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.
Summer 2023 registration begins on Monday, March 13 for Residents of C-U & Thursday, March 23 for Non-Residents of C-U!
Downloads and Resources:
2023-2024
- 2023-2024 Art Smart Parent Handbook >>
- 2023-2024 Art Smart Parent Info and Forms >>
- 2023-2024 Busy Bees/Creative Playtime Parent Handbook >>
- 2023-2024 Busy Bees/Creative Playtime Parent Info and Forms >>
- 2023 Summer Preschool Parent Info and Forms
2022-2023 Busy Bees Preschool
For information on openings for the current school year please contact Melanie Kahler at 217-819-3919.
Busy Bees Preschool
Ages 3-5 (by September 1, 2023)
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 2023-24 school year begins March 13, 2023.
Date: Sept 6, 2023 – May 22, 2024
Day: M/W
Time: 8:30-11:15a
Fee (R/NR): $79/$118.50 per month
Ages 4-5
Date: Sept 6, 2023 – May 24, 2024
Day: Tu/Th/F
Time: 8:30-11:15a
Fee (R/NR): $106/$156 per month
Ages 4-5
Date: Sept 6, 2023 – May 24, 2024
Day: Tu/Th/F
Time: 12:30-3:15p
Fee (R/NR):$106/$156 per month
This program requires a $35 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before class begins.
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Max: 20 per class
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
Busy Bees Five-Day Preschool
Ages 4½ (by March 1, 2023) – 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 2022-23 school year begins March 14.
This program requires a $35 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before class begins.
Date: Sept. 5, 2023 – May 24, 2024
Day: M-F
Time: 8:30-11:30a
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Fee (R/NR): $185/$235 per month
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
Creative Play Time
Ages 3-5
This program will give children an opportunity in the afternoon to enjoy preschool activities such as arts and crafts, music and recreational activities. Registration for the 2022-23 school year begins March 14.
Date: Sept 6, 2023 – May 22, 2024
Day: M/W
Time: 12:30-3:15p
Fee (R/NR):$79/$118.50 per month
Session 2
Date:Sept 6, 2023 – May 22, 2024
Day:Tu/Th/F
Time: 12:30-3:15p
Fee (R/NR):$106/$156 per month
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
Preschool Pals
Ages 3-5
Preschoolers will spend time with new friends in this structured playtime providing fun
indoor activities, music and more.
Date: Sept 6, 2023 – May 22, 2024
Day: M/W
Time: 3:15-5:30p
Fee (R/NR):$38/$57 per month
Session 2
Date: Sept 5, 2023 – May 24, 2024
Day: Tu/Th/F
Time: 3:15-5:30p
Fee (R/NR):$66/$99 per month
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
Winter/Spring Preschool Programs
Art Smart Kids
Ages 3-5 not in Kindergarten
Activities include music, movement, creative dramatics, storytelling, crafts, and two & three dimensional art. Mid-session registration is taken based on space availability. Registration for the 2022-23 school year begins March 14.
Date: Sept 6, 2023 – May 22, 2024
Day: M/W
Time: 9-11:30a
Fee (R/NR): $90/$135 per month
Session 2
Date: Sept 8, 2023 – May 24, 2024
Day: F
Time: 9-11:30a
Fee (R/NR): $50/$75 per month
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
Summer Preschool Programs
SWINGSETTERS
Ages 3-5
Preschoolers can enjoy indoor and outdoor activities, music, arts, crafts, storytime, and snacks. Different activities will be provided on a daily basis.
Date: June 5 – August 2, 2023
Day: M/W
4 yrs by April 1
Date: June 6 – August 3, 2023*
Day: Tu/Th
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*: July 4*
Time: 8-11:45a
Fee (R/NR): $180/$230
Location: Springer Cultural Center
AFTERNOON SWINGSETTERS
Ages 3-5
Preschoolers can spend their summer afternoons with fun indoor and outdoor activities, music, arts, crafts, storytime, and snacks.
Date: June 5 – August 2, 2023
Day: M/W
4 yrs by April 1
Date: June 6 – August 3, 2023*
Day: Tu/Th
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*: July 4*
Time: 8-11:45a
Fee (R/NR): $180/$230
Location: Springer Cultural Center
PRESCHOOL END OF SUMMER BASH
Ages 3-5
The end of the summer is just around the corner. We’ll celebrate all things summer with indoor & outdoor activities. Each day a different activity will be provided.
Date: August 7 – 11, 2023
Day: M/W/F
Time: 8:30a-12p
Fee (R/NR): $44/$66
Session 2
Date: August 8 – 10, 2023
Day: Tu/Th
Time: 8:30a-12p
Fee (R/NR): $31/$46.50
Date: August 7 – 11, 2023
Day: M/W/F
Time: 12-3p
Fee (R/NR): $44/$66
Session 4
Date: August 8 – 10, 2023
Day: Tu/Th
Time: 12-3p
Fee (R/NR): $31/$46.50
This program requires a $15 non-refundable deposit per session. The remaining fee is due before class begins.
Location: Springer Cultural Center
FRIDAY FUNSTERS
Ages 3-5 (must be 3 yrs by April 1, 2023)
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 & movement, and snacks. Drive-up drop off will be provided.
Date: June 9 – August 4, 2023
Day: F
Time: 9-11:30a
Session 2
Date: June 9 – August 4, 2023
Day: F
Time: 12:30-3p
Requires a $35 non-refundable deposit per se
Fee (R/NR): $90/$135
Location: Springer Cultural Center
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 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.
- June 12 – July 17 | Deadline: June 5
- July 24 – August 28 | Deadline: July 17
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Time: 9:30-10:15a
Fee (R/NR): $50/$75
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
SHAKE AND MAKE AND 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.
- June 6 – July 18* | Deadline: May 30
- July 25 – August 29 | Deadline: July 18
No Class*: July 4
Time: 10-10:45a
Fee (R/NR): $50/$75
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
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 playscape.
Date: May 25 – June 22, 2023
Time: 9:30-10:15a
Fee (R/NR): $45/$67.50
Deadline: May 18
Location: Springer Cultural Center
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 14, 2023
Time: 9:30-10:30a
Fee (R/NR): $20/$30
Deadline: June 7
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 12, 2023
Time: 9:30-10:30a
Fee (R/NR): $20/$30
Deadline: July 5
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 26, 2023
Time: 9:30-10:30a
Fee (R/NR): $20/$30
Deadline: July 19
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. 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
