About Woodlawn Preschool Academy | Woodlawn Arts Academy

About Woodlawn Preschool

Woodlawn Preschool Academy of the Arts is designed to emphasize the importance of incorporating the arts into education. The program serves students ages 3-5 and offers a safe and friendly setting that includes opportunities for social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. We realize that each child develops at their own rate; therefore, our staff makes every effort to meet the needs of the individual child. Overall, staff strives to provide a stimulating environment using the arts to enhance learning in which children feel comfortable and happy with their individual progress.

At Woodlawn Preschool Academy, the nationally recognized Creative Curriculum Method® and Zoo-phonics® are used, along with lesson plans are aligned with the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards. Both special guest and classroom instructors teach arts education at a specific time during the day, covering visual arts, music, theatre, dance and culinary. Experiences in those art activities are also provided through classroom centers. We recognize that family involvement is an important part of a child’s learning, and families are given opportunities to participate in daytime arts activities, family nights and parent-teacher conferences.

What We Offer

3-day mornings, ages 4 & 5 recommended
2-day mornings, ages 3 & 4 recommended
5-day, 3-day and 2-day afternoon options for prekindergarten students
DCFS-licensed facility
Daily snack provided
Daily art-focused learning activities in the areas of visual, music, theatre, dance and culinary
Both child-directed and teacher-directed activities
Opportunities to explore materials and practice social-emotional skills
Highly qualified teaching and support staff
Developmentally appropriate lessons that align with state standards
Ongoing assessment
A loving and nurturing environment in which students are encouraged and supported in their learning

Meet Our Staff

Becky Rich

Program Coordinator, Preschool Director, Dance Instructor

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Amy Hook

Preschool Lead Teacher, Education Coordinator

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Preschool FAQ

Are there currently any openings?

Please call us at (815) 626-4278 and speak with Becky about the proper class for your child. She will check enrollment at that time and be able to tell you if openings are available.

What paperwork is needed?

In order to be enrolled at Woodlawn Preschool, the state requires us to have the following forms on file:

Provided Emergency Form
Provided Enrollment Form
Physical Examination from Doctor
Immunization Record from Doctor
Lead Risk Assessment from Doctor (on physical form, but make sure the doctor completes it)
TB Skin Test (on physical form, but make sure the doctor completes it)
Back Page of DCFS Booklet “Summary of Licensing Standards…”
Copy of Child’s Birth Certificate

A current Handbook listing required paperwork, along with the provided forms, are available in the main office at Woodlawn Arts Academy.

What days is the Preschool closed?

We do not follow all of the typical public school holidays. There is no class on Labor Day, the entire calendar week of Thanksgiving, or the entire two calendar weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year’s Day. Spring break is taken by the Preschool and is aligned with Sterling Public Schools’ spring break. Woodlawn Arts Academy does not take a spring break, so even though the Preschool is closed, your student will still have his/her other classes that week. Check the Calendar for exact dates.

How will we know if the Preschool is closed due to inclement weather?

In case of bad weather, class cancellations will be reported on WSDR. Class participants will be notified via text message and email. Please login to our registration portal or check with the main office to make sure your contact information is up to date. Closures will also be announced on our website and social media.

When do family activities take place?

We encourage families to take part in occasional arts activities in the classroom, along with Family Nights. Information on these events will be distributed to families in our newsletter and via email.

I didn’t know this activity was happening. Where can I find this information in advance?

We do our best to advertise events on our website, in the Woodlawn program guide and on social media. For details about family activities in the classroom and Family Nights, check our family newsletter or watch your inbox.

When is graduation and how many family members and friends can come?

Graduation is scheduled for the evening of the last day of class, typically in late April or early May. Check the Calendar for exact dates. Always check your invitation (distributed in early April each year) for details on how many people per student can attend. We do ask that you RSVP for the graduation.

Do we have to pay the entire tuition at one time?

No. If you prefer, our office staff would be happy to help you set up a monthly payment plan. Your payment is automatically withdrawn from your account monthly. You will be able to choose the date that the money is removed from their account monthly, beginning in August and ending in April. A checking or savings account, or debit/credit card, may be used for this option. When using a checking or savings account, please be prepared to provide your bank’s routing number as well as your account number. Please let us know right away if your account or card number changes, or if you need to change the date of your withdrawal, so we are able to make the necessary adjustments in our system.