Nursery (0-1 year olds)

Dear Parents

We love that you have chosen to bring your little ones to our church.  We are excited to get to know you and your child.  Please know that we  count it a privilege and responsibility to prayerfully provide a loving, God focused atmosphere for your baby.

Here are three important thoughts God has put in our hearts about you and your child:

  1. We believe that each child is a unique creation of God, designed to know and treasure God above all else.
  2. We believe God has strategically placed parents along side of their children to shepherd their heart and to help to guide them to love and follow God.
  3. We as a church and Children’s Ministry  desire to walk with you to help you nurture faith in your child.

Please contact us with any comments or questions.

Frank Geremia

Children’s Ministry Coordinator

Shepherding Times:

We provide 0-1 year old nursery during both our 8:30am and 10:30am worship services.  We also provide nursery care on Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:00pm during our adult classes.  What we desire your baby to experience while here at church:

  • A loving, caring, safe environment
  • People who love God and who will love and care for your children
  • People who will pray for your child
  • Lots of smiles, kind words, truth about God, eye contact, hugs and good firm leadership
  • For babies to learn early on that mom and dad will keep their word
  • Early exposure to prayer, songs and stories about God
  • Begin to learn lessons in how to interact with other children

Safety:

All of our nursery worker have been trained according to our nursery procedures.  We require references and background checks. If you have any concerns regarding your child, please do not hesitate to contact our nursery coordinator.

We are asking that no one enter the walker or infant nursery unless invited to or you are a scheduled nursery worker.  This ensures that only our volunteers are taking care of your children.  (Please respect this policy and do your visiting outside our nursery)

During Nursery Time:

While your child is in the nursery, you may come back to check on them. However we ask that you not enter the nursery.  This is for the well being of all the children.  If there is a problem, or if your child can not calm down we will contact you by flashing your child’s # on the church power point screen.  If there is an immediate concern, please get the attention of the team leader.

Parent Sign-in Sheet:

There is a sign-in sheet for both the infant and walker nurseries.  We ask that you fill out all the necessary information.  Once you have signed your child in, you will receive a name tag.  You child cannot be picked up without the tag being handed in.

Well Child Policy:

If your child has any of the following symptoms and it is impossible to keep them home, please keep him/her with you at the church.  Team leaders have been asked to turn away sick children for the well being of other children and caregivers present.  These symptoms can indicate a contagious illness:

  • Temp over 99 degrees with in past 24 hours
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea or abnormally loose stool
  • Any undiagnosed rash other than mild heat rash or common diaper rash
  • Nasal discharge that is yellow/green in color
  • Coughing-wet cough
  • An eye infection (draining)
  • A fresh cold or sign of coming down with one (colds are most contagious the first day)

How parents can support the nursery:

  • Pray for the nursery caregivers and children
  • Label your child’s belongings
  • Provide diapers and wipes for your child
  • Include extra change of clothing
  • Prepare bottles ahead of time (if possible, feed baby before coming to the nursery)
  • Pick up your youngest child first and then your older children after the service.  This helps reduce the number of people waiting outside the nursery door.

Nursing Moms:

There is a location in the nursery area on both Sunday and Wednesday for moms to use.

Parenting I – Forming a Home:

We would like to invite you to attend our parenting class for new parents. Stay tuned to announcements or the church bulletin for further details. We provide these classes  so that you can:

  • Meet other new parents or parents to be
  • Get to know about the vision God has given us for Children’s Ministry in this church
  • Have a chance to share some of the joys and challenges you are facing
  • Hear some practical suggestions that may help you in parenting

To find out more about our classes you can follow this link:  Truth for Living

Some suggestions for new parents:

  • Spend time getting to know God and His ways.
  • Pray for God’s work in your child’s heart.
  • Keep in mind that your child is constantly in training and that each stage is very important.
  • Look to establish a good consistent routine for your child. (Let Sunday morning service and Wednesday evening class be a part of that.)
  • Pray for and get to know your child’s teachers.
  • Communicate any questions or concerns to us.

Interested in Baby Dedication?

Baby Dedication for us as a church is a great celebration where we lift a little child and their family up to God seeking His blessing. It is a time for parents to pause and make a public declaration, before God and before this church about their intent to pursue God’s design for them as shepherds for their children. It also gives the local body of Christ an opportunity to join and support the exciting things God is doing in our church. We recommend the following steps to prepare for baby dedication:

  • Please be in touch with our baby dedication coordinator Katie Wilson. You can contact her at ktnjsn14@hotmail.com. She will explain what the next steps will be for you and help you set a date for your baby dedication.

  • Read the two chapters on baby dedication in our Parenting II book. Pg. 51-56 and do the “talk together” sections at the end.

  • Choose the pastor you would like to do your baby dedication and call the church office to meet with them personally.

To find out more about Baby Dedications you can check out our Family Ministry page here: Baby Dedications