Safe Nurseries + Safe Equipment = Welcoming & Effective Ministry - Nursery Safety Policies!

As we focus on safe nurseries and talk about the basic steps any church could take to be sure their nursery is clean, safe and inviting, we need to take a closer look at our safety policies. Do you have written child safety and sick child policies? Some basics would include the following -

1. All nursery volunteers will be at least 16 years old and will be screened, interviewed and trained before they are able to serve with the children.
2. There will always be at least two unrelated, screened and trained adults in the nursery whenever it is available for use.
3. All nursery furnishings and toys will be cleaned/replaced between services and during the week.
4. Any child who has had a fever, colored discharge from their nose and who has had diarrhea or vomited 24 hours before an opportunity to be at church should be kept home.
5. Should a child become ill while in the nursery, they will be separated from the other children and their parents will be sent for.

Be sure you have your policies posted on the wall and give a copy to all parents and volunteers. 

Do you have a written volunteer standard and an application procedure for screening volunteers? I strongly recommend Reducing the Risk from Christianity Today as it provides all the information you need to screen volunteers and implement a safety policy in your children’s ministry!  Do you have a written safety policy? You are responsible for the children in the care of your nursery so you need to screen volunteers, implement a safety policy and be alert!