Decatur Presbyterian Church, P.C.A. Nursery Policies

Nursery Policies

General Policies

The nursery opens 15 minutes prior to services and other scheduled events.
Children are to be brought to their age-appropriate room by their parent and will only be released to their parent.
Parents should pick up their children immediately following the service or event they have been attending.
Please have your child’s belongings properly labeled. Any items that are not labeled will be labeled by the nursery staff with a Sharpie marker.
Only plastic bottles clearly labeled with your child’s name and disposable diapers are to be brought to the nursery.
Children should not bring personal toys to the nursery.

Food Policies

Infants will be fed formula, milk, juice or water as provided in plastic bottles. All bottles should be pre-mixed and poured by the parent. A refrigerator is provided to keep bottles fresh. Warming instructions, if any, should be conveyed on the Nursery Registry. Send only plastic bottles in the diaper bag. Please label each bottle with your child’s name.
Medications cannot be given by nursery staff. Please do not put any type of medication in your child’s bottle.
Toddlers will be served a snack. If your child is allergic to anything, please notify the nursery staff.

Health Policies

For the protection of your child and the other children, parents are requested not to bring a child who appears to be ill. A child should not be placed in the nursery when any of the following exists:
- Fever -- currently or within previous 24 hours
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Significant, persistent nasal drainage which is green or yellow in color
- Any symptom of a childhood disease, such as scarlet fever, German measles, mumps or chicken pox
- Common cold
- Sore throat
- Any unexplained rash, or any skin infection
- Pink eye or other eye infection
Nursery staff will not administer any medication.
If the child develops a fever or other symptoms of illness while in the nursery, he/she will be separated from other children and the parents will be contacted to take the child home.
Toys used by the children are washed at the end of each session and at other times that are necessary.

Safety Assurance Policy & Registration

When you bring your child to the nursery, please sign your child in on the Nursery Registry. Make sure to list any special instructions for your child.
Pagers are provided if needed. When you return to pick-up your child, please return your pager to the nursery staff.
When picking up your child, we ask that parents remain at the door of each classroom. It would compromise our Security Procedure should we allow free entry into the rooms.

Adult /Child Ratios

The goal of the nursery is to provide approximately the worker/child ratio shown below -
- Newborn/Infants - 3 children to 1 worker
- Toddlers/Walkers - 4 children to 1 worker
- Two year olds - 5 children to 1 worker
- Three year olds - 6 children to 1 worker
We also require that at least two workers be on duty at all times. Under no circumstances should the children be left alone for ANY amount of time. Nursery staff is required to directly supervise children at all times - even while they are sleeping.

Classroom Management

The behavior of children while in the nursery will be managed in a manner that will protect their dignity and that will encourage children’s independence, creativity and ability to mature and be nurtured in the growing knowledge of God’s love.
Every attempt will be made to soothe a crying infant or child. In the event an infant/child cries inconsolably, the parent will be notified to assist.
Children are expected to follow the directions given by their caregiver. Any correction needed will be done in a positive manner. Parents are expected to encourage their children to follow directions given by a caregiver. The parent will be contacted if any child refuses to comply with the caregiver’s direction.

How Parents Can Help

To assist your child in adjusting to his/her surroundings, bring him/her to church on a regular basis. Also, once you have dropped your child in the nursery, please refrain from coming back and “checking” on your child until you are ready to pick them up and take them from the nursery. Please be assured that the nursery staff will page/contact you if any problems arise with your child.
Sign-in your child properly by completing all of the information on the Nursery Registry. Keep your pager in a safe place. You will be asked to produce this when you come for your child.
Be sure to label ALL of your child’s belongings clearly. Always bring a change of clothing in case of spills or soils.
Above all, please pray for our nursery ministry and nursery staff.

For DPC Updates & more, please visit the pastor’s blog at…

http://www.ransom-road.com/

Date: 07/25/2010
Text: Matthew 16:20-23
Speaker: Pastor Tommy Lee
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