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 >>
- 2021-22 Busy Bees/Creative Playtime Parent Info & Forms >>
- 2021-22 Busy Bees/Creative Playtime Parent Handbook >>
2021-2022 Busy Bees Preschool
Mix & Match from: Busy Bees Preschool, Creative Play Time, and Art Smart Kids for the perfect one-stop, full day program for your little one!
For information on openings for the current school year please contact Melanie Kahler at 217-819-3919.
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. We are currently taking registration for the 2021/2022 school year if openings are available. Registration for the 2022-23 school year begins March 14.
Date: 9/8/21-5/25/22
Day: M/W
Time: 9-11:30a
Fee (R/NR): $85/$127.50 per month
Session 2
Date: 9/10/21-5/27/22
Day: F
Time: 9-11:30a
Fee (R/NR): $47/$70.50 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
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. We are currently taking registration for the 2021/2022 school year if openings are available. Registration for the 2022-23 school year begins March 14.
Date: 9/8/21-5/25/22
Day: M/W
Time: 8:30-11:15a
Fee (R/NR): $72/$108 per month
Ages 4-5
Date: 9/7/21-5/27/22
Day: Tu/Th/F
Time: 8:30-11:15a
Fee (R/NR): $97/$145.50 per month
Ages 4-5
Date: 9/7/21-5/27/22
Day: Tu/Th/F
Time: 12:30-3:15p
Fee (R/NR): $97/$145.50 per month
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.
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Max: 20 per class
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
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. We are currently taking registration for the 2021/2022 school year if openings are available. Registration for the 2022-23 school year begins March 14.
Date: 9/8/21-5/25/22
Day: M/W
Time: 11:30a-3:15p
Fee (R/NR): $72/$108 per month
Session 2
Date: 9/7/21-5/27/22
Day: Tu/Th/F
Time: 11:30a-3:15p
Fee (R/NR): $97/$145.50 per month
Date: 9/7/21-5/27/22
Day: M-F
Time: 11:30a-3:15p
Fee (R/NR): $170/$220 per month
Session 4
Date: 9/8/21-5/25/22
Day: M/W
Time: 3:15-5:30p
Fee (R/NR): $37/$55.50 per month
Date: 9/7/21-5/27/22
Day: Tu/Th/F
Time: 3:15-5:30p
Fee (R/NR): $37/$55.50 per month
Session 6
Date: 9/7/21-5/27/22
Day: M-F
Time: 3:15-5:30p
Fee (R/NR): $99/$148.50 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
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. We are currently taking registration for the 2021/2022 school year if openings are available. 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: 9/7/21-5/27/22
Day: M-F
Time: 8:30-11:30a
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Fee (R/NR): $170/$220 per month
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
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.
Date: 1/11-2/15
Day: Tu
Time: 10-10:45a
Fee (R/NR): $39/$58.50
Deadline: 1/4
Session 2
Date: 2/22-4/5*
Day: Tu
Time: 10-10:45a
Fee (R/NR): $39/$58.50
Deadline: 2/15
Session 3
Date: 4/12-5/17
Day: Tu
Time: 10-10:45a
Fee (R/NR): $39/$58.50
Deadline: 4/5
No class: 3/15*
Location: Springer Cultural Center
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.
Date: 1/13-2/10
Day: Th
Time: 9:30-10:15a
Fee (R/NR): $38/$57
Deadline: 1/6
Session 2
Date: 2/17-3/24*
Day: Th
Time: 9:30-10:15a
Fee (R/NR): $38/$57
Deadline: 2/10
Session 3
Date: 3/31-4/28
Day: Th
Time: 9:30-10:15a
Fee (R/NR): $38/$57
Deadline: 3/24
No class: 3/17*
Location: Springer Cultural Center
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.
Date: 1/3-2/14*
Day: M
Time: 9:30-10:15a
Fee (R/NR): $44/$66
Deadline: 12/27
Session 2
Date: 2/28-4/11*
Day: M
Time: 9:30-10:15a
Fee (R/NR): $44/$66
Deadline: 2/21
Session 3
Date: 4/18-5/23
Day: M
Time: 9:30-10:15a
Fee (R/NR): $44/$66
Deadline: 4/11
No Class: 1/17, 3/14*
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919
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.
Date: 1/19
Day: W
Time: 10-11a
Fee (R/NR): $15/$22.50
Deadline: 1/12
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
