UCP Heartland Child Development Center

Yellow Room worked on their Gardening Skills today. We planted our garden. We read a book about planting and then we worked in the garden and planted it. The kids enjoyed getting their hands dirty and they can’t wait to eat the fruits and vegetables that they planted. Thank You to the MU Extension for the donation of our raised garden beds. 🥦🍓🫛🍅🥬🥒

Happy Memorial Day! We are CLOSED May 25th.

We honor and remember the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Thank You to everyone that came to Donuts with Grownups! We all had a Great Time with Everyone! The kids enjoyed having Breakfast with their Special Grownup! ❤️🍩💙

May is National Water Safety Awareness Month!

Whether it’s bathtime, swimming, jumping in puddles or simply splashing around at the beach, water-play remains a common favorite activity among kids, especially those with autism. Unfortunately, water also carries significant risk.

Drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death among the general pediatric population, especially those younger than 4 and teens. For children with autism, the risk of drowning is 160 times that of the general pediatric population, according to a 2017 study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.

Given these data, it is extremely important to enroll your child into swimming lessons as early as possible. For those with autism, additional considerations include wandering prevention.

Parents can use social stories to educate them about water safety, trusted adults, and to never walk away from a trusted adult or enter water alone. You can also use visual schedules to help demonstrate when it’s time for water play or swimming.

To learn more about water safety tips & drowning prevention, visit: nationalautismassociation.org/watersafety/ and nwsm.phta.org

We are excited to announce the appointment of Jane Kaiser as President and CEO following her service in the role on an interim basis since October 2025!

Prior to assuming the interim leadership role, Kaiser served as Chair of the UCP Heartland Board of Directors. Current UCP Heartland Board Chair Jennifer Bierling shared, “Since stepping into the role on an interim basis, Jane has demonstrated strong leadership, deep commitment to our mission, and a clear vision for the future of the organization. Through her steady guidance and dedication to the individuals and families we serve, the Board is confident that Jane is the right leader to move UCP Heartland forward into its next chapter."

Jane is a retired executive with more than 40 years of leadership experience across multiple industries, including roles with Coopers & Lybrand, Kimberly-Clark, and Bayer Crop Science.

She developed a passion for supporting individuals with differing abilities during her early teenage years, following her sister’s life-changing traumatic brain injury. “Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience a life well lived,” said Kaiser. “I am honored and excited to lead UCP Heartland as we continue to expand opportunities and support for the individuals and families we serve.”

Read more at ucpheartland.org/news/

Today Blue and Yellow Room had a Guest Storyteller. Mrs. Overfelt came and sang songs and told the story of Goldilocks and 3 Bears. The kids really enjoyed it.❤️📖👧🐻

Today, we celebrate eight amazing kids graduating from preschool. We will miss them so much, but we know that they are going to do Amazing things in their Bright Future. We can’t wait to see all the wonderful things they do! Congratulations, graduates—this is just the beginning! 💙👨‍🎓💛👩🏽‍🎓💚

Good Morning! Today is Preschool Graduation Day! We can’t wait to see everyone at 3:00 P. M. Today! 🎓

Our last day’s theme was “Pump Up the Jam!” The teachers enjoyed different kinds of sweets and the kids thanked them for everything that they do for them. ❤️🍪🧁

Today’s Theme was “Ice, Ice Baby!” Thank you to the Batson, Long, Morrow and Millard Family for the Hydration Station! The Teacher’s enjoyed all the different types of drinks. 💦