Emmaus Lutheran Church welcomes you to our Nursery. Our Focus is to provide a safe and nurturing Christian environment for your young child through age 5. Emmaus loves to see the children attending church, but understands that it is not always possible. The Emmaus Nursery is available on Sundays during the Education Hour at 9:45 and during the 11:00 worship service.
Your child is important to
us and we will do our best to meet their needs when left in our care. Emmaus
is committed to quality care and we are always available to talk with parents
to ensure that those high standards are being met.
If you are new to our Nursery, we hope you will introduce yourself to us so that together we may build a Christ-centered relationship focusing on your child.
Mission Statement
Emmaus’ Nursery wants to love people to Christ by providing a Christ-like environment for small children, ages birth through 5 years, to be safe in the care of loving servants of the Savior.
Purpose
Our purpose is to create a safe and friendly environment where children and their families know God’s love through caring volunteers, play and other meaningful activities.
We want to bring families of young children together to serve God through our children by building small group relationships and friendships!
Mark 10:16
How the Nursery Operates
Please note the nursery is designed only for children birth through 5 years old. Your cooperation with this guideline is appreciated.
Nursery Workers
- All nursery caregivers are trained in policy and procedures of the Nursery by a core Nursery team member.
- Any youth volunteers will be trained and supervised by the adult caregivers. Also the youth volunteers will only be allowed to volunteer during the late service, in order for them to attend Education hour.
Nursery Procedures
- Volunteers-Policies and Procedures
- Diapering
- Blood-borne Pathogen Exposure Universal Precautions
- Child Abuse and Neglect/detection and Prevention
- Room Care
Above procedures are posted in the Nursery
and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Parent’s Policies and Procedures
Check-In
- When entering, have child ready (coats and boots removed, etc.)
- All children register at door in hallway
- If coming for the education hour please arrive at 9:40 so that everyone can be on time.
- Put name tag on your child’s back (if you think your infant will need a nap please put their name on the front)
- Also put a label on your bag if you brought one and any cups or other personal items.
- Children must be signed in by the parent/guardian (please do not expect workers to take care of it).
- If you are new to the Nursery, please allow enough time to fill out a registration card.
Check-Out
Only parent/guardian is allowed to pick up (unless otherwise noted on sign-in sheet)
Family Registration
- All parents/guardians need to fill out a family registration form.
- Registration forms are available in the Nursery.
- The forms contain valuable information that will help inform the Nursery caregivers of any allergy or other medical concerns regarding your child.
Volunteering
- Emmaus Nursery Ministry is always looking for loving caregivers to help play with Emmaus children 2 hours (or less) a month.
- We are always in need of people with new ideas to help continue the ministry of the Emmaus Nursery.
Psalm 63:8
Availability Policy
- Available for children up to 5 years old.
- Open during Education Hour and late service.
- We will post when it will be available for holiday services and special events.
Illness/Sickness Policy
- We ask that you keep your child at home with any of the following symptoms and/or illnesses:
|
Fever greater than 100.8 Runny Nose (that is not clear) Questionable Rashes Coughing Diarrhea |
Impetigo Active Chicken Pox Measles Mumps Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) |
- If your child is being treated with antibiotics, he/she should be on medication for at least 24 hours before coming to the Nursery. No medicine of any kind will be administered by any Nursery Worker.
- If your child has a continually clear, runny nose or rash due to non-contagious allergies, please let us know. We realize that some symptoms hang on long after the child is no longer contagious. Remember that we want all of our babies/toddlers to remain healthy and happy!
Suggestions
What to tell your child when leaving at the Nursery:
- This is your special time to worship (play with friends)
- You will be safe until I get back
- I/We feel good about your being here, you can tell me about your time here when I/We get back.
- You can ask any grown-up (volunteer) a question
Adjust Time
- Nursery workers will only let your child cry 10 minutes. If your child is still inconsolable, someone will locate you.
- Come a few minutes before Education hour to accommodate everyone getting to their places on time. For service you can come right at the beginning or come in when your child needs their own worship time.
- Find one Nursery worker to introduce your child to so he/she feels comfortable when you leave.
Diaper Bag Contents for Nursery Children:
- A small diaper bag or sack that will fit easily in the Nursery Shelves
- One or two bottles as needed (please label your bottles permanently with your child’s first and last name)
- Snack for crawler to toddler age (snacks are provided unless child needs something specific)
- Extra diapers (disposable are preferred)
- Pacifier (labeled or clip-on)
- Change of clothes
- Wipes
- Your child’s favorite blanket or lovey!
What NOT to bring:
- Medicine of any kind. If your child needs any medication at all, it must be administered by the parent.
- Personal Toys
The Nursery is comfortably equipped with blankets, burp cloths, etc. It is often difficult to track down the items that personally belong to your child, especially when they resemble the Nursery supply.
and so I will praise you.”
Psalm 63:3