Smart Start

  • PLAYTIME PRESCHOOL

    State Licensed Program

    • Child must be three years old on/before September 1, 2025 and toilet trained
    • Class is held on Tuesday and Thursday
      • AM Class is held from 9:30-11:30am
      • PM Class is held from 1:00-3:00pm
    • Fee is $1,102.00 resident rate, $1,322.00 non-resident rate

    Boys and girls will have the opportunity to express themselves through art, manipulative and child centered activities. All lessons are developmentally age appropriate and encourage your child to develop a sense of independence and self-confidence. Our goal is to assist in nurturing your child's social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth through play; a PreSchooler's most important work.

    SmartStart2

    TOT SPOT PRESCHOOL

    State Licensed Program

    • Child must be four years old on/before September 1, 2025 and toilet trained
    • Class is held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
      • AM Class is held from 9:00-11:30am
      • PM Class is held from 12:30-3:00pm
    • Fee is $1,522.00 resident rate, $1,827.00 non-resident rate

    Tot Spot provides children with the opportunity to learn through independent and group activities. Lessons which include, circle time, stories, art, songs, large and small motor exercises, and cognitive and language skills are all developmentally age appropriate. Learning is fun and prepares your child for Kindergarten.

    HOW TO REGISTER

    Registration for the 2025/2026 Preschool Year

    The following information is provided for the 2025-26 preschool year, which begins on September 2, 2025:

    • Registration will begin on February 24, 2025.
    • Eligibility
      • Proof of Residency
      • Children eligible for the four year old Tot Spot preschool will enter Kindergarten in 2026 and must be four years old by September 1 of the school year.
      • Children eligible for the three year old Playtime preschool must be three years old by September 1 of the school year.
      • All children must be toilet trained

    Registration for the 2025-26 school season begins in February 2025. A Birth Certificate and $25.00 deposit is all that is needed to hold your spot for the 2025-26 school year.

    Registration will be ongoing until all openings are filled or registration is closed. Deposits are non-refundable after Friday, August 1st 2025.
    Call Kathy at 708.865.8200 ext. 216 for an appointment to visit our Center. We would be happy to show you what we have to offer.

  • New! Students can remain at school and have lunch. After that, children will participate in a lesson or physical activity. Parents can sign up by the month. Come for one month or come for all!

    Playtime PreSchool T/TH 11:30am-1:00pm
    Tot Spot PreSchool M/W/F 11:30am-1:00pm

  • We believe each child is unique and special. Our program combines self-directed and structured activities to develop and stimulate a child's curiosity, problem solving, language skills and self-concept. Our goal is to develop a trusting relationship with the child, as well as, his or her parents. The teachers at our PreSchool will encourage each child to develop at their own rate in a setting that is loving, caring and stimulating. The basic concepts of reading, writing and math skills will be introduced throughout the curriculum. We will assist at developing your child's confidence, independence and resourcefulness in our classroom. In short, we will encourage your child to think.

    Standards

    The Westchester Park District Early Childhood Center is licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services, and complies with all the standards put forth by that Department. Each class is taught by a decreed teacher. An Assistant Teacher aids the Teacher in the class. Staff is trained in First Aid and CPR.

    Day Care services are offered from 7:00am-6:30pm, Monday through Friday for children 2-5 years old.

    Children can attend the Center for two, three or five days per week. Classrooms are designed to encourage active learning. Curriculum planning emphasizes learning as an interactive process. Caregivers prepare the environment for children to learn through active exploration and interaction with adults, other children and learning materials.

    Pricing
    Days per Week Weekly Fee
    2 $152.00
    3 $200.00
    5 $258.00
    Days for part time attendance must be preselected and remain the same each week. Payments are made weekly and due one week prior to attending.


    Food Service
    The Center provides a hot, nutritious lunch, as well as, two snacks daily. Meals are prepared by a catering service specializing in nutrition for young children.

    Call Kathy at 708.865.8200 ext. 216 for more information.


  • Before and After School

    State Licensed Program

    This before and after school care is geared for working parents and accommodates children enrolled at the Westchester Primary and Intermediate Schools. The school district will transport children from Westchester Primary and Intermediate schools to our facility. Children have the opportunity to play, participate in sports activities, game play in the gymnasium, enjoy outdoor park grounds and playground, create crafts and do homework. Children are served a nutritious snack daily.

    Latch Key provides service for children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Care is provided on all days off of school and half days. Days off of school are figured into the monthly fee. Lunch is also served on half days/days off. Registration is ongoing throughout the school year. Please call for availability.

    How to Register

    Registration for the 2025-2026 school year will begin on Monday, June 2nd, 2025. Registration will take place at the Community Center, 10201 Bond Street. Deposits will not be refunded for the 2025/2026 Latch Key year after July 15th, 2025.

    • Proof of residency
    • $150.00 deposit for PM Latch Key (deposit applied to September payment)
    • $75.00 deposit for AM Latch Key (deposit applied to September payment)