General Policies Food Policies H

General Policies
Food Policies
Health Policies
Safety and Assurance Policies
Classroom Management
Caregiver Qualifications
How Parents Can Help

General Policies

The nursery opens 15 minutes prior to services and other scheduled events.

Children are to be brought to their age-appropriate room by their parent and will only be released to their parent or other “safe adult” listed on registration form.

Parents should pick up their children immediately following the service or event they have been attending.

Please have your child’s belongings properly labeled.

This includes: diaper bag, bottles, pacifiers, drinking cups, coats, blankets

Any items that are not labeled will be labeled by your child’s caregiver.

Children should not bring personal toys to the nursery.

Food Policies

Infants will be fed formula, milk, juice or water as provided in bottles. Warming instructions, if any, should be conveyed on the Baby Information Card. Please label each bottle with your child’s name.

We will be happy to feed your child the food you provide. Please include bibs, spoons, straws or other necessary items in his/her bag. Food for toddlers must be cut into bite size pieces.

Medications cannot be given by nursery personnel.

Toddlers will be served a snack of juice and crackers when appropriate. If your child is allergic to anything, please notify your caregiver and fill out an allergy label.

Mothers who are nursing may do so in the nursery.

Health Policies

For the protection of your child and the other children, parents are requested not to bring a child who appears to be ill. A child should not be placed in the nursery when any of the following exists:

Fever -- currently or within previous 24 hours,

Vomiting or diarrhea,

Significant, persistent nasal drainage which is green or yellow in color,

Any symptom of a childhood disease, such as scarlet fever, German measles, mumps or chicken pox,

Common cold, Sore throat, Any unexplained rash,

Any skin infection, Pink eye or other eye infection.

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.

If your child has a physical condition which may require specialized intervention or precaution, please contact the Director of Nursery and Preschool Ministries at 972-296-7700 to discuss special arrangements. We are happy to accommodate your child in any way.

If your child develops an infectious disease (chicken pox, etc.) after he/she has been in the nursery, please contact the Director of Nursery and Preschool Ministries at 972-296-7700, so we may notify other parents of their child’s exposure.

Toys used by the children are washed at the end of each session and at other times that are necessary.

Safety Assurance Policy & Registration

We have a security system in place to protect your children. When you bring your child to the nursery, you should sign your child in on the Nursery Registry, write his/her name on the sticker with the coordinating number, then give your child to the caregiver.

When signing in your child on the Nursery Registry form, it is extremely important that the information is accurate and complete. Please use the "Special Instructions" space to write anything you feel the caregiver should know about your child during his/her stay at the nursery.

Additionally, we ask that parents remain at the door of each classroom. It would compromise our Security Procedure should we allow free entry into the rooms.

It is our goal to create and maintain a safe, clean and loving place for our members and visitors to bring their children.

Classroom Management

The behavior of children while in the nursery will be managed in a manner that will protect their self-esteem and that will encourage children’s independence, creativity and ability to mature and be nurtured in the growing knowledge of God’s love.

Every attempt will be made to soothe a crying infant or child. In the event an infant/child cries inconsolably, the parent will be notified to assist.

Children are expected to follow the directions given by their caregiver. Any correction needed will be done in a positive manner. Parents are expected to encourage their children to follow directions given by a caregiver.

Caregiver Qualifications

In addition to meeting the requirements of the job description for the caregiver, persons working in Nursery Ministries at Southwest Harvest Church shall:

Enjoy being with children.

Show patience and love for children.

Have childcare skills which include: diaper changing, bottle feeding, cup feeding, holding, burping, soothing and engaging in play.

Our goal for 2008 is to have all nursery caregivers CPR and First Aid Certified.

We ask parents and volunteers to volunteer in the nursery once every month.

How Parents Can Help

To assist your child in adjusting to his/her surroundings, bring him/her to church on a regular basis.

Sign-in your child properly by completing all of the information on the Nursery Registry.

Be sure to label ALL of your child’s belongings clearly and place our diaper bag tag on the diaper bag. Always bring a change of clothing in case of spills or accidents.