Dear Parents, What a joy it is to have your child in our Preschool Ministry. Our Preschool Ministry does more than provide a baby-sitting service. We believe that it is possible to share the love of Christ with children beginning at birth. We are extremely proud of our facilities and loving teachers who serve faithfully. Teaching is provided each Sunday morning and evening during worship services, and on Wednesday evenings during Splash. Your preschooler is a very special person who deserves nothing less than the best loving care available. In order to ensure your child this quality care, we have included in this brochure some guidelines to help us meet your child’s needs. Your cooperation will help us maintain our high standards for hygiene and efficiency necessary for the proper care of your little one. If you ever have any questions or suggestions concerning our Preschool Ministry, or would like to tour our facilities, please call me at 678.818.1025. In His Service,
Lori Kurz Preschool Minister Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church
Table of Contents Purpose of our Preschool Ministry 1 Maps 3 The Diaper Bag 4 General Policies 5 Preschool Programming 9 Health & General Hygiene Policies 11 Volunteer 16
Purpose of our Preschool Ministry “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Luke 2:52 Our goals for the growth of preschoolers are based on the fact that preschoolers grow just as Jesus grew – mentally (in wisdom), physically (in stature), socially/emotionally (in favor with man), and spiritually (in favor with God). Therefore we seek to: • Lay a strong spiritual foundation in the life of each preschooler we teach, with the hope that when older, each child will accept Christ as Savior. • Help preschoolers begin to understand: God is creator Jesus is God’s Son and our best friend; and the Bible is the true, special book that tells about God and Jesus. • Make church a happy, clean and safe place to learn Bible truths. • Provide activity-based teaching, which includes Bible-learning activities that allow preschoolers to make progress in problem solving, sharing, and expressing themselves in appropriate ways, thinking of others with kindness, and learning to love others as themselves. • Partner with the home in nurturing the spiritual growth of the young child. • Encourage parents/guardians to actively participate in worship, Bible study, fellowship, and ministry opportunities. OUR ACTIVITY-BASED TEACHING APPROACH
Preschoolers are children from birth through Kindergarten. They can be described in one word: ACTIVE! They are constantly exploring their environment and actively learning. Because preschoolers are always learning, we are always teaching. Preschoolers need to be challenged with activities for which they are ready and which help them grow as Jesus grew – in body, mind and spirit.
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 instructs adults to teach children as they go about the everyday, familiar activities of life. This biblical principle is implemented at church as we utilize all or some of the following Bible teaching activities for all age levels of preschoolers: Books, puzzles, art, blocks, home living, dramatic play, nature, and music. Each activity is planned to help children learn a Bible truth. The active involvement of Christian teachers is essential; otherwise the children’s play has no spiritual purpose. The teacher uses Bible phrases, verses, stories, pictures, songs, and Bible conversation at appropriate times so children can relate the Bible truth to what they are doing. In this way preschoolers learn that the Bible has meaning for daily living. God seeks to make Himself known to persons of all ages through whatever means they can become more aware of Him. God designed preschoolers to learn through: Play, Imitation, Relationships, Curiosity, Senses, Satisfaction, Repetition, and Hands-On Experience. Activity teaching, planned by intentional teachers, allows preschoolers to learn in the ways God intended.
2
Our Preschool Hallways • Main Welcome lobby for guest registration, complete with a large aquarium and play area • A nursing room is available during all services in room 314 Rooms 332-342 Babies – 24 months Rooms 324-331 Two’s – Three’s Rooms 305-323 Fours, Fives, Kindergarten
343 341 339 337 333
331
329
327
325
3
340 338 336
Nursing Room Room 314 Welcome Center Kiosk
342
301
303
305
306
307
308 310
309
334 332
315
314
330
316
328
318
326
320
311
317
319
321
323 324
322
The Diaper Bag We encourage you to pack: • An extra change of clothing for children under the age of three • Diaper changing supplies, disposable diapers only please, and wipes. LABELING
Please label with masking tape and a “Sharpie” all items belonging to your child with his or her full name. We have diaper bag tags available. FEEDING
Infants will be fed formula, milk, and/or juice when provided by parents. Parents should prepare these liquids in plastic feeding bottles at home. Time and circumstances do not allow for other types of feeding on Sunday morning. Toddlers through four year olds will be fed a snack of water and cookies while parents attend Sunday morning worship. If your child is allergic to cookies please bring an alternate snack for your child. ALLERGIES
Preschoolers will often taste items as part of the learning experience. Any food items to be consumed will be posted on the door. Please alert your child’s teacher of any known allergies. Please fill out allergy alert sticker at each service. NURSING MOTHERS
A nursing room for mothers of nursing children is provided in the preschool area during child care hours.
4
General Policies
SECURITY
Here at Eagle’s Landing our first priority is the safety and well-being of your children. We continuously work to provide a well protected environment by requesting background and personal reference checks on all of our adult leaders. We also provide a secure check-in/drop-off system that will help to insure that only you the parents, and adults authorized by you may pick up your child. SECURITY PROTOCOL
Every child is required to have a security sticker on their person before they can enter into a classroom. You may pick up a first time guest sticker at our Welcome Center Kiosk. Each time you attend you will need to pick-up a security sticker to place your child in class. Once you have decided to become a regular attendee of Eagle’s Landing we will introduce you into our computer security check-in system. We will issue you a barcode that will allow you to check in your child and receive a printed security sticker and a pick-up parent tag. When you arrive at your child’s class to pick them up, you will give your parent tag to the leader in the class and the parent tag number is matched to your child’s number. The numbers printed on the security sticker and the parent tag is random printed numbers that print out each time you check in. No individual family is assigned a number; therefore, no one can memorize your number and try to pick-up a child. Never leave a child in a preschool classroom unless a teacher is there to receive the child. Your child’s teacher will have a name tag that will identify themselves as the teacher of the classroom. Never assume that an adult in the classroom is the teachers, they could be a parent waiting for the teacher to arrive.
5
Again, no child may enter into a class room without a security sticker on them, if someone tries to put a child in class without a security sticker they will be sent to the Welcome Center Kiosk to be assisted with the check-in process. To ensure your child’s safety, older siblings under 15 may not pick up your child. If another adult must pick up your child, please pass the parent tag on to that adult. Children will not be released without the proper parent-tag. Eagle’s Landing also has two uniformed officers on campus during Sunday activities, and a volunteer staff of security personal that assist in making our campus safe. We are equipped with communication radios if an emergency arises. PICK UP
Picking Children Up For the safety of all of our children in the room, we encourage parents to remain at the door when bringing and picking up their children. Knock gently at your child’s classroom door and be ready to show your security parent tag. It is helpful to allow the teacher to bring your child to the door for you. CUSTODY ISSUES
If there is a custody issue, please notify our Preschool Minister to assist you in extra safety precautions. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
In an emergency situation such as fire, and or weather related emergencies, the staff and volunteers here at ELFBC have been trained to execute the plans and policies that have been established by our Leadership.
6
• Fire: Children and teachers will follow evacuation procedures. Children will be taken out of the building by their teachers and will meet parents in the parking lot. • Tornadoes: Children in rooms with windows will be moved to rooms on the inside hallways nearest their own classroom location and will stay until an all clear alert is given. Please do not attempt to come find your child and take them out of the building. You and your child are much safer staying inside the building until the tornado has past and the all clear has been given. • Health or serious injury: At ELFBC we have key staff members, plus several volunteers that are trained in CPR/FIRST AID or designated health professionals that will be alerted to assist during a health emergency. We also have two uniform officers on campus at all times on Sunday. In the unlikely event a child sustains a serious injury, the parents will be notified immediately and 911 will be summoned at the advice of the health professional. • Minor Bumps: If your child sustains a minor injury (bumps, bruise, scrape) our staff will treat the injury with first aid and the parents will be notified when the child is picked up. PROMOTION
Babies – 24 months are transferred to older classes within the department as they mature and develop in ability to adapt to the older groups. Our Two’s – Kindergarten department promote annually by age. Parents will be notified when it’s time to transfer a younger preschooler to another classroom. Of course, parents’ wishes are always considered, so if you feel your preschooler is ready to be promoted, please contact the Preschool Minister.
7
Playground An outdoor playground is provided for use during the second Bible Study hour. • Playground Policies: a. The playground is located adjacent to the back parking lot. It is fenced and only accessible through a locked gate. b. The playground is designed for Babies through 5th Grade. c. Adult supervision is required for children using the playground at any time. (The “Two Adult Rule” applies for use during church activities.) d. No rough play or misuse of equipment will be permitted. e. Damaged equipment and other hazards should be reported immediately to the Preschool Minister or Children’s Pastor.
8
Preschool Programming
SUNDAY MORNING LIFEGROUPS
Bible study is offered for all preschoolers at 9:30am and 6:30pm. Children from birth through Kindergarten are welcome to stay for a second Bible study hour offered at 11am and 5pm. All parents of preschoolers (dads and moms) are expected to participate and serve in our cooperative once-a-month rotation schedule at the Worship service time (Extended Teaching Care) on a regular basis. Lack of participation causes: • Unsafe ratio of adults to children • Extra work on those who do serve • Too many children in one classroom, means inadequate care. A Preschool staff member is always on call during this time in the event a need arises. MUSIC AND DISCIPLESHIP TIME (SPLASH)
Preschoolers age 3 years old - Kindergarten will SPLASH into God's Word and worship Him through music. They will have an opportunity to learn a Bible Story and sing music that offers praise to the Lord. This all happens on Wednesday evenings at 7pm. Join us for music, Bible, song and lots of Fun! Children must be potty trained to participate in Splash. Childcare is offered for children that are not quite ready for Splash. VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are always welcome in our Preschool area. If you would like to apply to volunteer for Sunday morning LifeGroups or any of our other ministries, please contact the Preschool Minister at 678.818.1025.
For the safety of your child, there should always be two adults in each preschool class. Volunteers ages 15-20 must serve in classrooms of children with an adult of 21 or older present. School age children under 15 years of age are not permitted in the preschool rooms unless they are with their parents. Children under the age of 15 may not pick up any children or be left alone with children. YOUR CHILD
We want your child’s first church experience to be happy and meaningful. Bring your preschooler to church regularly at an early age, and please arrive on time so your preschooler can benefit from the entire teaching time. Also be prompt in picking up your child. Comfortable clothes make children happiest. If a timid child does not want his parents to leave, teachers can help a child become happily adjusted to the group more quickly if parents do not remain at the door of the room for lengthy goodbyes. In order not to upset your child and the other children, parents desiring to check on their child are asked to do so through the Preschool Minister or an Age Group Coordinator. We do ask that your child not bring personal toys or possessions to their class. Toys designed for use at home usually cannot withstand the hard use placed on them in the preschool area. Also, the toys are apt to get lost and confused with the preschool teaching toys.
Health & General Hygiene Policies For the protection of our children and volunteers please read and adhere to the policies listed. PURPOSE
Providing a clean, safe and healthy learning environment for all children is a priority. Our objective is to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases and to provide your child a clean, healthy learning environment. DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILD IF:
• The illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in program activities • The illness results in a greater care need than the staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of the other children • The child has any of following conditions… – Fever – Lethargy – Difficult breathing – Diarrhea – Vomiting two or more times in the previous 24 hours. – Mouth sores associated with an inability of the child to control his or her saliva, unless a physical has determined the child to be non-infectious. – Rash with fever until a physician has determined the illness is not communicable. – Pink eye, until examined by a physician and approved for readmission. – Tuberculosis until a physician states the child is non-infectious. – Impetigo, until 24 hours after treatment. – Strep throat, until 24 hours after treatment – Head lice, until the morning after the first treatment
– Chicken pox until the sixth day after onset or sooner if all lesions have dried and crusted. – Scabies, until after treatment has been completed. – Pertussis (croup) until five days of appropriate antibiotic treatment – Mumps until nine days after onset. – Ringworm – Biting is a common problem encountered with preschoolers, but an open wound to the skin can lead to the spread of infectious disease. Therefore, for the safety of all children, if a child exhibits persistent biting behavior, the Preschool Minister will contact the parents/guardians, and they will work together toward a solution until the biting ceases. NOTIFICATION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE
The parent/guardian is expected to inform the Preschool Minister of any changes in the status of their child’s health. If your child is known to have an infectious disease the parents/guardians should inform the Preschool Minister immediately. Teachers are NOT permitted to administer any type of medication to children in their care. GENERAL HYGIENE POLICY
Universal Precautions: Because it is not always known when a child is infected with a communicable disease, the following Universal Precautions are critical in reducing the risk of infection. The term “Universal Precautions” refers to the handling of body fluids from all children and not just precautions recommended for those known to be infected with a blood-borne pathogen. Teachers and other workers in the Preschool Center may come in contact with blood and body fluids, and should therefore exercise the same precautions.
“Universal Precautions” require the use of protective barriers such as gloves. The American Public Health Association and the American Association of Pediatrics recommend the following procedures: 1. HAND WASHING
The single most important procedure to minimize fecal or oral transmission of infection is frequent hand washing. Proper hand washing includes: Use liquid soap, lather, and wash well for a least 10 seconds in warm running water. Dry with a paper towel. Turn off faucet with the paper towel and then discard. Always wash your hands before your prepare food, eat, feed a child and also after using or helping a child use the toilet, changing diapers, cleaning a child who has vomited or spit up, wiping a child’s nose and handling soiled clothing or other contaminated items. When hand washing cannot be accomplished alone, a teacher will assist. Wash children’s hands before and after eating, following toilet use, after diaper changes or after contact with body secretions. 2. NOSE WIPING
Preschool teachers wipe children’s noses as needed. Disposable gloves are not required, but may be used if desired. Wash your hands immediately afterward and dispose of gloves if used. 3. OPEN WOUNDS
As a ground rule of hygiene, all open wounds (such as cuts and scratches) should be covered by at least an adhesive bandage. The caregiver shall wear disposable gloves.
4. DISINFECTING OF SURFACES
Any surface (crib, swing, mattress, infant seat, toy, pacifier, etc.) that has been used must be disinfected with a bleach/water solution and air-dried before another child can come into contact with it. Toys should be soaked in the bleach/water solution for 10 minutes when possible, rinsed and air-dried. 5. DIAPER CHANGING POLICY
• A central diaper changing area is provided in the babies to 24 month rooms. • Check each child frequently to see if his or her diaper is wet or soiled. • When changing diapers, make sure all supplies needed for diaper changing are in the diaper changing area. Check the child’s diaper bag for necessary supplies. • Never leave a child unsupervised on the changing table. • Use diapers and materials provided by the parents. Extra diapers are located in the cabinets in each room and are to be used only if the child’s supply runs out. • Use powders and ointments only when provided by the parent and if instructed to do so. Use only church-provided wipes if none were provided by the parent. (Some babies have allergies) • Before changing a diaper, place disposable paper underneath the child. • Always use a fresh pair of disposable gloves for each diaper change. • Dispose of the diaper, paper and disposable gloves in the appropriate trash container. • Place used paper and disposable gloves in the soiled diaper container, removing gloves last. • Wash hands with soap and water after each diaper change. • Clean the diaper changing area with Clorox wipes. The area must be cleaned after each use and at the end of the session. • If urine, feces or blood comes into contact with linens or any part of a child’s bed or mattress, remove linens and clean the affected are with bleach/water solution while wearing gloves. Clean linens are provided in the closet to replace soiled sheets before returning the child to bed. • Check each child before the end of the session. Send them home dry!
6. ROOM CLEANING PROCEDURE
• As the child leaves, the bed must be stripped of used linens and other items. • Each bed should be cleaned thoroughly with a bleach/water solution, including the mattress, all bed rails, and any items attached to the bed such as mobiles, mirrors, etc. • All toys are to be dipped in bleach/water solution and allowed to remain wet for 10 minutes, rinsed in clean water and left to air-dry. If a toy is obviously dirty, wash with soap and water and rinse with clean water before dipping in the bleach/water solution. • Nursery swings, cribs and other equipment should be cleaned and disinfected with bleach/water solution and left to air-dry. 7. VOMITTING
• Keep children away from the soiled area. • Contact a Preschool staff member. They will treat and clean using appropriate guidelines.
Volunteer
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
The Preschool Ministry serves families with children in Kindergarten and younger. The ministry is supported by the volunteer efforts of these parents and others in our church. We are looking for adults who have a heart to serve. There are many opportunities for service in the preschool ministry. Whether you would like to serve weekly, bi-weekly or monthly we have the perfect ministry for you! Our volunteer positions available are teachers, assistant teachers, classroom helpers, crafty volunteers, greeters, check-in assistants and musical voices. In addition to these, if you have a special gift or talent that could benefit the Preschool Ministry please contact the Preschool Office. We need volunteers on Sunday mornings at 9:30/11am; Sunday evenings at 5/6:30pm, Wednesday evenings at 7pm, or the morning hours during the week. QUALIFICATIONS
All volunteers must be 15 years of age, complete a volunteer application, background check and be a member of Eagles Landing First Baptist Church. An application and background check form can be picked up at the Preschool Welcome Center Kiosk. If you would like additional information or wish to apply to become a Preschool volunteer contact Lori Kurz, Preschool Minister at 678.818.1025 or lori@eagleslanding.org.
240 0 HW Y 42 NORTH | MCDONOUGH, GA 30253 770.957.1355 | w w w.eagleslanding.org