What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 8:30am - 11:05am 12:10pm - 2:40pm Wednesday 8:30am - 11:05am 12:10pm - 2:40pm Thursday 8:30am - 11:05am 12:10pm - 2:40pm Friday 8:30am - 10:30am

Maple Methodist Preschool

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Downers Grove, IL
Maple Methodist Preschool

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A positive attitude toward learning is developed by presenting tasks for the children that they can enjoy and master. Our preschool is a play-based model.

Maple Methodist Preschool (formerly First United Methodist Preschool) has been providing an inviting learning environment for 50 years and is committed to helping each child discover, affirm, and develop the marvelous gift of his or her life. Maple Methodist Preschool (formerly First United Methodist Preschool) in Downers Grove, Illinois helps two, three, and four year old children build self-confidence through interaction with others and discovery. Children are encouraged to respect the rights and views of others while making decisions for themselves. Blocks, puzzles, paints, play-dough, climbing equipment, stories, songs, rhythms and dramatic play all contribute to a day of learning and growth. Activities are held in the classrooms, activity room, and outdoors. Our Mission Statement:

We believe that childhood is sacred and should be preserved. We believe that children’s brains develop through their active, self-directed, hands-on play. We believe that our role is to provide a classroom that fosters curiosity and creativity through exploratory play. We honor children for the unique individuals they are, growing and developing in their own way and time.

09/28/2026

Here is Mrs. Bifulco's summer report:
I had a relaxing summer which started and ended with two short trips. In May, my husband Ed and I traveled to Lexington, Kentucky for our daughter’s college graduation. We are so proud of her! She came home for the summer, so we got to spend plenty of time with her, but she returned to Kentucky in late July because she got a teaching job!

We spent the summer close to home, going to the zoo, the 4th of July parade, the movies, and the farmers’ market. We relaxed in the back yard with our dogs. We watched a robin tend to its eggs and saw three babies hatch and grow. I read 18 books this summer and won a raffle prize in the library reading club! Olivia and I had a wonderful time in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Ed and I ended the summer with a long weekend in Galena. We went to a haunted play, did some shopping, and hiked with goats. It was a fun trip.

09/24/2026

When we came back to school this fall, we had some changes to our classrooms. We added two new rooms for our 2-year-old class, and the space is bright and inviting, with a beautiful rainbow on our wall. The 3/4 classroom has a colorful new alphabet on the wall, with lots of fun figures, like a cat and a zebra, accompanying the letters. Many thanks to Marlo and Camryn, our favorite local artists who created these masterpieces.

09/18/2026

Here's Mrs. Pingel's summer story:
I had a fantastic summer soaking up sun and making memories with my family! My husband, our three boys, and I spent time traveling to the Bahamas—where we swam with dolphins, braved the waterslides, relaxed in the lazy river, and snorkeled in the ocean—followed by two wonderful weeks in Florida packed with beach visits, mini-putt, manatee sightings, and plenty of ice cream! When we weren't traveling, our days were spent lounging by our pool, gathering around bonfires making s’mores, and enjoying family game nights. I’m so excited to be back, and looking forward to hearing about your child’s summer adventures too! I can’t wait to kick off a wonderful new school year together!

09/12/2026

Mrs. Wilmoth had a fun summer. Here is her report:

I had a wonderful summer break! I loved all the extra time I was able to spend with my two daughters, Maddie and Avery, and my husband Keith. We filled our days with pool time, slow mornings, visits with family and friends, bbq’s, ice cream galore, and lots of outside time. My girls do tumbling and swim, so we were busy with sports and activities too. I also enjoyed exploring new coffee shops with friends—one of my favorite things to do! We soaked up family time with trips to Lake Geneva and St. Joseph, Michigan—our favorite summer family traditions. I also spent a weekend in Door County catching up with friends I have known for over 30 years, it was so good for the soul! It was truly a great summer, but I’m so excited to be back to school!

09/08/2026

Mrs. Hildebrand had a wonderful summer with her husband and 2 boys. They went to California and Hawaii to enjoy some fun in the sun as well as Disneyland for the first time! The boys loved a few classes at the park district and camp at Morton Arboretum. Mrs. H is thrilled to be entering her 3rd year at MMP in the 2’s class.

09/07/2026

We are so excited to be back in school this week. We will be reporting regularly of what we are up to. In the meantime, we asked our teachers to let us know what there summers were like. Here is the first one from Mrs. L.:

My summer was so fun! It was busy with my three boys but we made so many memories. We were lucky to have a Six Flags and Cypress Cove membership this summer to keep us busy! We love to be outside bike riding, walking our dog, Max, and fishing too! Our big trip for my husband, kids and I was flying to see family in Raleigh, North Carolina and spending a long weekend at the Carolina Beaches! We ended the summer at the Arboretum which is always beautiful. It was a blast!

07/21/2026

Hi parents!
It's the middle of summer, but fall will be here before we know it! We still have a few openings for students, so if you would like to get more information about Maple Methodist Preschool, please contact Nancy Bifulco at [email protected]. She would be happy to give you a tour and answer any questions you may have. Our classes start September 1, with the following schedule:
2's class - Fridays, 8:45 to 10:45 am with an optional second day on Mondays
3/4 class - Tu, We, Thur 8:30 to 11:00 am
PreK class - Tu, We, Thur 8:30 to 11:30 with an optional extension day on Mondays

We have been providing a play-based education to students in Downers Grove for over 60 years. Many of our teachers are parents of former students. Come join our wonderful community! PLAY. LEARN. GROW. REPEAT.

Maple Methodist Preschool - maplemethodistpreschool.org

02/26/2026

Our PreK classes went Under the Sea, learning about the things that live in the ocean. We had VIP guests join us to do puzzles, make sea scenes with loose parts, and make guyotaku fish prints. We reviewed our starting letter sounds with sea animals, and we did an experiment with carrots in water, adding salt to one to see how it made the carrot float. We made rainbow fish using colored tape, tested items to see if they sink or float, and painted colorful fish.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from all of us at Maple Methodist Preschool!

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas to all our preschool friends and families!

Address

1032 Maple Avenue
Downers Grove, IL
60515

Opening Hours

Tuesday	8:30am - 11:05am
	12:10pm - 2:40pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 11:05am
	12:10pm - 2:40pm
Thursday	8:30am - 11:05am
	12:10pm - 2:40pm
Friday	8:30am - 10:30am

Website

http://maplemethodistpreschool.org/

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