Serving in the Nursery
Welcome to Gospel Foundations
WEPC Nurseries
Thank you for your time serving our precious little ones. We endeavor to create a safe, nurturing place where children birth through age three can play, relax, and spend time on Sunday mornings. We want to allow parents to freely worship knowing that their children are well cared for in the nursery.
The first time working as a Member Worker
Six months after an individual joins the church, they are placed on a Nursery team. The Sunday you are assigned, arrive by 8:50 (for first service) or 10:15 (for late service) when you will be assigned to a Nursery room by the Coordinator. If you ever feel ill-equipped or need explanation, please talk with the Room Leader, the Nursery Coordinator or one of the Nursery Directors.
Nursery Organization
With over 170 children age 3 and younger, we have a very large nursery made up of several age-specific rooms.
The Beginning: birth to about 12 months
The Ark: 12—18 months
The Mountain: 18-24 months
The Great Sea: 2—2 1/2 years old
The Wild Earth: 2 1./2—3 years old
The Valley: 3—3 1/2 years old
The Shore: 3 1/2—4 years old
Scheduling
The nursery is staffed by two nursery directors, eight coordinators, many room leaders and numerous members. Every church member serves in the nursery on a rotating basis. Your team will be scheduled to work approximately once every eight weeks.
Should there be a conflict with your schedule, it is your responsibility to find a substitute. Most church members are happy to trade weeks when necessary. You can call someone listed on your mailing, or access the schedule through the church website www.wepc.org.
Once a sub is found, please notify your nursery coordinator.
Curriculum
Gospel Foundations uses “A Sure Foundation” for the Ark and Mountain rooms. This curriculum provided by Children Desiring God publishers. The Toddler rooms use “See Jesus,” a curriculum provided by “Great Commission Publications.” The room leaders are trained in using and teaching the lessons.
Nursery Activities
Birth to 12 months (mobile): Young children grow so quickly in the first few years. Gospel Foundations provides age-appropriate areas for infants through preschoolers. The Beginning Nursery (Room 111) has swings, bouncy seats, exersaucers, and sensory toys for the babies. Please help babies to separate from their parents by creating a warm atmosphere in the Beginning Nursery. Singing songs, playing “peek-a-boo,” and snuggling are all ways to help infants feel secure. Check the clipboard for special instructions for the children – a baby may need a bottle at a particular time, or the parent may have left a tip on how to soothe the child. Comfort items such as a pacifier, special toy or blanket may also help babies feel at ease. There is also a quiet crib room for needed naps.
Ages 12 – 24 months: The Ark and Mountain rooms have toys to reinforce motor skills such a push toys and soft climbing cushions as well as a variety of fun toys. These children enjoy “cause and effect” play like building (and knocking over) blocks, fitting puzzle pieces together, and reading stories with an adult.
Ages 24 – 48 months: The toddler rooms have toys to stimulate imaginative play as well as fine motor skills. Toddlers enjoy dramatic play, building, coloring, puzzles, and books.
Emergencies
Should there be a situation involving a child during the service, the parent will be notified when the child’s nametag number is flashed on the screen. If a child cries or fusses inconsolably for 10 minutes, we will page the parent. In the case of an accident, an accident report will be completed and kept on file at the church. Simple first aid kits are available in the nursery. In the case of a fire alarm, the children will exit the building through the crib room door and proceed to the fence. Parents will pick up their children outside the building. Church deacons and elders will report to the nursery to assist in evacuating the children in a quick and orderly fashion.
Keeping Everyone Healthy
We aim to maintain a safe and healthy nursery. All volunteers must wash their hands immediately upon entering the nursery. Nursery workers should wipe all toys that have been used that morning with Clorox wipes. In order to keep our nursery healthy, we ask that parents would not place their child in the nursery if he/she has had a fever, ongoing diarrhea or an unidentified rash in the past 24 hours. Should the nursery coordinator or room leader feel that a child may have a fever, we will take a temperature with an ear thermometer and page the parent if the child needs to leave the nursery. Babies and children are welcome to sit with their parents during the service.