Summer Fun, Learning & Community at UPK

Directorโ€™s Corner

Dear UPK Families, Friends, and Community Partners,


Summer is in full swing at Uni Pres Kindercottage, and our children are enjoying many exciting learning opportunities! Each week, our young learners participate in hands-on STEM activities with PBS, visits to the local library, and engaging literacy experiences through the ADI Freedom School Literacy Camp.

We are also excited about the upcoming University of Illinois Extension program, which will provide our children with interactive cooking lessons. These activities will help children learn about nutrition, food preparation, teamwork, and making healthy choices while having fun in the kitchen.

A very special thank-you goes to everyone who has answered the call to support our โ€œGet Them on the Busโ€ campaign. Because of your generosity, we are making progress toward purchasing dependable transportation for our children. However, we still have a long way to go before reaching our goal. Please consider making a donation today and sharing our campaign with your family, friends, churches, and community organizations.

We are also looking for church ministry groups that may be interested in hosting a fundraiser on behalf of our bus campaign. Fundraisers of all sizes can make a meaningful difference and help us continue providing safe transportation, educational trips, and community experiences for our children.

For additional information about donating or hosting a fundraiser, please see Ms. Aimee.


Thank you for your continued prayers, generosity, and support as we work together to provide quality care, joyful learning experiences, and a brighter future for all children we serve.


With Gratitude,


Ms. Aimee Hart

Executive Director

Uni Pres Kindercottage

๐Ÿ’™ Celebrating Our Amazing Dads๐Ÿ’™

Our center was proud to celebrate the incredible fathers and father figures who make such a positive impact in the lives of our children. The day was filled with laughter, fun activities, and special moments as families came together to create lasting memories. The children were excited to honor their dads with heartfelt crafts, games, and smiles, making it a wonderful celebration of love, appreciation, and the important role fathers play every day. ๐Ÿ‘”๐Ÿ’™๐ŸŽ‰

๐Ÿ  June Field Trip Highlightsโšพ

June was filled with exciting adventures as our children explored two amazing destinations! Earlier in the month, they visited the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, where they discovered fascinating marine life, explored interactive exhibits, and learned about the wonders of the ocean. Later in the month, the fun continued with a trip to a St. Louis Cardinals game, where the children experienced the excitement of cheering on the home team and enjoying a day at the ballpark. Both field trips provided wonderful opportunities for learning, exploration, and creating unforgettable memories with friends and teachers. ๐ŸŒŸ๐Ÿ โšพ

๐Ÿ“š Adventures at the Library๐Ÿ“š

This year, our children enjoyed wonderful learning experiences during their visits to the East St. Louis Public Library and the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis location library. From engaging storytimes and interactive activities to meeting community helpers and exploring new books, each visit sparked curiosity and encouraged a love of reading. These special library adventures gave our children the opportunity to learn, imagine, and discover the joy of literacy while creating lasting memories with their classmates. ๐Ÿ“–โœจ๐ŸŒŸ

๐Ÿš’ Exploring the Fire Truck at SIUE๐Ÿš’

Our children had an exciting visit to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis location library, where they had the opportunity to see a real fire truck up close! The children enjoyed learning about the important role firefighters play in keeping our communities safe while exploring the truckโ€™s equipment, lights, and tools. This hands-on experience sparked lots of curiosity and excitement, making it a fun and educational adventure for everyone involved.๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿš’๐Ÿ“š

๐ŸŒŸ Everyday Adventures at Our Center๐ŸŒŸ

Every day at our center is filled with opportunities to learn, explore, and have fun! Whether the children are creating imaginative artwork, enjoying outdoor play, participating in hands-on learning activities, or sharing laughs with their friends, each day brings new experiences that encourage growth and discovery. These special moments capture the joy, curiosity, and excitement that make our center a wonderful place to learn, play, and create lasting memories together. ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ˜Š๐ŸŽจ๐ŸŒˆ

๐ŸšŒ Get Them on the Bus!๐ŸšŒ

Our center is excited to launch the "Get Them on the Bus!" campaign to help raise funds for a new or gently used 15-passenger van. Reliable transportation plays a vital role in ensuring our children can safely travel to and from school, field trips, and special programs. With our current bus now over 16 years old, we are seeking the support of our families, community partners, churches, and friends to help us reach our goal. Together, we can provide safe transportation and continue investing in the bright futures of the children we serve. ๐Ÿ’™๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿš