We strive to provide a safe and nurturing environment to all children and a worry-free experience for parents. This is done by ensuring children are in classrooms that are equipped with trained volunteers and are safe for children. It is our policy that all volunteers complete an application process that included reference checks and a background check. The following is an example of the Safety Policies and Procedures that we have in place.

General Guidelines

• To maintain the highest level of security and ensure children are not exposed to anyone who is not cleared to work in the classroom, no one is allowed to enter the classroom unless they are on duty for that hour This includes parents, siblings, and friends, unless a new child is having trouble acclimating to the classroom. In this case, the parent is allowed to assist only their child in the classroom.

• If a child needs to leave or go to the restroom, he/she must be escorted by a volunteer and at least one other child of the same sex.

Sign-In

• Parents or caregivers need to sign in their child on the corresponding Sign-in/sign-out sheet and pick up security card that corresponds with their child’s number before continuing on to the sanctuary. All children must be signed in and out by a parent or guardian before entering or leaving the classroom.
• Sign-in is an opportunity for parents to get information regarding upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and additional resources.

Sign-Out

• Following the service, parents will need to present the security card that matches the number of their child and sign out their child on the sign-in/sign-out sheet prior to picking up their child. No child is released before his or her parent is present, has returned the security card, and signed the child out.

Staffing Ratios

• Much like an elementary school classroom, the following leader to children ratios are followed. This allows for the children to receive the best teaching and support from a leader as well as this protects the leader from becoming overwhelmed by a large group of children.
• Nursery
• 1 leader for every 3 babies.
• Preschool
• 1 leader for every 10 children
• Elementary
• 1 leader for every 30 children in large group settings
• 1 leader for every 10 children in small group settings

Sickness and Health

• Because young children have fragile immune systems, it is important for volunteers to observe the following guidelines:

• Volunteers must be fever and symptom-free for at least 24 hours prior to working a shift. This means if the volunteer has a fever at 2 p.m. on Saturday, he/she is not able to work a 10:30 a.m. shift on Sunday even if the volunteer feels fine. The Director of Children’s Ministry needs to be made aware of the situation as soon as possible on Saturday to ensure that a substitute can be found. This notification is to be done by phone.

• Children with the following symptoms or illnesses will not be allowed in the nursery:

• Fever (please observe 24 hour rule)
• Green or yellow runny nose
• Vomiting
• Discharge around eyes
• Excessive coughing
• Diarrhea
• Questionable rash
• Continuous sneezing or wheezing
• Any communicable diseases such as chicken pox, measles, mumps, whooping cough, etc.
• Children on antibiotics need to be on the drug for at least 24 hours prior to coming to church. No medicine is to be given by a volunteer under any circumstance. If the child needs medication, the parent must administer it.
• If a child develops a sudden fever or other illness of any kind, the parent must be notified as soon as possible and the child removed from the preschool classroom.