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:
- Busy Bees/Creative Playtime NO MEET GREET Parent Info Form – FIllable>>
- Art Smart NO MEET GREET Parent Info Form – Fillable >>
- Wellness Check Form Download >>
- 2021-22 Busy Bees/Creative Playtime Parent Info & Forms >>
FALL 2021 REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 15!
2021-2022 Busy Bees Preschool
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.
2020-2021 Busy Bees Preschool
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!
Busy Bees Preschool>>>
Busy Bees Five-Day Preschool>>>
Special Interest Preschool Programs
Big fun for little ones! Preschool programs your tyke will like.
Toddler Program in a Bag>>>
Virtual ABC's and 123's>>>
At Home Cool Experience/Ment >>>
Ages 3-5
Your child will fall in love with science this winter with hands-on, winter-themed science experiments. They will enjoy creating magic with melting snow, making their own snow, and lots more.
Pick up your bag for your at home scientist on 1/20 at the Springer Cultural Center. Enter from Church St., drive up, and staff will put the bag in your trunk.
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:
- Champaign Park District Scholarship Form 2020-2021
- Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation Scholarship Form 2020-2021
If a participant would like to apply for more programs than space allowed on the form, please use the following form for additional program:
- Champaign Park District Additional Programs Application
- Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation Additional Programs Application
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
Other Preschool Classes
See our Program Guide for more info on these (and other) preschool programs.
