CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Safety precautions for GraceBabies, Grace Pre-School & GraceKids. Keeping Our Rooms and Halls Safe

Sanitizing is done during and between services. This includes, but is not limited to, table tops, toys, changing tables (between each use), chairs, etc.

We have children’s services for all of our services, Wednesday at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 9:00, 10:15 and 11:45 am. For the safety of our children, parents are asked to drop kids off at the entrance of the children’s hallway. Please register your child(ren) for Wednesday and/or Sunday services on the link provided.

  1. Two (2) approved volunteers must be in a room with children at all times.
  2. During services, only authorized volunteers or parent(s) who choose to stay with their child should be in or standing around the children’s rooms.
  3. If you see someone in the hall ask, “May I help you find a room?”
  4. If you are uncomfortable with the person’s response, please notify the Service Coordinator, the GraceBabies, Grace Pre-School or GraceKids Staff, or an usher and express your concern.
  5. Latex balloons are not allowed in any of the GraceBabies, Grace Pre-School or GraceKids rooms.
  6. Kids will sit with 2 chairs between them.
  7. Kids will wash their hands before eating a snack.

Dismissal And Pickup
  1. Security tags are used for children ages 0 – 5th Grade.
  2. Children may not leave the classroom to find or to meet a parent waiting by the front door or in the car, etc. The parent must come to the classroom to pick up the child.
  3. Children may leave the classroom with the person providing the security tag. (the person picking up must be 12 years or older)
  4. If the person picking up a child has lost the tag, please alert the Service Coordinator. Our Service Coordinators will get a GraceBabies, Grace Pre-School or GraceKids Staff to come and assist in the release.

Classroom Management
  1. Show special attention to children by seating the child next to you and placing an arm around their shoulders. Children over the age of three (3) are not permitted to sit on a volunteer’s lap
  2. If a child’s behavior is extreme (injures another child, uses offensive language or racial slur, etc.)  please alert the GraceBabies, Grace Pre-School or GraceKids Staff.  The Staff will handle difficult situations.
  3. Never spank a child (even your own child) while on church property.

Restroom and Diaper Changing Procedures
  1. An adult female helper will accompany one child to the Boy/Girl Restrooms in the Children’s Wing. The child enters and the helper waits outside the restroom. (In Preschool, helper props door with foot).  Only one child enters the restroom at a time.
  2. If a child requests or needs assistance, another adult must accompany you into the restroom.
  3. For diaper changing, follow the procedures on each wall.
  4. Only adult females are allowed to change diapers.
  5. Always wear gloves and keep one hand on the baby at all times.
  6. First Aid

Nursery
  1. Let the GraceBabies Staff know if any child in Nursery has obvious signs of illness (refer to the G.O.C. Nursery Health Policy). GraceBabies Staff will talk with the parents.
  2. Let the GraceBabies Staff know if you find toys that are unsafe or broken.

Preschool Church
  1. Supplies for administration of first aid can be found in each classroom. These supplies include Band-Aids, gloves, antiseptic wipes, deodorizing powder, etc.
  2. If the child is bleeding, but can take care of the problem by him or herself, hand them a wet paper towel to apply to the cut (or nose, etc.). If a Band-Aid is needed, open the Band-Aid and hand it to the child to put on him/herself if they feel comfortable doing this.  If the problem is more extensive and needs your assistance, put on gloves first, then help the child.
  3. Immediately tell the Service Coordinator and fill out an incident report.
  4. If there has been a spill of bodily fluids (A.K.A. Vomit, urine etc.), locate the Deodorizing Powder and completely saturate area. Housekeeping staff will vacuum the area when all liquid has been absorbed.  Please alert the Grace Pre-School Staff so an incident report can be filled out.

Identifying Child Abuse and Neglect
5400. If you suspect that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare has been adversely affected by abuse or neglect, immediately report your concerns to the Department of Family and Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400.  (This is a requirement of the Texas Family Code Chapter 261.)  If you feel the child is in immediate danger, notify the on-duty  police officer.
5401. Do not discuss this matter with anyone else.
5402. Don’t quiz the child or make her feel set apart.
5403. Pray a general prayer thanking God that He loves and cares for her, and that He will take care of the child.

Emergencies
  1. Please notice the closest outside exit every time you enter a Children’s room to minister.
  2. Learn where fire alarms are located.
  3. We have emergency escape windows on the first floor. In case of fire, children and adults can exit through these windows.

REMEMBER TO THANK THE LORD FOR WATCHING OVER OUR CHILDREN!