Naperville Park's preschool wins state award

The Illinois Park and Recreation Association has selected the Naperville Park District's Toadstools and Pollywogs preschool program as the winner of the 2010 Outstanding Program Award.

Toadstools and Pollywogs is one of the state's first nature-based preschools, with a mission to provide a traditional preschool curriculum incorporating outdoor play, nature exploration, and environmental practices, such as recycling and conservation.

Now in its second year of operation, Toadstools and Pollywogs meets in the Wigwam building at Knoch Knolls Park, where children can play and explore acres of open space, including prairie, woodlands, and wetlands.

"We are excited that our nature preschool program is being honored at the state level," said Director of Recreation Brad Wilson. "Enrollment in the program has grown, and the teachers confirm that kids are enjoying the time outdoors."

Over the course of the year the children learn good habits that promote sustainable living, such as recycling, bringing their own re-usable plates, cups, and spoons for snacks, and using both sides of each piece of paper when possible. These practices also carry over to the preschool families. For example, teachers report that families often will take nature walks on the weekends, with the children leading the way. The preschool provides a magazine rack at the front door where parents and teachers can exchange magazines instead of just tossing them.

According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, children spend an average of 6 hours a day in front of the computer or television and only 4 minutes a day in unstructured outdoor play. Toadstools & Pollywogs Preschool gives families support in moving toward a more active lifestyle, starting while children are young.

As a member of the FORWARD (Fighting Obesity Reaching Healthy Weight Among Residents of DuPage) Coalition, led by DuPage County Health Department, the Naperville Park District seeks to offer programs such as Toadstools and Pollywogs that can provide families with positive strategies for fighting childhood obesity.

Registration is currently in progress for Toadstools & Pollywogs Preschool and the District's Sunny Days Preschool for the 2011 school year.

For questions about the Naperville Park District and its programs and facilities, please contact the Naperville Park District at (630) 848-5000 or visit www.napervilleparks.org.