The Class Experience

Learn more about Toddlers Campus:
Enrollment Options & Costs.  Registration.  Contact the Director.  Toddlers Campus Home.


Fun & Formative!  Each class program is designed to meet the needs and interests of the child in each age group.  There is a good balance between large and small group activities as well as structured and unstructured time.  The amount of time given to each activity depends on the age of the children. 

Open Exploration and Craft:

  • Play-dough, sensory table (tactile experience), manipulatives, block building, puzzles (cause and effect and spatial relations), artistic and creative self expression in dramatic play, collage, craft and painting 
  • Children learn to make choices, pace themselves, freely explore materials, books and classroom, and share and build awareness of personal physical space. 
  • Children develop small and large motor coordination, language, eye- hand coordination, sequencing, patterning, color, size and shape discrimination, mathematical proportions, relative sizes/relationships, role playing and socialization.

Pick Up Time:

  • Everyone works cooperatively putting away toys.  This provides transition to group time.
  • Develops team work and cooperation.

Circle (Group) Time:

  • All learning units are introduced and explored through stories, songs, poems and/or finger plays.  Bible stories are read.  Information and ideas are presented and discussed.  Jobs are given which promote self esteem, self confidence, and responsibility. Four year old and pre-K classes chart weather, and learn patterning, sequencing and counting through the daily calendar.  They also learn numbers and letters and do science experiments.
  • Children learn listening skills, self control, group participation, and respect for other’s ideas.  

Snack Time:

  • We wash hands, celebrate birthdays, pray, and share conversation as we enjoy a simple snack, which we provide.
  • Children learn patience, manners, and reverence to God.

Library Time:

  • Children enjoy a choice of books and quiet conversation.
  • The books allow children to discover new things or reinforce the ideas already taught.

Gym or Outdoor play:

  • Playground equipment such as swings, climbers, bikes, and a sandbox with toys, is used in a large shaded playground.   Tricycles, scooters, balls, climbing toys, etc. are used in a large gym on inclement days.
  • Children learn cooperation, taking turns, and self confidence as well as developing coordination and physical fitness.

Readiness and Group Activities:

  • We are excited about our Zoo-Phonics curriculum, used in our 3's - Pre-K classes. The 3's are introduced to the letters and sounds through music and movement in the second semester. the 4's and Pre-K use this very successful phonics curriculum throughout the year. 
  • Group games, unit reinforcement activities, creative movement, rhythm band, and bean bag activities are just some of the group activities.  Four year old and Pre-K classes also do letter and number reinforcement.
  • Children learn cooperation, participation, self confidence and taking turns as well as language and listening skills.

Prepare for Dismissal:

  • The 4s and Pre-K classes pack their own back packs with papers and projects to take home.  Back packs are packed for the 2s and 3s classes.  This is a time to review the day’s activities, to look ahead and say good-bye.
  • This is also a time to encourage and teach the children to dress for home.   

Field Trips   

  • 3 year old classes   Northside Park and Cosley Zoo
  • 4 year old classes   Karen's Nature Tales (in classroom Field Trip), Lincoln Marsh (Mouse Walk), fire station, Willowbrook Wildlife Center
  • Pre-K classes    Kline Creek Farm, College of DuPage children’s play, Grocery Store Tour, Lincoln Marsh (Wetland Explorations) 

School Parties

  • Fall Costume Party with parade and room party
  • Christmas Party
  • Valentine Party and Valentine Exchange

Parent Opportunities

  • Pre-admittance visit/tour
  • Open House/Orientation (first day of school)
  • Parent’s Day (a Saturday morning for a parent and child)
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • Book Fair
  • Christmas time- Parent Morning Out
  • Parent Visitation (a day at school with child)
  • Children’s Program & Dessert Potluck
  • Class Parties
  • Field Trips

Outdoor Play Area

Large fenced in play area including a fire engine climber, swings, slide, sand box with toys, super tubes climber, bicycle merry-go-round, geo dome, climb/crawl caterpillar, spring teeter rider, fun hoop all in a fenced yard.

School Schedule

There are 35 weeks of school beginning the day after Labor Day and concluding just before Memorial Day.


Toddlers Campus Preschool: Providing Preschool for the Community Since 1974