About St. Mark Child Development Center (SMCDC)
St. Mark Baptist Church began offering child care services to the Riverton community in the summer of 2002 under the leadership of Pastor John Clay, with an initial enrollment of just 23 children. Since then, the St. Mark Child Development Center (SMCDC) has grown into a trusted and nurturing environment for early childhood education.
OUR COMMITMENT
St. Mark Child Development Center is committed to caring for God's children with excellence, partnering with families, and creating a Christ-centered environment where every child can grow into who God created them to be.
Our Mission: To nurture the whole child through learning experiences that foster spiritual, social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth.
Our Vision: To inspire a generation of lifelong learners who are spiritually grounded, academically prepared, and equipped to make a positive impact in the world.
Leadership & Governance
St. Mark CDC is a ministry of St. Mark Baptist Church and operates under the daily leadership of Mrs. Essynce Dickerson. Oversight is provided by the St. Mark CDC Board, which works in alignment with the church’s mission and under the spiritual guidance of Senior Pastor Rev. Jeremiah Chester.
Program & Curriculum
We follow Alabama DHR Minimum Standards for child care.
The Frog Street curriculum is taught in classrooms from Infant through Pre-K4, providing a comprehensive, research-based approach to early learning.
Daily activities include a minimum of 20 minutes of gym or outdoor play to promote physical development.
Meals & Nutrition
Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided daily.
Meals follow USDA nutritional guidelines to support healthy growth.
Parents of infants are required to supply bottles, milk, and baby food.
We are proud to serve families in Riverton and beyond by providing quality early education grounded in faith, love, and excellence.
