WELCOME!
The
Childcare ministry welcomes your little ones. This ministry is available
to you free of charge during all Sunday Services and many other church
sponsored programs throughout the week. You may be here taking aerobics
classes, playing basketball, or attending bible study during the week.
We'll supply a safe, fun place for your child. Or, you may wish to
place your infant or toddler in one of our classes while you attend
weekend services.
Our Goal
is to provide clean, safe, loving care for your precious child. We want
you to enjoy everything our fellowship can offer and we feel you will be
able to do this more readily if you are comfortable with the care your
child is receiving while he/she is away from you.
STAFF
We
employ one attendant each in both the Nursery and Toddler rooms.
Volunteers assist the paid attendants in these rooms. We feel having
your child see the same friendly face week after week will give your
child a sense of trust and familiarity and will help your child enjoy
the time he spends with us.
Our
attendants are screened, fingerprinted, CPR and First Aid trained and
references checked before they ever come into contact with your child.
Our volunteers are screened and selected for their genuine love of and
talent in caring for little ones. Also, both moms and dads are
encouraged to assist once a month (less if we all participate.)
CLASS
DESCRIPTIONS
Nursery-
Newborn to walking well. For the tiny tinies, our nursery offers clean,
safe swings, a crib room, privacy for our nursing moms, rocking chairs,
and each attendant/volunteer has a love for babies second only to your
own.
Crawlers,
we have a babies only rug and lots of age-appropriate toys, songs and
even curriculum! It's never too early to start learning about the love
of Jesus. Laundry and toys are washed every week. We strive to keep a
sterile nursery, but one that's filled with love and security too.
Toddlers-
walking well to 2 yrs. Children in this class are loved and played with.
We offer a bible story time, music, snack, imaginative play, and outside
play. This room is equipped with both changing table and bathroom.
Nursing Moms-For
your comfort and convenience, please feel free to use the nursery to
feed your baby. You may use the breezeway entrance or the rear entrance
to the nursery located in the hallway by the women's restroom
WHAT TO
BRING
Diaper Bag (small if possible) stocked with:
2 disposable diapers
disposable wipes
change of clothes
bottle
comfort item (blanket, stuffed toy , etc., if needed,)
pacifier with leash (if needed)
WHAT
NOT TO BRING
Even
though your feverish child has no other symptoms, he/she may be
incubating something and it's best not to let this unknown illness loose
in the nursery. It is good that we come to the House of the Lord, but
it is better that we not be the source of suffering (illness)
transmitted to another family. (Proverbs 3:39,Mark 12:31).
Excerpts
from Good Health Practices in Your Church Nursery by
Dr.
Douglas H.Owyang, M.D.
CHECK
IN/PAGERS
Nursery- Upon check-in, you will be given a vibrating pager with a
number assigned to it. That number will correspond to your child's
nametag and belongings. The pager acts as your claim check for your
child. This numbered system helps facilitate a smooth check-out.
Please do not give the pager to anyone else to pick up your child for
you. Custody battles are a very real problem today and we are not
comfortable releasing a child to anyone except the person that checked
him/her in ( exception : prior written notice.) Remember that only
infants, nursing mothers and nursery workers are allowed behind the
counter area.
Toddlers-The sign-in sheet you complete at check-in provides us with
your location for any class you attend, and we can reach you quickly if
a need arises. An upset child is very distressing to a parent and we
know it's hard to leave them in such a state. In our experience, we
have found a formula that seems to work. Hand your child to our staff
member with a hug, kiss and a smile and then leave for service or other
activity. It is very normal for babies and toddlers to cry when leaving
a parent. This usually does not last long, especially when their
attention is diverted to the activities going on. Be assured we will do
our best to comfort your child and we will locate you if the crying
hasn't stopped within 10 minutes. Please be prompt in picking up your
child after services or other activities are done. Children get anxious
to see their parents when they know it's time for them to come.
PARENT ASSIST PROGRAM
Both
parents of children regularly using the nursery/toddler facilities are
encouraged to assist in the nursery or toddler room once every month
(less if we all participate.)
A
schedule will be prepared and mailed out each quarter. Or, you may pick
up a copy in the toddler or nursery rooms. If an illness or conflict
arises, please trade with someone on the list and then call the Nursery
Coordinator so we can update the schedule.
This
program is of the utmost importance in order to keep this ministry
running smoothly. If volunteers do not show up and we have minimal
adults on hand, the class may reach capacity and close. For example, if
there are only two adults present in the toddler room, we will only
accept 10 children until children leave or another adult agrees to help.
HOW YOU
CAN HELP
Pray- please pray earnestly for the attendants, volunteers, and many
others involved in this ministry. That they would be refreshed by the
rewards they receive in service to God. Pray that the children in the
program would grow into strong, healthy followers of Christ. Pray for
even greater numbers of qualified, loving workers to worship God through
this Ministry.
Share-
would you like to see a particular improvement? Would you like to make a
donation of toys or funds? Do you have an idea that would help us run
things even more smoothly? Please feel free to speak to the Nursery
Coordinator, we welcome your input.
