One of the initial questions any young couple asks when considering a new church is, "Where do my kids go?" We realize quality childcare is vital to parents who entrust their children to workers in nurseries and classrooms. We provide nursery care during every service at New Hope. If you have young children, please take the time to review our nursery philosophy and policies.

Purpose
To provide child care for parents who desire to worship with us. To help children feel loved and secure at church by having their physical, emotional and spiritual needs met by caring adults. A child's experiences here begin to shape his view of the Lord Jesus.

Policy

These guidelines are provided to give children the best possible care. We desire to protect the health and safety of all children as well as our staff. The staff will be required to follow these guidelines at all times. Those who violate the procedures outlined in this document will be held solely responsible for their actions.

Absences

Workers who are unable to fulfill their regular obligation must find their own replacement prior to the scheduled time. In the case of an unplanned absence, you may try to find a replacement or notify the head of nursery services as soon as possible.

Teacher Responsibilities

Be on time -- 10 minutes prior to all services when possible.
There must be two workers present during all services. (1 to 4 ratio)
Wash hand immediately upon arrival.
Receive children cheerfully and professionally.
New parent information sheet should be filled out as first time visitors arrive.
Parent thank you card and instructions given to new parents.
Name tags given to new children.
Interact positively with all children.
Attend to specific needs of each child as per parent instructions (i.e. bottle feeding, diaper changes, etc.).
Teach toddlers about sharing, helping and kindness through example and interaction.
If working with teen volunteers, teach them child care techniques by example and instruction.
Keep all harmful products out of reach of children (i.e. cleaning supplies, small objects).
Do not work if you are ill (See Absences procedures).
Attend to all injuries quickly (See Sanitary Procedures).
Nursery staff, children and parents are the only ones permitted in the nursery during and right after services.
Notify parent(s) if child is sick or inconsolable, or if behavior is unsatisfactory.
Never strike a child for disciplinary or other reasons. Correcting them can be done by voice command, removing them from the scene or distracting them away from the problem.

Parent Responsibilities

Refrain from bringing your child if he/she is ill (i.e. fever, contagious conditions, diarrhea, unidentified rash, vomiting, eye seepage, lethargic, etc.).
Please provide disposable diapers, bottles or cereal as necessary, sipee cups and pacifier if applicable.
Notify nursery personnel of any infectious disease so that proper care and prevention can be administered.
Notify nursery personnel of any behavior problems (i.e. ADD, separation anxiety, aggression, etc.). This communication will ensure a better understanding of your child providing specific care.
Once the child is released back to the parent after services, nursery personnel are no longer responsible for their supervision.

Sanitary Procedures

Hand washing is required as often as necessary (i.e. upon entering the nursery, after each diaper change, after toileting a child, wiping a runny nose or contact with any bodily fluids).

Suspected Infant Illness

Fever: Please do not bring your child to the nursery if she/he has a temperature greater than 100 degrees orally and auxiliary or 101 degrees rectally.
Upper Respiratory Infections: Children who have nose drainage that is clear may be admitted to the nursery. Other drainage or discharge may not be brought into the nursery.
Diarrhea: Children that demonstrate deviations from normal bowel movement patterns should not be put in the nursery.
Vomiting: Please do not bring your child if he/she is vomiting. An exception would be if your infant has normal regurgitation of feedings.
Skin Rashes: Due to the contagious nature of generalized body rashes, children with generalized body rashes may not be brought into the nursery. An exception would be localized rashes such as prickly heat, eczema or diaper rash.
Infectious Diseases: See "Policy on Infectious Diseases" handout.

Emergency Evacuations

In case of fire or forced evacuation, ensure all children are accounted for and remember to remain calm. Carry or walk children out the front exit as quickly as possible. Do not take time to gather bags and toys. In cold weather, gather blankets or coats if time allows.
In case of tornado or severe thunderstorm, please move children to the inside walls of the foyer. Try to have them place their head between knees.

Personnel Conduct/Child Protection

The parents of today are very aware of issues relating to children, including the risk of sexual abuse. Hundreds of cases involve people in "trusted" positions. This group includes you. The best guideline for preventing any misunderstanding is simply to avoid any appearance of wrong doing at all times. If something could be interpreted incorrectly, don't do it.

The following are some guidelines to follow:

1. Communicate any disciplinary action or unusual conduct with your co-worker and child's parents.
2. Never place yourself in the position of being alone with a child.
3. Team rule: there is safety in numbers -- keep the group together.
4. Parent rule: if working with one-on-one with a child, obtain parental permission.
5. Bathroom breaks: supervise the process as a group whenever possible. If only one child requires attention, either remain in the hall to wait for him/her, or leave the door open if you need to attend to them personally.
6. Never allow unsupervised activity during service time.

Activities Outside the Nursery Room

If you are planning or ever considering to take the children outside the nursery room (i.e. outside on a nice day), please obtain parental permission. Make sure that there are at least two workers with you, and remember the 1 to 4 ratio when it may apply.


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