FISHERS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH EARLY CHILDHOOD MINISTRY TRAINING

FISHERS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH EARLY CHILDHOOD MINISTRY TRAINING 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome to FUMC Early Childhood Ministry!...3 What to Expect as a Volunteer 4 Volunteer Training Checklist.6 Supplies and Resources: Name Badges/Supply Closet/Lesson Materials.6 Check-in/check-out Procedures: Current/New/Locations/Labeling/Troubleshooting.6 Safety and Security: Radio/EAP/Health Policy/Lock-door Policy/Sanitation..6 Schedule: Review of Classrooms/Arrival Time/Volunteer Replacements.6 Room Assignments: Labeling/New Logos..6 A TEAM Approach 7 Policies and Procedures...8-10 Sick Child/Health Policy..8 Injury Policy...8 Safety during Services..8 Radio Communications 8 What to do with Emotionally Upset Children.8-9 Parent Notification System 9 Check-in/out Procedure (Current/New).9 Emergency Procedures.9 Clean-up/Sanitation Procedures 10 Discipline Procedure...10 Snack Time.10 Diaper Changing..10 Restroom Rules 10 Outdoor Playtime...10 Room Assignments.11 The Four Minute Parent Perspective.12 2

Welcome to the Backyard Early Childhood Ministry at FUMC! Dear Friend, Jesus said, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:14 The Children s Ministry of Fishers United Methodist welcomes you as an integral part of the important ministry of bringing children to an understanding of God s Love for them. Each week our goal is to prayerfully, relationally, and creatively bring children to an understanding of the lessons from God s Word. Your role in this ministry is to pray for the children, build relationships with the children, and creatively apply God s Word to their lives. Each week, leaders are needed to serve in many ways to help this to happen. I believe that Children s Ministry is the most important ministry in the church and deserves to have the most talented and gifted leaders leading the children. I want you to know that I will be praying for you, helping to provide you with the tools to be successful, encouraging you in those challenging moments, and offering opportunities to equip you as you serve. I know that you will be a Blessing to others, and you will be blessed. I also know that sometimes things do not go as we had planned and that you will have moments of challenge. I believe that through those challenging moments, even more blessings are in store. Welcome to the Team! Pastor Larry Dear Friend, When I first decided to apply for the position as the Children s Ministry assistant, I had no idea how inspired I would be by the amazing volunteers that we have! It is such a blessing to work with brothers and sisters in Christ who love children and who love God! I look forward to building relationships with all of those currently involved in this ministry and with those who are even now being called to join! I am so excited for what is to come and what has already transpired since becoming a part of the Early Childhood Ministry. God called me to minister to His children and my hope is that I can be light to you all and to the children of our ministry. Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you! Jenica Giffin Children s Ministry Assistant 3

WHAT TO EXPECT AS A VOLUNTEER First, let us welcome you by saying Thank you! It is exciting to watch as volunteers give of their time and talents to make an impact for God s Kingdom. Your involvement in ministry matters to children and their families! We are excited that you have chosen to become a part of making a difference at FUMC! The children s ministry at FUMC is dedicated to providing a safe and loving environment for our young children to Know God, Grow in God s Word, and Show God s Love to the World. We want families to experience and enjoy God, and for Children to move closer to Jesus. You play a vital role in this vision. All volunteers will go through a training process, designed to provide you with the tools to get you off on the right foot. The first step in this process is to fill out the Children s Ministry Volunteer Registration form. Applications can be obtained in Connection Central, in the check-in area, and through the Children s Ministry assistant. You will complete the registration, along with a background check form, and return them to the Children s Ministry mailbox, the front office, or directly to the Children s Ministry assistant. Make sure both forms are completed. We perform a background check on any and all persons involved in ministry. Once the registration and background process has been completed, we will follow-up with an email and/or a phone call to discuss your area(s) of interest and just to get to know you a little better. We have multiple opportunities available including: Infant care Toddler leaders Preschool leaders Check-In and Greeters Infant/Toddler/Preschool Helpers There truly is a place for anyone with a willing heart to serve! 4

Our ministry is currently using an online tool to schedule volunteers and is overseen by the Children s Ministry assistant. Once we have obtained all the proper forms and have discussed with you the area(s) in which you would like to serve, you will receive an email with a link to volunteerspot.com. Through this website, you can look up your scheduled times/days of serving and will receive reminder emails. The Children s Ministry assistant will place you on a rotated schedule through this website and provide you with a monthly volunteer schedule. She will also provide a directory of all the other volunteers in the early childhood ministry. In the event that you are unable to make it on the weekend that you are scheduled, you will have the names and contact information for others that can cover for you. It is common place for volunteers to switch weekends or cover for one another, if you have scheduling conflicts. Typically, you will want to serve within the service that you normally attend. For example, if you normally attend the 9:45 service, you will want to serve along side the families with which you attend. Thank you again for your heart of service and love for Children! Together we will continue to impact families for God s Kingdom! 5

NEW VOLUNTEER TRAINING CHECKLIST Supplies and Resources: Name Badges Supply Closet: Will be unlocked on Sunday) Lesson Materials (all lessons will be coordinated through Pastor Larry or the Children s Ministry assistant.) Review a current lesson Check-in/check-out Procedures: Explain current check-in/out procedure Explain new check-in/out procedure using online tool Location of check-in stations (Door #4) Labeling: Child/parent/belongings labels Safety and Security: Radio Communication Updated Emergency Procedures Sick Child/Health Policy Locked door Policy Sanitation Procedure Schedule: Review schedule of classroom(s) Arrival time 15 minutes prior to service scheduled. Finding Replacements in the event of an absence. Room Assignments New Room labeling New animal logos 6

THE TEAM APPROACH Here at Fishers UMC, we emphasize that being a volunteer in the early childhood ministry is being a part of a wonderful TEAM that serves God and His children! Here are the top 10 things a FUMC Early Childhood Ministry Volunteer should know: 1. Arrive on Time. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled service time. 2. Be Prepared. Lesson guides will be emailed to you a week prior to your service time. 3. Share yourself. Attend the trainings and events. Share prayer requests and stories where God has made a difference in a child s life. We want to know one another! 4. Love the Children. Greet each child by name and introduce them to the other children. 5. Participate. Don t be afraid to let out your inner child. The kids will love it! 6. Safety is essential. Interactions should always be in a group setting. Know the policies and procedures. 7. Discipleship and Discipline belong together. Don t be afraid to use positive instruction and re-directing of behavior. 8. Communicate. Let the Children s Ministry assistant know what you need. Don t be afraid to give feedback and share stories. 9. Be Flexible. Expect to stretch and grow as you learn new things God is working in you and on you. 10. Have Fun! Let God use your gifts and talents to advance His work. 7

POLICY AND PROCEDURES Health Policy: Parents should not bring a child to church who has vomited, had diarrhea, had a fever within the past 24 hours or has a constant cough, headache, or sore throat that are not allergy related. Children should not attend church functions if they have impetigo, pink eye, or head lice. If a child becomes ill while at Sunday school, the direct or assistant director of Children s ministries will notify parents at the first opportunity. Questions about the Health Policy should be directed to the Director of Children s Ministry. Injury Policy: If a child is seriously injured while in Sunday school or other church activity, the parent s of the child will be located immediately. An accident report will be completed by the staff or volunteer in that classroom. The parent s/guardians will receive a copy of the report and a copy will remain at the church. If a child sustains a minor injury, such as a cut or bruise, appropriate first aid measures will be taken and the parents/guardians will be notified verbally at the end of the class or activity. If the child seems upset by the incident, the parents/guardians will be located and brought to class. Safety during Services: All classroom doors will be closed and locked 10 minutes after the start of the service(s). This should allow enough time for check-in. Doors will be opened 5 minutes before the end of the service for any early pick-up. Radio Communication: Both the Director of Children s Ministry and the Children s Ministry assistant will have a radio on them during the Sunday Services. These will be used for communication between themselves and for the needs of the classroom leaders. They will also be used for emergency communication in the event of a weather emergency, uncontrolled dangerous situation, lost child emergency, fire emergency. What to do with Emotionally Upset Children: If a child is upset when the parent drops them off, your volunteers and children s ministry assistant will encourage the parents to continue on to service. They will tell parents that we will contact them out of the service if the child is crying or upset for longer than 15 minutes. (Cont d.) 8

Tips for helping an upset child: Introduce yourself and call the child by name Tell the child about all the fun they will have Walk the child to a specific chair, toy, or activity that they may be interested in Check in on them periodically At pick up, introduce yourself to the parent and share what a great time the child had. Thank them for coming. Parent Notification System: Parents are currently notified using a randomized number system. Parents/guardians will be given a number and if they are needed, that number will be displayed on the sanctuary overhead projectors. Check-in/Out Procedure (Current): Parents will check their children in by marking which service(s) the child will be in the room. The child will be given a sticker name tag/label to wear for the entirety of the time in children s worship. A label should also be filled out and placed on a bag or the child s belongings. Parent s/guardians will checkout their children by initialing under the sign-out column on the attendance sheet. Check in/out procedure (New Electronic): We will be putting in place an electronic online check-in system in the summer of 2013. This system will be shared with the FUMC Preschool/MDO program. It will eliminate the need for attendance sheets. All check-ins for both the TreeHouse and Backyard ministries will take place inside of Door #4 and the children will then be taken to their rooms for drop off. The parents will be responsible for checking in all their children on computers and then printing off labels. (Further information will be available once the system is in place) Emergency Procedures: Fire/Fire Drill(see FUMC Children s Ministry 2013 Emergency Action Plan) Tornado(see FUMC Children s Ministry 2013 Emergency Action Plan) Lost Child(see FUMC Children s Ministry 2013 Emergency Action Plan) Dangerous Situation(see FUMC Children s Ministry 2013 Emergency Action Plan) 9

Clean-up/Sanitation Procedure: Spray hard surfaces with cleaning solution at the end of the session, wash down tables and chairs from snack. Stack chairs on tables and all toys should be put away in their proper areas. Throw away all cups/napkins and recycle paper. Discipline Procedure: Use positive reinforcement and try to redirect the child s behavior. Please notify the Children s Ministry assistant of ongoing issues. Once a child has had three warnings, a meeting with the Director of Children s Ministry and the parents will sit down to discuss a positive solution. Snack Time: Infant Room (only cheerios in nursery) Toddler Room (goldfish/water) Preschool Room (goldfish/water) **Gluten-free snacks will be available upon request or permission from parent** Diaper Changing: Checking/changing diapers ¾ ways through service (women only.) Wear gloves located in diaper stations Utilize the labels to communicate to the parent that their child s diaper has been changed. Place the label on the child s bag Restroom Rules: The nursery and preschool rooms have inclusive restroom facilities. Adults may help the child turn on the light, but should not remain in the restroom with the child. Adults may also assist in hand-washing. Children s ministry volunteers are not potty trainers, but can assist at their own discretion. Outdoor Playtime: There may be opportunities to take the children outside to the playground during the 11:00 service if the weather permits. Coats will need to be labeled. 10

ROOM ASSIGNMENTS Panda Room (118) 8:30, 9:45, & 11:00 Services Infants through 24 months Childcare will be available during all Sunday church services in this room. There will be at least one volunteer during each service to care for and play with your There is an array of age appropriate toys, as well as high-chairs for snacking. The room has two gliders for rocking a sleeping baby. There is a diaper changing station and crib, if needed. There will be a snack provided during each service in this room Tiger Room (121) 9:45 Sunday school Service 24 months through 36 months During this hour, your two year old will enjoy play time, craft(s), and a snack provided by the Children s ministry Lady Bug Room (123) 8:30, 9:45, 11:00 Services Three and four year olds During each service, your child will be involved in worship, a bible lesson, a learning video, crafts, and games associated with that day s lesson. A snack and juice/water will be provided during the 9:45 & 11:00 services. Dolphin Room (124) 9:45 Sunday school Service Pre-K (4-6 year olds) During the 9:45 Sunday school hour, your child will be taught a bible lesson from Group s Hand s On Bible Curriculum. Monkey Room (131) 9:45 Sunday school Service Pre-K (4-6 year olds) 11

THE FOUR MINUTE PARENT PERSPECTIVE Visitors to Fishers UMC church will make attendance decisions based on their child s church experience. If they think the kids like it, they will come back. New visitors and parents perceive the safety, environment, and biblical teachings of the children s ministry based on the four minute pick up period, at the end of service. They decide how they feel and what they think about our church and programming based on the these four critical minutes. Parents look for the following signs: Smiling kids Smiling volunteers Cleanliness Order A great way to promote a positive experience is to simply introduce yourself. Feel free to share what children learned or something special that you observed about their child. Use the four minute pick-up period as an opportunity to demonstrate that their child was involved in an exciting, organized, fun-filled program. You are the ambassador and a few words from you could make the difference in their church experience. 12