Children's Ministry Guidelines

Safety Policy

FBCA Safety Policy

Volunteers/Staff Expectations

Student Ministry Guidelines

Registered Sex Offender Policy

Additional Concerns

Children’s Ministry Guidelines

Our goal is to create and sustain a nurturing environment where children can thrive. For the
safety and security of all children, the following guidelines are to be followed each time a child is in our care. Our aim is that all workers, paid or volunteer, reflect Christ and aid in nourishing the spiritual growth of the children in this ministry.

1. CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

Two adults should always be present with children. If a volunteer finds themself alone, they should notify the Children’s Pastor for assistance, move to a more visible area with their class, or open the door to the room.

Children should remain in the classroom in which their caregivers leave them, unless necessary room changes have been communicated with parents/caregivers in advance. If a class leaves the room for any reason (going to the library, on the playground, etc.), a note should be left on the outermost door, indicating where the class can be found.

2. RESTROOM POLICY

Diaper changes should follow the diaper changing policy posted in Nursery and Toddler rooms.

When helping a young child with bathroom assistance, only female volunteers may assist with bathroom needs. Leave the stall door or private restroom door partially open but stand near the door to allow for privacy.

For elementary aged children, If there are more than two volunteers with the group, one person should escort a child to the restroom. Check the restroom before the child enters to see if it’s occupied (if it is, wait until the current occupant leaves before allowing the child to enter), and wait outside the restroom until the child is finished. If there are only two teachers with a group of children, direct the child to use the nearest private restroom.

3. COMMUNICATION

Private, one-on-one conversations should take place in an open, public setting where others can observe but not hear. Appropriate communication with children, students, parents/caregivers, and volunteers is necessary for an effective and healthy ministry. Older children are more interested in engaging, give-and-take conversation.

Social Media/Text/Email

Volunteers should not be “friends” on social media with children younger than 12. Do not “direct message” a child.

Volunteers should not post pictures of children on social media.

Volunteers should not show children their own social media accounts or let children have access to their devices for any reason.
When sending a message to a caregiver or volunteer of the opposite sex, include another adult in the message.

4. APPROPRIATE TOUCH

Appropriate touch is part of a healthy children’s ministry.

Walking hand in hand with small children
Carrying small children
Short, congratulatory/greeting hugs
Brief, assuring pat on the back or shoulder
Handshakes and high-fives

Actions you should avoid are listed below:

Never play rough with children or let children play rough with one another.
Never tickle, wrestle, or kiss children. Do not allow children to tickle, wrestle, or kiss other children.
Do not get too close to a child’s face or use force of any kind when showing affection.
No piggy back rides, children on shoulders, or carrying school age children.
Never touch a child in anger or disgust.
Never touch a child or parent/volunteer of the opposite sex in any manner that may be construed as sexually suggestive.
Never touch a child between the belly button and the knees, with your body or any object.
Never touch a child’s private body parts.
Never be alone in a vehicle with a child, unless you are related to the child.
Never let a school-aged child sit on your lap. Avoid any lap-sitting for children who are able to sit without assistance.
Never threaten children, even as a joke.
Never allow children to discipline, humiliate, or be mean to another child.

5. BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES

If a child becomes disruptive, begin with these steps:

Preschool-aged children:

1. Redirect the child’s attention.
2. Take the child to another part of the classroom away from the other children.
3. Gain eye contact with him/her.
4. Let the child know their inappropriate behavior.
5. Redirect the child’s attention.

School-aged children:

1. Redirect the child’s attention.
2. Restate the rules to the entire class.

3. Gain eye contact with the disruptive child.
4. Walk in the disruptive child’s direction, standing near him/her.
5. Redirect the disruptive child’s attention.
6. Move the child to a different seat or location in the classroom.

Physical punishment is prohibited for discipline of children, including but not limited to spanking, slapping, pinching, hitting, or any other physical force.
A child may be restrained only to stop a behavior that may cause immediate harm to the child or others.
When it is evident that you have an extreme behavioral issue, which cannot be handled in the classroom, contact the Children’s Pastor or a member of the Security Team for assistance.

6. GENERAL APPROPRIATENESS

Volunteers should always dress in a respectful manner. No vulgar words or images
should be worn. Volunteers are prohibited from possessing any sexually oriented
materials (magazines, cards, videos, films, clothing, etc.) on property or in the presence
of children.

7. INCIDENT REPORTING

If an accident occurs while a child is in your care, complete the following steps:

1. Take care of the immediate health needs of the child
2. Contact the Children's Pastor (and parent, if child is inconsolable or needs more
emergent care)
3. Fill out an incident report form
4. Take a picture of the signed & completed form for church records
5. Give the form to parent at pick-up

If there is a complaint from a parent, other adult, or child, notify the Children’s Pastor as soon as possible.
All instances of child-on-child physical aggression (such as biting or fighting) must be reported to the Children’s Pastor. The Children’s Pastor will be responsible for communicating with the parent/caregiver if/when deemed appropriate.
All instances of child-on-child sexualized behavior (based on observations or what a child says) must be reported to the Child Abuse Hotline first (844-SAVEACHILD) and the Children’s Pastor second. The Children’s Pastor will be responsible for communicating with the parent/caregiver if/when deemed appropriate.
All instances of adult-to-child abuse or reasonable suspicion of abuse (based on
observations or what a child says) must be reported to the Child Abuse Hotline first
(844-SAVEACHILD) and the Children’s Pastor second. The Children’s Pastor will be
responsible for communicating with the parent/caregiver if/when deemed appropriate. It is an expectation that the worker contact the Child Abuse Hotline first if he/she has reasonable suspicion of child abuse or maltreatment. The worker will receive no censure or negative response from church staff for taking this important action.