Important note to parents

To ensure that everyone in our preschool classes find the programs rewarding and enjoyable, we've established a few guidelines. We appreciate your cooperation.

Children enrolled in Park District programs must be fully toilet-trained for programs that meet more than one hour, and must wear underwear - not a "pull-up" type diaper unless it's a parent/child class or otherwise stated. Children need to be able to take care of basic needs including using the toilet, manipulating most clothing and washing hands. Our teachers and facilities are not equipped for diaper-changing.

Before enrolling your child in a program without a parent, please familiarize yourself with these additional guidelines:

- Children need to be able to communicate their physical and emotional needs to the program instructor using simple language.

- The child's attention span should be long enough to listen to a five-minute story and to follow a simple, one-step direction.
- Children ready for programs without parental involvement are usually interested in other children. If they are not ready for group play, they must be ready for partner play.
- Children must be able to separate from the parent. If a child cries continuously during the program, he/she is not ready. The Park District offers a variety of programs for children with parents for those children who may not be ready to be on their own.

Also, parents, please be aware that there are class offerings for 5-year-olds in both the preschool and youth sections of the quarterly Program Guide.


Age Requirements
All preschool and youth participants must be the stated age or grade by the first day of class or meet otherwise specified requirements. If a grade level is indicated, use the grade level for school year 2006-2007. Fall 2007 grade levels apply to indicated programs such as T-Ball, Coach Pitch and Girls' Softball. For age-variance approval in junior high, high school, and adult programs, arrangements must be made through the program manager prior to submitting your registration information.