Champions Provider Highlight: Norma’s Little Sunshine Family Day Home
Norma Francis, Petersburg VA.
With a deep-rooted passion for children and a heart committed to early education, Norma Francis has been nurturing young minds since 2008, first in New York and now in Petersburg, Virginia. Ms. Norma opened Norma’s Little Sunshine Family Day home in Petersburg in 2022, bringing with her years of experience, resilience, and a mission rooted in love, structure, and foundational learning.
Ms. Norma’s philosophy for her program is that “Every child can learn, some learn fast and others more gradual,” but she believes that they will “live what they learn.” She advocates for her children’s future successes by leading them with high expectations, structure, and compassion, knowing that behavior in early years can impact how children are labeled in school, she works hard to ensure they are prepared not only academically, but also emotionally.
At Norma’s Little Sunshine, education begins with a strong foundational understanding of the basics, letter identification and letter sounds, numbers, and shapes. Ms. Norma’s approach emphasizes phonemic awareness, using puzzles, games, and tactile tools like Scrabble letters to promote hands-on learning. Children as young as three are learning to spell and read words and identify advanced shapes like rhombuses and pentagons.
“The more you prep them, the better,” she says. Ms. Norma holds firm to the belief, rooted in Proverbs 22:6, that the values and skills instilled early will carry children far: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Ms. Norma’s proudest moments are when she sees her students thriving—whether it is a child advancing or a parent from New York calling to say “thank you” years later. Each milestone is a reminder of her passion and mission.
Ms. Norma has found support through ChildSavers CDS services: She has participated in CDS trainings, received social and emotional learning coaching and resources through ChildSavers’ Cameron Foundation H.U.G.S. project, and most recently engaged in the Petersburg Early Learning Community sessions hosted by Thrive Birth to five, VDOE, and ChildSavers.
In the Summer months, Ms. Norma brings outdoor excitement to the kids with water play activities, games like basketball, and bike riding, and fun in her adorable playhouse. She is always striving to keep them active and engaged and is currently hoping for SEED grant funding to build a playground for her little learners.
Norma’s advice to other early childhood educators is simple but powerful:
“You have to know your children… and then go from there.”
For those thinking of entering the early childhood education field, she says:
“Ask yourself—what is your passion and love for children? If you don’t have it, don’t work with children.”
With unwavering dedication, strong values, and a clear educational approach, Norma Francis is shaping lives one child at a time. Through Norma’s Little Sunshine FDH, children are not only learning their ABCs—they are developing confidence, independence, and the strong foundation they need to shine in school and beyond.
The Child Development Services program at ChildSavers supports the childcare and early education sectors with a broad range of training and professional development opportunities that include credentialing, mentoring, and nutrition education. To learn more about these programs and trainings, visit here!
