New 3's Preschool at Niles Park District- Begins January 2024

Tuesday & Thursday, January 9-May 16
Time: 9:15-11:15 am
Location:  Howard Leisure Center, 6676 W. Howard St.
Fee:  Resident $635, Non-Resident $767
Instructor: Miss Laura

• This class is for children who turned 3 after September 1, 2023 and are three years of age by February 1, 2024.
• Birth Certificate is required at the time of registration.
• Your child will be introduced to circle time, art projects, songs and finger plays, and story time.
• Maximum of 20 students.
• Registration deadline is Monday, December 11, 2023.

Click here for REGISTRATION FORM.

Return registration form and birth certificate to robin@niles-parks.org, or drop off at the Howard Leisure Center, 6676 W. Howard Street by December 11.

Bright Beginnings Preschool standards are measured by the quality of our staff.  Each teacher brings their own special skill and diverse background to the preschool program.  Every class has a lead teacher and assistant.  By maintaining the DCFS ratio of 1:10, our staff is able to provide children with a safe and stimulating environment.  Our preschool staff maintain 15 hours of in-service in early childhood every year, and we are certified in CPR, AED & First Aid.

HOWARD LEISURE CENTER
Diane Zajac
Diane is the lead teacher for the Monday, Wednesday & Friday morning, and the Tuesday & Thursday morning 3 year old programs.  She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and has taught preschool for over 35 years.  Diane has been teaching classes at Niles Park District for over 20 years.  She is married and has 2 sons.  Diane loves teaching children and watching them learn and grow.

Mary Fleck
Mary is the assistant for the Monday, Wednesday, Friday morning 3 year old preschool class.  She lives in Park Ridge in the home she raised her three adult children in, all of which attended the Bright Beginnings program.  It was then she saw first hand how special the program was.  She returned to the program once her own children were put through school to have the experience to see more children learning through play, exploration, and guidance.  Mary is excited for the opportunity to provide the love, excitement, and encouragement that all young scholars need.

Heather Tarjan
Heather is the lead teacher for the Monday, Wednesday, Friday morning, and Tuesday, Thursday morning 3 year old classes.  She holds a Bachelor of Science and teaching certificate from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Heather lives in Niles with her husband and three children.  All three of her children went through the Bright Beginnings Preschool program, and had a wonderful experience.  She is excited to have the opportunity to work with young children and guide their learning and growth within a loving and safe school environment.

Carmelina Yoshioka
Carmelina is the lead teacher for the Monday-Friday morning 4 year old class.  She has degrees in both Early Childhood Development and Elementary Education.  She has been teaching children from preschool to 8th Grade for over 30 years.  Carmelina enjoys teaching preschool and igniting a life-long love of learning.

Lisa Wright
Lisa is the assistant in the 4 year old classroom Monday-Friday mornings with Miss Carm.  She has three children who attended St. John Brebeuf School.  Lisa graduated nursing school from Sauk Valley College in 2011.

Sharon Mistic
Sharon is the lead teacher for the Monday, Wednesday, Friday morning 4 year old class.  Sharon has a BA in Early Childhood Education, and an MA in Community Counseling.  Before coming here, she was the coordinator of the Early Intervention Program at Shore School in Evanston and taught preschool at several schools.  Sharon is an animal lover and is excited to learn, play and explore with your children.

Melanie Moorhouse
Melanie is the assistant in the 4 year old classroom Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings with Miss Sharon.  She is married with two children.  Melanie started at the Niles Park District in 2007 as a tot class instructor teaching classes for ages 2-5.  Melanie also has been the head counselor for our Early Childhood Summer Camp.  Melanie is passionate about what she does and helping children learn allows her to do what she loves.

Laura Kline
Laura is the assistant in the 3 year old classroom Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings with Miss Heather.  She also teachers our New 3's class, and has taught many tot classes in her time here.

OAKTON MANOR
Julie Bartoli
Julie is the lead teacher in the Monday, Wednesday and Friday 4 year old classes and the Tuesday, Thursday 3 year old classes at Oakton Manor.  She has an Early Childhood and Development degree from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.  She has been teaching preschool for over 30 years and has been with Niles Park District for over 15 years.  She loves teaching and watching children learn through play.

Cheryl Schreiman
Cheryl is an assistant on Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings & afternoons in the 4 year old classroom.  She has worked for the Niles Park District Preschool Program for over 25 years.  She has also taught early childhood classes and was the birthday party coordinator.

Carol Welton
Carol is the assistant teacher with Miss Julie on Tuesday & Thursday mornings in the 3 year old classroom.  She lives in Park Ridge and both of her grandchildren attended the preschool program.  Carol has been a part of the Bright Beginnings program for over 5 years.  Previous to working in Niles, she was an assistant in a Kindergarten program for 9 years.

Below are the Before and After Care options Bright Beginnings Preschool is offering.  Please register at the Howard Leisure Center, 847-967-6633.

BEFORE CARE

For an additional fee, your child can come to Bright Beginnings for Before Care.  Drop off as early as 7:30 am.  Provide a nut free snack.  Your child will be brought to their classroom.

TIME:  7:30-9:00 am
FEE:  Res $15, Non-Res $18 per day
LOCATION:  Howard Leisure Center & Oakton Manor

PRESCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

This program is an extenstion of our Preschool day.  Staff will bring your child to the enrichment program.  Provide a nut free lunch.  Full information HERE.

DAYS:  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday (Wed only at Oakton Manor)
TIME:  11:30 am-2:30 pm
LOCATION:  Howard Leisure Center & Oakton Manor (Wed only)

AFTER CARE

For an additional fee, after the Enrichment Program, your child can stay with our instructors until 5:00 pm.

TIME:  2:30-5:00 pm
FEE:  Res $23, Non-Res $28 per day
LOCATION:  Howard Leisure Center

If we believe that unsafe conditions exist for your child to be in school, or when school districts are closed due to sever weather, school may be cancelled.  Information on cancellations will be posted on the home page of Niles Park District:  www.niles-parks.org.  We do not give credits or make up days due to inclement weather.

In the event of an emergency closing, Bright Beginnings Preschool status may be checked by the following-  

• Receive an email notification of school closing after you have signed up at: www.emergencyclosings.com.
• Check local news stations.
• Check our website- www.niles-parks.org

Preschool Enrichment Program- Fall 2024 & Winter/Spring 2025 Session

• Extend your child's preschool day!
• This program is an extension of the Niles Park District Preschool curriculum's weekly themes.
• Students will engage in self directed independent activities at tables with sand, Legos, blocks, writing supplies, books, math manipulatives & science items.
• Students will play outside, in the dance room, or mat room.
• Staff will bring your child from preschool to the afterschool program.  You do not need to be enrolled in Bright Beginnings Preschool to participate.
• A NUT FREE lunch must be provided.
• NEW, Late Pick Up.  See below.
• Instructors:  Miss Diane, Miss Heather, Miss Laura, Miss Lisa
• Location:  Howard Leisure Center (Monday-Friday)
• Location:  Oakton Manor (Wednesday only)
• No classes Sept 2, Oct 14, Nov 11, Nov 27, Nov 28, Nov 29, Jan 20, Jan 30, Jan 31, Feb 17, Mar 24-28, April 18, April 21. 

Daily Fee:  Res $28, Non-Res $31

Sign up for 1, 2, or all days!  Or pay the daily drop in fee.

REGISTER at the Howard Leisure Center, 6676 W. Howard, 847-967-6633.

LATE PICK UP!

Pick up as late as 5:00 pm.  For an additional fee, your child can stay with our instructors until 5:00 pm.  
Time:  2:30-5:00 pm
Fee:  Res $23, Non-Res $28 per day

Welcome to Bright Beginnings!

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Your child deserves a bright beginning!  Join our preschool program.   

NEW- Early drop off & late pick up available this year!  Call 847-967-6633 for further information, or click on the links below.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE 2024-2025 YEAR.

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Mission Statement
Bright Beginnings Preschool is guided by the philosophy of learning through play.  Our teaching staff provides a wide variety of daily activities to expand and develop each child's physical, creative, cognitive, social and emotional growth.  We motivate children with positive reinforcement, age appropriate toys, role models, and activities that help stimulate the various areas of development.  Daily activities encourage artistic expression, physical conditioning, and problem-solving skills.

Curriculum
Bright Beginnings Preschool curriculum follows weekly themes.  The themes incorporate activities that are developmentally appropriate for all areas of a child's development; physical, emotional, social and cognitive.  Teachers provide age appropriate activities using a variety of materials to reinforce the theme.

Preschool Staff
Bright Beginnings Preschool staff is an integral part of the classroom.  Each class has a lead teacher and assistant.  Staff maintain 15 hours of in-service in ECE yearly, and are certified in CPR, AED and First Aid.  All staff meets the requirements issued by DCFS to teach at Bright Beginnings Preschool.

Niles Park District Bright Beginnings Preschool is certified by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

CONTACT US!  Call (847) 967-6633, or email Robin Brey at robin@niles-parks.org for preschool information. 

• 2024-2025 Preschool Schedule & Fees- Before Care & After Care option!
• Before & After Care Options
• Meet Our Teachers
• 2024-2025 Preschool Enrichment Program- Continue the Preschool Day- Fall 2024 & Winter Spring 2025
• New 3's Preschool- Begins January 2024
• Emergency & Winter Closing Information

2024-2025 PRESCHOOL CLASSES- August 26, 2024-May 16, 2025

Tuition fee is for the full school year, August 26 2024-May 16 2025.
*5 day options, upon request.
Monthly payment plan available.

BEFORE CARE!

Drop off as early as 7:30 am.  For an additional fee, your child can come to Bright Beginnings for Before Care.  Provide a nut free snack.  Your child will be brought to their classroom.  Inquire at the Howard Leisure Center, 847-967-6633.
Time:  7:30-9:00 am
Fee:  Res $15, Non-Res $18 per day

ENRICHMENT PROGRAM- Immediately follows the preschool day!

Preschool Locations:
Howard Leisure Center (HLC), 6676 W. Howard Street, Niles
Oakton Manor (OM), 8100 Ozark, Niles


Requirements for Registration & Information:

• Birth Certificate
• Proof of residency for Niles resident rate
• 1/3 of tuition payment
• Payment plan is available
• A $50 non-refundable registration fee is included in the tuition fee
• Refunds will be granted prior to the start of school, minus the $50 registration fee
• Schedule is subject to change
• Child must be age appropriate by September 1st to enroll in the program 
• Please call the Howard Leisure Center if you have questions, 847-967-6633, or email robin@niles-parks.org.