“The Pond” is our Sunday morning program for preschoolers, children who
were 2-years-old prior to September 1, 2008 thru those children who are
in kindergarten or Pre first during the 2008-09 school year. All preschool
classes use GODPrints curriculum which focuses on building the character
of God into the lives of our children. Each session emphasizes both a
GODPrint and a Bible story. Children explore the GODPrints through the
stories, and with their pals at Potterfield Pond, they discover how those
stories and values apply to their lives. Focusing on the same GODPrint and
story for four weeks encourages each child to experience God’s work in
his/her life. Our program is designed to accommodate children who
attend Sunday School for multiple hours while their parents worship one
hour and serve or attend an adult class during another. One Biblical story
and GODPrint provide the foundation for the entire morning, but
different learning activities are utilized during each hour.
During the 8:45 hour children actively explore the Bible story, engage
in Swoop’s Art Cart, and hear a Pond Pal story from Uncle Cheezer.
During the 10:00 hour children explore the Bible story, work in their Pond
Packs, share a snack, and participate in Pond Time, our large group time of
praise, prayer, and a visit with the Pond Pals. Our Pond Pal puppet friends
put into action the GODPrint and the Biblical truth learned from the day’s
Bible story.
During the 11:00 hour children explore the Bible story and engage
in Rocket’s Discovery Center.
We are excited to graduate our Kindergarten students to KID JAM
(our elementary program) with their leaders in February. During
January our kindergarten children will participate in worship readiness
activities. More information will come closer to the date.
Church – Home Connections:
- projects that your child makes and brings home
- Family FUNdamentals weekly take-home paper
- Pond Packs monthly portfolios (10:00 hour)
|
Children who attend preschool Sunday School will be active
participants in activities and crafts, some of which involve glue,
paint, and other messy stuff.
|
|
Please indicate any allergies or health concerns your child has on the
registration card. That information will be added to your child’s name tag.
|
|
Please indicate any special developmental needs your child has on
the registration card. A staff member will talk with you regarding
your child’s needs and plan with you for his/her participation.
|
If your child is exhibiting any sign of communicable illness (cough,
fever, etc.), please do not bring him/her to Sunday School until
symptom-free.
If your child becomes ill during Sunday School, we will provide TLC
and appropriate care until we can notify you.
|
|
Every effort is made to insure the safety of all children
participating in Sunday School. In the unlikely event that an injury
occurs, TLC and appropriate first-aid or medical attention will be
provided to your child. An OUCH report will be completed. If the
injury is minor and your child returns to full participation in
activities, you will not be notified until you return to pick-up your
child. If the injury requires emergency treatment, we will provide
and/or obtain such treatment and notify you as soon as possible.
|
|
In the event of a fire drill or other building evacuation, preschoolers
will leave The Pond area by the nearest exit and will gather in the
Welcome Center and north parking lots. Parents may join their
children in the parking lot, but children will not be dismissed until the
drill is over and the group has returned to their classroom or until
approval is given by a Children’s Ministry staff member.
|
|
All preschool children are offered a simple snack of crackers
(Teddy Grahams, goldfish, etc.) and cold water during the 10:00
hour. Please be sure your child’s teachers are aware of any
allergies or food restrictions your child has.
|
|
Children are encouraged to bring an offering to church every
Sunday. An offering collection box is located in the entry way to
The Pond.
|
|
Just as Jesus taught his followers to know, love, and respect God
and their fellowman, we need to do the same with our children.
Children learn best when the environment is comfortable,
predictable, and engaging; we strive to ensure that our programs
provide such an environment. When inappropriate behavior does
occur, it is addressed lovingly and in a developmentally-appropriate
manner.
|
All leaders have completed an application and screening process and
participated in leader training. Each class is staffed by a minimum
of two adult leaders each hour each Sunday. Usually, there are two
pairs of leaders who comprise the team for a class. In addition,
each 2’s class is supported by a member of Peachtree’s childcare
staff, who assist the children with toileting and diapering and
provide consistency between hours.
If you are interested in serving in The Pond, please contact Jan
Williamson, Director of Preschool Ministry, at
or 404-842-2188.
|
Your child will be issued a name tag which is shape and color coded
to his/her assigned class.
You will be issued two laminated, business card size pick-up cards.
Your child’s name and class assignment will be pre-printed on the
cards. Each parent may keep a card or give one of the two cards to
a grandparent or other adult who is authorized to pick-up the child.
Who keeps the card is your decision.
Each Sunday, when you and your child arrive in The Pond, locate
your child’s name tag in the pocket holder outside his/her
homeroom classroom and pin it on the child’s back or front. Should
your child need a replacement nametag, please see the greeter at
the Welcome Cart. Every child must be wearing a name tag
before entering the classroom. Sign-in your child on the clipboard
outside his/her home room classroom. Your child will be welcomed
by one of the classroom teachers.
We request that parents remain outside the classroom, allowing
teachers to control the opening and closing of the classroom door.
This helps ensure that small children do not “escape” through an
unattended door.
When you (or other authorized adult) arrive to pick up your child,
you must present the pick-up card for viewing by the classroom
teacher.
No child will be released from a preschool Sunday School class
without presentation of a Peachtree issued pick-up card bearing the
child’s name and class assignment. If you do not have your card, you
will be asked to go to the Welcome Cart and present identification
before your child will be released. If someone else (grandparent,
sitter) is going to pick up your child on a particular Sunday,
remember to give one of your pick-up cards to that person.
Preschool-age guests are welcome in our Sunday School classes. All
guests register at the Welcome Cart. Each guest is provided a
name tag and a temporary pick-up card.
The Welcome Cart is located at the entrance to The Pond. The
greeter at this cart is available to help families register, locate the
appropriate classroom for their child, and understand the security
procedures.
The main entrance to The Pond (glass doors leading from the
Welcome Center) is open throughout the morning. The entrance
from the double elevator lobby is open between services.
|
| CHILDREN'S MINISTRY LINKS |
|
|
|