Nestled in the heart of Downers Grove, the Lincoln Learning Center stands as a beacon of early childhood education. Housed within the historic Lincoln Center, formerly the Lincoln School from 1867 to 1974, our Lincoln Learning Center Preschool offers a nurturing and stimulating environment for young learners. We are proud to provide a traditional preschool program that emphasizes play-based learning, fostering creativity, social skills, and a lifelong love for education.
At Lincoln Learning Center, we believe in creating an exceptional learning experience. Our commitment is reflected in our:
- Seven Vibrant Classrooms: Each of our seven classrooms is designed to be bright, colorful, and fully equipped to inspire young minds and facilitate engaging learning activities.
- Dedicated and Caring Staff: Each class benefits from the attention of a designated lead teacher and an assistant teacher, ensuring personalized attention and care. We also have floating support staff to further enhance our student-to-teacher ratio. (Learn more about our passionate team here!)
- Indoor and Outdoor Play Spaces: Recognizing the importance of physical activity, we offer both an indoor gym and secure outdoor play areas where children can explore, play, and develop their gross motor skills year-round.
- Nut-Free Environment: The health and safety of all our students are paramount. We maintain nut-free classrooms to accommodate children with allergies and ensure a safe learning environment for everyone.
- Engaging Local Field Trips and Special Guests: We extend learning beyond the classroom walls with local walking field trips and invite special guests to enrich our curriculum and broaden children’s horizons.
- Access to Park District Enrichment Programs: As part of the Downers Grove Park District, our students enjoy access to a wide array of enrichment and extension programs, providing diverse learning opportunities beyond the regular preschool day.
Ready to Register for the 2025-2026 School Year? Click here for registration information!
Experience Lincoln Learning Center at Our Open House
We invite you to experience the magic of Lincoln Learning Center firsthand! Join us at our annual Open House to meet our dedicated teachers and staff, explore our classrooms, and discover our play-based educational philosophy. Bring your children along to experience the welcoming atmosphere and get a taste of the Lincoln Learning Center difference.
Date: Saturday, February 8
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Location: Lincoln Center, 935 Maple Ave, Downers Grove
No pre-registration is necessary for the Open House – simply come and explore!
If you are unable to attend our Open House, we encourage you to schedule a personal tour to see our facility and learn more about our programs at your convenience.
Schedule a Tour: Lincoln Learning Center Preschool Tours
Weather-Related and Emergency Cancellations
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. In the event of inclement weather, power outages, water loss, or if School District 58 announces a snow day or remote learning day, Lincoln Learning Center Preschool will also be closed.
We will promptly communicate any emergency closures or cancellations through ePACT and Remind notifications. Announcements will also be posted on the official Downers Grove Park District website at dgparks.org and on the Park District’s Facebook page.
For the first two snow days in a school year, classes will not be made up, and refunds will not be issued. Should there be more than two snow days, we will assess the situation and may extend the school year or provide appropriate refunds.
Expanding Horizons with Enrichment and Extension Programs
Lincoln Learning Center is committed to providing a well-rounded early childhood education. Throughout the school year, we offer a variety of supplemental enrichment programs designed to enhance learning and cater to diverse interests. These programs include:
- Ready, Set, Kindergarten: Specifically designed for 4 and 5-year-old preschool students preparing for kindergarten, this program focuses on essential kindergarten readiness skills.
- Preschool Plus Afternoon Extensions: For both 3 and 4/5-year-old students, Preschool Plus offers engaging afternoon extension sessions that build upon the morning curriculum and provide additional learning and fun.
- Ongoing Math, Science, and Reading Enrichment Classes: Open to all children aged 4-6, these classes provide focused enrichment in core academic areas, fostering a love for learning in math, science, and reading.
Beyond academic enrichment, we also partner with the Park District to offer a diverse range of classes at the Lincoln Center immediately following the preschool day. Preschoolers can seamlessly transition into classes such as dance, art, cooking, music, and foreign languages, extending their learning and enjoyment. Our staff will even escort your child directly from preschool to their next class, ensuring a smooth and safe transition.
Detailed information about enrichment and other program offerings can be found in the seasonal Park District program guides.
Program Options for Every Age: From Two-Year-Olds to Pre-Kindergarten
Lincoln Learning Center offers carefully designed programs tailored to each developmental stage of early childhood:
Two-Year-Old Preschool: Building Foundations
Our Two-Year-Old Preschool program is the perfect introduction to structured learning. Through weekly themes, creative expression activities, circle time, and activities focused on large and fine motor skill development, we prepare your child for our Three-Year-Old Preschool program. We emphasize independence and socialization within a consistent and supportive classroom structure. Participants in this program also receive priority registration for our Three-Year-Old Preschool for the following school year.
We understand that two-year-olds are still developing. Diapers and training pants are permitted; however, please note that our staff cannot change soiled diapers or training pants. A parent or designated trusted adult must be readily available should a change be needed. Children must be 2 years old, but not yet 3 by June 1st to enroll in our Two-Year-Old Preschool program.
Three-Year-Old Preschool: Exploring and Socializing
Our Three-Year-Old Preschool program is specifically crafted for children new to early learning environments. We focus on fostering socialization and independence while gently introducing children to the classroom setting. Through engaging, teacher-guided activities, children learn to follow simple instructions, develop friendships, and practice sharing within a group setting. Activities are designed to promote fine motor development through creative arts, cutting, and gluing, while shape, number, and color recognition are introduced through interactive show & tell and themed activities. Large motor skills are honed through gym time, creative movement activities, and outdoor play. Children must be 3 years old, but not yet 4 by September 1st to enroll in our Three-Year-Old Preschool program.
Four/Five-Year-Old Preschool: Pre-Kindergarten Readiness
For experienced learners preparing for Kindergarten, our Four/Five-Year-Old Preschool program provides continued enrichment and a strong foundation for future academic success. We focus on developing key readiness skills through exposure to upper and lowercase letters, sound recognition, reading and writing activities, and foundational math concepts, alongside reinforcing color and shape recognition. Social skills and problem-solving abilities are nurtured through both unstructured play and teacher-directed group activities. To broaden their understanding of the world around them, children explore the community through local field trips and interactions with community visitors. Children must be 4 or 5 years old, but not yet 6 by September 1st to enroll in our 4/5-Year-Old Preschool program.
Discovery Early Childhood Series: Easing into Learning
Understanding that traditional preschool schedules may not suit every family, or that some children may benefit from a more gradual introduction to preschool, we offer our Discovery Early Childhood Series. These classes are held in shorter 4-6 week sessions throughout the school year, always in the same familiar classroom space and with consistent, caring staff. This creates a supportive and predictable environment for young children to grow and thrive. Our primary offerings in this series include:
Ages 12-36 Months, with Caregiver – Child must be within the age range by the first day of class.
First Steps: You & Your Toddler: This playgroup is designed for children to participate alongside a trusted caregiver, providing a gentle introduction to a classroom setting and routine. Learn more about First Steps here.
Ages 2 through 3 – Child must be within the age range by the first day of class.
Little Explorers: Toddler Independence Class: If your toddler is ready to explore their independence, this transitional class builds upon the foundation of First Steps. Children will explore their curiosity and playfulness while developing listening skills, learning to follow directions, and improving gross and fine motor skills. Discover more about Little Explorers here.
Please note: Participation in the Discovery Early Childhood Series does not grant priority enrollment access to our traditional preschool programs.
We invite you to contact Lincoln Learning Center today to learn more about our programs and how we can partner with you in your child’s early education journey. We look forward to welcoming you to our community!
