Mustard Seed Child Care Center

The Mustard Seed Child Care Center is a not-for-profit outreach ministry of Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church (PCUSA).

Royster celebrated the opening of the Mustard Seed Child Care Center in September 1989. Mustard Seed is a full day preschool and child care facility for children from 6 weeks to 5 years. The Center also operates a Summer Camp Program for children 6 to 12 years.

MSCCC staff seeks to provide a loving, caring, safe and supportive environment in which each child may learn and grow. Children at MSCCC are treated as individuals with unique talents who develop at their own pace and in their own direction. The MSCCC respects the religious traditions of all children enrolled.

  Jean Rockwell, Director
  Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday
  6:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  6901 Newport Avenue
  Norfolk, Virginia 23505
  (757) 423-5854
  MSCCC@royster.hrcoxmail.com

MUSTARD SEED CHILDCARE NEWS

BEST OF HAMPTON ROADS AWARDS

The winners of the Virginian-Pilot Readers' Choice Awards "Best in Hampton Roads" were announced on May 24, 2009.  Mustard Seed won the Bronze as one of the Best Daycare Centers in Norfolk. 

Congratulations to all the wonderful, hardworking teachers for a job well done!

Mustard Seed Childcare Center Alumni

On Sunday, September 13, 2009, MSCC will celebrate their 20^th birthday.  On that day, the Board is sponsoring an alumni reunion.  If you know of someone who attended MSCC in the last 20 years, please spread the word and have them send an email to msccbirthday@gmail.com.  The Board is trying to reduce expenses, but using email.  The Board is planning to have activities for the children in the courtyard.  Help us to make this a great celebration!

Campbell Soup Labels

Please continue to save your Campbell soup labels and place them in the containers around church.  The Center earns points that are redeemed to purchase materials for the Center.

 What Is Smart Beginnings?

The Mustard Seed Center has been chosen to take part in Smart Beginnings South Hampton Roads.  Smart Beginnings South Hampton Roads is a non-profit organization created by business and community leaders to address the issue of school readiness in our region. We serve Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. 

Our Vision is that all children in South Hampton Roads arrive at kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed in school, and in life. 

Our plan is to improve our early childhood system.  This plan includes raters being to each center randomly. Raters use the CLASS Assessment and ECERS (Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scales) as their assessment tool. Documentation of the rating is sent to VECF and a Star Rating is given.  Mentors can begin working on Quality Improvement Plans with center directors after centers receive their Summary Report.  Centers have available funds to assist in their Quality Improvement Plans in the amount of $7,000.00.  All requests must align with the centers QIP.   Centers participating in the QRIS have access to scholarship funds which will allow staff members to return to school. The cost of tuition will be covered and upon completion staff members can apply and receive a one-time bonus.  We used some of the lessons learned locally and in other states across the nation who have implemented quality rating systems and developed a Quality Control Plan to help ensure success in improving the quality of child care and helping all involved enjoy and benefit from the process.  This plan consists of phone interviews with directors to gather input on what is working well with the process and what areas could use improvement ( Application Process/ Orientation on Improvement Grants, Scholarships, Wage Incentives, Mentoring and QIP Process and Implementation)  We will also hold a focus group with center directors after they have been involved in the process for a while to glean their input on how quality improvement efforts impacted their teachers and their children  We hold regular mentor chats to allow the mentors to share what they are learning and discuss strategies that enable the mentors to do their jobs more effectively. State hub (VECF) has determined that all star ratings will be rolled out at the same time in March. They will be posted in the facility with a standard certificate and will be posted on the website at SBSHR and the VECF with photo of center, star rating and an explanation, link to DSS and space for parent comments.  The State Hub has some very positive PR around the rollout; they will provide press kits and press releases, letters for parents, letters for center and standard certificates. SBSHR will have a very similar marketing blitz at the time of the rollout also.