1375 South 5th Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60018 | (847) 824-1065
Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
2023-2024 REGISTRATION
The District 62 SPARK Early Childhood tuition based program is holding preschool registration for the 2023-2024 school year at the Early Learning Center.
Registration is by drop off ONLY starting at 7:00am at door #12.
Our family centered, literacy rich environment offers a variety of literacy experiences and materials that can be checked out for use at home. There are over 200 literacy boxes that are geared for 2 – 6 year olds. These kits contain books, games, puzzles, toys, and crafts along with the directions.
We offer parent funded preschool, and school-age programs within the Des Plaines Public Schools. Each classroom is designed to provide a positive beginning school experience to your child. The students participate in a variety of activities which includes adult education, special needs, and extended day.
You must be a resident of School District 62 to enroll.
The Illinois Early Learning and Development standards provide reasonable expectations for children’s growth, development, and learning in the preschool years. When used as part of the curriculum, its guidance to teachers at the Westerhold ELC create and sustain developmentally appropriate experiences for young children that strengthens child's intellectual dispositions and support their continuing success as learners and students.
IMPORTANT: The SPARK Program no longer offers child care on Planning Days, School Improvement Half Days, and Institute Days.
The Preschool program is designed to provide a positive beginning school experience for the 3 year old child. The students are able to participate in a variety of activities, giving them the chance to develop their social, fine and gross motor, and problem solving skills in a context rich in verbal and linguistic stimulation adapted to their general and individual developmental needs. This is a NAEYC accredited, half-day, tuition-based program.
Jr. Kindergarten is designed to keep in mind all the physical, emotional, social, and educational needs for the 4 year old child. The program is based on the developmental understanding that the 4 year old can benefit greatly from socialization and readiness activities in a preschool setting. While stressing the developmental areas, the program strives to gear its activities and environment to meet the needs and interests of the individual child. This is a NAEYC accredited, half-day, tuition-based program.
Mini School is designed for children who turn 2 years old September 1. School is held twice or three times per week. It is designed for young 2 to 3 year old children who miss the cut off date for fall preschool registration. Children enjoy free play, art, singing, stories, and a snack. This is a tuition-based program.
This is the same program as the Preschool half-day program but the student attends school slightly longer to include lunch. This is a NAEYC accredited, tuition-based program.
This is the same program as the Jr. Kindergarten half-day program but the student attends school for a slightly longer half-day, which includes lunch. This is a NAEYC accredited tuition-based program.
This is the same program as the Preschool half-day program but is offered for the full day. This is a NAEYC accredited, tuition based program.
This is the same program as the Jr. Kindergarten half-day program but it is offered for the full day. This is a NAEYC accredited, tuition-based program.
Extended Day Kindergarten program has been developed for the child who attends half-day kindergarten. We provide theme curriculum to go along with the district kindergarten programs. This is a 4 hour tuition-based program.
NAEYC ACCREDITATION
NAEYC Accreditation strives to raise the quality of education for all children from birth through age eight. Accredited programs show their quality by meeting 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards, which are based on the latest research on the education and development of young children.
For specific students activity, please call (847) 824-1065.
For assistance, please call (847) 824-1065 or email Ms. Tonie Leon, leont@d62.org or Ms. Cindy Moss, mossc@d62.org
Fax: (847) 824-8225
Ms. Margarite Beniaris, Director
beniarism@d62.org
Department of Human Services
Department of Children and Family Services