Our team of Christian nursery workers includes paid caregivers and volunteers who have committed their time to care for the young children of our church.  Our goal is to provide a safe, loving atmosphere where infants and children can learn about Christ and their world. We want them to feel that the House of God is a warm, friendly, and safe place to be.

Organization & Staffing

Our nursery is divided into three separate rooms for different age groups. The nursery rooms are open 15 minutes before the worship service, Wednesday night choir rehearsal, Kids Express, or special event. Please remember to be prompt in picking up your children after each service or event. Our Sunday morning nurseries include:

• Infant Nursery (0-12 Months Old)
• Crawler Nursery (12-18 Months Old)
• Toddler Nursery (18-24 Months Old)

We offer an educational program for the 2 year old class during the 9:30 and 11:00 services. These little ones learn to pray, to sing God’s praise, and to listen to His Word. They have an opportunity to make simple crafts that reinforce the lesson.

We are asking that every parent whose child attends our nursery to volunteer their time periodically (unless serving in another Sunday morning activities like teaching, choir, etc.). Mom’s and Dad’s are encouraged to team up together for nursery duty!

On Sunday mornings, the children in the 12-24 month old nurseries are given a snack of fishy crackers and water. While your child is in the infant room, you are responsible for providing a bottle and a snack. During all other nursery uses, bring an appropriate snack and drink for your child. Also, please be considerate of staff and feed children prior to arrival. Snacks are to be used only as a supplement.

What to Bring

• A labeled diaper bag
• Sufficient amount of diapers (disposable)
• Bib
• Change of clothes
• Bottle or sippy cup (labeled)
• Pacifier and keeper
• Special lovey (if needed)
• List of instructions

The most important thing you can do is to label all items. This makes it much easier to keep track of your child’s items.

What Not to Bring

1. Meals – We do provide snacks on most occasions but not meals. If your child has missed a meal, please make arrangements for the child to be fed outside of the nursery.
2. Medication – Caregivers are not allowed to give children medication of any kind.
3. Candy or Gum – Not only is it dangerous but it can lead to a sticky situation.
4. Jewelry – Although necklaces, rings, and bracelets are beautiful, they are also dangerous.
5. Matchbox Cars – due to their metal body parts, they are an injury waiting to happen when flying through the air.
6. Guns of any kind – We choose to promote a non-violent atmosphere.
7. Valuables – Some loveys are sacred, and they are easily separated from children. If you do need to leave one of these valuables with a child, please make sure it is labeled and you have it with you upon departure.

Check-In/Check-Out

When entering the nursery wing, each room has a nursery sign-in sheet, labels, and security tags. To make this process easy on children, please follow these guidelines:

1. Write your child’s name on the sign-in sheet and mark which service you are attending, where you can be located, special instructions (especially allergies/feeding schedule), and security tag number located on the tag.
2. Take a security tag. This number system provides both security and identification for your child. Place one tag on the child’s back and keep the other tag with you during the service. You must have this tag to pick up your child. Should your child need you during the service, the number will appear on the monitor on the right side of the sanctuary. Please go immediately to your child’s room.
3. Place a label on your child’s back with their name.
4. Hand the child over to the caregiver across the door.
5. Make sure everything in your diaper bag is marked and hand to caregiver.
6. Quickly exit the area; this is the best and most compassionate way to deal with separation anxiety.
7. Unless you are a nursing mother, please do not enter the nursery room unless absolutely necessary. If you feel you must check on your little one, please ask someone for help. It is to your child’s advantage not to see you until you are ready to take him home.
8. Please respect the caregivers and be prompt in picking up your child from the nursery at the close of each service and event.
9. No one should enter the nursery rooms except scheduled staff and babies.

Health Guidelines

Sickness/Illness Policy

Please keep your child at home with any of the following symptoms or illnesses:

• Fever greater than 100.0
• Runny nose or coughing
• Rashes or diarrhea
• Impetigo, Pink eye
• Active Chicken pox
• Measles or mumps
• Questionable rashes

If your child is being treated with antibiotics, he should be on the drug for at least 24 hours before coming to the nursery.

If your child has a continually runny nose or rash due to non-contagious allergies, please let us know. We realize that some symptoms hang on long after the child is no longer contagious. Our goal is for all our babies to remain healthy! Please be considerate of others.

How Can You Help?

There are many ways to help in the Nursery and we would love for you to be a part of our ministry!

Volunteer Rotation

Many Weddington members serve approximately once every 4-6 weeks. A schedule is created and mailed to you. You can choose which Sunday school hour you wish to volunteer at. In order to volunteer, you must attend a “Safe Sanctuary” training, complete an application, and receive a background check. Once that is completed, you are able to serve in one of our three nurseries.

To learn more about serving, please call Carolyn Nelson at 704-846-1032 ext.1312 or email at carolyn.nelson@weddingtonchurch.org.
Donations

We invite the following types of donations:

• Crib sheets
• Blankets
• CD players
• Cleaning Solutions (bleach, Lysol, spray)
• Baby wipes
• Fishy Crackers
• Sippy Cups (new)
• Books

Your donations are a blessing to Weddington Church and are greatly appreciated!