King of Glory Lutheran Church

KING OF GLORY LUTHERAN CHURCH NURSERY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (Final Revision passed by the Christian Education Committee 2/21/17) Final Revision for Council Approval 4/24/17 The purpose of this policy is to provide direction to nursery staff, parents and children. The nursery is intended to be a warm, safe and secure environment for nursery age children and staff. This is the organizational chart of responsible persons:  Pastor, (Head of Staff), reports directly to Church Council  Parish Administrator is supervised by and reports to the Pastor  Nursery Coordinator is supervised by and reports to the Parish Administrator  Approved volunteer nursery coordinators are supervised by and report to the Coordinator and/or the Parish Administrator.

AGES of CHILDREN SERVED: King of Glory nursery is for children only from age 6 months through 60 months. REGISTRATION: Parent/guardian must complete a King of Glory Registration Form prior to placing their child/children in the Nursery. (Appendix A) CHECK-IN GUIDELINES: Parent/guardian must sign in the child/children on the Sign-In/ Sign-Out Form. (Appendix B)

Parent/guardian must check-in the child’s personal belongings with the Coordinator. Personal belongings must be labeled with the child’s name.

Unless special circumstances apply (e.g. food allergies), the children will be given a simple snack (e.g. animal crackers) provided by the nursery. Parents should not bring food into the nursery.

of 6 At check-in, a parent/guardian must inform the Nursery Coordinator if the child has been given medication. This is to alert the Nursery Coordinator regarding possible adverse drug reactions. CHECK-OUT GUIDELINES: A parent/guardian will sign the child/children out on the Sign-In /Sign-Out Form. (Appendix B). The child/children will be released only to the person authorized on the child’s Registration Form. (Appendix A) The parent/guardian or authorized person noted on the child’s Registration Form will remove the child’s personal belongings.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: The Nursery has no sleeping facilities. If a child falls asleep in the nursery, Coordinator will attempt to accommodate the sleeping child. If the Coordinator cannot safely care for the Sleeping child, the parent/guardian will be asked to remove the child.

A parent/guardian with sleeping children can utilize the Cry Room.

All children in the nursery, who are able to walk, must wear shoes.

DIAPERING/RESTROOM: When a child needs diapering and/or toileting the Coordinator will change diapers or escort the child to the restroom. If special circumstances apply, the parent/guardian must discuss them with the Coordinator in advance.

DISCIPLINE: If there is a behavior problem with a child, the Coordinator must inform the parent/guardian of the problem. The Coordinator must also complete an Incident/Accident Report Form (Appendix C) that will be given to the Parish Administrator. If discipline problems continue, the child may have to remain out of the Nursery for a period of time. If a child has received a Nursery restriction, the Pastor must be informed.

ILLNESS: Sick children, the Coordinator, and nursery coordinators with any of the following signs/symptoms must not be admitted into the nursery: Fever within the last 24 hours; fever > 98.60 F. Vomiting and/or diarrhea within the last 24 hours

Any signs/symptoms of the following communicable infections/diseases:

of 6 o Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) or other eye infection o Chicken pox; Fifth’s disease; Hand Foot and Mouth disease; Measles/Rubella; Mumps, etc. o Sore throat o Croup o Other Upper Respiratory infections, including colored runny nose o Lice, including the presence of nits (eggs); Scabies

If the Coordinator suspects a child is sick or does not meet the standards of this Illness policy, the Coordinator will contact the parent/guardian to remove the child from the nursery.

MEDICATION: The Nursery Coordinator must not administer medicine to any child in the nursery.

ADMITTANCE TO THE NURSERY: To minimize disruption, maintain a safe environment, and ensure that the Coordinator and Coordinator/s can give their full attention to the children, only the following people will have access to the nursery during times of operation: 1. Nursery Coordinator and Parish Administrator

2. Nursery coordinator/s

3. Children between the ages of 6 months through 60 months.

4. Parent/guardian or authorized persons. (We recognize that it takes a few minutes for parents to drop off their kids and get them settled.) SAFETY AND SECURITY: The parent/guardian must remain on church grounds during the time their child/children are in the nursery.

In the event a parent/guardian attends a church function that is held off church grounds, special arrangements to provide child care must be made in advance.

Child/children must never be left unattended while in the Nursery. Children must be supervised by the Coordinator at all times.

Doors and safety gates should be kept closed to prevent children from leaving the nursery area.

Doors to the nursery must be locked when the nursery is not in operation.

of 6 Sharp objects, choking hazards, hot food and drinks, electrical items such as radios, television, VCR’s, fans, and cleaning agents must be kept out of the reach of the children. Toys will be chosen with awareness of age and developmental capabilities of the children. Toys small enough for babies to choke on or toys that may be too far advanced for a five-year old must not be in the Nursery. No stuffed or plush toys will be allowed in the nursery.

Toys and furniture must be checked for safety to prevent accidental injury. If a toy is broken or hazardous in any way, it must be removed from the play area.

Toys and equipment must be disinfected regularly.

Any accidents that occur must be documented on the Incident/Accident Report Form (Appendix C) and turned into the Parish Administrator.

AVAILABILITY OF NURSERY CARE: The Nursery Coordinator must:  Arrive 30 minutes prior to the first (1st) worship service to prepare the nursery, greet parents/guardians and children, register and check- in children, and answer any questions.  Remain in the nursery thorough out the church service(s),  Remain on site for 15 minutes after the last Worship service ends to close the nursery.

The Coordinator should try and be available for special church functions requiring a nursery when approved by the Parish Administrator. Parents/guardians desiring nursery care for such special functions must request reservations from the Parish Administrator two (2) weeks in advance of the function. Nursery care may be provided if church functions occur off-grounds when approved by the Parish Administrator. The nursery will not be available for use by non-church organizations and/or non-church functions that are using the church building. If the Coordinator or approved adult Coordinator Is not available in the nursery, the nursery will remain locked. CARE STAFF:

of 6 Prior to working in the nursery, the Coordinator and Nursery Coordinators, must have a background check and must maintain current First Aid and Infant/Child CPR certification. (Appendices E and/or F) Documentation will be held and monitored by the Parish Administrator. In addition, teenage Nursery Coordinators must successfully complete an approved Babysitting Course prior to volunteering in the Nursery. (Appendix F) Teens may use these hours towards their Community Service requirements.

When the nursery is open, the Coordinator must be in attendance along with at least one Nursery Coordinator. SHIFT/STAFF REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS:

Nursery Coordinator/Coordinators must wear name tags while on duty. Nursery Coordinator/Coordinators must be alert at all times. If the Nursery Coordinator is unable to be present, she will notify the Parish Administrator and the Administrator will secure an adult substitute from the approved Nursery Care Staff list. (Appendix G) At the completion of nursery care for the day, all equipment must be cleaned and returned to its storage location. The Coordinator and Coordinator/s will complete a time sheet at the end of each shift. The Coordinator will authorize teen Coordinator’s time sheet. The Parish Administrator must sign off on the Coordinator’s time sheet before submitting it to the Treasurer for payment on the last Sunday of each month. At no time is any nursery care staff person to hit, kick, pinch, shake or otherwise harm a child. No form of verbal or emotional abuse will be tolerated. Any actions that constitute physical abuse, verbal or emotional abuse or punishment, must be immediately reported to the Parish Administrator and Pastor. Mandatory Reporting: if the Coordinator and/or Coordinator has reason to suspect or believe a child under the age of 18 years of age is being abused, abandoned, neglected or observes a child being abused, abandoned or neglected the Coordinator and/or Coordinator must report such observations to the Parish Administrator and Pastor immediately. A report must be filed with Department of Health & Welfare – Child Protection within 24 hours. If the Coordinator and/or Coordinator have concerns for the child’s safety, she/he must immediately report the concerns to the Parish Administrator and Pastor. (Appendix D: Idaho Statue: 16-1605)

of 6 If the Coordinator or Coordinators do not meet the requirements and expectations as stated in this document, the Parish Administrator will report such to the Church Council for further action.

Revised 4/24/16