While God's littlest blessings are most welcome in all worship services, our nursery provides an opportunity during the 9:00 AM Sunday morning worship service to allow parents to grow in their faith and experience God’s presence without the distraction of an active child. After all, God did not have “stillness and silence” in mind when he created children!  

Along with providing an opportunity for parents to grow in their faith, our nursery is an exciting place for these little ones to grow in their faith as well as they come to know, love and follow Jesus. This spiritual foundation begins in the nursery for your infants and toddlers, as they are lovingly cared for and enjoy busy active learning as our leaders make the Bible come alive in a meaningful and fun way! 
 
PLEASE NOTE...our nursery is a bug free zone! If your child has a fever, runny nose, cough, diarrhea, unknown rash, discharge from the eyes, illness being treated with antibiotics for less than 24 hours please keep them at home.  We look forward to seeing them when they are feeling better.

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Little Blessings Nursery Policies & Procedures 

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Hours of Operation & Age Limitations 

• Only children from birth through 4-years-old will be allowed in the nursery.

• Parents of this age-group must be on-site in the event of an unforeseen emergencies. 

• Parents are encouraged to check-in up to 15-minutes after the start of the worship service to reserve your child’s place and so that a nursery caregiver is available should you decide to utilize the nursery at any point during the service. If no children are registered by that time, the nursery may close allowing caregivers the opportunity to worship. 

• Only attendants who have been trained under the Safe Sanctuary policy will be allowed in the nursery.

 

Classroom Check-in and Check-out

• There is a sign-in sheet located on top of the bookcase where parents MUST sign-in each child. This sheet must be completed weekly! 

• A registration form with details of the child’s age, parent’s information, allergies, etc. must be completed prior to use of the nursery annually and updated as needed. 

• All children’s belongings must have name identification (diaper bags, cups, etc.).

• Children will only be released into the custody of those listed on the information sheet. 

 

Diaper Changing and Bathroom Trips 

• Parents should supply diapers, wipes, a burp pad, and a change of clothing for their child each time they drop off their child. 

• Due to Safe Sanctuary Guidelines, parents are the only ones permitted to do diaper changes. 

• Children who are potty trained may use the nursery restroom on their own. 

 

Discipline Policies 

• Physical punishment is forbidden for all nursery caregivers, including parents who serve in a room with their own children. 

• The only discipline allowed in the nursery is time-out which should be limited to the age of the child (for example, 2 minutes for a 2-year-old). Scolding, harsh words and physical punishment of any kind is forbidden. 

• If the child’s behavior could cause physical harm to another child such as biting, hitting, throwing things, etc., then nursery caregivers will get the parent from the service and require that the parent keeps the child with them in worship that day. Children who have been removed may return to the nursery the following week. Repeat offenders will not be allowed to return. 

 

Food 

• Parents must label all bottles and sippy cups with the child's name. 

• FUMC does NOT provide formula, bottles, or baby food for infants. 

• FUMC DOES provide snacks (crackers, cookies, pretzels, etc.) for toddlers. 

• Please make sure nursery caregivers are aware of any food allergies. 

• Meals will NOT be fed to children, even if parents provide the food. 

 

Wellness Policy 

For the protection of all children and caregivers, neither children nor caregivers with any of the following symptoms within the past 24 hours will be admitted into the nursery: 

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• Fever 

• Vomiting or diarrhea 

• Untreated pink eye or other eye infection 

• Rash

• Sore throat 

• Runny Nose  

• Persistent coughing or sneezing

• Drainage from ears 

• Lice, including the presence of eggs or nits 

• COVID, RSV or flu symptoms not listed above 

 

We understand that a child may end up getting ill during their stay in the nursery. If a Nursery Caregiver suspects a child does not meet the standards of the Wellness Policy, they will notify the parent and request that the child remains with the parent that week. If your child isn’t feeling well, we encourage you to worship with us online at: www.havenfirstumc.org and look forward to seeing you next week! 

 

Medications 

• Nursery caregivers CANNOT administer any medication (this includes Benadryl, teething or diaper rash ointments). 

• If your child needs medication or treatment during their stay in the nursery, you MUST come to administer necessary medications. 

• In the event of a sudden allergic reaction, parents will be notified immediately, and Benadryl will be available for parental administration until proper medical personnel can attend to the situation.  

 

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