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.
Mix and match from Busy Bees Preschool, Creative Play Time, and Art Smart Kids for the perfect one-stop, full-day program for your little one!
2020-2021 School Year Registration Begins: March 16, 2020
Busy Bees Preschool>>>
Ages 3-5 (by September 1, 2020)
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.
This program requires a $35 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before class begins.
*See Creative Playtime for extended day until 5:30pm.
2020-2021 School Year Registration Begins: March 16, 2020 Location: Springer Cultural Center Max: 20 per class Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
Online Registration not available for this program.
Busy Bees Five-Day Preschool>>>
Ages 4½ (by March 1, 2020) – 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.
This program requires a $35 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before class begins.
2020-2021 School Year Registration Begins: March 16, 2020 Date: August 31, 2020-May 28, 2021 Time: 8:30-11:30a Location: Springer Cultural Center Fee (R/NR): $165/$215 per month Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
Online Registration not available for this program.
Art Smart>>>
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.
This program requires a $35 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before class begins.
2020-2021 School Year Registration Begins: March 16, 2020 Location: Springer Cultural Center Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
Online Registration not available for this program.
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.
This program requires a $35 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before class begins.
2020-2021 School Year Registration Begins: March 16, 2020 Location: Springer Cultural Center Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
Online Registration not available for this program.
Summer Preschool Programs
Keep your kiddos busy this summer with our Summer Preschool Programs!
Extended Summer Preschool>>>
Ages 3-5
Preschoolers will continue to enjoy indoor & outdoor activities, arts, crafts, and story-time. 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.
This program requires a $15 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before class begins.
Registration Begins: March 16, 2020 Location: Springer Cultural Center Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
Swingsetters>>>
Ages 3-5
Preschoolers can enjoy indoor and outdoor activities, music, arts, crafts, story-time, and snacks. Parents may choose both sessions. Different activities will be provided on a daily basis.
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.
Registration Begins: March 16, 2020 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>>>
Ages 3-5
Extend your Swingsetters day with more fun indoor and outdoor activities. Parents, please send a sack lunch with your child.
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.
Registration Begins: March 16, 2020 Location: Springer Cultural Center Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
Special Interest Preschool Programs
Big fun for little ones! Preschool programs your tyke will like.
Wiggle, Giggle, Climb, and 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 play-scape.
Date: May 21-June 18 Day: Thursday Time: 5:15-6p Fee: $33/$49.50 Location: Springer Cultural Center Max: 15 Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
Shake and Make and Create>>>
Ages 2-4 with parent
Come 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, 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.
Location: Springer Cultural Center Max: 12 Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
ABC's and 123's>>>
Ages 2-4 with parent
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 fine and gross 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.
Location: Springer Cultural Center Max: 11 Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
Friday Funsters>>>
Ages 3-5 (must be 3 yrs by April 1, 2020)
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.
No Class: 7/3* 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. Max: 20 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: June 10 Day: Wednesday Time: 9:30-10:30a Fee: $12/$18 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: July 8 Day: Wednesday Time: 9:30-10:30a Fee: $12/$18 Location: Springer Cultural Center 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: July 29 Day: Wednesday Time: 9:30-10:30a Fee: $12/$18 Location: Springer Cultural Center 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.
CPD & CUSR Scholarship Forms will be used by any applicant who wants financial help with programs occurring between May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021. Page 3 is for each child requesting assistance, so print multiple copies if needed:
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
