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 >>
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
