NURSERY CHILDCARE

 

Mission statement: The mission of Edmond Free Methodist Church childcare is to establish a safe, secure, loving and nurturing Christian environment for little ones to play and learn in.  A child’s first experience of “church” is often in the nursery.  Our goal is for the experience to be positive and rewarding for both child and parents.  We believe that providing quality childcare is a vital part of our church’s ministry.

 

Childcare staff:  Our childcare staff is experienced and love children.  We have assembled a dynamic, diverse group of caregivers to help meet the varying needs of your children. There are a minimum of two staff members scheduled for all church services and specific events.  We follow licensure rules closely, but we are not a licensed program.  This means that YOU CANNOT LEAVE THE BUILDING while your children are in the nursery.   
  
My child’s experience:  We provide safe, age appropriate toys and books, which are sanitized regularly.  Older children have access to crayons, paper, art supplies, games and puzzles.  Our changing table, high chairs and cribs are clean and safe.  
  
Snacks:  Snacks are served if needed or if a child is in the nursery for more than 90 minutes.  Parents are more than welcome to provide their child with a snack.  Please inform the caregivers if your child needs a bottle or a snack at other times.  Inform caregivers about any allergies your child might have. 
  
Parents as partners:  Your children will be welcomed into the nursery by a childcare staff member.  If needed we are available to help you child transition to the nursery as easily as possible.  Please sign your child in by filling out all of the information on the sign-in sheet.  We need the child’s name and age.  Please make note of special comforts, blankets, pacifiers, bottles etc.  Make the caregiver aware of any allergies or health issues.  Label everything you bring with you. We CANNOT let a child go with anyone except the person who signed them in unless prior instruction has been given by the person dropping off.  We encourage parents to remain outside of the nursery when dropping off.  This is a matter of safety for the children. 
  
What to bring:  Change of clothes, 2 diapers, bottle/sip cup, security items, special comfort items, and a special snack if needed.  
  
Healthy and Happy:   As a childcare facility, we provide care for many different children which leads to many different germs.  We are diligent in our efforts to keep the nursery as clean and healthy as possible. 
  
Health Care Procedures:  We request that parents keep their children out of the nursery if they exhibit any of the following symptoms within the last 24 hours.  The following list is NOT all-inclusive but general guidelines. 

 

 

*Fever 
*Green/colored runny nose 
*Questionable rash 
*Coughing 
*Diarrhea 
*Conjunctivitis (pink eye) 
*Sore throat 
*open sores 
*Chicken Pox 
*Persistent biting 

 

 

If a caregiver suspects any of these conditions, you will be asked to pick up your child immediately.  If your child demonstrates or is diagnosed with a childhood disease (Measles, Mumps, Chicken Pox, Pink eye, etc.) after being in the nursery within the previous week please notify the Childcare Coordinator immediately.  This allows us to notify other parents of children and staff regarding potential health issues.  When a child is on antibiotics, he/she should be on the medication for a minimum of 24 hours prior to attending childcare. 
  
Contacting the Nursery:  It is our goal to provide childcare in the nursery for church events on an as needed basis.  There is always childcare provided for church services.  If you are unsure whether childcare is going to be provided please check with the office or Nursery Coordinator.  If you need to schedule childcare, please do so by the 15th of the month prior.  Forms are available in the office or you may contact the Nursery Coordinator directly. 
  
Nursery Coordinator:   Heather Hartzell     479-599-8987      Email: h_hart1986@yahoo.com