Preschool Safety Policies
In an an effort to provide the safest and most nurturing care for the youngest and most vulnerable of our church family, the Child Care Committee recently implemented the Security ID System. We are now ready to move to the next step, implementing a few basic church-wide policies that will further guarantee the safety and wellbeing of our little ones. They are as follows:
· Each time, prior to going into the classroom, children will be signed in and Security ID labels will be completed in a designated area outside of the classroom.
o Caregivers in the preschool area will always be able to know, in case of an emergency, where and how to contact the responsible adult and who will be picking up your child after the session.
o Contagious illnesses are better prevented when personal care items are labeled.
· Once Security ID labels are completed and applied, children and their personal items (e.g., diaper bags) will be handed to the workers through the doorway from outside the classroom.
o Your child is able to be received and greeted individually, which provides a greater sense of comfort and security for him/her.
o You are able to make face-to-face contact with the caregiver(s) and communicate any special needs or concerns.
· Only those working with the infants/preschoolers (i.e., teachers, paid staff, and assigned volunteers) are allowed in the rooms with the children.
o This provides the safest means for assuring that your child is sent home with the appropriate parent by eliminating the risk of your child being removed from the childcare area without the knowledge of the caregivers.
· When there is a church gathering that involves a meal (e.g., Wednesday suppers, fellowships), children of all ages (including infants) will eat with their parents where the gathering takes place (e.g., fellowship hall). The children will be taken to the preschool center after the meal and no sooner than the appointed childcare hours.
o This encourages family time during the meal.
o High chairs and booster seats will be provided for your convenience.
· Infants and children will be dropped off in the preschool facility a maximum of 10 minutes prior to their activity.
o This insures that your child will be in a safe environment by maintaining the appropriate child-to-caregiver ratio.
o Age graded divisions are also able to be maintained, preventing accidents between infants and very active preschoolers.
· Infants and children will be picked up a maximum of 10 minutes following an activity. Security ID numbers must be shown in order to pick up a child.
o Being picked up promptly after a session leaves your child feeling secure and your child more easily adjusts to being dropped off in childcare with that sense predictability.
o Promptly picking up your child provides a safe environment for everyone. If your child is left longer than the 10 minutes, there is not always staff to supervise their care.
· As child care workers provide attentive, safe and nurturing care, immediately notifying parents of any concerns about their child (e.g., inconsolable crying, illness, behavior), parents are asked to quickly depart the childcare facility when dropping off their child. This will allow all children to adjust most peacefully.
o Preschool caregivers will gently and lovingly acclimate your child to their new surroundings.
o Children usually calm down quickly once the parent has left the area.
· A quiet, private place will be provided for nursing mothers and their infants. It is located at the end of the hall, fourth classroom, in the preschool area.
· For the protection of your child and other children, parents are requested to not bring a child to the preschool area who appears to be ill (e.g., fever within 24 hours, green runny nose, vomiting, etc.).
o Preschoolers are tactile learners. Bringing only well children contributes to the safety and health of all in the preschool area.
· Medication cannot be given by any preschool staff or volunteer.
· Sunday morning Extended Session (10:45 am) is provided for children aged newborn until 5 years. Once a child turns 5 years old, they are to attend worship with their parents.
