Nursery Classroom
Know what to do? Let’s get ya where you need to go.
Never done this before? Keep on reading!
The principles that guide us.
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Spiritual Growth
Our primary purpose is to facilitate the spiritual growth and development of the children entrusted to our care. This involves teaching biblical truths, guiding them in worship and prayer, and creating an environment where they can encounter God's love and presence.
As active participants in this journey of faith, we recognize that our role as teachers extends beyond mere instruction; we are called to be facilitators of transformation, actively engaging with the Word of God and inviting children to do the same.
How we do it:
We encourage you to continually seek opportunities to deepen your own relationship with God, allowing His love and truth to overflow into your teaching and interactions. By modeling a life of faith and discipleship, you can inspire and empower children to cultivate their own personal relationship with Jesus.
You as a teacher are expected to familiarize yourself with each Sunday's lesson and Bible passage beforehand, preparing your heart and mind to effectively communicate God's truth to the children. We aren't passive teachers; we're active participants in the spiritual formation of the next generation. Our goal is to challenge and inspire children to not only learn about Jesus but to follow Him more fully in their daily lives.
Look for opportunities for children to actively engage with the Bible, to ask questions, and to apply biblical principles to their lives. Empower them to grow in their faith and develop a personal relationship with Jesus that will shape their lives for years to come.
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Safety and Trust
It's essential to recognize that parents are entrusting us not only to teach their children about Jesus but also to keep them safe during their time in the kids ministry. Understanding that parents may experience anxiety about leaving their kids in our care, our aim should be to alleviate those anxieties as much as possible.
Our kids ministry should be a space where children can feel safe, valued, and supported as they learn and grow.
How we do it:
We can do this by taking proactive steps such as introducing ourselves to parents when they drop off their kids, reassuring them that we'll take good care of their children, and following up after the service to let them know how much of a joy it was to teach their children. A smile goes a long way!
By building trust and fostering open communication with parents, we create a supportive partnership that prioritizes the safety and well-being of every child in our care.
Furthermore, we urge you as teachers to remain vigilant and proactive in identifying and addressing potential safety risks. This includes keeping an eye out for potential abuse and familiarizing yourself with emergency protocols, bathroom procedures, and discipline guidelines.
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Engagement and Gospel Connections
We strive to engage and connect with each child on a personal level, fostering a sense of belonging and community within our classroom. Building positive relationships with the children helps create a supportive and welcoming environment where they feel valued and encouraged to participate fully in the learning experience.
How we do it:
We can do this by approaching each interaction with genuine care and interest in the lives of the children. This may involve taking the time to listen to their stories, offering words of encouragement, or simply being present and attentive to their needs. By investing in meaningful connections with the children, we create a space where they feel seen, heard, safe, and loved.
Actively seek ways to incorporate Jesus and the gospel into everyday interactions with the children. This could involve starting the day with a simple prayer or Bible verse, sharing personal stories of faith and experiences with Jesus, or using everyday objects or situations as teachable moments to illustrate biblical truths. During snack time, teachers can lead a brief discussion on the importance of thanking God for providing our daily bread and His faithfulness in meeting our needs.
By intentionally weaving Jesus and the gospel into our conversations and activities, we create opportunities for children to recognize and encounter His love and truth in meaningful ways that stick with them even after they’ve gone home.
Class Schedule
8:40 - Arrive and setup room
9:00 - Pray together in the room next to Preschool
9:10 - Be in your classroom ready to receive the students
9:30 - til - Caring for the babies
After dismissal - Tear Down Room
While there is not a detailed schedule for this class, here are some easy-to-remember tips that will help you have a great Sunday!
Distract and Engage: When the kids come in upset, distract them with activities like looking out the window for dogs, reading books, or playing with toys. If there's conflict, redirect their attention to something else. Most situations can be resolved with redirection.
Snack Strategy: Sometimes it’s helpful to do snack earlier than later. It often depends on the day.
Calming Music: Play soothing music on your phone to help keep the atmosphere calm and relaxed. There should be a bluetooth speaker in one of the bins, or you can just play it on your phone.
Toy Management: Don't give all the toys at once! Some will get bored way too fast, and some will actually get overwhelmed with the amount of toys and they’ll become upset. Rotate toys out every 15 minutes to keep the kids engaged and prevent boredom.
Settling In: Help the babies settle in by holding them and engaging them with simple distractions like looking for dogs out the window. Acknowledge any upset feelings but gently redirect their attention.
Stay Calm: Maintain a calm demeanor and avoid getting frustrated, even if things get hectic. Remember, it's okay to ask for help if needed.
Active Engagement: Participate in playtime with the kids. They enjoy reading books, playing with cars, and exploring toys. Use the time to pray over them. Even small short prayers go a long way.
Put yourself in the parent’s shoes for a second.
You arrive at church for the first time, a bit apprehensive. “Am I even in the right building?” you might think. It's your first time here, so you're navigating unfamiliar territory. You rely on pop up banners to direct you to the nursery, not knowing what to expect around the corner. As you approach the door, you're greeted by friendly faces but still feel a bit uncertain. What is the room like? What are the teachers like? You don’t know these people. You hand the baby to the teachers and the baby starts to whine or even cry for Mom or Dad. Was coming here a mistake? Should I just hold him the whole time? Will he be okay in there? Now it’s difficult to even enjoy the service or feel present because you dropped off your baby while still having feelings of uncertainty about this whole thing.
Below are ways you can help parents feel at ease.
During Drop-off
Warm Welcome: Greet parents and children warmly, establishing a positive atmosphere from the start.
Personal Connection: Introduce yourself and engage in brief conversation to build rapport and trust with parents. Smile at them!!! Don’t only focus on the baby, but give attention to the parent as well.
Ask Questions: By asking questions, we show we care. How old is he? Any allergies? Will he be hungry soon? We’ll serve ___ for snack today, is that okay?
Reassurance: Provide brief updates on their child's well-being and activities to alleviate parental concerns. If you feel comfortable, ask for their number and say you’ll text them if you need anything. If the baby is doing great, a quick text saying “___ is doing great!” goes a long way.
During Pick-up
This moment doesn’t need to be long, but these 3 things are small ways we can show we care.
Check the Security Tag: Ask to see the security tag and match it up with the child’s tag on the child’s name tag sticker. The tags help with safety only if the tags are checked! Even if you know the parent belongs with the child, still make a habit of checking that the codes match on the child and parent tags.
Positive Feedback: Share highlights of the child's day, focusing on enjoyable activities and new skills. “___ loved playing with the blocks.” “We spent a lot of time reading books today!” “___ was so well behaved and happy.
Gratitude: Express gratitude for the opportunity to care for their child and thank them for entrusting their child to your care.
Guidelines, Procedures, and Safety
Bathroom Safety
Two-Teacher Rule: Two teachers must be present during each bathroom visit. This ensures the safety and supervision of the children at all times.
Check for Occupancy: Before allowing children to enter the bathroom, one teacher should ensure that the bathroom is empty. If an adult is using the bathroom, children should wait until it is vacant before entering.
Gender-Specific Escort: When assisting children to the restroom, teachers should follow gender-specific guidelines. Male teachers should escort boys, and female teachers should escort girls.
Wait Outside the Door: Teachers should wait outside the restroom door and avoid entering unless absolutely necessary. This helps maintain privacy and boundaries for the children.
Assistance with Caution: If a child requests assistance inside the restroom, teachers should exercise caution and ensure another teacher is present. If possible, they should avoid entering the restroom themselves and instead provide assistance from outside with the door open. If needed, send the Floater to find one of the student’s parents.
Discipline Procedures
Here are 3 guidelines to remember:
Redirect with Respect: Gently guide the child's behavior toward a more appropriate activity or action while maintaining respect and kindness in your communication.
Seek Support if Needed: If redirection is ineffective, involve the child's parents or seek assistance from leadership to address the behavior effectively and ensure a supportive environment for the child.
Safety and Kindness Always: Prioritize the safety and well-being of the child and others in the classroom, ensuring discipline is carried out with kindness and respect for the child's dignity.
Further Details and Expectations:
Maintain Self-Control: Teachers should always maintain self-control in the classroom, refraining from shouting or expressing anger towards a child. Discipline should be carried out calmly and respectfully.
Safety First: Discipline should always prioritize the safety and well-being of the child and the other children in the classroom. Physical discipline, such as spanking or hitting, is strictly prohibited.
Respectful Communication: Teachers should never threaten or embarrass a child with words or actions. Discipline should be conducted with kindness and respect for the child's dignity.
Involve Parents or Leadership: If a child's behavior continues despite redirection, teachers may involve the child's parents or seek assistance from leadership, such as the Floater or Matt Lother.
Use of Timeouts: If necessary, teachers may implement a timeout as a disciplinary measure. Timeouts should be brief and age-appropriate, allowing the child time to calm down and reflect on their behavior.
Prayer with the Child: Teachers may pray with the child about their behavior, helping them understand the importance of making wise choices and seeking God's guidance in their actions.
What To Do When You Suspect Abuse
Abuse can be noticed in many ways, including the following:
Verbal disclosures from children about abuse.
Written disclosures (such as prayer requests) indicating abuse.
You personally witness abuse to a child.
Signs of abuse are evident on a child (bruises, burns, etc).
Reporting: If you recognize or even suspect signs of child abuse, report it immediately to your Devotion Kids Leader and/or to one of the pastors: Thomas Webb, Matt Burkett, or Jason Gallagher. This reporting is mandatory, even if you feel like you might be overreacting. You’ll need to provide any information or observations that led to the suspicion or recognition of abuse.
Our Accidents Procedure
Administer First Aid: In the event of an accident or injury, provide immediate first aid as needed. Each classroom is equipped with a basic first aid kit containing essential supplies for treating minor cuts, scrapes, or bruises.
Notify Kids Ministry Leader: If the situation requires more than basic first aid or if the injury is more serious in nature, notify the Kids Ministry Leader immediately. They will provide guidance and assistance in managing the situation.
Notify Parents: Notify the parent or guardian of the child involved in the accident. Provide them with a copy of the completed Accident Form and explain the nature of the incident and the treatment provided. Even if, in your view, that the accident isn’t extremely serious or an emergency, our default should be to notify a parent. Remember, our aim is to build trust.
Complete the Accident Form: For every accident or injury, complete an Accident Form documenting details such as the nature of the injury, how it occurred, and the treatment provided. This form helps to keep accurate records and ensures that all incidents are properly documented.
Follow-Up: Follow any additional instructions or procedures provided by the Kids Ministry Leader or church leadership regarding follow-up actions, such as seeking medical attention or notifying other relevant parties.
Emergency Evacuation and Lockdown Procedures
Emergency Evacuation Plan
Follow in the event of a fire or any other reason for evacuation:
Safely Escort Children: Teachers must safely escort all children out of the building using the nearest exit.
Take Attendance Twice: Teachers should take attendance twice during the evacuation process: once as the class exits the classroom and again in the designated evacuation location.
Keep Class Together: Teachers must keep the class together until it is safe to return to the classroom. Children should not re-enter the building until notified by law enforcement, the Fire/Safety Team, or church leadership.
Lockdown Plan
Follow in the event of a threat to the welfare of our children.
Lock Classroom Doors, if possible: Teachers must lock the classroom doors to prevent unauthorized entry.
Turn Off Lights: Do what you can to create and maintain a low-profile environment.
Gather Children Together: Gather all children in a designated corner of the room away from windows and doors. If you are able / if it is safe to do so, take attendance to ensure you have all of your children.
Maintain Quietness: Encourage children to remain quiet to minimize noise and avoid drawing attention.
Remain in Lockdown Mode: Teachers must remain in lockdown mode until notified by church leadership or law enforcement that it is safe to resume normal activities.