Our Mission
The UCECP’s mission is to inspire a love of learning by nurturing respect and compassion, challenging children to think deeply and purposefully, and motivating children to work toward a better world.
As a community of adults, children, and educators we believe that all children deserve a progressive, high-quality education. As we motivate children to work toward a better world, we ask the same of ourselves. Our schools support creating progressive and high-quality educational opportunities in all communities.
Our Philosophy
Our teaching at the Union Church Early Childhood Programs is driven by a belief that children learn by active engagement through their play.
We nurture the development of the whole child: emotionally, intellectually, socially, physically and spiritually. Our school is influenced by the collaborative and child centered philosophy of the Reggio Emilia curriculum. Our school has formed a strong partnership with the Rush NueroBehavioral Center. Their executive functioning curriculum is a strong component of our curriculum.
As a school specializing in early childhood education, we embrace the concept of collaborative learning to produce creative thinkers who achieve academic accountability through interactive experiences with peers and adults. This is accomplished through meaningful exploration which includes academic principles, social and emotional awareness, and the development of the physical body according to age appropriate milestones. This combination encourages further success at the kindergarten and elementary school levels.
The History of UCECP
Union Church created a preschool program in 1955 as part of its community outreach. Over the years, we have grown into the Union Church Early Childhood Programs, which offer programming for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years. UCECP and the Union Church of Hinsdale have a shared mission to minister to the needs of the whole human family within our congregation, our community, our nation, and the world.
Professional Development
At the UCECP, professional development is based on reflection and connection with resources in and outside the field of early childhood education. Professional development accomplishments have included: visiting cultural institutions, presenting at local and national early childhood conferences, and attending and hosting continuing professional education workshops. Each teacher has the privilege of pursuing credit hours annually to further their education. This commitment allows us to reinvent methods of teaching and apply the latest brain research and practical classroom experiences. These experiences validate, inspire, refresh and renew our practices.
Mission of the Union Church
The UCECP operates within the Union Church’s modern education wing and fulfills one of the church’s many missions.
The Union Church community embraces the UCECP’s commitment to fostering the development of both child and family.
