Our early childhood programs are designed to provide parents with a variety of activities for their preschoolers during the day. Parents have the flexibility to choose one or all three programs to design a program that works best for them. Bring your lunch and stay all day in a supervised environment! Staff provide safe transitions, escorting students from one class to the next. Please select see our current Program Guide for more information.
Downloads and Resources:
- Art Smart 2021-2022 Parent Handbook >>
- Art Smart 2021-2022 Parent Info & Forms >>
- Wellness Check Form Download >>
- 2021-22 Busy Bees/Creative Playtime Parent Info & Forms >>
- 2021-22 Busy Bees/Creative Playtime Parent Handbook >>
FALL 2021 REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 15!
Summer 2021 Early Childhood
SWINGSETTERS | DEADLINE EXTENDED: FRIDAY, JUNE 4
Ages 3-5
Preschoolers can enjoy indoor and outdoor activities, music, arts, crafts, storytime, and snacks. Parents may choose both sessions. Different activities will be provided on a daily basis.
Ages | Date | Day
- 3 yrs by 4/1 | 6/7-7/28* | Monday/Wednesday
- 4 yrs by 4/1 | 6/8-7/29 | Tuesday/Thursday
Requires a $50 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before class begins or payment plan of half due on June 1 and remaining fee on July 1.
No Class: 7/5*
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Time: 8:45-11:45a
Fee (R/NR): $162/$212
Max: 20
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
EXTENDED SWINGSETTERS | DEADLINE EXTENDED: FRIDAY, JUNE 4
Ages 3-5
Extend your Swingsetters day with more fun indoor and outdoor activities. Parents, please send a sack lunch with your child.
Ages | Date | Day | Time | Fee (R/NR)
- 3 yrs by 4/1 | 6/7-7/28* | M/W | 11:45a-3p | $162/$212
- 4 yrs by 4/1 | 6/8-7/29 | Tu/Th | 11:45a-3p | $162/$212
- 3 yrs by 4/1 | 6/7-7/28* | M/W | 3-5:30p | $96/$144
- 4 yrs by 4/1 | 6/8-7/29 | Tu/Th | 3-5:30p | $96/$144
Requires a $50 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before class begins or payment plan of half due on June 1 and remaining fee on July 1.
No Class: 7/5*
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
EXTENDED SUMMER PRESCHOOL
Ages 3-5
Preschoolers will continue to enjoy indoor & outdoor activities, arts, crafts, and storytime. Parents may choose both sessions; each day a different activity will be provided. You may send a sack lunch with your child to extend the day.
Date | Day | Time | Fee (R/NR)
- 8/2-8/6 | M/W/F | 8:30a-12p | $38/$57
- 8/3-8/5 | Tu/Th | 8:30a-12p | $27/$40.50
- 8/2-8/6 | M/W/F | 12-3p | $38/$57
- 8/3-8/5 | Tu/Th | 12-3p | $27/$40.50
- 8/2-8/6 | M-F | 8:30a-3p | $115/$165
This program requires a $15 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before
class begins.
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
FRIDAY FUNSTERS | DEADLINE EXTENDED: FRIDAY, JUNE 4
Ages 3-5 (must be 3 yrs by April 1, 2021)
Friday Funsters is a preschool program held on Fridays for eight weeks. Themes include “Out on the Farm,” “Water Day,” and “A Hiking We Will Go!” The program includes indoor & outdoor activities, storytelling, arts and crafts, music and movement, and snacks. Drive-up drop off will be provided.
Date | Day | Time
- 6/11-7/30 | F | 9-11:30a
- 6/11-7/30 | F | 12:30-3p
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Fee (R/NR): $76/$114 Requires a $35 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before class begins.
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
VIRTUAL ABC’S & 123’S
Ages 2-4
It’s preschool 101 gone virtual! Each week the class will focus on a specific theme such as the alphabet, numbers, and colors. We will meet as a group virtually to enjoy a story, movement activities, games, and a craft.
Activities will be prepared in advance for the session and these will need to be picked up the Friday before your session begins between 9am-10am at Springer Cultural Center. Enter from Church St., drive up to the end of the ramp, pop your trunk, and staff will put the bag in your trunk. Please stay in your car.
Date | Day | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Deadline
- 6/14-7/26* | M | 9:30-10:15a | $37/$55.50 | June 7
- 8/2-9/13* | M | 9:30-10:15a | $37/$55.50 | July 26
No Class: 7/5, 9/6*
Max: 10
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?
Ages 3-5 with parent
Kids – have fun with nature! Let us teach you how to take care of your own little garden. Plant a small garden to take home and enjoy a vegetable treat!
Date Day Time Fee (R/NR) Min/Max Deadline
- 6/9 | W | 9:30-10:30a | $12/$18 | 4/6 | 6/2
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
UNDER THE SEA WITH ME
Ages 3-5 with parent
Create your own art piece of mysterious creatures under the sea. Enjoy an ocean snack!
Date | Day | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Min/Max | Deadline
- 7/7 | W | 9:30-10:30a | $12/$18 | 4/6 | June 30
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Fee (R/NR): $12/$18
Min/Max: 4/6
Deadline: 6/30
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
BUZZY BEES
Ages 3-5 with parent
Make a bee and explore its buzzy world! Enjoy a bee treat before you go home.
Date | Day | Time | Fee (R/NR) | Min/Max | Deadline
- 7/28 | W | 9:30-10:30a | $12/$18 | 4/6 | July 21
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Fee (R/NR): $12/$18
Min/Max: 4/6
Deadline: 7/21
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
2021-2022 Busy Bees Preschool
ART SMART KIDS
Ages 3-5 not in Kindergarten
Activities include music, movement, creative dramatics, storytelling, crafts, two & three dimensional art, and field trips. Mid-session registration is taken based on space availability. Registration for the 2021-22 school year begins March 15.
Date Day Time Fee (R/NR)
- 9/8/21-5/25/22 | M/W | 9-11:30a | $85/$127.50 per month-01
- 9/10/21-5/27/22 F 9-11:30a $47/$70.50 per month 10 221001-02
This program requires a $35 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before
class begins.
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
Busy Bees Preschool
Ages 3-5 (by September 1, 2021)
Music, stories, games, creative play, arts & crafts, outdoor play, and math and reading
readiness activities are provided by caring and experienced teachers. Three, four, and
five year olds who are not attending full day kindergarten are eligible to enroll.
Registration for the 2021-22 school year begins March 15.
This program requires a $35 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before class begins.
Creative Play Time
Ages 3-5
This program will give children an opportunity to enjoy additional preschool activities such as arts, crafts, music, and recreational activities. They may attend this program directly after attending our morning preschool programs. We will provide supervision while the children eat their sack lunch. Registration for the 2021-22 school year begins March 15.
This program requires a $35 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before class begins.
Busy Bees Five-Day Preschool
Ages 4½ (by March 1, 2021) – 6 years
Music, stories, games, creative play, arts, crafts, outdoor play, and math and reading readiness activities are provided by caring and experienced teachers. Children ages 4½ to 6 years old missing the kindergarten cut-off date for elementary school or having had two years of preschool may enroll. Registration for the 2021-22 school year begins March 15.
This program requires a $35 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before class begins.
More Fun Programs!
SHAKE & MAKE & CREATE
Ages 2-4 with parent
Join the fun with glue, paint, pasta, sponges, foam, pudding, beads,
and more. Your child will paint at easels, play with play dough, gravel,
sand, and shaving cream, and have lots of fun! Get as messy as you
want! Gather together for story time at the end of class. Parents may
participate with their child.
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
WIGGLE, GIGGLE, CLIMB & PLAY
Ages 2-4 with parent
Wiggle, Giggle, Climb & Play is a physical activity class for fun and learning.
Creative movement, basic ball skills, musical games, and combination parent-tot exercises will be included. A variety of equipment will be available for parent-tot play after the organized activities in the preschool playscape.
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
ABC’S & 123’S
Ages 2-4
It’s preschool 101! Each week, the class will focus on a specific theme such
as safety, exercise, science, manners, the alphabet, numbers, and colors.
The classes will center on small and large motor skills, sensory experiences,
and socialization skills. Kids will have so much fun, they won’t even know
they are learning! Parents may participate with their child.
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
PUMPKIN GUTS
Ages 3-5
Combine messy play with learning in this fun class for littles! Let them
find out what is inside a pumpkin and how they can use it in cooking
and art. Children will make a pumpkin craft and enjoy a snack!
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
Scholarship & CCRS
Scholarships & Resource Services
Because some residents are unable to participate in recreation programs due to economic hardship, the Champaign Park District offers scholarships to reduce certain fees and charges. Jimmy John’s Youth Scholarship Program applicants are not guaranteed fund availability, program registration or choice of program location. Early applications are given priority. Need is the primary criterion upon which scholarship applicants are considered. Questions: 217-398-2550.
Please visit our registration page for the updated Scholarship Forms!
If you would like to submit your completed scholarship application with the required documents by email, please send them to tom.gilbert@champaignparks.org.
Child Care Resource Service (CCRS)
Child Care Resource Service helps income-eligible parents who are working and/or going to school to pay for their child care. Eligibility is based on family size and parents’ income. Working families whose incomes are at or below 50% of the state median income level may be eligible. Processing the application can take up to 10 business days, once all the necessary information is received. Please pick up an application form from CCRS. CCRS approved families may register for summer youth programs by paying a $10 deposit per child/per session of the program. These deposits may be refunded at the end of the summer once all CCRS checks are received and there is a credit balance. If money is still owed on your account once CCRS checks have been applied, you will be responsible for the rest of the bill. Because the Park District does not receive payment from CCRS until one month after the service was provided, your deposit could be refunded as late as October.
Please Note: Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation is unable to accept CCRS payment due to changes in governmental regulations.
Questions: Child Care Resource Service (http://ccrs.illinois.edu/), 217-333-3252 or 1-800-325-5516
