NURSERY PARENT HANDBOOK

WELCOME LETTER

Dear Parent:

Welcome to the Lantana’s Little Lambs Nursery Ministry at Lantana Community Fellowship…A Church of the Nazarene. We seek to provide a safe, Christian atmosphere for the youngest members of our church family. We hope that our loving care for your child will allow you to participate in the multitude of opportunities available here at Lantana.

We believe that our children are God’s greatest gift! Lantana’s Little Lambs Nursery Ministry provides special care to infants and toddlers that contributes to their well being and complements and strengthens the Christian nurturing the child experiences at home. We strive to help your child build trusting relationships and feel a sense of belonging by reaching out in love and understanding.

We hope this handbook will convey our commitment to provide a safe, caring environment through trained caregivers and a security system that ensures your child’s safety. Please assist us in reaching this goal by taking time to review and understand our policies. If you have any questions or suggestions, we hope you will call us.

Once again, welcome! We look forward to serving the needs of your family.

Serving Him with you,

Nayurel Robertson
Nursery Coordinator

PURPOSE OF THE NURSERY MINISTRY

Babies are born ready to absorb knowledge of the world and people around them. As Christians, we have the responsibility to teach them about God, His love, and His plan for us. We help introduce the babies to the Bible, God's creation, and to Jesus through the use of upbeat, repetitive songs, and children’s videos with Christian themes.

This nursery ministries purpose is:
· To help each child feel comfortable and special.
· To help each child feel secure with adults who love and care for him/her.
· To help each child learn to play and share with other children.
· To help each child have positive feelings about coming to church.
· To encourage the active participation of parents in worship, Bible study and other activities.

GENERAL POLICIES

1. The nursery opens 15 minutes prior to services and other scheduled events providing childcare.
2. Children are to be brought to the nursery by their parent and will only be released to their parent when they present their numbered pager.
3. Parents should pick up their children immediately following the service or event they have been attending.
4. Please have your child’s belongings properly labeled. This includes:
diaper bag
bottles
pacifiers
drinking cups
coats
blankets
Any items that are not labeled may be labeled by your child’s caregiver.
5. Only plastic bottles clearly labeled with your child’s name and disposable diapers are to be brought to the nursery.
6. Children should leave personal toys at home.

CAREGIVER QUALIFICATIONS

Lantana Community Fellowship…A Church of the Nazarene takes the care of your child(ren) very seriously. As a commitment to your trust in us for the care of your child(ren) we have designated resources to employ two Primary Caregivers. At each of our regularly scheduled services, there will always be one of these primary caregivers on duty.

Primary Caregivers have current certifications in CPR and First Aid. These caregivers create a caring environment of consistency and continuity for your child(ren) by not only being a familiar face but by loving your child(ren), showing patience to them and enjoying being with them.

Lantana Community Fellowship has many people who volunteer for service in the nursery. We call these volunteers our Huggers and Helpers. The Huggers and Helpers provide assistance to the Primary Caregivers by helping with bottle and cup feeding, holding, burping, soothing and engaging in play. We always schedule a minimum of two people to be in the nursery at all times.

When it comes to changing time, only our paid Primary Caregivers are authorized to perform this duty. All caregivers' employed by our church have their references checked. All nursery workers, whether employed or not, have a criminal history check performed.

FOOD POLICIES

Infants will be fed formula, milk, juice or water as provided by their parents in plastic bottles. All bottles should be pre-mixed and poured by the parent. A refrigerator is provided to keep bottles fresh. Please send only plastic bottles in the diaper bag. 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 by the parent.
Toddlers will be served a snack of juice and crackers when appropriate. If your child is allergic to anything, please notify your caregiver.
Medications cannot be given by nursery personnel. Please do not put any type of medication in your child’s bottle.
Mothers who are nursing may do so in the nursery. However, please provide a bottle for your baby in the event your return is delayed.

HEALTH POLICIES

For the protection of your child and the other children in the nursery, 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 to take the child home.
If your child has a physical condition which may require specialized intervention or precaution, please contact the Nursery Coordinator to discuss special arrangements.
If your child develops an infectious disease (chicken pox, etc.) after he/she has been in the nursery, please contact the Nursery Director at 940-383-9323 or the Church Office at 817-224-9200, so we may notify other parents of their child’s potential exposure.
Toys used by the children are washed regularly and at other times that are necessary.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

It is our goal to create and maintain a safe, secure, clean and loving place for our members and visitors to bring their children. Safety and security is an area we have placed a very high emphasis. This is reflected in our Safety and Security protocol and in the fact that we have invested thousands of dollars in a security system for the protection of your child(ren) and of our nursery workers and helpers.

When you bring your child to the nursery, you should sign your child in on the Nursery Registry, and then give your child to the caregiver. The caregiver will issue you a pager with the same number as the one on the Nursery Registry.

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. Be sure to sign your name on the Nursery Registry as well, as we use this for another layer of security.

When you return to pick-up your child, please return your pager to the caregiver. Additionally, we ask that parents remain at the door of the nursery. It would compromise our Security Procedure should we allow free entry into the rooms.

Here are some additional safety and security features of our nursery:
· An emergency phone is readily and quickly accessible to save precious time in the case of an emergency.
· Security cameras record all activity in and around the childcare areas.
· A combination smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector and a fire extinguisher are installed in the nursery area.
· All child accessible electrical outlets have childproof covers installed.

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 the child’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. The parent will be contacted if any child refuses to comply with the caregiver’s direction.

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. Keep your pager in a safe place. You will be asked to produce this when you come for your child.
Be sure to label ALL of your child’s belongings and diaper bag clearly. Always bring a change of clothing in case of spills or soils.

PARENT'S NIGHT OUT

Parent's Night Out is a program offered by Lantana’s Little Lambz Nursery Ministry to the church family and to visitors of the church during the Friday Night Fling events hosted by the Extreme Kidz Children’s Ministry. Parents night out allows parents with elementary age children and/or nursery age children to drop their child(ren) of in a safe, fun, Christian environment while parents enjoy some much needed time together.

The church bulletin will provide the details for these events. If you have a nursery age child you wish to bring to this event you will need to reserve a space at least one week in advance. Please contact the Nursery Coordinator to reserve a spot for your child(ren). To reserve a spot for your child(ren) please make a copy of the Parents Night Out Information Form on the next page, fill it out and either drop it in the offering plate during one of our services at least one week in advance of the event or give it to the Nursery Coordinator.

On the evening of the event, please bring your child(ren) no earlier than 15 minutes prior to the event and pick them up no later than 15 minutes after the event. The nursery will provide a snack, special activities and a Christian based children’s movie.

PARENT'S NIGHT OUT INFORMATION FORM

Event Date:_____________________________

PARENT:_________________________ PHONE:________________________

Child:____________________________ Age:___________________________
Child:____________________________ Age:___________________________
Child:____________________________ Age:___________________________
Child:____________________________ Age:___________________________

Is your child(ren) allergic to any ANYTHING? ___________________________________
If so, what things and which child(ren)? _______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Does your child(ren) have any conditions we should be aware of?______________
If so, what things and which child(ren)? _______________________________________

Child(ren)’s doctor:_________________________ Dr.’s phone#_____________________

In the event of an emergency I hereby approve any Lantana Community Fellowship…A Church of the Nazarene staff member or approved leader to seek appropriate medical attention for my child. I do not hold Lantana Community Fellowship Church of the Nazarene or any staff member or leader financially responsible.

Parent signature____________________________ Date:___________________________

Number where you may be reached during Parent Night Out!__________________

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