Gospel Foundations (Nursery)
Welcome to the WEPC Gospel Foundations (Nursery)!
Please click here for the Nursery Schedule that is posted on the WEPC website.
Please click here for information on serving in the Nursery as a member of the church (i.e. What do I do?)
Please click here for information on serving as a Gospel Foundations Room Leader once a month.
Please click here to download a Nursery Nametag Request Form for your child.
Dear parents,
Thank you for entrusting us with the care of your precious little ones. We endeavor to create a safe, nurturing place where children birth through age three can experience the love of God within the covenant community. This happens through play, bible stories, prayer and a lot more play! Parents can know that as they worship or study in Teaching Fellowships, their child is also hearing the truths of the Gospel in an age-appropriate way.
Nursery Organization
With over 100 children age 3 and younger, we have a very large nursery made up of several age-specific rooms.
(Age groupings change periodically.)
The Beginning: birth to 12 months (or walking)
The Ark: 12 mos. (or walking) to 18 months
The Mountain: 18 – 24 mos.
The Great Sea: 2 – 2 1/2 years old
The Wild Earth: 2 1/2 to 3 years old
The Valley: 3 to 3 1/2 years old
The Shore: 3 1/2 to 4 years old
Nursery Activities
Young children are precious to God and to His church. The WEPC Nurseries strive to welcome and bless children in the name of Jesus. The Beginning Nursery has swings, bouncy seats, exersaucers, and sensory toys for the babies. There is a quiet crib room for needed naps as well as a Nursing Mother’s Room that is equipped with audio of the service. Young Toddler rooms have toys to reinforce motor skills such a push toys and soft climbing cushions as well as a variety of fun toys. These toys help to stimulate imaginative play as well as fine motor skills. No matter what room and what service your child attends, the Gospel will be presented to him/her in an age-appropriate way.
Signing In Procedures
Please be sure to sign your child in and out of each service. There is a clipboard in the doorway of each nursery. Visitors will receive blank numbered nametags, and may complete a nametag request form for a permanent tag. Regular attendees have nametags. Be sure your child is wearing his nametag on the back of his clothing. You retain the other nametag which you will present when you pick up your child. There is a number on your child’s nametag. Should we need to reach you during the service you will see your child’s number displayed in the lower corner of the screen. Please report to the nursery immediately.
Leadership
The nursery is staffed by three nursery directors, eight coordinators, over 40 room leaders and hundred of church members. Every church member serves in the nursery on a rotating basis. Jennifer Tomenendal , Blair Brown and Amy Gill are leading this ministry.
What to Bring
Children may need items from home during their stay in the nursery. Please pack:
two or more disposable diapers
a pacifier or other item for comfort
and a complete change of clothes. Infants can bring a bottle of milk, formula, juice or water.
Older children can bring a sippy cup, but this will be kept in the bag when not in use.
Allergies
Unless notified, the only snack that WEPC provides are pretzels (ingredient list can be found here). If your child has food allergies please make sure that his/her name tag is clearly labeled with that information. Carefully communicate with the nursery workers each week to make sure that your child’s health concerns are understood. If your child has an allergy, you can provide a small snack.
Emergencies
Should there be a situation involving your child during the service, you will be notified when your 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, your children will exit the building through the nursery. Pick up your children at the fence on the west side of the building. DO NOT report to the nursery to collect your child during a fire alarm. 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. The rooms are cleaned on a weekly basis, and the toys are wiped down with disinfecting cloths at the end of the 10:30 service each Sunday. In order to keep our nursery healthy, we ask that parents not place their child in the nursery if he/she has had a fever of 100.4 or greater, an unidentified rash or abdominal distress in the past 48 hours. Should the nursery coordinator feel that a child may have a fever, we will page the parent.
Restless Worshippers Room
Babies and children are welcome to sit with their parents during the service. We believe that children are part of the worshipping community and should help to lead their older brothers and sisters to worship the Heavenly Father.
Should a parent decide to take his/her child out of the service, there is a “Restless Worshippers” Room where people can sit and listen to the audio of the service. This is located at Room 109, next to the Beginning Nursery.