Playmates Preschool, a First Presbyterian Church outreach program, offers a quality preschool for young children, providing socialization and learning skills within a safe environment. The curriculum, although not explicitly Christian, includes Christian principles including a prayer to God at snack time. We offer classes for two-, three-, four-, and five year olds, which allow children to become more confident and less dependent on you and your presence. Playmates Preschool is DCFS certified and we take great pride in meeting or exceeding the guidelines set by the state.

We urge you to visit our preschool to observe our classes in session or at least to look over our facility. We are open to visitors daily. If you choose to bring your child(ren) with you, please keep your visit short. Most young visitors are only able to handle a visit of about 15-20 minutes. Remember that the staff on duty must give their attention to the children that are currently enrolled. Visiting parents are responsible for the child(ren) they bring to the school with them. You may call the school at (309) 862-3216 to arrange a visit with Elaine Holthe, the preschool director.

Visit the links below to learn more about our program:

• Curriculum objectives
• Typical day at school
• Classes offered
• Tuition
• Registration
• Acceptance Packets
• Staff
• Calendar
• Policies
  • Field trip policy
  • Discipline policy
  • Weather day
• Contact information

Our preschool is a place for children to enjoy, learn, investigate, live, grow, play, think and experience. We focus on the child's self-concept, language development, sensory-motor development, fine and gross motor development and social and emotional growth.

Our goals for your children include:

• to know they are loved by God.
• to learn about him/herself and to gain a self-identity.
• to learn to adapt to basic rules.
• to learn to function outside the family unit.
• to sharpen fine motor skills.
• to acquire more self-control.
• to become more self-reliant and independent.
• to expand use and understanding of language.
• to learn to get along with adults and other children.
• to acquire knowledge of the symbols and concepts of culture.
• to acquire concepts of numbers, space and time.
• to learn to respond to new situations with confidence and inner satisfaction.
• to increase their attention span.
• to enjoy a positive school environment.
• to feel loved.
• to have fun!

Throughout the school year you will receive monthly calendars and newsletters to keep you abreast of daily happenings in your child's class. Use this information to prepare your child for each day's events and when you pick him/her up to discuss the day's events.

Each day offers a child a variety of activities, both structured and unstructured. A typical day includes time for circle time, free exploration, story, arts and crafts, snack and fine and gross motor activities.

Enrollment is open to families of all faiths, although priority is given to those members of First Presbyterian Church when spaces are limited. In total we have spaces for 115 children. To enroll, complete a registration form and return to the preschool office. Registration forms are available at the Playmate's office.

Complete the registration form in its entirety. Mail the completed form and the registration check (payable to First Presbyterian Church) to

Playmates Preschool
2000 East College
Normal, IL 61761

The adults who will be involved with your child at Playmates are there to understand appreciate, encourage, support, help and supervise. They will provide opportunities and materials that will allow your child to grow emotionally, academically, physically, socially and mentally.

Each teacher welcomes the chance to talk with you about your child and any questions, concerns, comments and feelings you may be experiencing. Conferences are schedule once a year in the balloon, Heart and Rainbow classes and twice yearly in the Sunshine, Moonbeam and Starlight classes. At any time throughout the year you are encouraged to call your child's teacher or the director to discuss any concerns.

Staff will not push your child into areas where he/she will be uncomfortable due to lack of experience. Instead, they will gently guide him or her to the next level of maturity. Most importantly, the adults at our school are there to interact with your child, help them feel good about themselves and let them bloom.

The teaching staff consists of 6 teachers:

The 4-Year Old (Sunshine and Moonbeam) and Pre-K (Starlight) classes take field trips throughout the year. Trips are scheduled in the non-winter months and may be rescheduled or cancelled due to weather conditions. Transportation will be provided by the church bus or by volunteer parents if the bus is unavailable. All children will wear seat belts when on field trips. Parents are welcome to accompany us on any trips. There is limited seating available on the bus however parents may drive their personal vehicles to join us on trips. Some of our field trips can include siblings, however some may not. Some trips may have a nominal charge.

Due to car seat laws, the 2 and 3-year old classes do not take field trips; however, we do invite special visitors to come talk with the children. If parents have special talents that they would like to share, please let the teachers know!

We believe that children learn best through experiences. We believe that the teachers must lovingly guide and redirect the children to help them learn to cooperate with their peers, to have positive educational experiences and to encourage and enhance their growth and development while in our care. We try to be as consistent as possible with our classroom rules so that the children know what is expected of them. We find that this helps the children and leads to their success.

Any form of corporal punishment, abusive language, ridicule, harsh or humiliating treatment is against our philosophy.