We want to provide a healthy environment in all QSUMC child classrooms. The best way to prevent illness, is to prevent exposure. So we ask you to keep your child at home when you observe any of the following conditions in the 24 hours prior to arriving at the church nursery:
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Fever/Vomiting
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Discharge in/around the eyes
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Green or yellow runny nose
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Excessive coughing
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Diarrhea
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Questionable rash
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Any communicable disease (for example, Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, Roseola, etc.)
If your child becomes ill while in the nursery, you will be promptly notified by pager.
If your child is being treated with an antibiotic, he or she should have received treatment for at least 24 hours before coming to the nursery.
For YOUR protection, we ask our caregivers to follow these same guidelines.
Child Information Cards
Upon bringing a child to one of our classrooms for the first time, we will ask you to complete a Child Information Card. You may take it with you and return it to us later. However, we ask that you inform your child’s caregivers of any pertinent information such as allergies, medication, etc. We do have children with allergies of different kinds and children with special needs that may have behavior and/or medication issues we need to be aware of in order to adequately love and care for these children.
This form gives us information about your family:
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Birthdates
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Sibling names and ages
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Address and phone number information
In addition, we ask a few health questions that could be important for us to be aware of:
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Allergies
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Seizure disorders
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Emergency contact information
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Insurance information
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A medical release
We use this form for all our activities including those in which the children will be in our care and you are not on church property such as Kids’ Night Out, camps, special activities. Only your child’s caregivers have access to this information. Copies are kept in each classroom for reference. The originals are kept in a locked cabinet in the Children’s Ministry Office. The information is not shared with anyone. Our attorney has reviewed the form, policy and procedures to ensure we comply with all applicable recordkeeping laws and regulations.
We update these forms at the beginning of each year and would appreciate that you notify us promptly of any information changes.
Check-in Policy
We are so honored that you have entrusted your child in our care. In order for our staff to provide the best care, we need your help.
Before you arrive at the Nursery or Toddler/Two classroom:
Label everything--cups, pacifiers, blankets, diaper bags, coats, etc.
When you arrive at the classroom:
1. Sign your child in. Complete all appropriate information on the Sign-In Sheet and notify the staff of any special instructions.
2. For infants, Toddler/Twos, you will receive a numbered silent (vibrating) pager.
If your child needs you while you are away, we will contact your pager.
3. Ensure all the child’s items are labeled.
If you need to label something, let the staff know. We have permanent markers as well as labels available for you.
4. Say goodbye to your child along with a comment as to when you will be back. For example,” Mommy loves you and will be back after you’ve played with the toys for a little while.”
This is an important step not to be overlooked!
5. Make a quick exit. Quicker goodbyes are usually better.
If you want to check-in on your child during their time in the classroom, notify the staff. They can direct you to the windows located in each classroom so that you can look in on your child without disturbing them or the class. Often times, the child calms down quickly after you leave and then becomes very upset if they see you peeking through the window or door. However, if you child is having a particularly difficult time, you are welcome to stay in the classroom for a time to help get them acclimated. We will work with you and your child to assist you in getting to your church experience.
6. Enjoy your worship/classroom experience.
Classrooms are open for 15 minutes after the end of each worship, Sunday School or church activity. Please pick up your child promptly. Understandably, children can get concerned when they are the last ones in the classroom or have to wait for a long time for you to pick them up.
7. Come to your child’s classroom to pick up your child.
Only 4th and 5th grade child(ren) will be allowed to leave the classroom by themselves. Only the designated person(s) will be allowed to sign out a child. No siblings under the age of 13 will be allowed to pick up or sign out a child.
8. Greet your child with hugs, kisses and questions about their time with us. For example, “Hi pumpkin, here I am just like I said I would be. What did you do today?”
9. Sign your child out.
10. Return the pager.
11. Receive take home paper(s) including a Daily Info Sheet.
12. Thank the staff and have a great day.
While every child is invited to attend our wonderful Children’s Church program, we understand there are some Sundays that children just want to stay with Mom and Dad or waiting for the Children’s Moment seems like forever—we can help.
Each Sunday, children are invited to pick up a Children's Worship bag from the red wagon underneath the nametags in the church Narthex. In the bag are crayons, pencils, a snack and a Children's Worship Bulletin. The bulletings will coordinate with the scriptures in "Big Church" and include puzzles, coloring pages and other activities. There will be different bulletins every week for 3-6 year olds and 7-12 year olds. Kiddos may eat the snack and take their creations home but we ask that the crayons, pencils and bags stay here for next time!
Each day your child spends time with us in the Nursery or Toddler/Two classrooms, the staff will complete a Daily Info Sheet for you. This report gives you an idea about what your child has been doing while in our care including eating, sleeping, playing and diaper changes.
Diaper Changes
It is our policy to change diapers on all children each hour they are in our care. We ask that you provide the kind/brand of diapers you prefer when dropping off your child. However, we do have diapers if you forget.
Food/Snacks/Bottles
We provide age-appropriate snacks and drinks in our classrooms as listed on the chalkboards outside each classroom. Please tell the staff if you do not want your child to have our snacks or if your child has food allergies (please indicate on your Child Information Card also).
We do not have bottles and/or formula in our classrooms.
However, our staff will lovingly prepare and give bottles to your child per your instructions. We also have a small refrigerator in the nursery to store bottles and/or breast milk as needed.
Pagers
All parents of children in the Small World (infants) and Jungle (Toddlers and Twos) classrooms will receive a numbered, silent pager upon signing in their children to the classroom. If your child needs you while you are away, we will notify your pager.
We are blessed to be able to provide these pagers as very valuable tools for parents, children and staff. We appreciate that you return the pagers to our staff when picking up your children.
Security Measures
The QSUMC Children's Ministry Department has several measures and associated procedures in place to ensure the safety of your children and information about your children including:
- Sign in/Out Sheets
- Numbered Pagers for infants, Toddlers and Twos.
- Background checks on all staff members.
- Training for all staff on emergency procedures.
- Security for all Child Information Cards and associated information.
We are constantly striving to maintain and improve security procedures for the protection of your children; therefore some procedures may change without notice. We ask your assistance to ensure you and your children are able to worship and learn in a safe, secure and loving environment.
Kids with Special Needs
If you have a child with special needs--Welcome! We are so glad you're here.
Children of all shapes, sizes and abilities are welcomed and loved by our church family and staff. We have several children with various challenges here at QSUMC. Please make the caregivers aware of any specific needs that your child may have. There are questions on your Child Information Cards that give us more specific information with regards to abilities, medications, etc. that we may need to know about to make sure your child thrives and is well-loved while in our care.
Our Children' Ministry Director is always available to discuss concerns or questions you may have. She will then make appropriate accommodations in the classrooms, if necessary, and inform the staff more completely about your child's needs so that you do not have to repeat your child's needs each time you share time with us.
Breastfeeding Moms
If you prefer to nurse your child, we have space and rocking chairs for you in our nursery. It can be a quiet place for you and your child to share this special time. In addition, we have a baby monitor receiver in the room so you will be able to hear the worship service.
Other Ministries
During the year, we offer other special family/children's programs including a Christmas Pageant, Lent/Easter Programs, music, Muffins with Mom (Mother's Day), Donuts with Dad (Father's Day), quarterly Kids' Night Out, camps, Family Advent Nights, Family Fun Dates, Family Time and Club 3:5. Questions? Ask our Children's Ministry Director. We love new ideas!
Kids' Night Out
Once each quarter, our generous church has sponsored a night for children to come to a themed party for a few hours while their parent(s) enjoy a few hours to themselves. In May of 2007, our KNO program received a CAN-DO (Children's Action Network Dream Organizers) Award from the United Methodist Oklahoma Conference in recognition of outstanding contributions to Children's Ministries in a large church!
We've done a Water Blast, Back-to-School, Carnival Night and a Costume Party. KNO is from 6-9pm. We send invitations and ask for registration, so we can make sure we have enough materials and volunteers for everyone. All we need is your address and we'll send you an invitation.
Club 3:5
In the fall of 2007, we created Club 3:5 based on the scriptural principles of Proverbs 3:5:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding..."
This club is only for children in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades as this is such an important time of transition from "little kids" to "big kids". In addition, this age group has special privileges and ministry opportunities in recognition of their age and maturity including Acolyte service, presentation of Bibles, a "Get to Know Your Bible" Bible Study, monthly Bible Study and other special projects.
Cleanliness
We strive to provide a clean, safe environment for your child to thrive in and be loved. To support that effort:
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We disinfect all toys put in children’s mouths after each nursery session. If a child mouths a toy and leaves it to move on to something else, that toy will be picked up so that other children will not be able to mouth the same toy.
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Pacifiers are not shared.
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Cups are not shared. We have sippy cups available in the nursery. All used cups are disinfected after each nursery session.
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All large toys and tables are wiped down with disinfectant after each nursery session.
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Diaper changing stations are wiped down with disinfectant after each nursery session.
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Hand cleaner gel is available in all classrooms for staff only. Hand gel is not recommended for our youngest friends.
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All staff wash their hands after each diaper change.
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All staff wash their hands after helping a toilet trained (or in progress) child in the restroom.
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All crib bedding is changed after use by each child.
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All blankets, quilts and burp cloths are washed after each child’s use.
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Carpets are vacuumed each week by our cleaning staff. Spot vacuuming will be performed by the CM staff as needed.
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Deep cleaning with bleach solution is performed on all toys the last Sunday of each month.
First Aid and CPR
All QSUMC CM staff members are certified in CPR, including infant CPR. This training is provided by a wonderful member of our church that is a Red Cross certified instructor.
In addition, we have another wonderful church member, an ER nurse, that teaches a first aid seminar for our staff annually. She tailors the class to the specific types of problems, illnesses and injuries that are most common in a church classroom environment.
A small first aid kit is located in each of the following classrooms: Nursery (Small World), Toddler/Twos (Jungle) and the Preschool (Ocean Room). A large first aid kit is located in the Children’s Ministry office for use by all parents and staff.
Ouch Reports
If a child is injured while in our care and requires first aid assistance, an Ourch Report will be completed by a Staff Member. You will be notified if your child needs you. If for example, two children bump heads; we apply ice and kisses; the child(ren) cals down and is fine. We will not notify you immediately in that case. However, you will receive a copy of the Ouch Report in both instances.
Staff Training
In addition to CPR and First Aid training, our entire CM staff is trained in childcare, security measures, safety procedures, classroom management, curriculum presentation and discipline techniques.
All our paid staff go through an interview process which includes volunteering in our ministries before a job offer is extended. All staff must submit to a background check.