Lincoln-Way West students in their Child Care and Guidance class get to “ice skate” on a blue carpet with 3 to 5 year olds.

“I like working with small children a lot. I am very interested in going into child care as a career,” stated Ashley De Groate, junior, in the Family and Consumer Science class taught by Amy Lidy.

“The Child Care and Guidance class is currently working on creating developmentally appropriate hands-on activities for each of the student centers. The theme for the week is “Winter Wonderland,” noted Amy Lidy, Child Care teacher.

The preschoolers had an opportunity to discuss how they feel about snow and the weather we have been having lately, added Lidy.

The preschool program gives Child Care students at Lincoln-Way High School an opportunity to work with children in a preschool environment under the full-time supervision of a Family and Consumer Science teacher.

“In the Dramatic Play center the preschoolers were ice skating. The high school students created an ice skating rink and the preschoolers put wax paper on their shoes to slide around. This activity promotes taking turns and the use of large motor skills. For the Science Center, the preschoolers are assisting the high school student to make “fake” snow. They will be using their small motor skills by measuring, mixing and formed objects with the “fake” snow,” stated Lidy.

“Other activities that occur weekly are art, snack, story and circle time. Each area is a theme centered activity that is planned by the high school students. I like working with little kids, it’s very interesting. The small children really liked the ice rink we made,” stated Raquel Magoon, a junior in the class.

Lincoln-Way residents will have two days to register their children in the 2010-2011 preschool program sponsored by the Family and Consumer Sciences Child Care classes at all four Lincoln-Way high schools.

Registration will be:

• 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Friday, February 19, in room 166 at Lincoln-Way East High School, 201 Colorado Ave., Frankfort.
• 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Friday, February 19, in room D119 at Lincoln-Way Central High School, 1801 E. Lincoln Hwy., New Lenox.
• 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday, February 22, in room A108 at Lincoln-Way North High School, 19900 S. Harlem Ave., Frankfort.
• 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday, February 22, in room B126 at Lincoln-Way West High School, 21701 S. Gougar Rd., New Lenox.

Parents may attend either registration day regardless of their school preference.

To be eligible for the preschool program, children must be three years old by September 1, 2010; toilet trained and reside within the Lincoln-Way school district. Parents are required to complete a written application; no telephone applications will be accepted.

A total of 16 children per session, ages 3-5, will be selected to attend a morning session. Preschool will meet Wednesdays and Thursdays from October through January. The program continues Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from February through May.

Fees range from $15 - $35 per month depending on the length of the preschool day. A deposit of $30 -$70 (depending on length of preschool day) will be required of those selected into the program. The deposit will be applied to the first two months of nursery school.

For more information, contact Barbara Wierbicki at East 815-464-4299; Katie Bingham at Central 815-462-2187; Elizabeth Russler at North 815-534-3118; or Amy Lidy at West 815-717-3618.