SPC Nursery Handbook
Jan 11th, 2011 by mr.b
MISSION STATEMENT
Jesus tells us in His word, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) In following Jesus’ teaching, the Stony Point Church Nursery Ministry endeavors to provide safe, secure, and loving care to infants and toddlers so their parents are free to participate in Sunday morning activities. We love parents by caring for their children in a manner worthy of their complete trust. We love the children by meeting their needs and loving them unconditionally.
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
- STAFFING DIRECTOR • Responsible for 1) recruiting, scheduling and training Coordinators, 2) recruiting and scheduling Caregivers for regular nursery shifts, 3) distributing nursery information to Coordinators, Caregivers and parents, and 4) record keeping.
- FACILITY DIRECTOR • Responsible for 1) cleaning and maintaining the nursery facilities, fixtures, equipment and toys and 2) keeping the nursery stocked with supplies. Both Directors work together to establish and promote the Nursery Ministry Team Mission, Policies and Procedures.
- NURSERY TEAM COORDINATORS • Responsible for leading her team of 12 to 14 nursery Caregivers on Sunday morning once every seven weeks. The church office will send out postcard reminders two weeks prior to the team’s scheduled Sunday. Coordinators are encouraged (not required) to contact their team the week before, either by email or phone call. The coordinator also:
- Oversees the operation of the nursery for both services and the Sunday school hour, ensuring that our Mission is accomplished and that policies and procedures are followed.
- Assigns children and Caregivers to nursery rooms.
- Oversees the registration and reception of children in the nursery, and greets parents and their children.
- Oversees the pickup of children from the nursery.
- Advises, supports and encourages the Caregivers on her team in nursery set up, childcare, and clean up.
- Launders crib linens and blankets used during the morning.
- Assists the Directors with recruiting Caregivers and suggests creative ways to improve the performance of the nursery ministry team to the Directors.
- CARE-GIVERS • Scheduled to work with a nursery team under the leadership of a Coordinator once every seven weeks. He/She will serve during the 8:30 worship service, Sunday school hour or 11:00 worship service. The Caregiver also:
- Provides safe, secure, and loving care to the infants and toddlers.
- Holds, rocks, sings to, plays with, reads to, changes, feeds, comforts, giggles with, guides, and listens to children.
- Takes children to the bathroom.
- Sets up, cleans up, and takes out the trash.
- Responsive to his/her Coordinator and serves with a cheerful heart and a smile.
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
- SAFETY & SANITATION
- The nursery must be kept neat, clean, and sanitary. Before the first shift, the Coordinator and Caregivers will ensure that everything is in its place, all trash is discarded, and cribs have fresh sheets and blankets. After the last shift, everything will be put back in its place, trash and dirty diapers taken to the dumpster, swings and changing tables disinfected, “dirty toys” washed, and used sheets/blankets removed from cribs. (A “dirty toy” is one that a child has gotten bodily fluids on.)
- Caregivers will let the parent know when a child has a fever or otherwise seem too sick to be in the nursery and advise them of the nursery’s Well-Child policy for accepting children that are healthy and not putting other children at risk of getting sick. The policy is posted outside the nursery doors and in the Parents Guide to the SPC Nursery (copies available in the lobby). If a Caregiver thinks a child is sick after the parent has left, they should consult with the Coordinator. The Coordinator will use their wisdom and discretion about the child’s health, and if necessary, locate the parent and let them know about the nursery’s Well-Child policy.
- Caregivers will wash and sanitize their hands before each shift, after each diaper change, and after wiping the noses and mouths of the children in their care.
- Caregivers will place all “dirty toys” in the Dirty Toy Bucket (in the bathroom) after a child has played with it.
- Caregivers will prevent the children from playing with broken or dangerous toys. They will either discard or place the toys in the Broken Toy Bucket (in the bathroom) for repair or replacement.
- Caregivers will watch for and remove all small objects that can be put into the mouth and cause choking or suffocation. Any repair needed to the nursery (i.e. chipped paint, loose fixtures) should be reported to the nursery directors.
- Caregivers will store all cleaning supplies and plastic bags out of reach of the children.
- Caregivers will loop all loose mini-blind cords, ropes and strings out of reach of children. They will never put a rope, string, or ribbon around a child’s neck.
- Caregivers will play gently and safely. They will never roughhouse or horseplay, or otherwise risk danger to the children.
- Caregivers will never leave a child alone on a changing table or counter. They will always remain with and hold these children securely to prevent falls. They will never allow children to climb on chairs, table, doors, or counters.
- SECURITY
- Parents will always sign their children into the nursery. Parents will take a numbered tag, write the number and child’s name on a label, and place the label on the child’s back. Caregivers will receive the child and/or diaper bag and place the diaper bag on a hook. Caregivers will also write the name of the child next to the corresponding hook letter on the white board above the hooks. Children will be released only to parents or siblings who return with the tag unless the Caregiver knows the non-parent returning with the tag. Caregivers will not release a child to someone they don’t know unless they have the child’s matching numbered tag. A special exception is made when a parent asks that their child be escorted by a Caregiver to a Sunday school class. Parents or Caregivers will label sippy cups to avoid confusion.
- Child Drop Off & Pick Up – Parents of infants may enter the infant nursery with their infants to drop them off or pick them up. (One parent per infant, please – spouses and siblings should remain in the hallway. Light traffic makes for happy, healthy, secure babies.) Parents of toddlers should remain in the hallway when they drop off and pick up their toddlers from the toddler nursery. The Caregivers will receive and return toddlers at the door. Parents who wish to be informed in the event that their children become excessively unhappy, should make a note to the Caregivers when they sign their children in. After parents have dropped their children off, they should stay out of sight unless they intend to pick their children up. When children see their parents, they often become distressed.
- Caregivers will never leave a child unattended in the nursery.
- When Caregivers take a child to the nursery bathroom, they will stand at the open restroom door unless the child needs assistance. The door will remain ajar.
- If children require their parents, Caregivers will locate the parent and bring him or her to the child, not bring the child to the parent. (Discretion is permitted here, as determined by the parent’s wishes and the Coordinator’s wisdom).
- After the last shift, Caregivers will close the window blinds and loop the blind cords out of reach of children. This is for security purposes.
- Caregivers will discourage “visitors” (siblings, friends, etc.) in the nursery. Only infants, toddlers, Caregivers and, when needed, parents should be in the nursery.
- Caregivers will always see to it that every child’s basic needs for food, warmth, comfort, sleep, a clean diaper, cuddling, smiles, friendly speech, and play are met. They will refer to the “Child Development Tips” chart for help in knowing how to meet other typical needs of the children in their care and increase their sense of security.
- All adult Caregivers will complete SPC Volunteer Application & Participation Agreement forms and submit to a Child Protective Services and/or State Police Criminal History/Sex offender records search and screening.
- In the event of an emergency evacuation of the church building, the Nursery Ministry Team will carry, escort, and transport (using a reinforced crib on wheels) the children outside, across McRae Road, and to the Bon Air Elementary School parking lot. The Deacons of the Month will assist the Nursery Team in their evacuation. Parents should NOT come to the nursery to pick up their children. They should meet them, as soon as possible, at the Bon Air Elementary School parking lot. Caregivers will stay with the children until all parents arrive.
- LOVE & TRUST
- Caregivers will be there. If they cannot serve with their team, they will switch with someone on another team. They will inform their Coordinator and the church office about the switch as soon as possible. Adults will switch with adults. Teens will switch with teens.
- Caregivers will be on time. Coordinators and Caregivers will try to be in the nursery at 8:15 for the 8:30 worship shift, at 9:30 for the Sunday school shift, and 10:45 for the 11:00 worship shift.
- Caregivers will listen respectfully and follow the instructions of parents (especially concerning foods and medical situations). When parents request things that Caregivers cannot do or are uncomfortable with, Caregivers will direct them to speak to the Coordinator. Caregivers give the primary care. The Coordinator will help the Caregivers do their job by coaching and prompting them. Caregivers should appreciate this guidanCaregivers will check diapers at least once per hour and change when necessary. They will change diapers that need immediate attention as soon as possible to avoid further mess and discomfort for the child. They will try to send every child home in a clean dry diaper.
- Infants will receive only food and bottles brought in their diaper bags. Caregivers will feed and bottle infants as necessary or according to parental instructions. Toddlers may receive a snack of goldfish and water at some point during each shift. Children who cannot have goldfish because of food allergies will not be given a snack unless a snack is provided by the child’s parent. Caregivers will write food allergy notices on the white board in the toddler nursery.
- WELL-CHILD POLICY • Healthy children are welcome in the nursery. Children who do not meet the following criteria put other children at risk of getting sick and must remain with a parent . A parent may be asked to return to the nursery to pick up their less-than-well child. For a 24-hour period prior to being dropped off in the nursery, the child must:
- be fever free without medication,
- not have had any vomiting and/or diarrhea, &
- not have had any serious undiagnosed skin rashes that could be contagious.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT TIPS Each child develops at his or her own pace. Use these descriptions as general guidelines, not rules.
| I N F A N T S | |||
| Age | Typical Characteristics | Typical Needs | |
|
Spiritual |
0 – 12 months | □ Dependent □ Unsure | □ To experience God’s love through Caregivers □ To develop a sense of trust □ A consistent assurance of God’s love |
|
Mental |
0 – 8 months 9 – 12 months | □ Is learning through senses □ Responds to environment □ Listens to conversations □ Carries out instructions □ Can identify body parts | □ Things that stimulate sense □ Verbal & visual contact □ To be read to □ To do action rhymes |
|
Social/Emotional |
0 – 3 months 4- 6 months 7 – 9 months 10 – 12 months | □ Fear of falling & loud noises □ Egocentric □ Smiles, coos, & laughs □ Friendly, happy, knows name □ Recognizes faces □ Begins to say words □ Has moods □ Develops sense of humor | □ Calmness, peace, & gentleness □ To learn to trust □ Conversation □ Simple games, stories, & songs □ Opportunities to socialize |
|
Physical |
0 – 3 months 4- 6 months 7 – 9 months 10 – 12 months | □ Sleeps up to 18 hours a day □ Reflex responses to discomfort □ Eyes can follow objects □ Rolls, wiggles, tries to sit up □ Grasps & lets go of objects □ Prefers to sit up □ Likes to bounce □ Stands while being held □ Could get first tooth □ Likes to bang things together □ Can sit for long time □ Can pull up to a stand | □ To be fed and changed □ Motion such as rocking, music, talk □ Mobiles with bright objects □ Safety □ Variety of things to see & touch □ Lots of attention □ To be comforted when fussy □ To play with noisemakers □ Safe places to crawl |
| T O D D L E R S | |||
| Age | Typical Characteristics | Typical Needs | |
|
Spiritual |
13 – 24 months | □ Explorer □ Investigator □ Enjoys Bible picture books □ Growing in self awareness | □ To feel at home in church □ To know they are important to Caregivers □ To have wonders of creation pointed out □ To hear how special God has made them □ Encouragement |
|
Mental |
12 – 14 months 5 – 18 months 19 -24 months | □ Listening & talking □ Asking questions □ Begins to group objects □ Forms concepts of before & after □ Interested in cause & effect | □ To hear short simple sentences □ Help in naming things □ Repeated directions □ Real objects to play with □ Lots of examples □ To be encouraged to explore |
|
Social/Emotional |
12 – 15 months 16 – 18 months 19 -24 months | □ Has a temper □ Is trying out independence □ Wants to be near others □ Play is solitary | □ Calmness □ Diversions provided □ Positive directions □ Opportunities for parallel play □ Lots of toys & books |
|
Physical |
12 – 14 months 15 – 18 months 19 – 24 months | □ Creeps □ Toddles □ Walks □ Enjoys throwing & dumping objects □ Moves constantly □ Likes pull toys □ Likes picking up things | □ Safe area to practice in □ Unbreakable toys □ To climb □ To roll balls |
