Sheffield Methodist Church is delighted to welcome your child to our nursery. It is our goal to always provide a safe, loving, Christian atmosphere for all children placed in our care. Nursery care is offered during all meetings and services that involve our entire church family. Care is also offered upon request for other events including small group meetings, Bible studies, adult fellowship nights, etc.
Age Groupings
The age limit for the Nursery Department is birth up to beginning kindergarten. However, we often divide the children into various age appropriate groups as needed. This includes infants, creepers, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Staff
There will always be at least two adults present with our children and all children in the nursery will be supervised by at least one paid employee at all times. Volunteers will be used to maintain a child/adult ratio of 1:3. All paid staff will be at least 18 years old and be trained in CPR and First Aid. All staff (paid and volunteer) will be trained in the Safe Sanctuary policy of Sheffield Methodist and have a clean criminal background check.
Drop off / Pick up
Parents and guardians are asked to sign their child in when they drop off at the nursery. Please be sure the nursery coordinator has your cell number on file. In the event they need to reach you, she will text your cell phone. If you will not be the one picking up your child, please let the nursery coordinator know who will be picking them up. Upon returning to the nursery to pick up your child, please sign him/her out.
Illness Policy
Please do not bring your child to the nursery if he/she has had fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or infection within the last 24 hours. Your child must be fever/symptom free without pain reliever/fever reducer for 24 hours. If your child displays symptoms of illness while in the nursery, you will be notified immediately. No medication will be administered by Sheffield Methodist staff or volunteers at any time.
Diapering/Toilet training
Please send several diapers/pull ups with your child each time they visit the nursery. If your child is being potty trained, we ask that you include a change of clothes in the event your child has an accident.
Snacks / Feeding
A developmentally appropriate snack will be provided for the children staying in the nursery. This may include, but is not be limited to, gold fish, fruit gummies, Gerber First Food puffs. Please feel free to send a different snack if you prefer. If you send a bottle or sippy cup with your child, please be sure these are clearly labeled with your child’s name. Children without their own cup will be offered juice or water in a small Dixie cup. A refrigerator is available for bottles to be stored as needed.
Diaper Bag / Backpacks
When you drop your baby off at the nursery, please be sure to leave a bag including, any items your child will need. Please consider the following: diapers, wipes, bottle or sippy cup, pacifier (if you allow one), blanket or other item child might need for comfort, a change of clothes. Be sure your bag and the non-consumable items in it are labeled. Please do not send toys with your child. We have a wide assortment of toys for all ages. We would hate for your child’s favorite item to be lost or broken while in the nursery.
Information Cards
We will keep an information card about your child on file in the nursery. The information will be kept confidential and is for our records only. We ask that you complete this card at the child’s first visit to the nursery and update it as needed. This card will include your contact information as well as allergy alerts and other information helpful to our nursery staff.
Incidents / Accidents
If your child displays aggressive behavior towards another child, you will be texted and asked to come to the nursery immediately. Until you arrive, your child may be separated from the other children. If your child is the victim of aggressive behavior while in our nursery, the nursery coordinator will make you aware of the situation when you pick your child up, unless the skin is broken and/or your child is bleeding. If that is the case, you will be texted immediately.
If your child has an accident resulting in a minor injury, the staff will inform you of all the details when you pick up your child. In the event immediate attention is needed, we will text you or personally come to get you.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding the nursery policies of Sheffield Methodist or if you have suggestions for amending or adding policies, please contact the Director of Children’s Ministry at 256-383-2124