Nursery care at Minnetonka United Methodist Church is designed to provide a safe, enjoyable and loving environment in which children (from birth until Kindergarten) and adults can interact.
Expectations of Nursery Attendants
- A paid nursery attendant will care for children in the nursery from 9:45 AM until 11:15 AM (11:30 AM at the latest) on Sunday mornings. Professional care will also be provided on Wednesday nights from 6:15 PM until 8:00 PM (at the latest). The nursery will be staffed at other times as needed.
- All appropriate mandates noted in the Minnetonka United Methodist Church Safe Gatherings Policy (a copy of which should be kept in the nursery at all times) are to be followed, including but not limited to: background checks for all nursery attendants; general policies for children’s ministry leaders and reporting all possible abuse or neglect.
- Nursery attendants should make all attempts to learn and accommodate possible allergies.
- All attempts should be made to have the nursery door open whenever possible. If the door must be closed, window curtains will be pulled back.
- Nursery attendants should make a strong effort to connect with parents, especially those new to the church, to offer parents/guardians assurance that their children will be in a safe, loving environment.
Guidelines for Parents of Children in the Nursery
- The Minnetonka United Methodist Church nursery is set up to care for children from birth until they enter Kindergarten.
- A binder with nursery registration forms should be kept close to the door. Parents/Guardians should complete a nursery registration form the first time their child is present in the nursery. The forms contain useful information for the caregivers to have on hand (e.g. birthdate, preferred name, allergies, parent/guardian diapering preferences). Forms should be kept on file in the nursery and referred to during subsequent visits.
- Parents/Guardians should receive an informational Welcome Letter sharing the policies and procedures of the Minnetonka United Methodist Church nursery. Parents/Guardians only need to initial the attendance sheet once in the appropriate column to indicate that they have received and will adhere to the policies and procedures documented in the Welcome Letter.
- Parents/Guardians sign children in and out of the nursery on an attendance sheet. Unless arranged at drop off, the same individual will be expected to sign children and out of the nursery on a given day.
- Parents/Guardians are asked to supply any personal materials their children may need such as bottles or favorite comfort toys.
- We encourage parents/guardians to enjoy the worship service, knowing that the nursery attendant will contact them as needed via text. If, in the opinion of the caregiver, a child cries excessively, the parent/guardian in worship will be contacted. Parents/Guardians are asked to provide caregivers with their cell phone numbers and to keep their phones on vibrate.
General
- Toys are to be washed/cleaned regularly.
- All nursery attendants have completed a course in CPR and first aid. A first aid kit will be kept in the nursery.
- Food should never be present in the nursery. Infant bottles are allowed.