Nursery Procedures

  Parents, click here for a quick list of nursery guidelines
  

Nursery Ministries Purpose
      To guide and mentor children from birth to know, love and follow Jesus Christ and to help families in the process of becoming life long committed Christians.

Sunday Morning Nursery Ministry
      Sunday mornings we provide nursery ministries from 7:45 AM to 12:15 PM. There will be an adult (at least age 18) staff member present to assist you in signing your children in and getting them settled.

Room 101: Lil' Lambs: (Birth - crawlers)
Room 102: Savior's Searchers: (Walkers - 4 years)

Signing In
      If you are a first time visitor, please fill out a nursery registration sheet that can be provided by any staff member present.

      The staff will gladly show you everything you need to do.

      If you have a toddler please wait until the nursery staff has cleared the door of other children so that your child may walk in.

Leaving Your Child
      To avoid crowded conditions we request that only one parent bring and pick up your child. Older siblings will not be allowed to drop off your child or to come into the room to visit. Your child may cry when you leave, but that is not unusual. It is natural and healthy for your child to prefer you. Most fussing stops within a few minutes and becomes less common with regular attendance. Every attempt will be made to console and comfort your child and to be sure that his/her needs are being met. Rest assured if your child cannot be comforted we will page you or an attendant will seek your assistance (We page parents (or seek you) after 15 minutes of non-stop crying. If you are new or a visitor and you would like us to start with 5 minutes (and work up to 15 on repeat visits) of non-stop crying, please notify the nursery staff of this request).

      The younger your child is when he/she begins attending our nursery, the better adjusted he/she will be. We will have a nursery staff member present who is CPR and First Aid certified so you can feel confident that your infant will be properly cared for.

Children's Sunday School 

Sunday Morning Children's Church
    During 8AM and 11AM services, children ages 5 and up are invited forward for the children's time, except on communion Sundays.  Afterwards, they leave to go to Room 105 (FLC) for children's church.  Parents can pick them up after the service.

Feeding/Food
      We cannot feed your baby any foods except what you bring in a bottle. Toddlers and older children need to be fed their meals at home, prior to church activities. A small snack will be provided for toddlers. Snacks will be purchased by SUMC and will meet choking hazard standards and will not contain any of the usual allergens like milk or peanut butter. Please notify the nursery staff verbally of any food allergies each time your child enters the facilities and write it in the special instructions portion of the sign-in sheet as well as on their nametag.

Diaper Bags
      Label your child's diaper bag, bottles, cups, etc. with masking tape. Bags need to be equipped with the following items:

Illness
      No medications are administered to any children while in our care. Please do not bring your child to the nursery if he/she displays signs such as:

Potty Training
      We request that children in the process of potty training enter the facilities wearing pull-ups. After at least 2 weeks without an accident you may send your child in regular underwear. Although we schedule a bathroom break, children tend to forget about going to the bathroom and by the time they remember it is often too late, so we ask that you help us keep your child from having an accident by not dressing him/her in belts, overalls, or other difficult clothing.

Toys from Home
      Please do not allow your child to bring toys from home. They tend to get lost or be the source of an argument about sharing. If you are new/visiting your infant/toddler may bring a comfort object to help him/her adjust for the first few weeks.

Checking Out
      In consideration for your child, our staff, and volunteers, please be prompt in picking up your child. If you know you will be detained at the end of your meeting or worship service, please tell the nursery staff ahead of time. Please do not send siblings to pick up your child. If you will be having another person pick up your child, you must have them listed on your registration sheet as a person allowed to pick up your child.

Discipline
      Our childcare providers will help your child with the following rules of respect that we shall play and learn by in our nursery ministries.
5 basic rules of respect (as related to their age):

Off Campus Events
    The nursery no longer provides child care for off campus events.  Parent or guardian must remain on campus and be accessible by the pager system.

Weekday Nursery
    Children who are to go to the nursery following Wednesday night children's activities should be signed into the nursery by their parent or guardian prior to the parent or guardian going to their class.     

If you have a church activity during the week, and will need childcare please contact the chairman/leader of your group at least 5 days before so that Nursery care can be scheduled.

Regular Nursery Ministries Schedule
      An adult staffed nursery is provided for children from birth to Pre-K for the following services: (No reservations required)

These are the earliest you may drop off your child at the nursery.  Reminder: In consideration for your child, our staff, and volunteers, please be prompt in picking up your child.

Volunteers
      Members with children in the Nursery Ministries are needed and encouraged to volunteer to help work in the nursery on occasion. It may be better for you to volunteer in the Nursery Ministries in which you don't have children. Please contact the Children's Director to volunteer.


Susan McLain
Coordinator

Susan McLain
Children's Director and Nursery Coordinator
651-0721
children@shalimar-umc.org

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