2014-2015
GROVE CHILDREN’S PRESCHOOL
A GUIDE TO
PRESCHOOL APPLICATION
The Grove Children’s Preschool is the Downers Grove Grade School District 58
preschool program. This guide is designed to provide parents with information about the
Grove Children’s Preschool and how to apply for the program. This guide also provides
answers for the questions most frequently asked by parents.
AGE REQUIREMENT
All children must be at least three and not yet five years old on or before September 1,
2014.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
All families must reside in District 58 in order for the child to attend the Grove
Children’s Preschool. District 58 boundaries encompass parts of Downers Grove,
Westmont, Darien, Oak Brook and Woodridge. The district office may be called at 7195800 to verify if a residence is within District 58 boundaries. Families will be required to
show proof of residency upon acceptance to the preschool. Families moving into the
district must attach a copy of the housing contract to their application form to indicate the
date of the move.
RELOCATION OUT OF DISTRICT 58
Due to the residency requirement, any relocation outside of District 58 boundaries will
prohibit the continuation of the child in preschool. Upon notification of relocation, a
timely transition will be provided.
TUITION AND FEES
A $50 non-refundable application fee is due at the time of application.
The Grove Children's Preschool follows the district 58 calendar each year. The program
runs from approximately end of August to the end of May/beginning of June pending
approval of the district calendar. The preschool year also follows the same Winter and
Spring break schedule as the rest of the school district.
Monthly tuition is as follows:
2 Day Program- $265 x 9 months = $2385. Annually
4 Day Program- $335 x 9 months = $3015. Annually
Families will receive payment slips to accompany each monthly payment. The yearly
tuition is divided into nine equal payments paid on the first of the month. The first tuition
payment is due no later than August 1st and is the payment for September. The remaining
eight installments are due the first day of the month, September through April. There is
no reduction of tuition due to illness; absence or days school is closed.
There is a 10% tuition discount for additional siblings enrolled in the program. Tuition
will not be refunded if a child leaves the program.
APPLICATION SCHEDULE FOR 2014-15
February 17-21, 2014 = Returning preschool students
February 24-28, 2014 = Siblings of currently enrolled District 58 students.
March 3, 2014 - until full = Open registration for District 58 residents.
April 2014 = Acceptance letters or wait list information will be sent to parents/guardians.
SNACK
Children are responsible for bringing their own snack to school. This is due to the large
number of children with food restrictions.
TRANSPORTATION
Families are responsible for the transportation of their children. Families are encouraged
to set up carpool arrangements.
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
The Grove Children’s Preschool’s philosophy embraces family involvement through
school, PTA and family enrichment activities. Research shows that the greatest benefits
are derived when parents and teachers work together as partners to guide children in their
growth, development and education. This partnership is the key to a meaningful
preschool experience for your child.
Families are invited to attend school on Curriculum Night, Open House, conferences and
other family activities. Newsletters are sent home by each classroom teacher to provide
communication between home and school and enhance language development.
PRESCHOOL HOURS
The preschool schedule is as follows:
The morning session is:
8:15 – 10:55 AM
The afternoon session is:
12:00 PM – 2:40 PM
PROGRAM OPTIONS
There are six different program options.
The program options are:
Tuesday & Thursday Mornings8:15 – 10:55 AM
Tuesday & Thursday Afternoons12:00 PM – 2:40 PM
Wednesday & Friday Mornings8:15 – 10:55 AM
Wednesday & Friday Afternoons12:00 PM – 2:40 PM
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday Mornings8:15 – 10:55 AM
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday Afternoons12:00 PM – 2:40 PM
Families will be asked to prioritize their choices. (Ex: mornings, afternoons, or number
of days of the week).
“ No preference” is also an option.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Priority of application acceptance is given to children currently enrolled, then to families
with students currently enrolled in any District 58 school. Application information will be
distributed by school flyers and through elementary school newsletters. Interested
families may come to the District 58 Administrative Service Center or any elementary
school to pick up an application. An application may also be downloaded at
HYPERLINK "http://www.dg58.org" www.dg58.org.
Grove Children’s Preschool only accepts mail-in applications postmarked from the first
date listed in the application packet. Applications received early or hand-delivered will
not be accepted, but returned to the applicant. Completed application forms and checks
are to be mailed to:
Downers Grove District 58 Special Services Department
1860 63rd Street
Downers Grove, IL 60516
A $50 non-refundable application fee must accompany your completed application form.
Applications will be prioritized by postmark date and a lottery will be held for each
postmark date until all openings are filled.
Parents will be notified in March/April with an acceptance letter or information regarding
the wait list process. Deposits will be returned to wait list families, but not to families
who are accepted into the preschool and then withdraw for any reason.
GROVE CHILDREN’S PRESCHOOL FACILITIES
Every classroom has a variety of technolgy, age-appropriate furniture, and an ample
supply of equipment and materials. Additionally, an Activity Room is located at each
school, as well as access to the gymnasium and school library. The Grove Children’s
Preschool Program is located at Henry Puffer School and Indian Trail School.
THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
Each classroom has a targeted enrollment of 17-18 preschoolers staffed by a teacher with
a minimum of a four-year degree in general and special education. There are also two
instructional assistants in each room. Each class may have a combination of two-day and
four-day children, as well as a balance of boys and girls ages three, four and five years
old. The five year old children have a birthday that is after September 1, 2014. Consistent
with District 58’s inclusive philosophy, Grove Children’s Preschool serves all children.
There are a total of five morning and five afternoon sessions.
CURRICULUM
The Grove Children’s Preschool uses the Creative Curriculum and the Illinois Early
Learning and Development Standards as the framework for the preschool program. This
is a developmentally-appropriate curriculum recognized by the National Association for
the Education of Young Children and the Illinois State Board of Education. The teachers
also develop thematic units to complement the children, culture and community of
District 58.