Shaping the world as we dream it to be: diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
While Black History Month takes place in the month of February, we know our little learners, families, and communities deserve to celebrate the rich history, contributions, achievements, and influence of the Black community far beyond those four short weeks....
Staff Spotlight: Ms. Vera Williams
Staff Spotlight: Ms. Vera Williams is on the cusp of her golden anniversary in early childhood education at EarlystART! In Ms. Ivera (Vera) Williams' almost 50 year career in early childhood education, there have been approximately: 220,500 diapers changed, 40,000...
At UICS, we believe joy is intentional.
Arrowhead Stadium’s Tower Club East was filled with boundless joy on October 28. We safely championed futures, elevated support, and shared a wonderful surprise at the annual Little Learners Luncheon! The event displayed a student art gallery viewing (view it HERE)...
Puppets, Theater, and Handling Big Feelings
An old friend is bringing a new program to our centers! Alex Espy, the Mesner Puppet Theater’s Education Director, was the UICS-St. Mark Center Arts Coordinator for four years. The puppets Alex helped former little learners create still greet current students as...
6 ways you can support a new UICS school year!
What if a Facebook post could help open a new classroom? Or if an Amazon purchase could change a little learner’s future? Join us by supporting students in a brand-new school year at United Inner City Services’ three locations! Here are six ways you can support...
“We’re here for the families” inside family advocacy at UICS
Steve Archer is the proud dad of Ezekiel (4) and Israel (3) at UICS-North Center, and knows that when his family needs support, UICS and its family advocates have a plan. “We’re getting a head start on the things our kids need,” Steve said. Steve’s children are...
Meet UICS-North Center’s new director: Tina Pike
“Children. That is the one word answer. Children deserve the best education we can provide them. It’s that simple.” This was the new center director at UICS-North Center, Tina Pike’s response to the question, “What makes you passionate about this work?” Tina joins...
Building Bridges & Celebrating Diversity: Pride Month
Not only during the month of June, which is National Pride Month, does UICS welcome and embrace children, families, and staff of all backgrounds. We work to create an inclusive environment that is accepting of the LGBTQ+ community. This is inherent to UICS’...
UICS 2021 Graduation Gallery
Our mission culminates when Kansas City’s littlest learners can take the confidence and tools they need for success out into the world. On May 26, 27, and 28 all three UICS centers held drive-through graduations for 99 students moving on to kindergarten. Families...
Let’s Talk About Juneteenth
When Adriana Fields, a community participant in our May Race & Equity Community Conversation, was growing up in the 1990s, she revealed on Zoom she didn’t learn about Juneteenth in school. In fact, many on the call said they never learned about Juneteenth in...
Excellence Abounds at UICS for A+ Teachers
Amazing educators work at United Inner City Services (UICS). At UICS, we know they’re strong, determined, dependable, and innovative, and we’re thrilled that our community recognizes this too! “I am lucky to have colleagues who truly care about early learning and...
UICS Advocates for Equitable Early Education
At United Inner City Services, our mission statement encompasses the three primary goals of our programming across each of UICS’ early childhood education centers: Building bridges. Inspiring minds. Impacting Futures. In addition to providing quality child care...
Caterpillar Days of Spring
Flowers are blooming. The days feel longer. Spring is here! In tandem with new life emerging and a sense of renewal that the spring season brings, little learners at UICS have been active in exploring the natural world around them. This includes creatures they find...
Pennies in Pre-K: Financial Literacy from the Start
Recently, three of our United Inner City Services (UICS) classrooms were visited via Zoom, for a “Break with a Banker”. UICS used this interaction to counterbalance gender stereotypes in classroom lessons and reinforce the fact that people of all gender identities...
More Please! – Delicious Nutrition & Education
Adobo chicken. Chicken alfredo from scratch. Homemade cream of mushroom soup. Breakfast frittatas. Fresh baked croissants. Mmmmmm….! Are these menu items from a five-star restaurant? Nope! They’re breakfasts and lunches at United Inner City Services (UICS)! (If you...
UICS Celebrates Week of the Young Child
Music. Art. Health. Collaboration. Teamwork. Friends. Family. Community. At UICS, we believe all of these subjects should be widely recognized and celebrated. This is why we are overjoyed to participate in Week of the Young Child (WOYC)! Launching on Saturday,...
Art Connects Us
At UICS, creativity means that an ordinary box is not just an ordinary box. It is a treehouse, a rocket ship, or a secret hiding place. It can even transform into a kind Robot…. UICS-St. Mark Center Arts Coordinator, Brianne (Bri) Pegg encourages little learners to...
Creating Community during COVID
At UICS, we believe in the nurturing strength and support of community. For our three centers, that community includes the parents, caregivers, and families of our little learners. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the biggest challenges has been continuing...
Learning in Motion
Vroom vroom. Honk. Beep beep. Chugga-chugga-choo-choo. Clackety-clack-clack. Eee ooo eee ooo. Zoom. We hear these sounds every day en route. They are incorporated in our everyday lives. As many move through the work day, they play on a constant loop as background...
UICS Welcomes Roberto Diaz, New UICS-Metro Center Director!
United Inner City Services (UICS)-Metro Center looks a little different in 2021. There are updated art display areas, interactive resource boards, and new spaces dedicated to showing appreciation for teachers. All are results of a very special new addition to the...
