United Inner City Services (UICS) Expands Early Education Services to Third Location in Pleasant Valley, MO

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (October 2, 2020) – The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to affect workforce development, with quality child care/early education options becoming a separating factor for success in America. As a major step in mitigating this equity challenge, United Inner City Services (UICS) is proud to announce its expansion to a third early education facility/school in the Northland, at 6600A Royal Street in Pleasant Valley, MO. UICS’ assumption of operations in this space enables stability for children and families that would otherwise have been displaced, along with continuing employment for educators and administrators from the previous early childhood provider.

Nestled between I-35 and I-435 off of South Liberty Parkway, North Child and Family Development Center (UICS-North Center) will bring the established excellence of UICS’ arts-based early education curriculum to serve families in Clay and Platte Counties. “We are inspired to serve more families in a time of great questions about health, wellbeing, and job stability,” said UICS CEO Deidre Anderson. “Our focus on the whole child, through social and emotional development along with a foundation for learning, is incredibly relevant today.”

Serving a capacity of 70+ students, ranging from six weeks to five years old, the early education school will mirror the philosophy and curriculum of its two industry-leading peer nonprofit locations, UICS-St. Mark Center and UICS-Metro Center. Enrolled families have seen students rise to a 90+% kindergarten readiness rate at these two schools. Success is credited to credentialed and degreed teachers, a priority of family development, access to focused Family Advocates at each school, and a curriculum and staff attuned to trauma-informed care.

UICS-North Center opened to serve new infant, toddler, and pre-K students in early September, after gaining occupancy of a space formerly occupied by EasterSeals Midwest. A partnership will continue with the two organizations, with several staff members transitioning to UICS classrooms and administrative roles, while also providing a history and access to care for students with disabilities and their unique needs. Enrollment slots for Early Head Start, Head Start, and tuition-based families are now available, along with early education teaching positions.

Building Bridges, Inspiring Minds, Impacting Futures

United Inner City Services® (UICS) is a multi-service nonprofit agency focusing on early childhood education and family development. Founded in 1967 and headquartered near downtown Kansas City, MO, UICS is home to three early education schools: St. Mark Child and Family Development Center (northeast KC), Metro Child and Family Development Center (midtown KC), and North Family and Development Center (Pleasant Valley, MO), and recognized as one of the area’s leading early childhood centers of learning. Serving a capacity of 300 students annually along with their families, UICS provides an arts-infused curriculum that focuses on positive socio-emotional development along with preparation for a successful entry into the elementary education experience. The organization’s mission is “building bridges, inspiring minds, and impacting futures,” and maintains healthy partnerships with many regional organizations for the betterment of our community. For more information, visit uicskc.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and/or Instagram.