*Every child is unique so it is no surprise that each child will have a different reaction to being dropped off in the nursery.  Some will come into the nursery and will have no problem waving goodbye to Mom or Dad, while some may experience separation anxiety.  The majority of the time a child will settle down after their parent has left and he or she becomes involved in a fun activity.  Filling out the nursery enrollment card will provide our nursery volunteers with some of your helpful tips on how to comfort and soothe your child, as well as, some of your child’s favorite activities or games.  To help with the transition process, feel free to accompany your child into the nursery and help your child become involved in an activity.  This is a great time to give our volunteers any information or instructions they may need.  The hard part is leaving your child, but as stated before, normally after having a minute or two a child will adjust to his or her new environment.  While we always welcome parents into our nursery, please keep in mind that if your child sees you once you have already left your child may have to go through the adjustment process again.  The hallwalker or the Children’s Minister will be happy to check on your child for you.  Please rest assured that we will not let your child cry for an extended amount of time.  If your child continues to cry, the hallwalker will come get you.*

*Please label your child’s diaper bag and sippy cups.  Making sure your child has a change of clothes and extra diapers is always a good idea.  There are plenty of toys in our nursery, so bringing toys from home are unnecessary.  However you are welcome to bring a security item from home for your child, such as a blankie.

*Goldfish or cheerios will be provided for toddlers.  If your child has any allergies, please indicate those on the nursery enrollment form.

*Milk, formula, juice, or water provided by parents will gladly be given to infants.  There is a refrigerator in the kitchen to keep the bottles fresh.  Please leave any warming instructions with our volunteers.  Please prepare any formula bottles ahead of time, to save our nursery workers time.

*Our volunteers will not administer any medication to children.

Health Policy

 For the protection of your child and the other children.  Parents are requested not to bring a child who appears ill.  A child should not be brought to the nursery if any of the following exist.

            *Fever – All children should be fever free for 24 hours before coming into the nursery.                   

            *Vomiting or Diarrhea

            *Significant or persistent nasal drainage that is yellow or green

            *Common Cold

            *Sore Throat

            *Unexplained Rash

            *Any Skin Infection

            *Pink Eye or other eye infection

            *Any symptoms of a childhood disease, such as chicken pox, measles, etc.

Toys in the nursery will be cleaned and disinfected after each Sunday.

If a child begins running a fever or showing symptoms of illness, that child will be separated from the other children and a parent will be notified to take the child home.

If your child develops an infectious disease, such as chicken pox, please contact the Children’s Minister, Jaimie Mercer, at 329-4773, so the parents of children who have been exposed may be contacted.