For Parents
- Please see and follow Good Shepherd Children’s Health Policy.
- It is your responsibility to see that your child, or children, makes it to their designated classroom.
- Snacks may be provided for your child. Please notify your child’s teacher if he or she has a food allergy.
- Children may bring a Bible with them to Children’s Church. In order to limit distractions, please do not permit your child to bring any other books or toys from home.
- Ask your child about what they learned!
- Please let us know if you would like to volunteer!
If you have any questions, please contact our Children’s Ministry Director
For Volunteers
Thank you for becoming a volunteer with Good Shepherd’s Children’s Ministry! We are looking for members and regular attendees who are willing to love the children and families of Good Shepherd! We want our children to hear the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to grow in love for His Word, and to engage in corporate worship.
Here are some important things to remember, so that everything runs safely and smoothly:
- If you are teaching Children’s Church, please take time, ~30 mins during the week before, to familiarize yourself with the lesson. Additional copies, as well as supplies for the children, will be provided and already in the classroom.
- Children’s Church is for children of Pre-K and Kindergarten age (4-6yrs).
- Children will be checked in and given a name tag. Parents/guardians will retain matching pick up tag. Pick up tag must be presented at pick up.
- If you are teaching Children’s Church, please meet children in the classroom as soon as children are dismissed from the Worship Service (during Offertory).
- For the safety of our volunteers as well as children, no adult should be alone with a child at any time.
- Children may be excused to use the bathroom on their own. If a child requires assistance:
- When assisting a child with the potty, leave door slightly ajar.
- Only women may assist children in the restroom.
- Parents may pick up children following final hymn. Must have pick up tag.
- Follow clean-up procedure after all children have rejoined their parents:
- Throw away any trash.
- Wipe down tables/chairs.
- Put away supplies.
- Lock supply cabinet.
- Turn out lights and close door.
You will receive a volunteer schedule by email.
If you are unable to work your designated date:
- It is your responsibility to switch with someone from another team.
- Adults must sub for adults.
- Please inform your Children’s Ministry Director of any schedule changes.
- Please do your best to find your own replacement, and please do so as soon as possible!
Children’s Church Sunday Timeline
Children attend the Worship Service until offertory.
- Welcome children into the classroom.
- Activity page worked at tables.
- “Low Prep” activity (see Gospel Project leader guide)
- Transition signal to indicate story time and move to circle time.
- Open bible. Read story from leader guide.
- Read “Key Passage” from the day.
- Pray
- Coloring Sheet & any other extra activities if wanted.
- After final hymn children are released.
Good Shepherd Children’s Health Policy
In an effort to keep our children and volunteers healthy, please do NOT send your children to Children’s Church or Sunday school if they have experienced any of the following symptoms within the last 24 hours:
- A fever of 100+ degrees
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Crusty eyes
- Thick green or yellow mucus draining from nose (more than just allergies)
- A cough that produces phlegm
- Symptoms of a sore throat accompanied by a fever
- Drainage from ear
- Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
- Diagnosis of a communicable Disease
- Open sores must be covered.
If volunteers observe any of the symptoms listed above, notify the parents of sick children!
Good Shepherd Children’s Ministry Discipline Policy
Approaches to discipline will be designed and carried out in a positive manner, helping our children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their actions. Rules and expectations that are age-appropriate are established and communicated frequently. Children will be positively directed, re-directed, and praised often. Under no circumstances will children be subjected to harsh or physical punishment. Every effort will be made to reinforce appropriate behavior.
- Reward appropriate behavior. Immediate praise and recognition for positive actions encourage more of the same. Inform parents when a child does well or shows improvement.
When inappropriate or disruptive behavior occurs:
- Remind the child of proper behavior. Remind him/her of the rules and what is expected.
- Redirect the child. Move him/her to a different situation or area. Separate the child from others if he/she is having difficulty with others.
- Remove the child from the group by using a time-out chair within the classroom and in view of a volunteer. After an appropriate explanation of the child’s behavior, give him/her several minutes to sit alone (the child’s age should equal the time-out minutes).
- Return and Restore the child after his/her minutes are up. Encourage an apology and assure forgiveness and love for the child.
- Report: At pickup, discuss with the parent in a loving and honest manner any discipline concerns and/or if his/her child was placed in time out.
If after following steps 1-5, there is still a habitual problem, notify the parent (or guardian). It may be best for the parent to remove the child for the rest of the service, depending on the situation. If the parent chooses to do this, reassure the parent and child that he/she is welcome back next week, fully restored and starting fresh!!