Nursery Mission Statement – The nursery of Freedom Baptist Church will strive to provide care for infants 0-12 months in accordance with their parent’s wishes.  This care will be professional and loving so that their parents can participate in the worship services.  The nursery is also available for those who are serving in other ministries.

Preschool Mission Statement – The preschool ministry of Freedom Baptist Church will assist parents in giving preschoolers (ages 1-4 [this age can be extended, with nursery coordinator permission, for special needs children]) a sound Bible foundation in order for them to accept Christ as Lord and Savior, and start their growth as a Christian.

Who – Only those who meet the following qualifications will work in the nursery/preschool.

Qualifications

1.  Must be a member of Freedom Baptist Church and attend services faithfully.  A non-member may be appointed by the Pastor during special events.  For example, special events would include visiting sister churches, missionary teams/families, evangelist teams/families, college teams, and other similar special events.

2.  Must strictly adhere to the church’s policy concerning separation from the world.

3.  Must be loyal to the entire program of Freedom Baptist Church.

4.  Must be at least 18 years old to be a nursery worker or a preschool head worker.  Must be at least 15 years old and responsible to be a preschool worker.  (A 14 year old can work with her mother on the preschool side.)

5.  Must be approved by the Pastor.

Positions and Responsibilities

Nursery/Preschool Coordinator- The nursery/preschool coordinator is responsible for the general running and upkeep of the nursery/preschool area.  Her responsibilities include the following:  ensuring there are at least two workers for each service, finding replacements for absent workers and handling any other immediate problems that arise in the nursery/preschool area, buying nursery/preschool supplies and curriculum,  enforcement of policies and procedures, ensuring that all linens, toys and surfaces have been cleaned, ensuring all toys, cribs, and other furniture are safe,  submitting the nursery/preschool budget to the pastor, and steam cleaning the carpets on a as needed basis.  She must inform the pastor of any major or urgent problems in the nursery/preschool.  The coordinator will be responsible and accountable to the pastor.

Nursery Worker - The responsibilities of the nursery worker include checking in/out all children, printing a sticker for the child, and giving a family code to the parents/guardians, completing all diaper changes, placing all used linens in the soiled linen bin, cleaning all surfaces, vacuuming the carpet, and making sure everything is put away.  The nursery worker is responsible and accountable to the Nursery/Preschool Coordinator.

Preschool Sunday School Teacher – The preschool Sunday school teacher will take the place of the preschool head worker and carry all the responsibilities during Sunday school.  The Sunday school teacher will be responsible for teaching the Bible lesson during Sunday school.  The Preschool Sunday School Teacher will be responsible and accountable to the Nursery/Preschool Coordinator.

Preschool Head Worker - The preschool head worker will oversee the preschool during his/her assigned time ensuring all policies and procedures are followed.  The primary responsibility of the preschool head worker is reinforcing the week’s memory verse and leading children’s songs on their assigned shift.  This lesson could include a craft, object lessons, flannel graph, songs, coloring and other activities.  Other responsibilities of the preschool head worker include placing all used toys in the dirty toy bin (this includes all toys that a child placed in his mouth), cleaning all surfaces, vacuuming the carpet, and making sure everything is put away.  The Preschool Head Worker is responsible and accountable to the Nursery/Preschool Coordinator.

Preschool Worker- The preschool worker is responsible and accountable to the preschool head worker and carry out the responsibilities given by the preschool head worker. The preschool workers can assist the nursery worker on an as needed basis.

Conduct - Our behavior must be above reproach.  To ensure we are doing our best for the children in our care, adults are expected to observe the following:

-          All workers must fill out and sign the Screening Form for Church Volunteers and Employees.  This form is attached to this manual, and is used for your and our protection as well as other legal purposes. 

-          No one at any time should be alone with a child in a secluded area such as a car, a room with the door closed, or the restroom.  When possible, children will be encouraged to take care of their own bathroom needs.  Should assistance be required, the outer bathroom door must remain ajar while the teacher assists the child.  We must use extreme caution in this area (I Thessalonians 5:22). 

-          No activity involving children under the protection of this ministry should ever occur without a person who is in charge knowing about it.  Please inform your chain of command of any activities.  All off site activities must be approved by the pastor, parental permission must be secured, and a minimum of two adult workers must be present.

-          Only members in good standing and approved by the pastor should be working with children in any area.  Any guest speaker to the children must have prior approval of the pastor.  Please do not ask someone to fill your class or position.  There may be a reason that someone is not qualified to work in a certain position, and that information is not public knowledge.  Christ gave a stern warning to anyone who would offend a little one (Matthew18:6).

-          Gifts should not be given to individual children or young people without prior knowledge of the parents or pastor.  Because gift giving can be a form of buying loyalty or silence, gift giving should be done on a group basis, or for special occasions only.  Gifts may not be elaborate but should be modest and appropriate to the occasion.

-          All workers should dress with utmost modesty.

·         Men should be well groomed (hair off the ears and collar, beard and moustache well trimmed). This also includes wearing dress pants, shined shoes, and shirt and tie.

·         Ladies should wear dresses or skirts (minimum length at least to the bottom of the knee), and blouses being conscious of the needs of working with children such as running, bending over, etc.

-          All workers should abstain from all worldly behavior such as wrong music, wrong television shows, and destructive conversation.  We must be an example to the believers (I Timothy 4:12).

-          A minimum of two workers (one being an adult) must be present with the children regardless of how few children are in attendance.  A male worker may only work a shift that his wife is also working. A couple can only work together if there is a third non-related worker in the nursery.

How – We will seek to accomplish the nursery and preschool missions by observing the following policies.

Guidelines and Procedures:

1.  The workers must be in the nursery/ preschool at least 15 minutes before the service.  Your duty must come before your other ministries.

2.  Please be neat and clean.  Please wash your hands before your shift. 

3.  Do your part.  There are certain jobs that nobody likes to do; however, we must do them with a willing spirit and a smile.  Each individual must do his/her share of the work while on duty.    

(I Cor. 10:31 – “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”)

4.  If you are unable to work your assigned day, please inform the nursery/preschool coordinator as soon as possible so she can make the necessary arrangements.  Do not pick your own replacement.

5.  Leave all home, family, or personal problems outside the nursery/preschool doors.  Children have been entrusted to you and you must be alert to their needs for the time that you are with them.  This is not time for fellowship.

6.  NO ONE is allowed in the nursery/preschool at any time unless scheduled or nursing.  A mother may come in to calm her child down but should not stay for the entire service. 

7.  If a child is upset and has been crying for a period of time (approximately 10 minutes), please alert an usher to get the child’s parent.

8.  No older children are allowed in the nursery/preschool at anytime.

9.  Do not give medicine to children.  Ask an usher to get the mother so that she may administer any medicines the child may need except for emergency medicines such as Epi-pen as directed by parents.

10.  Do not accept children that are that are feverish or ill.  This is to help protect the other children.

            When is a child too ill?

            a. If the child has had a fever within the last 24 hours.

            b. If the child has been vomiting within the last 24 hours.

            c. If the child has a runny nose with yellow or green colored mucous.

            d. An unexplained rash.

            e. A child acting ill such as being fussy, having no appetite, diarrhea, coughing, etc.

11.  A child’s condition, opinions, etc… are confidential.  A child’s condition is important to know for the workers but should not be broadcast outside the nursery/preschool.  (Prov. 11:13 “A talebearer revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.”)

12. Should a child face a life-threatening situation/injury, contact 911then the usher.  If the child's situation is not life-threatening contact an usher who will contact the parent, and pastor.

13.  Refer all parental complaints to the nursery/preschool coordinator.  Do not argue with the parents, but be firm in upholding the policies.  A positive, polite attitude will usually calm an upset parent.  Assure the parent that you will take the matter to the nursery/preschool coordinator, or ask him to speak with her.  (Prov. 15:1 – “A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.”  Prov. 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”)

14.  The parent’s wishes must be carried out with a loving and caring attitude (Example- when to let cry).

15.  Upon arrival:

a.  Only the parents or guardians are to drop off their children to the nursery/ preschool class.

b. Check in each child into Churchtrac.  If they are a first-time visitor, enter allergies and special instructions.  Print 2 labels and family code stickers.  Place one label on the child and give one family code to the parent/guardian. Place the other label on the diaperbag and throw away the second family code.  Remind the parent/guardian they will need to code to pick-up the child.   

16. Feeding and snacks:

            a.  A child should be fed whatever the mother requests, whether it be from a bottle or spoon.

b.  You must have permission before giving snacks to children.  The church will provide all snacks.  Please do not bring any from home.  Children with allergies will have special snacks provided by their parents.  Keep these snacks separate from the others and wash your hands before serving any snacks.  Ensure children do not share snacks.

17. Diaper changing:

            a.  Put on rubber gloves.

b.  Place wax paper under the child’s diaper area.

c.  Change the diaper.

d.  Place soiled diaper and wax paper in a plastic bag and place in trash receptacle.

            e.  Remove gloves and dispose of them.

            f.  Wash your hands after each diaper change.

            g.  Never leave the child unattended on the changing table.

18.  Departure:

a.  Parents are to pick up their children from the nursery/preschool.

b.  When parents pick up their children, remove the label from the diaper bag.

            c. When a parent/ guardian arrives and presents the family code sticker, check the child out of

Churchtrac notating who picked up the child.           

19.  Please always refer to the label for feeding, changing, and other special instructions.

20.  Clean-up:

            a.  Place used crib sheets, blankets, or any other linens into the soiled linen bin.

            b.  Place dirty toys in dirty toy bin.

            c.  Use approved disinfectant to clean all surfaces.

            d. Vacuum the carpet.

            e.  Make sure everything is put away.

            f.  Take trash to the outside receptacle.

Discipline – A positive approach to discipline will be practiced.  Clear, consistent, age-appropriate limits will be established to help the children function appropriately.  Corporal discipline or physical restraint is never to be used. All teachers and workers will use the following for discipline measures:

a.  If a child is misbehaving, the teacher or worker will explain to the child specifically what he/she is doing wrong and then state what is expected.

(Example- “We do not throw blocks.  We use blocks for building.”)

b.  If this does not work, the child will be guided to another activity.

c.  If the child’s misbehavior continues, the child must be placed at a table to work alone or away from the other children.

d.  If possible place the child in a chair for two minutes.

e.    If the child’s misbehavior continues after the above steps have been taken, please alert the usher to get the nursery/preschool coordinator.  The nursery/preschool coordinator will take the child and oversee the child’s supervision.

f. After isolating the child within the classroom or removing them from the room becomes necessary, the situation will be discussed by the nursery/preschool coordinator with the child’s parents or guardian as soon as possible.