St. Mark Baptist Church began offering child care services to the local Riverton community the summer of 2002 under the direction of Pastor John Clay with an initial enrollment of 23 children.
The purpose and mission of the St. Mark Child Development Center (SMCDC) is to provide a safe, stimulating, Christian learning environment for young children to grow academically, morally and spiritually. Our goal is to holistically prepare each child as they become students and continue through school. It is our goal to:
Nurture each child’s self-esteem
Facilitate each child’s social development
Nourish, encourage, and maintain each child emotionally through self-discipline and self-control
Promote the A Beka curriculum in preparing each child for academic success
St. Mark Child Development Center is a church-run child development center. St. Mark CDC is operated daily by Mrs. Essynce Dickerson. The St. Mark CDC Board oversees the governance of the Center and makes sure long-term goals and short-term decisions are made in accordance with the Center’s mission guided by St. Mark’s Senior Pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Chester.
General Information:
SMCDC follows Alabama DHR Minimum Standards as a guideline for its child care. The A Beka curriculum is our educational offering and is taught starting in the 1 year old classroom through PreK4. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided throughout the day. USDA nutritional guidelines for children are followed. Parents with infants must supply their own bottles, milk and baby food. Each day the students get 20 minutes (minimum) of mandatory gym or outdoor play outside the classroom.
