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OUR NURSERY

Located in the Mary Ruth Garner Children's Center, our church nursery is truly a wonderful facility. The well-planned, modern facility is well-furnished to meet the needs of our littlest members, guests, and pre-schoolers. The security system provides added safety. 

  • Our Nursery Coordinator and staff provide a safe and nurturing environment every Sunday morning during the 8:30 and 10:45 worship services and the Sunday School hour. Families are provided with pagers for added peace of mind. 
  • Our Children's Ministries team ensures that nursery facilities are adequately staffed, regularly cleaned, and well-maintained.
  • We offer an infant room, a toddler room, and a preschool room. All are filled with age-appropriate toys and furnishings. 
  • We are a PEANUT FREE environment.

 OUR MISSION

Children are our special responsibility, entrusted to our care by God. It is the mission of our Children's Ministries staff to provide a place where young children are loved, nurtured, and cared for. In our Nursery, infants, toddlers, and twos have their first introduction to their church home. Here they learn from loving caregivers what Jesus taught the children: God loves you!!

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14  

 

AVAILABILITY

The nursery is available from 8:15 until noon each Sunday. In addition, nursery (0-2) and child care (3-5) is available for other church functions upon reservation. For the health and safety of all our children, we ask that when bringing children to our nursery you follow all of the guidelines listed below.

 

AGES AND ROOMS

First Christian Church provides care for children of different ages:

Infants: Newborn to 12 months
 
Toddlers: 12 to 36 months

Preschool: 3 - 5 years (Preschool Sunday School class and Children's Church)


Transfer of children to an older class will be based on maturation. Transfers are made by nursery staff in consultation with the Nursery Coordinator and families.

 

PROMOTION

Children turning three are promoted into the Sunday School program in August of each year. We ask that you wait until the promotion date to advance your child.

 

STAFF

Our Children's Ministries team consist of the Christian Education Director, the Nursery Coordinator, Nursery Attendants, and Children's Church leaders. All staff are CPR and first aid certified.

 

DISCIPLINE POLICY

One of the goals of discipline/guidance is to teach children self-regulation, which will help them grow emotionally and socially. As caregivers, we want to create a trusting, caring environment and provide a safe and loving atmosphere. Teaching children about their own feelings and recognizing the feelings of others is our goal. This includes teaching prosocial skills such as respect for themselves, others, and their environment.

Each child will be treated with respect, love and kindness.

 

DROP OFF & PICK UP

1. To avoid crowded conditions (and for the sake of the little people on the floor) please leave and pick-up your child at the door. We understand that occasionally a child will need to be reassured by you and you will need to come in. However, the Nursery staff is better able to insure the safety of all the children if families remain outside the room.

2. Sign your child in at the door and provide the area of the church where you can be found if needed. Also, share with our attendants how we can best meet your child's needs (i.e. when they last had a bottle, when they may want a nap, if they are potty training).

3. Take a pager and record the pager number on the sign-in sheet. Please check to be sure that your pager is on. If you are needed during the time you are away, you will be paged. Please respond promptly.

4. You are welcome to check on your child at any time.

5. Families are asked to call for their children immediately at the close of the activity in which they are participating. Most of our Nursery staff are members of our congregation, and on days when the Church has special activities planned (Easter egg hunt, Fall Festival, etc.) they wish to participate with their families as well. Therefore, your promptness in picking up your child from the Nursery on these days will be especially appreciated.

6. When returning for your child, please wait at the door. An attendant will bring your child to you at the door as soon as they are free. Please give this person your pager. Children in the Nursery will only be released to an adult family member or other adult indicated by child's family. Children will not be released to children or youth.

 

NURSERY WELLNESS

If your child is sick he/she will be more comfortable at home. Please do not expose other children and the Nursery staff unnecessarily to infection. If your child exhibits any of the following symptoms, please do not bring him/her to the Nursery or Child Care:

  • Fever within the last 24 hours
    (our nursery is equipped with a temporal thermometer)

  • Diarrhea within the last 24 hours

  • Vomiting within the last 24 hours

  • Rash not associated with diapering, heat, or allergies

  • Discharge from the child’s nose or eyes not clear in color

    • If your child exhibits any of these symptoms while in the Nursery you will be paged to pick them up. Your cooperation in following these guidelines will help to keep our Nursery a safe environment for all who use it. Nursery staff cannot give any medication to children. Bedding is washed after each use and toys are disinfected weekly.

     

    YOUR CHILD'S NEEDS

    Infants will be given bottles according to their needs unless you give the staff specific instructions. A special area is provided so that nursing mothers may nurse their child at any time in privacy.

    We try many things to comfort your child. If your child has a particular item that helps, please send it (pacifier, blanket, or "lovie").

    Unless your child is allergic to disposable diapers, he/she will need to wear them while in the nursery.

    Occasionally on Sunday mornings, Goldfish crackers and water will be offered in the nursery rooms. If your child has food allergies, please make our Nursery staff aware of it. Our children's area is a peanut free environment.

    It is not possible for the Nursery staff to feed children meals. Please make sure your child has been fed before they arrive.

     

    YOUR CHILD'S BELONGINGS

    There are many items brought to the nursery that are alike. We want to be sure that your child’s items are used by them and go home with them.

    Please label in a visible place everything your child brings, including diaper bags, carriers and car seats, changes of clothing, cups, pacifiers, bottles, etc.

    Our nursery is well equipped with blankets, burp clothes, and toys.

     

    DONATING ITEMS

    We will be happy to accept donated equipment and toys. We reserve the right not to use and will discard these items if they are broken or have missing pieces and/or are unsafe for use in the Nursery. Contact the Christian Education Director through the church office if you have any donations.

     

    NURSERY RESERVATION POLICY

    In order to properly staff the Nursery, occassionally nursery/child care will require families to MAKE RESERVATIONS for nursery/child care Any ministry team or groups planning an event for which they wish to provide nursery and/or child care will need to contact the Christian Education Director (preferably a month in advance) for coordination of staff. Notice of reservation arrangements will be posted in church bulletins, newsletters, and on the website.

     

    VOLUNTEERS

    Volunteers must be a minimum of 18 years of age and must participate in our Child and Personnel Protection Training prior to volunteering. Contact the Christian Education Director for more information.

     

    EMERGENCIES

    Our Nursery staff is CPR and First Aid certified. Rooms are equipped with phones and intercom systems.

    We have posted in each Nursery room both fire and severe weather emergency plans. Our Nursery staff is trained to handle these situations. Please know that your child will be taken care of if these situations should arise. Families coming to the Nursery to get their children will add to any confusion there may be. If there is a fire, your children will be evacuated to the southeast lawn area (field adjacent to 12th Place). Please allow us to evacuate them. You can find them there after the evacuation. In the event of severe weather, children will be moved to the safest area in the center.