Serving in Your Church Nursery

Julia A. Spohrer, Paul E. Engle

• Publisher: Zondervan
• Year: 2009
• eBook ISBN: 9780310833567
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Church

· For Individual use· Group trainingPhotocopyable resources include: job descriptions, caregiver interview form, staff evaluation survey, guidelines for nursery use, information card, and incident report formA well-run nursery is a tremendous asset to a church. The responsibilities are demanding, but with prayer, patience, and commitment, you can minimize the frustrations and maximize the difference you make in the lives of children ages three and under and their parents. Whether you're leading your church's nursery ministry, serving in it, or just thinking of getting involved, you will welcome the expert insights, encouragement, and resources this book offers.Serving in Your Church Nursery sheds light on·Developing a vision ·Gathering a team·Evaluating and setting goals·Setting up the nursery environment·Policies, procedures, and job descriptions·Recruiting, screening, training, and safety issues·Age groups, insights on learning, separation anxiety, and moreZondervan Practical Ministry Guides provide you with simple, practical insights for serving in today's churches. Written by experienced pastors and church workers, these easy-to-read, to-the-point booklets address the fundamentals of different ministries as practiced effectively in real life. You'll find biblical insight and wise, field-tested advice you can apply today, as well as discussion questions to help you think through and integrate what you read.

APPENDIX 1

Nursery Team Leader Job Description

As a nursery team leader, your role is crucial in communicating to nursery caregivers the importance of their ministry role in the church family. Nursery caregivers help to lay a firm foundation of faith in the lives of babies and toddlers. In a real sense, nursery caregivers, along with parents, are the first picture children see of God and his love for them.

Qualifications

  Mature, growing Christian with a love for babies and toddlers

  A knowledge of (or a willingness to learn about) baby and toddler characteristics

  Dependable and willing to serve on a regular basis

  Friendly, cheerful, and capable of developing and getting along with a team

Responsibilities

1. Arrive fifteen to twenty minutes before the session begins so you’re there when other caregivers arrive. Help prepare the room as necessary (put sheets on cribs, turn on soft music, organize check-in materials, etc.).

2. Give a warm welcome to parents and babies and toddlers. You are the point person in this transition time. Keep track of information-card use, check-in sheet, and parent communications.

3. Be sure that diaper bags and other belongings are marked with the child’s name.

4. Encourage caregivers to regularly check for diaper change needs and to be aware of signs of hunger or discomfort.

5. When babies and toddlers are gone, work with caregivers to follow clean-up procedures.

6. Attend and help lead (as necessary) training meetings.

7. Encourage nursery caregivers to get to know parents and to pray for them and their children. Take time to get to know nursery caregivers and pray for them and encourage them as they serve in this ministry.

8. Participate on the nursery ministry team by attending team meetings and helping to carry out action plans developed in the meetings.

9. Maintain a list of substitute caregivers. Communicate this list to caregivers.

10. Write notes of encouragement to caregivers who serve with you.

APPENDIX 2

Nursery Caregiver Job Description

You have one of the most important jobs in our church’s ministry! You are helping to lay a firm foundation of faith in the lives of the babies and toddlers you care for as you hold, cuddle, change, feed, talk to, and play with them. In a real sense, you, along with parents, are the first picture children will see of God and his love for them.

Guidelines for Caregivers

Caregivers must be a minimum of fourteen years old.

Caregivers may not give medication to any child.

Caregivers must not leave children alone at any time or allow a child to leave the room alone.

Caregivers may not work in the baby and toddler rooms if they are coming down with a cold or have other active illnesses.

Except for caregivers and children, no one else should be in the baby and toddler rooms except under special circumstances authorized by the team leader.

Special Tips for Caregivers

Wash your hands after each diaper change and after wiping a runny nose.

Wear a smock and name tag.

Wash chewed-on toys before giving them to another child.

Try to prevent babies from sharing bottles and pacifiers.

Check a child’s bag for diapers before using nursery-provided diapers.

Make sure that each baby’s diaper is checked at least once during the session.

If a child becomes frustrated or aggressive, redirect his or her attention to another toy or activity.

Report any biting incident by complet...

Table of contents

• Cover
• OTHER TITLES IN THE ZONDERVAN PRACTICAL MINISTRY GUIDE SERIES
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Table of Contents
• A LETTER TO THE READER
• ONE: Developing Your Vision
• TWO: Gathering Your Team
• THREE: Evaluating and Setting Coals
• FOUR: Setting Up the Nursery Environment
• FIVE: Developing Policies and Procedures
• SIX: Recruiting the People You Need to Staff Your Nursery
• SEVEN: Establishing What Children Can Learn at Each Level
• Appendix 1: Nursery Team Leader Job Description
• Appendix 2: Nursery Caregiver Job Description
• Appendix 3: Interviewing Nursery Caregivers
• Appendix 4: Children and Families Ministry Application and Release Form
• Appendix 5: Nursery Staff Evaluation Survey
• Appendix 6: Guidelines for Nursery Use
• Appendix 7: Nursery Information Card
• Appendix 8: Nursery Check-In
• Appendix 9: Diaper Bag Contents
• Appendix 10: Nursery Cleaning List
• Appendix 11: Incident Report Form
• ZONDERVAN PRACTICAL MINISTRY GUIDES
• About the Publisher
• Share your Thoughts