Early Childhood

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.

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 Preschool >>

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

2023-2024 Busy Bees Five-Day Preschool >>

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.

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

Creative Play Time >>

Preschool Pals 

Ages 3-5
Preschoolers will spend time with new friends in this structured playtime providing fun
indoor activities, music and more.

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 >>

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.

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

Art Smart Kids Registration >>

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.

• September 11 – October 23* | Deadline: September 4
• October 30 – December 11* | Deadline: October 23 

No Class*: September 25, November 20
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Time: 9:30-10:15a
Fee (R/NR): $50/$75
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919

ABC’S AND 123’S FALL REGISTRATION >>

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.

• September 12 – October 17 | Deadline: September 5
• October 24 – December 5* | Deadline: October 17

Time: 10 – 10:45a
Fee (R/NR): $50/$75
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919

SHAKE AND MAKE AND CREATE REGISTRATION >>

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.

• September 14 – October 12 | Deadline: September 7
• October 19 – November 16 | Deadline: October 12

Time: 9:30-10:15a
Fee (R/NR): $45/$67.50
Location: Springer Cultural Center
Questions: melanie.kahler@champaignparks.org or 217-819-3919

WIGGLE, GIGGLE, CLIMB AND PLAY REGISTRATION >>

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!

Date: October 11
Day: Wednesday
Time: 10-10:45a
Fee (R/NR): $20/$30
Deadline: October 4
Location: Springer Cultural Center

PUMPKIN GUTS REGISTRATION >>

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!

 
CPD Registration Page >>
 

If you would like to submit your completed scholarship application with the required documents by email, please send them to tom.gilbert@champaignparks.org.

Support our Youth Scholarship Program >>

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