Learn about preschool and other programs by speaking directly with instructors
Bensenville, Ill.—The Bensenville Park District will hold a meet and greet for those interested in exploring its early childhood programming at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 15, in the Tiny Tot Preschool Room at the Deer Grove Leisure Center, 1000 W. Wood Street, Bensenville.
Families new to park district early childhood programs and others interested in learning more about these programs will have an opportunity to meet instructors and learn more about the expectations and learning outcomes of each program.
The Bensenville Park District offers several early childhood programs for children as young as 18 months through age 5 beginning this fall and throughout the year. Programs include Tiny Tot Preschool classes for children ages 3-4 and 4-5, Little Sprouts for those ages 2-3 and Play with Me for those 18-30 months of age. Additional supplemental learning offerings include Learning Ladders for ages 2-4, plus Lunch Pals & Playtime, Learning Labs and Lunch Time & Engineering for children ages 3-5. Little Chefs for children ages 2-5 is also offered in addition to the new Move & Groove program for one-year-olds through age four-and-a-half.
Tiny Tot Preschool is intended to prepare children cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically for the transition to the next steps in their education and ultimately, kindergarten. The curriculum is based on Illinois early learning and Development standards.
Little Sprouts, formerly known as Tot School, prepares young children for preschool with an integrated, year-round program that focuses on social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. Children are introduced to a variety of learning centers such as dramatic play, senses, literacy, music, blocks, puzzles and nature exploration while gaining exposure to colors, shapes, numbers and letters.
Play with Me, formerly known as Tot School Primer, prepares children for Little Sprouts. In the classes, parents or caregivers and the children participate together in a semi-structured environment complete with arts and crafts, games, stories and motor activities.
The hour-long Learning Ladders series meets Monday mornings and provides sequential progress in preparing children for preschool and kindergarten. Classes are designed to meet the needs and development level of each child through a variety of learning experiences and activities aligned with Illinois early childhood standards.
Learning labs meet from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. three times a week August 21 to May 24 and provide children a foundation of language and literacy, problem solving and social development through play and in-depth topical exploration in a hands-on learning environment.
Lunch Pals and Playtime meets from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and allows children to have lunch with friends of the same age and participate in a variety of games.
Lunch Time & Engineering meets Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and helps develop children’s problem-solving and critical thinking skills in a team setting. Children explore engineering in a hands-on fashion, building block towers, marble runs, castles and more, offering the perfect complement to both morning and afternoon preschool.
Fall program registration begins Tuesday, August 8, and those interested may also contact lead preschool teacher Cindy Banaszynski (630-766-7015 ext. 117) with any questions about the programs. Children must be age appropriate by September 1. Space is limited, and fees vary. Visit BvilleParks.org/programs/early-childhood-programming for more information or consult the Fall 2023 Program Guide, which can be found online.
