Nursery Handbook

 

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the Hixson Church of Christ Nursery Ministry.  We are honored to be entrusted with the care of your child.  We recognize the great responsibility you give us when you place your child in our hands, a responsibility we take seriously.  This handbook is one way to show you just how much we value the nurturing of young children in this church family.

 

Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with this handbook.  It was written to help us minister to you and your children.  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask them.  We are here to serve you; your suggestions are valued.

 

Because of Christ,

 

Angela Smith

Nursery Coordinator

 

Laura Harbin

Children’s Minister

 (a)

 

Parent/Volunteer Information

The Hixson church of Christ Nursery serves children from birth through two years.  When a child turns two, he should attend the programs provided for his/her age group.

Nursery Hours

Sunday: 10 minutes before worship service.

Parents should pick up child immediately after service.

 Security/Sign In & Out

-Each child has been assigned a number.

-A pager, cubby and pre-printed labels have a corresponding number.

-Place labeled diaper bag in the assigned cubby.

-Place a preprinted label “on” your child’s back.

-Be sure your pager is on.  To turn it on, press the side button until pager vibrates.  If pager light is blinking, replace battery with one from the charger.

 -Baby will be released upon return of corresponding pager.

*Lost pagers will be the responsibility of the assigned member (Cost $65.00).

**If your child is new to the nursery and you plan to attend on a regular basis, please call Angela Smith (838-2079).

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Labeling

Please be sure everything you leave in the nursery, including your

·        baby

·        bag

·        bottles (clear plastic only)

·        pacifiers

·        blankets

is labeled with either your child’s name or your pre-assigned number.  Any items that are not labeled will be labeled by the child’s caregiver.

 

Lost & Found

Labeled, lost items will be placed in your child’s cubby.  Unlabeled things will be placed in the Lost & Found box.

This box will be emptied at the first of each month.

 

Sick Policy

Please do not leave baby in the nursery if any of the following are true:

-Unmedicated, baby has had a fever in the last 24 hours.

-Baby has been on an antibiotic for less than 36 hours.

-Baby has thrown up or had diarrhea in the last 36 hours.

-Anyone in your household has a communicable disease, i.e., Croup, Chicken Pox, Fifths, etc.

-We will not administer any medication.

-If the child develops a fever or other symptoms of illness while in the nursery, he/she will be separated from other children and the parents will be contacted to take the child home.

 

(2)

Diaper Changing

Never allow a child to go home in a wet or soiled diaper.

  • Keep babies in full view while changing their diapers.

  • Lay the baby on a disposable pad and fasten safety straps.

  • Put on a clean pair of disposable gloves and change the baby.  Don’t use creams or powders unless parents request and provide them.

  • Place the soiled diaper, gloves, changing pad and wipes in a disposable bag.

  • Drop the bag in a childproof wastebasket lined with a disposable liner.

  • Put the baby down.

  • Spray the changing surface with disinfectant.

  • Wash your hands.

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SAFE Program

Secure Atmosphere For Everyone

Due to the unfortunate and disturbing rise of physical and sexual abuse of children, we have become proactive in preventive care and awareness in our youth and children’s programs.  We are proud to sponsor this program as a part of the Family Ministry at Hixson Church of Christ and in compliance with our insurance carrier.

 

We are committed to training our staff and volunteers to be aware of, and to follow, the objectives and policies related to the protective care of our children.

 

We believe we have a mandate, both morally and legally, to provide a safe atmosphere for everyone who participates in activities sponsored by the Hixson Church of Christ.

 

Policy Enforcement

The success of this ministry depends on the enforcement of policies.  Parents, please make the volunteers’ job a pleasure by giving them your full cooperation.  Anything less will compromise the safety, security and quality of care your child receives.

 

Worker/Child Ratio

Our maximum worker/child ratio is 1/3.  When this ratio is reached the nursery cannot accept babies until additional workers arrive.  No exceptions!

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 Volunteer Information

 

Job Description

Anticipated Time Commitments

-Doing ministry /preparing for ministry: one-and-a-half hours a week every seven weeks

-Participating in meetings/training: yearly

 

Responsibilities/Duties

-Arrive at least 10 minutes prior to service or event

-Become familiar with nursery policies and facilities

-Greet parents and sign in/out babies

-Take care of babies in nursery, following nursery policies for safety and proper care

-Change diapers/clothing as necessary; check diapers near end of service.

-Rock, play with, sing to, play music for and show picture books to babies.

-Feed babies when needed or requested by parents.

-Give snacks to older babies.

-Change crib sheets after babies have been picked up.

-Place dirty toys in container to be cleaned/disinfected.

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Special Instructions

·        Volunteers wear nametags and should greet each person warmly.

·        On a child's first visit to the Nursery the parent is to fill out an informational sheet on the child that will be kept permanently for future reference.

·        Give new parents a copy of the Nursery Handbook

·        Please remember to strip all used beds and replace sheets at the end of each service.  Put used sheets in laundry bag hanging beside change table.

·        Please remember to spray all toys and equipment at the beginning of each service.

·        Please remember to turn off pagers using posted instructions at the end of each service.

Absences

If you must be absent on your assigned day, please switch with someone who serves on another day.  If a husband and wife are scheduled to work, then find two replacements.   If this is not possible, please contact the church office before Friday at 4:00 p.m.   If this is not possible contact Angela Smith, 838-2079

 

Prior notice, even the morning of, is extremely helpful/necessary.

 

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How to Care for Children with Special Needs

 

Communicate openly with parents.

Parents of special-needs children would much rather be asked straightforward questions about their children’s needs.  Helpful questions include:

  • What special needs does your child have?

  • What activities does your child most enjoy?

  • What activities would you like your child to avoid?

  • Does your child require special equipment?

  • At what point should you be paged?

Communicate openly with the Lord.

Pray that God will remove your fears and allow you to shower special needs children with his love.

 

In Case of Fire

 

Put multiple babies in white rolling beds and exit the building through the side lobby door if possible.  Parents will meet you there.  Do not wait for parents in the nursery.

 

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 How Parents Can Help

 

-We need moms and dads willing to volunteer in the nursery on a seven week rotation.

-Volunteers to wash used sheets or toys.

-Volunteers to deep-clean the nursery once a quarter.

   

 

Nursery Information Sheet

Please give this completed form to a nursery volunteer.

 

Child’s Name_____________________________

Parent’s Names____________________________

Child’s Birthdate___________________________

Address__________________________________

 

Parents Phone Numbers_____________________

_________________________________________

Allergies_________________________________

 

Special Instructions_________________________