to the gym or outside at least 1x per week
- Large group teacher-directed activity (such as story time, show and tell, music and movement)
- Closing Activities & Dismissal – We finish the day with a water break, table toys, and more songs and stories
We do not eat a snack as part of our normal day; however we may serve a special snack at certain times of the year. It’s important to share any dietary restrictions or allergies with your teachers so we may accommodate your child's needs. Allergies and dietary restrictions can be modified at any time through ePACT. ePACT is the software we utilize for all student information/emergency forms. Learn more under "Parent Resources".
What curriculum do you follow? What are your goals for students?
We use a play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum that focuses on social-emotional growth, language development, fine and gross motor skills, and early learning concepts like colors, shapes, number recognition, number sense, letter recognition and basic phonemic awareness.
What are the daily drop off and pick up procedures?
The daily procedures are planned to offer maximum safety and security. Parents can either escort their child to the preschool classroom or parents can choose to participate in an optional curbside drop-off and pick-up program. At the end of the day, children are individually released to their parent or designated pick-up person. Parents maintain a list of who is allowed to pick up their child through ePACT.
What safety measures are in place?
- Preschool classrooms are located on their own floors. Cameras are used to monitor the hallways and areas around the classrooms.
- The Preschool floor hallway doors are locked outside of drop-off or pick-up times.
- Individual classroom doors remain locked at all times.
- All staff are background checked and certified in CPR/AED & First Aid.
- We conduct semi-annual fire drills under the guidance of the Fire Department.
- Staff receive training in handling active threat scenarios.
How do you communicate with parents?
We primarily use the Remind App to share updates, photos, and important reminders. A monthly calendar and newsletter is also sent home. We also hold optional Parent-Teacher Conferences in late February/early March, though parents are always welcome to reach out to teachers or schedule check-ins at any time.
Does preschool take field trips?
Walking field trips are included each year. Local walking field trips are typically planned for the spring, and may include destinations like the Downers Grove Museum or the Library. Occasionally, classes may take walks to nearby playgrounds, such as Randall Park. Parents are notified via Remind if their child's class is going off-site.
Are there activities that include parents and family?
- A Welcome Night takes place a few weeks prior to the start of the school year. Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend with their children to help children get acquainted with their teachers, new friends and surroundings prior to the first day of preschool.
- A Halloween Costume Parade is held on/in the days leading up to Halloween.
- A Holiday Program in December invites family members to a performance of songs by the children.
- The 3-year-old classes have a special Family Celebration in late April/early May
- 4/5-year-old classes have a Graduation Ceremony during the last two days of school
- An end-of-year field day is held during the last week of school
- Parents are invited to help chaperone any walking trips that may be scheduled for the year
What other special activities are offered during the year?
The preschool curriculum includes a number of programs presented in cooperation with the Downers Grove Police and Fire Department as well as other local businesses. These include programs on fire safety, oral hygiene, railroad safety, and visits from our friends at Lyman Woods. Additionally, children learn safety procedures through practicing fire drills.
What schedule does preschool follow?
Preschool begins after Labor Day and ends before Memorial Day. The Preschool program follows District 58 holidays (not teacher institute days). The preschool program takes a 1-week break over the Thanksgiving Holiday, a 3-week Winter Break at the end of December/beginning of January, and a 1-week Spring Break, typically at the end of March. See our "Dates to Remember" sheet for more.
My child is not yet potty-trained. Can I still enroll?
Many parents experience late training with their three-year-old children. If your child is struggling in spring, don't panic! There is still time over the summer. However, if August is approaching and your child is struggling with potty training, please contact the Recreation Supervisor. We are willing to work with parents to a degree regarding this issue, but reserve the right to remove a child that is not bathroom independent. Bathroom independence is a must for our 4/5-year-old program. Children do not need to be potty-trained to attend 2-year-old Preschool. Please see the complete bathroom independence/potty training policy in the Parent Handbook.
How quickly does the wait list progress?
Placement into a class is only offered to waitlisted participants in the event that a currently enrolled student withdraws. Unfortunately, we do not have the space to increase our class ratios or offer additional sessions of a class. Each year varies and class placement cannot be guaranteed.
How are individual preschool classes formed?
For 3-year-olds, we typically have two Tu/Th classes; for the 4/5-year-old program, we typically have two M/W/F classes. When these groups are split into separate classrooms, a number of factors go into the decision: gender, age, medical/dietary needs, etc. Twins are kept together in the same classroom or can be separated, based on parental choice. Parents are notified in August as to their child's classroom placement and teachers.
What if I need to discontinue my child's enrollment in preschool?
Please contact the Recreation Supervisor with your intended last day of class. Registration deposits are non-refundable, but a pro-rated tuition refund may be available - please check the Parent Handbook for the full refund policy.
Can I enroll my child mid-year?
Yes! If space is available, new enrollments are accepted mid-year. New enrollments must still match the age cutoff for the class - e.g. if your child turns three after Sept. 1, they cannot join the 3-year-old program mid-year, but they would be eligible to join the 2-year-old program. Please contact the Recreation Supervisor if you are interested in enrolling your child mid-year. New enrollments will not be accepted after Spring Break.
What happens if my child is struggling with behavioral or developmental challenges?
We strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all children, and will schedule meetings with parents and our inclusion partners at SEASPAR to try to best support all learners in our programs. However, if we observe ongoing developmental or behavioral challenges that we are not equipped to support effectively, we will work closely with parents to provide guidance on available outside resources. This may include referrals to early intervention services such as occupational therapy (OT), speech therapy, or referral to your local school district’s Preschool for All program. Our goal is to ensure that every child receives the support they need to thrive in the best setting for their growth and development, whether or not they find that with us.
Do you offer school photos?
Yes! The 3- and 4/5-year-old classes have school photos in the fall and the 2-year-olds take photos in the winter (typically mid-February). Students have individual portraits taken in a few different poses, and if they have a sibling that also attends Lincoln Learning Center, parents have the opportunity to also have their children take sibling portraits together. More information is sent via email in the weeks leading up to Picture Day.
More Questions?
Please feel free to check out our Parent Manual, or contact the Recreation Supervisor.
