Preschool Guidelines

Preschool Guidelines

Preschool Department Guidelines

One of the goals of First Baptist Church is to provide quality teaching to preschoolers when they come to church.  To accomplish this goal, the Preschool Ministry Leadership Team strives to coordinate planning among preschool workers, parents, another church leaders so everyone works fro the same principles to better meet the preschooler’s physical, social, mental, emotional and spiritual needs.  We want to make our Preschool Department a safe and loving environment in which our children can learn.

Guidelines for Parents

  1. Preschoolers (birth through three) and their teachers are the only persons permitted in their department.  Observing this policy will provide greater safety for children, decrease the risk of transmission of infectious diseases, and will enable the teachers to provide activities to meet the needs of each child.  The teacher will receive the child at the door.
  2. Children who show signs of illness, such as high temperature, cannot be accepted in a preschool department.  The teachers are not able to give medication to any child.  A child will not be accepted into the preschool area when on of the following exists:
    • Fever (>100.5F) during the past 24 hours
    • Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
    • Any symptom of infectious or contagious disease
    • Croup
    • Unexplained rash
    • Any skin infection-boils, ringworm, and impetigo
    • Pinkeye and other eye infections
  3. Children are to be brought and called for by a parent or responsible adult. Children should not pick up siblings or other children.  The person who was given the numbered “Kiddie Keeper” or the pager is the only person who is authorized to pick up the child.  Please inform the teacher if there are non-custodial parent issues of which we should be aware.
  4. In order to minimize confusion or anxiety during transition times, it is recommended that a parent call for the child only when they are leaving.  The Connection Center personnel or Preschool Coordinator will be happy to check on a child if necessary.
  5. During the transition time on Sunday mornings, a light nutritious snack will be served to children (age 1-PreK).  Please inform us of any food allergies.
  6. A baby’s nutritional needs will be met according to his/her parent’s instructions.  If baby food is to be given, we ask that a parent stay to feed the child.
  7. Table food will not be served in a preschool department except during a session when mealtime is a part of the program.
  8. Food allergies should be noted on the sign in sheet for the child and the teacher should be alerted immediately.  An allergy alert sticker must be placed on the child for every session he or she attends.
  9. Toys should not be brought from home.  If they are, they will be placed in the cubbie.  If a child requires a special “blankie” or toy to feel safe or comfortable in a new place, please let the teacher know.
  10. Items such as diaper bags, jackets, cups and bottles should be labeled with the child’s first and last name.
  11. Parents are asked to fill out an Emergency Information sheet for each child.

Guidelines for Workers

  1. Workers in a preschool department should be Christians.  Workers in the baby class should be at least 17 years of age.  Any deviation from this must have approval of the Director of Preschool and Children’s Minsitries.
  2. All preschool workers, both volunteer and employed shall submit to a background check.
  3. All workers are expected to read the recommended church study course books and take advantage of training opportunities provided by the church and association.
  4. All workers are expected to study curriculum materials for their particular age group and to plan activities so appropriate religious education can take place when boys and girls attend church.
  5. All workers should arrive in the classroom at least 15 minutes before teaching is to begin.
  6. All workers are expected to show love, understanding and acceptance for all boys and girls with whom they work.
  7. All workers should greet children as they arrive with a bright smile and warm words.
  8. Workers are expected to sit on a child-sized chair or on the floor. (exceptions can be made for health reasons)
  9. All workers are responsible for regular contacts of absentees and prospects and to provide regular ministry to the families they serve.

Preschool Hygiene Practices

Perhaps our most effective way of teaching preschoolers about God, Jesus, the Bible and the Church is through our personal relationship with the child.  This means touching the child and helping him/her with things he/she cannot do for themselves such as changing diapers, wiping his/her nose, and caring for scratches and bites.  The following guidelines should be helpful to teachers and preschoolers in our department as we attempt to be as sanitary as possible.

  1. Hands need to be washed frequently to help prevent the spread of germs.  Wash hands as soon as you enter the room.  Rub hands vigorously with antibacterial soap and water.
  2. When changing a diaper, place a piece of waxed paper under the child to avoid soiling the surface.  Adequately dispose of soiled diapers by wrapping them in waxed paper before placing them in the waste container. Please note–male teachers are not permitted to change diapers.
  3. Medical quality nitrile gloves will be available to use during diaper changes.   Hands must be washed afterward, even when using gloves.
  4. Wipe drooled saliva with a tissue followed by careful hand washing.
  5. Wipe nasal secretions, tears or blood with a tissue and follow by carefully washing your hands.
  6. Dispose of paper towels and tissue after one use.
  7. Cover any open wound with an adhesive bandage and use disposable gloves.
  8. A mouthed toy should be gathered when a child seems finished with it and before another child decides to mouth toy.  A basin for “soiled” toys can be kept on the shelf to hold contaminated toys until they can be washed and sanitized.
  9. Toys with smooth surfaces can be washed with dishwashing liquid and warm water.  It should be dipped in diluted bleach (1 Tablespoon bleach to one quart of water), rinsed in clear water and allowed to drain dry.
  10. Toys that cannot be dipped into the solution should be cleaned and wiped with a Clorox wipe after each use.
  11. Toys should be cleaned after every use in Babies and Ones.  This practice will be left to the discretion of the teachers in the other preschool classes.
  12. Toys will be routinely cleaned and sanitized during quarterly preschool department “clean up days.”
  13. Any surface (crib railing, eating tray or infant seat) that has been potentially contaminated by a body fluid must be cleaned and wiped with a bleach solution before another child can come in contact with it.
  14. All sheets should be removed from mattresses and laundered after every use.  New sheets are to be placed on the beds immediately before the session begins.
  15. Continue to teach good hygiene practices to preschoolers.

Guidelines for Use and Care of Preschool Department

  1. For the safety of our preschoolers, children older than preschool age are not permitted in a preschool department.
  2. A person under the age of 17 years of age is not to be enlisted as a preschool teacher in the baby class. Teenagers may serve in older preschool classes under the direct supervision of an adult.  Any deviation from this is subject to approval by the Director of Preschool and Children’s Ministries.
  3. The Directors and Teachers of all preschool departments will consult with the Director of Preschool and Children’s Ministries before making any major changes in procedure.
  4. The church custodian is responsible for keeping the walls, woodwork, floors, windows, halls and restrooms clean and sanitary.  Preschool teachers will be responsible for the sanitation of toys and equipment and for keep the rooms clean and free from clutter.
  5. At the end of each session, workers will be responsible for putting away materials such as books, puzzles, block accessories, pictures and leftover art materials.
  6. At least two workers are required in preschool rooms for safety reasons and to provide good teaching opportunities for the children.
  7. Preschoolers are promoted according to the church’s grading and promotion date.  Babies and one-year-olds are sometimes promoted earlier.  This depends on the yearly plan that is set by the Preschool Sunday School Leadership Team.
  8. Snacks will be served during church sponsored sessions.  Content will be determined based on the needs of the children and allergy considerations.
  9. When organizations need provisions for preschoolers during church activities, please check with the Director of Preschool and Children’s Ministries.
  10. When organizations need provisions for preschoolers during times when church is not in session, they should secure their own workers and receive authorization from the Director of Preschool and Children’s Ministries.  Note – a man should serve as a “security guard” at the door of the building while the activity is taking place.
  11. For personal events such as weddings, showers, etc.  the preschool facilities may be used according to the guidelines upon approval by the Director of Preschool and Children’s Ministries.