“And Jesus took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” Mark 9:36-37
General Nursery Policies:
1) Ages: Redeemer offers nursery for children ages 0-2 years old.
2) Registration: Parents can check their child(ren) in at the Check-in Desk located in the church foyer. Name tag should be placed on child’s back. New children/ visitors to nursery should be registered during first visit. Allergies must be added to/ listed on name tag.
3) Adult to Child Ratio: Nursery must be staffed by a minimum of two adults, three whenever possible. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by parent when helping in the nursery. Children must never be left alone. Adult volunteers must never be alone with ONE child that is not their own.
4) Diaper Changing: Volunteers should change diapers on an as needed basis. Children should never be left unattended on changing table. Discard soiled diapers in diaper pale and wipe down changing table with Clorox wipes. Volunteers must wash hands thoroughly after changing diapers. At least two workers must be present during diaper changing.
5) Crying: Volunteers will do their best to comfort crying and upset children. When children cry more than 10 minutes, parents should be called to comfort the child. Volunteers can try to console upset children by rocking and/or hold and comforting the child.
6) Discipline: Volunteers will not administer any corporal punishment to children. There should be no physical disciplines of spanking, grabbing, hitting, etc. If aggression is shown from one child to another, children should be separated, and parent informed.
7) Snack: The only snack given during nursery is Cheerios. Water cups brought from home may be used. Any bottles must come from instruction of parents. Please make sure all personal items are labeled upon drop-off.
8) Pick-up: A child must be picked up by a parent. If a sibling or other family member picks up (grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc), then claim tag must be shown for verification.
9) Cleaning: Please clean snack containers after each use in the church kitchen. Any toys that are put in children’s mouths should be cleaned in warm, soapy water. Routine cleaning of all toys should be done as well. Please straighten Nursery classroom and put all toys, books, etc. back in their place. Please contact Rachel Huberty if any supplies are low (Clorox wipes, Cheerios, etc.)
10) Sickness Policy: Please be considerate of other children, nursery staff, and volunteers. If your child is not feeling well, please do not bring him or her to the nursery. Specifically, do not bring a child to the nursery if he or she has had:
● Fever greater than 100 degrees in the past 24 hours
● Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
● Green or yellow runny nose
● Severe cough
● Questionable rash
● Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
● Any other contagious illness
● If a child exhibit any of these symptoms during his or her stay in the nursery, the parents will be contacted to pick up their child for the day.
Nursery Volunteer Policies:
● Redeemer Church Nursery runs only by our faithful volunteers- thank you for serving!
● Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to service start time.
● Volunteers must be at least 12 years old to volunteer in the nursery. The only exception is younger children of volunteers when their parent is present in the nursery.
● Schedules will be done quarterly. If you need to miss for any reason, you are welcome to find your own substitutes or contact Rachel Huberty (225)747-0964 to find a replacement. Schedules will be emailed to all volunteers, posted in weekly announcement emails, and reminder emails sent out weekly.
● Background checks must be completed every 5 years and training done annually.
Children’s Church/ Sunday School General Policies:
1) Ages: Redeemer offers Children’s Church during weekly church service for ages 3-5. Sunday School will be offered during Fall and Spring semesters from 9:15-10:15. The following classes are offered: 3-5 years old, 1st-3rd grades, 4-6th grades, 7th-12th grades.
2) Registration: Parents will sign their child into the designated class, noting any allergies the child has. Older class (4-6th, 7-12th classes) may sign themselves into their class. Visitors will be added to bottom of check- in sheet, any allergies noted.
3) Adult to Child Ratio: All classes must have a minimum of two adults. Adult volunteers must never be alone with ONE child/ student.
4) Bathroom: Children in Children’s Church and 3-5’s Sunday School class must be accompanied to restroom. Volunteer must wait outside the restroom while children are inside. All older class may use restroom independently.
5) Discipline: Volunteers will not administer any corporal punishment to children. There should be no physical disciplines of spanking, grabbing, hitting, etc. If aggression is shown from one child to another, children should be separated, and parent informed.
6) Snacks/ Allergies: Parents need to make volunteers aware of any food allergies their child has by writing it on check-in sheet. Snacks are provided by Redeemer church (Goldfish, pretzels, donuts monthly, etc). Outside snacks only allowed for children with food allergies. Please let Rachel Huberty know if you are running low on any snacks.
7) Pick-up:
• Children’s Church (3-5’s)- Children must be picked up by a parent. If anyone else other than parent picks up the child, they must have their claim tag.
• 3-5’s Sunday School- Children must be picked up by parent.
• All other classes can dismiss themselves at the end of class, unless parents instruct otherwise.
8) Clean- up: Classrooms need to be straightened and materials put away at the end of class.
9) Sickness Policy: Please be considerate of other children and volunteers. If your child is not feeling well, please do not bring him or her to Children’s Church or Sunday School. Specifically, do not bring a child to Children’s Church or Sunday School if he or she has had:
Fever greater than 100 degrees in the past 24 hours
Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
Green or yellow runny nose
Severe cough
Questionable rash
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Any other contagious illness
If a child exhibits any of these symptoms during his or her stay in the nursery, the parents will be contacted to pick up their child for the day.
Children’s Church Volunteer Policies:
● Redeemer’s Children’s Church runs only by our faithful volunteers- thank you for serving!
● Please be ready to take children when excused from service after prayer.
● Two adults must be volunteering in Children’s Church each Sunday. Children (older than 3-5 year) are only allowed when their parent is present and volunteering.
● Schedules will be done quarterly. If you need to miss for any reason, you are welcome to find your own substitutes. Contact Rachel Huberty (225)747-0964 to assist in finding a replacement or make her aware of changes.
● Schedules will be emailed to all volunteers, posted in weekly announcement emails, and reminder emails sent out weekly.
● Background checks must be completed every 5 years and training done annually.
Sunday School Volunteer Policies:
o Sunday School at Redeemer is a big commitment, but we know teaching the Gospel to our youngest members is our calling and of utmost importance. Thank you for taking the time to serve our church in this way.
o Two adults must be present in each class every Sunday. A volunteer should never be alone with any ONE child at any time, unless it is their own child.
o Schedules will be done by semester. Fall semester will be September – November and Spring semester is February to April.
If you need a sub, you can either find someone on your own or contact Rachel Huberty (225)747-0964 to find a sub. Please let her know of any changes.
o Background checks will be done on every volunteer every 5 years and children’s ministry training done annually.
Please know that all procedures, policies and guidelines are for the safety and protection of each child and volunteer at Redeemer Church. We want to be a church that lives above reproach and continues to be a light in Starkville. Thank you for your consideration in respecting and following these as we serve together as the body of Christ.
~ Redeemer Church