Church Nurseries: How to Know When It's Time to Take Your Child and What to Look for When You Do
You’ve had your baby, all is going well, and now you’re ready to return to church. But what does that mean for your little one? Do you keep him with you during service, prepared to make a quick exit if he cries or needs a diaper change? Or do you drop her in the church nursery for a volunteer to watch while you participate in the service?
Some parents prefer to keep their babies with them in service as long as they can; others prefer (or need - especially if they have a role during the service) to drop their kids off as soon as they can. So what should you consider before dropping your child off at the nursery? Here’s a short list of things to look for in a church nursery and a few things you can do to make it easier on the staff when you drop-off your child.
Church rules: Some churches have age limits for nursery participation. Make sure your child is old enough to be in the nursery. Ask if there are other considerations such as immunizations that you should be aware of.
Staff/volunteer requirements. Are nursery staff church staff members or volunteers? Is everyone in the nursery a church member? Has everyone submitted to a background check? Are there at least two adults in the nursery? Are minors allowed to volunteer, and, if so, are they supervised by an adult? Are nursery staff trained in CPR and First Aid?
Check-in procedure. Do you feel welcome when you bring your baby to the nursery? Is the check-in procedure organized? How many children are in the nursery for each worker? What happens if the number of kids exceeds the recommended ratio? What is the age range for each nursery class?
Nursery procedures. What is the nursery’s sick policy? Does the staff provide snacks? Do you need to bring your own snacks? Is there a way to communicate special needs, such as allergies, to the workers? What is the policy if your child has an allergy or other special needs? Will workers feed your baby a bottle if needed? What is the diaper changing policy? Does the nursery have the same workers each week, or do they rotate Sundays?
Communication procedures. How does the nursery staff match you to your child? Do they use nametags, a number system, or another method? How do workers contact you if you’re needed? Do they use a beeper? Assign you a number that they flash on a screen during the service?
Nursery activities. What will your child do while in the nursery? Is the nursery stocked with age appropriate books and toys? Is the area inviting and welcoming to children so your toddler can immediately find something to do after being dropped off? Will the leaders teach and sing songs about God? Are they teaching Bible stories and Bible verses? Do they pray with the children? Remember – your child is never too young to start learning about God’s love!
Safety concerns. Are there any safety concerns in the area? Are choking hazards, food, and cleaning supplies out of reach and locked away? Is there any bedding that could be a hazard to babies?
Check-out procedure. What is the check-out process? Do you need to provide a tag matching your child’s? Is there a list of approved people who can check out your child?
Yes, this list includes a lot of questions! But, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These are, after all, questions you would ask about anyone or any place that you would be dropping off your child for care. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the church’s procedures, and going through these steps helps you get to know the people who will be watching your child while you worship as well!. So, relax now that you know more about the nursery, and think of what you can do to make it easier for the nursery workers – and for a smoother drop-off for your child.
· Give yourself time at drop-off. Give yourself plenty of time. There are likely to be several families dropping children off, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time, especially if you’re a new nursery parent or have any special instructions for the staff.
· Bring a fully-stocked diaper bag. Make sure you have your and your child’s name or initials on the bag as well as items in the bag. Your bag should contain diapers, wipes, a change of clothes in a ziplock bag (if your baby has a blowout, the staff can put his dirty clothes in the ziplock to protect your bag and other items), a pacifier if your baby takes a pacifier, a bottle with breastmilk or formula (let the staff know if it needs to be refrigerated), a favorite toy, and a blanket.
· Be on time for check-out. You may want to stay after the service to chat with friends – especially if this is the first time or two you’ve been back to church since having your baby. But remember, it’s likely most of the adults in the nursery and child care area are volunteers, and they will need to pick up children, get home to fix lunch, etc. So pick up your child right after service is over, then you can meet up with your friends in the lobby.
Dropping your baby off in the church nursery doesn’t have to cause any unnecessary anxiety or stress. Learn the rules, meet the volunteers, be prepared, and enjoy your time to worship. A nursery can be a great introduction to “church” for your little one, but there are so many things you can do at home to teach your baby about God’s love. Visit One by One here for more ideas.