The nursery at St. Elmo Presbyterian serves children from birth to the age of three. Currently there are about 30 children in that range among the families of our members and regular attendees. Because of the way our nursery system operates I realize that it may be hard for those who serve in the nursery only a few times a year to feel like they know what the expectations are when they volunteer. I wanted to offer a brief synopsis of what a typical Sunday service might entail and some tips for helping your time in the nursery to go smoothly.

On your scheduled Sunday, make sure you are in the nursery about 15 minutes prior to the service starting. More than likely there will be some children already there; if you’re working in the 11am service you are going to inherit the leftovers from the Sunday school hour whose parents do not plan to reenter the room in order to avoid separation anxiety-induced tears. Jack Shepard and Josh and Corinne Mather are my wonderfully faithful nursery Sunday school teachers and will be a good resource to get you up to speed on who is there, who is staying and who is ready to go home for a nap. Before the Sunday school teachers or any other transient adults leave, make sure you know the names of the children, that they have a name tag and check the sign-in sheet to find out what accessories they might have come with. Ask parents who arrive after you to sign in their child and then help them clip a nametag on the child’s back.

During the Sunday services the nursery facilities consist of 3 adjoining rooms and an enclosed, outdoor play area. On either side of the “toddler” room are the “baby” room and the 2 year-old Sunday school room. The baby room has a changing station, a sink, a crib and a rocking chair. It is a good place to take babies who are crying, need to be laid down or just need a quieter place to play without getting stepped on by older children. The Sunday school room, which has a table and chairs, is a good place for toddlers to sit and read or do puzzles. All 3 of these rooms, as well as the area outside, are meant to be used and enjoyed by our children. So open those doors, turn on the lights and don’t feel like you need to crowd 10-15 kids into a single room! You, as a volunteer nursery worker, have the authority and responsibility to use any and all of these facilities as you deem necessary for the health and well-being of the children under your care. Be more than a babysitter. Read, sing and talk about God with our covenant children.

Snacks are available in the top, left-hand cabinet in the baby room.  If you notice that supplies are running low, please let me know when you see me, or just jot a little note on the bottom of the sign-in sheet.  Be sure to check the black, 3-ring notebook in case parents have indicated a food preference or allergy. You might declare snack time about half-way through the service. That would typically necessitate a “wipe-up” time since 1 and 2 year-olds are not very neat eaters. While you have a relatively still and captive audience it might be a good opportunity to do a diaper check/bathroom break. Checking diapers may mean just following your nose or looking for wet pants. Change any that need it – guidelines for diaper changing are posted above the diaper changing station in the baby room and in the bathroom above the flip down changing station.

Please try to keep all doors to the hallway closed, and be careful that children do not leave without adult supervision. Tell parents about their child’s time in the nursery. If a child has had a toy in his/her mouth, please place that toy in the sink in the baby room. Put the rooms in order before you leave and sprits large toys and other surfaces with the blue sanitizing liquid in the spray bottles. The sanitizing spray should be on the sink in the baby room and in the bathroom in the toddler room.

I really appreciate this church body’s willingness to serve and its faithful commitment to the covenant vows made to the children of our congregation. I hope this information is helpful to those of you who might feel overwhelmed at the idea of serving in the nursery. I have worked with many of you in the nursery and know that, on the whole, you are confident and capable individuals who enjoy opportunities to spend time with the wonderful little people God has blessed us with. Thank you!

Special Winter Note to Parents:

It is cold and flu season and there are several families in our church with vulnerable newborns. Please be mindful of the health of the entire church body and do not leave your child in the nursery if he or she has any symptoms of a contagious illness. Thanks.