Established in 1980, Northbrook Park District’s Sunshine Preschool program offers a vibrant educational experience with an enriching curriculum designed to lay a solid foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Teachers actively encourage independent thinking, creativity and exploration to prepare students for their next educational level.
Sunshine Preschool offers early childhood education for 3–5 year old learners with a focus on play and exploration. Our Pre-K 3’s focus on sharing, taking turns, engaging with other children and developing friendships. Our Pre-K 4/5’s build on these skills with the addition of hands-on learning in early literacy, math, science and social studies.
In the classroom, our preschoolers enjoy arts and crafts, games, music, show and tell and storytelling. Students experience unstructured play while exploring learning centers including a writing center, dramatic play area, sensory tables and manipulative toys. Structured activities such as circle time use large and small motor skills, songs, storytelling and theme-related crafts to build social skills and introduce new educational topics.
Registration
Preschool Classroom Learning Objectives
Pre-K 3’s
- Recites the alphabet
- Counts 1–10
- Recognizes own name
- Empathizes with others
- Shares with classmates
- Takes turns
- Puts on clothing items independently
- Follows 1- and 2-step directions
Pre-K 4/5’s
- Holds basic conversations
- Counts 1–30
- Recognizes classmate names
- Learns to write own name
- Identifies and communicates feelings
- Answers questions about a story and describes what happened
- Identifies patterns, colors and shapes
- Follows 3-step directions
2026-2027 Sunshine Preschool
Sunshine Preschool: Pre-K 4
Our Pre-K class for ages 4-5, focuses on helping children become kindergarten ready. Activities planned in the classroom are to help strengthen social skills, and develop an understanding of the alphabet and numbers. Sunshine Preschool utilizes a Play Based Curriculum. The school year ends with a graduation ceremony.
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Sunshine Preschool: Pre-K 3
Our Pre-K 3 class for ages 3-4 focuses on getting children socially ready for preschool. Activities planned in the classroom are to help strengthen social emotional skills, and develop an understanding of the alphabet and numbers. Sunshine Preschool utilizes a Play Based Curriculum. The ratio for this classroom is 8 to 1.
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Our dedicated Recreation Supervisor works year-round to ensure your child’s Sunshine Preschool experience is the best it can be. For any questions regarding billing, registration or medication forms, contact Recreation Supervisor Maria Warren.
Maria Warren
Recreation Supervisor
Northbrook Park District
847-897-6154
✉ Email Sunshine Preschool
Meet the Teachers
Sunshine Preschool is staffed by well-trained teachers who are specialized in early childhood development and education, carefully selected and trained by the Northbrook Park District. Their enthusiasm, warmth and understanding help children develop positive attitudes and feelings of self-worth.
3’s Teacher
3’s Teacher
4’s Teacher
4’s Teacher
Preschool Curriculum
Our curriculum combines play-based learning with structured activities, exposing students to early literacy and math concepts in fun and creative ways, with a focus on the development of essential academic skills. In addition to academics, we incorporate physical activities that enhance fine motor skills, coordination, and spatial awareness throughout each day. Our curriculum also includes art, music, and movement activities to engage students’ imagination, and encourage self-expression. Through storytelling, interactive games and daily conversations with peers and teachers our students’ vocabulary, comprehension, and verbal expression grows.
Our Learning Centers
- Writing
- Cooperative/dramatic play
- Blocks
- Toys and games
- Sensory Table
- Music and instruments
- Art
- Science and Discovery
- STEM
- Movement in our gym our outside
Special Classroom Activities
The Leisure Center location provides unique opportunities to enhance the preschool experience. Students are able to cook in the kitchen facility and interact with older adults in the Senior Center. They also attend music classes.
Field Trips and Special Entertainers
Pre-K 4 preschoolers leave the Leisure Center for several well-supervised field trips, usually during the fall and spring; parents will receive information in advance. Unless the trip is within walking distance, parents will drive the children. Several times during the school year, entertainers visit the classrooms. Previous entertainers have included storytellers, firefighters, police, airline pilots and an Olympic athlete.
Parent Involvement
We welcome and encourage contact between parents and teachers. Let staff know about any changes at home that might affect your child at school. If needed, teachers can meet with parents before or after school. At the end of the school year, parents will receive an evaluation form by email. The Park District welcomes your feedback and suggestions.
Preschool Calendar
2025-2026 Preschool Year
Note: No enrichments on days where there is no school.
A Typical Day
- Welcome and Drop-Off
- Circle Time
- Learning and Play Centers
- Manipulative and Dramatic Play
- Sensory Table
- Writing and Art Center
- Computer Activities (4s)
- Cognitive Games
- Story Time
- Snack
- Gross Motor Play (Indoors or Out) and Fine Motor
- Nature Exploration
Classes Based on Play
Classes based on play allow children of all abilities to participate in shared activities while still achieving success and mastery. Instructors work to develop positive self-esteem in an atmosphere in which students’ needs are recognized and met on an individual basis.
Activities
In the classroom, preschoolers enjoy arts and crafts, games, music, show and tell and storytelling. They experience unstructured play while exploring educational centers, which include a writing center, dramatic play area, sensory tables and manipulative toys and counters. Structured activities such as circle time use large and small motor skills, songs, storytelling and theme-related crafts.
Environment
The focus is on fostering a positive, comforting and nurturing environment. Through a variety of developmentally appropriate activities, teachers facilitate each child’s progress, including language, social/emotional skills and motor skills related to functioning well in school
Independence
Children are encouraged to think independently, be creative and explore. In the process, they develop a love of learning and become prepared for kindergarten.