Camp Crayon Preschool

Recognizing that play is a very important aspect of a child’s development, the Camp Crayon Preschool is based on the concept of learning through play and simple structured activities.

Our program is a social program for 2, 3, 4 and 5 year olds. It is often a child’s first experience away from the home environment. The children in our program will be provided with the opportunity to develop emotional, social, physical and intellectual skills through a variety of creative and fun learning activities.

Classes will begin in September and will run through mid-May. To be considered for registration, children must be the correct age by September 1. All classroom materials are linked below (calendar, manual, snack list, etc.). The teacher to student ratio is 1:7.

Camp Crayon Forms and Applications

Class Options

2.6-3.6 Year Old Program

The 2.6-3.6 year old students learn through a fun relaxed play environment. This class will help these early learners how to transition from activities, understand directions and waiting their turn. A typical day would include free play, that is encouraged to play with another student and not alongside. There would be circle time that would include the songs and talk of the theme of the day, craft and story time. Each day the children have gym time which gives them the opportunity to work on coordination and large motor skills. The 2.6 class is the start for a child’s love of learning.

Maximum Students: 12
Days: Mon/Wed OR Tues/Thurs
Time: 9-11am
Location: Parks Building; Upper Classroom
Address: 806 Holbek Drive
Phone: 847-395-2160

Instructor: Katy Balaban

3 Year Program

The Camp Crayon 3 year old program is the perfect place to introduce your child to a preschool setting. Our primary goal is to help children become secure in an environment away from the comfort of their parents. We focus on building social skills such as making friends, taking turns, sharing and listening to others. We provide opportunities for children to practice developmentally appropriate fine and large motor skills through indoor and outdoor activities. Children will be introduced to math and literacy concepts such as letter recognition, rhyming, sorting and counting. A typical day includes free playtime, “learning through play” centers, snack time, story time, crafts, music, and outdoor play.

Maximum Students: 20
Days: Mon/Wed/Fri OR Tues/Thur
Times: 8:45-11:15 am
Location: Scout House
Address: 770 Cunningham Drive
Phone: 847-395-2160

Instructor: Kelly Wilske

4 Year Program

The four-year-old class is your child’s last step before entering school. With that in mind, this class will focus on teaching your child the skills needed to be successful in kindergarten and throughout their whole school career. These skills include: following multi-step directions, developing positive social skills such as sharing, waiting your turn, making friends, taking responsibility for tasks such as completing center work, and cleaning up, also basic pre-reading and pre-math skills which include number and letter recognition as well as an introduction to phonics. We accomplish this by exposing your child to a play based learning environment. Our themed units are designed to inspire four-year-olds to be inquisitive, excited about learning, and receptive to new concepts. We develop fine motor skills through daily journal writing and crafting with small manipulatives such as beads, blocks, paint, paper, scissors and glue. We work on gross motor skills in the gym, jumping, running and throwing balls. Our lessons inspire an interest in the natural world through outdoor play, nature walks and science units. We invite visiting experts to the classroom to help us to delve deeper into topics we cover. Most importantly we aim to provide a warm, loving and safe environment for your child to learn and grow.

Maximum Students: 20
Days/Times: Mon-Fri 9-11:30 am OR Tues/Wed/Thur 12:30-3:00 pm
Location: Parks Building, Lower Classroom
Address: 806 Holbek Drive
Phone: 847-395-2160

Instructor: Nancy McConnell

MEET OUR TEACHERS

Katy Balaban

This will be Miss Katy’s first year teaching at Camp Crayon! She grew up in central Illinois and earned her degree in early childhood education from Illinois State. After graduating she moved to Fort Riley, Kansas with her husband where she taught kindergarten for several years. Once his Army contract was fulfilled they moved back to Illinois and chose Antioch to raise their three children and two rambunctious pups. Now that her 3 kids are in Kindergarten, 6th, and 8th grade (all Camp Crayon graduates too!) she’s so excited to be back in the classroom and can’t wait to meet you!

Kelly Wilske

Miss Kelly is thrilled to be teaching the 3’s at the Scout House this year! This will be her 8th year teaching at Camp Crayon. Her husband, three children, and dog Sawyer, all live in Antioch, but she was born and raised in Iowa. (Go Hawkeyes!) If you’ve ever had Happy Joe’s pizza or Whitey’s Ice Cream, you know it’s to die for!

She believes in learning promoted through play and a child’s “work” is play. She’s excited to meet all her new Camp Crayon friends! She’s looking forward to an awesome year!

Nancy McConnell

Miss Nancy grew up in Canada where she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, got married and had three wonderful children, two of which are now on their own, and one who is a senior in college. She taught preschool before having children and is thrilled to be back in the classroom with her favorite four-year-olds! This will be her fifth year at Camp Crayon, and she looks forward to each new year with excitement and joy! See you in September!!

Contact us

Director of Parks & Recreation	Mary Quilty	847-395-2160	x1404
2 Year Old Classroom	Katy Balaban	847-395-2160
3 Year Old Classroom	Kelly Wilske	847-395-2160
4 Year Old Classroom	Nancy McConnell	847-395-2160

Parks Department	806 Holbek	847-395-2160
Scout House	770 Cunningham	847-395-2191
Program Manager	Dawn Johnson	847-395-2160	x1401