Our Approach

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Together, these practices and standards ensure that UCCC provides every child with a safe, individualized, and nurturing environment.  We encourage our children to play, explore, learn, and be creative; all essential skills that prepare our children for Kindergarten and a lifetime. 

The LUME Approach focuses on the social and emotional development of children from the “inside-out” and includes three essential elements:

1.       Early Language and Literacy Development

2.       Values and Character Building

3.       Psychodynamic Development or the Understanding of Human Behavior, Feelings, and Emotions

We integrate each of these elements into our daily practice at UCCC. The LUME Approach is founded in developmental theory, observational research, and current brain research. Our goal and responsibility is to provide educational experiences that are driven by best practices.



1. Early language and literacy development.

Early language and literacy development promotes the development of cognitive skills and improves comprehension, all of which are important for academic success. Establishing a strong foundation of brain architecture early on in childhood makes it easier to build advanced cognitive, emotional, and social skills as the child grows.

·         Oral Language and Vocabulary

·         Listening Skills

·         Emergent Writing

·         Emergent Reading

2. Values and character building.

Values and character building naturally develop in an environment that models trust, empathy, and compassion.  As children live in the UCCC environment, they begin to internalize, demonstrate behavior, and ultimately embody these core values.

·         Trust

·         Empathy

·         Compassion

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3. Pyschodynamic development or the understanding of human behavior, feelings, and emotions.

Psychodynamic development or the Understanding of Human Behavior, Feelings, and Emotions ensures that we meet the individual needs of each child.  Children naturally have different temperaments/personalities, strengths, needs, interests, and more.  The understanding of human development and relationships is embedded in our curriculum and helps children develop self-regulation, determination, identity, and more.

·         Temperament/Personality

·         Attachment (positive, strong, and trusting relationships)

·         Self-Regulation

·         Autonomy (self-determination)

·         Self-Identity

·         Resiliency


Our Curriculum


In addition to the LUME Approach, UCCC uses the  MO Accreditation-approved Creative Curriculum and follows the developmentally appropriate practices established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The MO Accreditation-approved Creative Curriculum, guides teachers in creating quality-learning environments and facilitating learning experiences to support positive outcomes for children. 

Teachers guide the children through the learning process by intentionally exposing them to experiences, both indoors and outdoors, that support their development in the following areas: literacy, language, math, science, social studies, and fine and large motor skills.

Each day, children engage in a variety of learning experiences including:

·        Teacher-directed and child-initiated activities. 

·        Individualized learning that helps each child grow, develop and gain skills that focus on their personal needs and interests. 

·        Opportunities to explore and value diversity.  UCCC helps children learn to appreciate the differences of others and includes children with extra support needs.

·        Occasional field trips that enhance program themes (parental permission required).