Sunday Nursery Ministry

In the infant, crawler, and toddler rooms, we nurture the children physically, emotionally and spiritually. The children learn about God’s love for them through wonderful Bible stories, songs and fun activities designed just for little ones. On Sunday mornings, our rooms are staffed with permanent caregivers who provide consistency for the children and maintain our high standards of health and safety. Our staff understands the special nurturing each child needs and strives to see that each child will begin to feel and understand Jesus’ love for him/her. Each room in the nursery is equipped with age appropriate toys and equipment. Our requests of you, as a parent, are the following: Take the responsibility to learn the policies and procedures of “God’s Little Garden.”. Fulfill your volunteer obligation in the nursery. Abide by these policies and procedures. Communicate your child’s needs to the staff. Communicate your concerns and suggestions to the staff in an appropriate manner. Enjoy the activity or ministry in which you are participating, knowing that your child is in good care.

Sunday Morning Parent Volunteers Ministry in the nursery

On Sunday mornings from 9:45 a.m. - 11:15 am., the nursery utilizes volunteers to help care for the children age eight weeks through two years while their parents attend worship or Sunday School. A staff member is in charge of each room, being supported by several volunteers. Volunteers are asked to commit to volunteering once every six to eight weeks in the nursery. You will receive an email with a list of names and dates. If you are unable to fulfill your duty, please call or e-mail Beth Mercer at 404-842-2190, or to let her know of the change. Please report to the Nursery Welcome Desk and a Nursery Welcome Team Member on your assigned day. They will place you in a room with the greatest need. Many parents find that it is best not to be in the room with their child.

Hours of Operation

Sundays: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (or until last service concludes) Weekdays: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Fee-based drop-off nursery available by reservation Weekdays: 8:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. On site care for ministry activities Wednesdays: 4:00 p.m.– 8:30 p.m. Wednesday evening activities Other Evenings: Care provided to support ministry events by reservation through that ministry. 4th Friday: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Date night for parents with advance registration (note: if less than 6 children are signed up for the night, Date night will be cancelled).

Ratio
While we are not a licensed facility, we will create a safe nursery environment that follows licensure guidelines, including state mandated ratios between caregivers and children in a given room:

Infants & Crawlers 1:4 (1 caregiver for every 4 children) Young Toddlers (18–30 mo) 1:5 (1 caregiver for every 5 children) Older Toddlers 1:6 (1 caregiver for every 6 children)

Drop Off

Back label should be filled out and placed on the back of your child with all pertinent information needed to provide the caregiver ensuring your child will receive the best care possible. At your convenience you may pick up a supply of labels for you to fill out prior to your arrival at the nursery, to help expedite a quick and smooth drop off process. Item labels - Please make sure that all of your child’s diaper bag contents are properly marked and/or labeled. We ask that you include your child’s first and last name and that all contents are marked prior to your arrival at the nursery. Labels are available at the nursery desk, please feel free to take additional sheets as needed. Diaper Bag Tag - Please make sure your child’s diaper bag is labeled with the provided tag so that the nursery staff can properly identify your child’s belongings. Having your child’s bag properly labeled will eliminate children receiving the wrong food or personal items. If bags are left behind they will be taken to the lost and found at the Nursery Welcome Desk and you will be notified. Sign-In Sheet - Once you drop your child off please sign him/her in on the clipboard outside the doorway. PLEASE include the following information: your name, child’s name and age, your location, and cell/pager number.

Pick Up

ID card It is the means by which you will pick up your child. Present this card to the volunteer or the caregiver at the door. Once approved you will keep this card on your person until the next time you utilize the nursery. If your card is lost please identify someone at the nursery welcome desk who will issue you a temporary card for that day until new cards can be made. For safety reasons, we ask that you not go into the nursery rooms. When you drop off/ pick up your child, please give your child to a caregiver or volunteer. If your child seems anxious, please be assured that most children are just fine within minutes after a parent leaves. If your child is still upset after ten minutes, you will be notified through your cell phone or pager.

Cell Phone / Pager

If you have a cell phone, please turn it to vibrate. Write your cell phone number down on the sign in sheet and the back tag on your child. If you receive a call from a phone number that begins with “842-xxxx” please report to your child’s room. If you don’t have a cell phone, pagers are available at the nursery welcome desk; please ask the nursery captain to loan you one. Our pagers are on the vibrating system, so you must wear or hold the pager to know when it activates.

Daily Report

Please let your child’s teacher know when you sign in your child if you would like a report of your child’s experience in God’s Little Garden. Forms are located in the rooms and can be collected when you are picking up your child.

Fire Alarms

In the event of a fire alarm, you may check on your child outside the building. We ask that you not claim your child while outside. You may stay with your child and comfort the child, but please do not ask to take your child with you. We need to keep accurate accounting of the children.

Healthy Child Policy

In order to ensure a healthy environment for all children in our care, please do not bring your child to the nursery if he/she exhibits any of the following: Fever Vomiting Green or yellow runny nose Excessive coughing Diarrhea Questionable rash Discharge in or around the eyes Any communicable disease If your child becomes ill in the nursery, you will be notified immediately, and we will request that you take your child home. If your child is being treated with an antibiotic, he/she must have received medication for at least 24 hours before returning to the nursery.

Toy Washing

We observe the strictest standards to keep all toys clean. Every time a child places a toy in his/her mouth, the toy will be taken out of circulation until is can be thoroughly cleaned. Monthly inspections and inventory of toys will be performed to insure general safety and cleanliness of all toys.

Diapering/Bathroom Procedures

In the nursery, the caregivers are responsible for all diapering.

Nursing Mothers

A space is also available in room 1117 for mothers who need to nurse their children while on site at PPC during the week and on Sunday. In our infant room, we ask that you wear the provided blue booties to cover shoes. Stocking feet and bare feet must also be covered.

Feeding

Infant children are fed from the information that you, as the parent, provide for us.. Please be specific in your instructions as to the last time fed, approximate time to feed again, how much and at what temperature. If your child drinks from a sipper cup, please bring a labeled cup for your toddler with juice or milk. Because toddlers and older children are offered a snack of graham crackers during the morning, it is not necessary for you to bring food items for your non-infant child. If you must bring your own snack, please do not bring an item with peanuts or peanut butter. We have several children with severe peanut allergies. Please notify the nursery welcome team caregiver in your child’s room if there are changes and / or special circumstances that need to be added to your registration card.

Curriculum

We want to help children learn about God and take their first steps toward Jesus while in the nursery! Toddlers will enjoy hearing Bible stories, activities and music. Our youngest children will listen to music about God and experience God’s love through their caregivers.