Ensuring a Quality Preschool Ministry

Purpose of the Preschool Ministry TeamThe purpose of the Preschool Ministry Team (PMT) is to coordinate all activities of the various church ministry groups related to preschoolers. Because of the nature of preschoolers, teachers in church ministry groups do not vary in methods of teaching. The same room with the same furnishings, equipment and supplies is often used by more than one group each week. The goal of each church should be a quality teaching ministry for preschoolers each time they come to church. To accomplish this goal, a church should coordinate planning among preschool leaders, parents, and other church leaders so everyone functions from the same principles to better meet the preschooler’s physical, social, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Basic Principles of Coordination• Coordination will vary from church to church; however, some basic principles must be considered.• Coordination must be planned; it will not just happen.• Mutual goals and objectives are necessary if coordination is to be effective.• All ministry groups serving the same age group should be involved in coordination.• Age-group coordination respects the tasks assigned to each ministry group.• The simplest methods of coordination which can effectively meet the needs of the situation should be

adopted.

Qualifications of Preschool Ministry Team MembersMembers of the PMT should be selected by the Church Nominating Committee or the Church Leadership Team (CLT) and elected by the church. The PMT should have representatives from the following ministry groups: Sunday School/Bible study, Discipleship , Music, Missions, and Church Weekday Education.

The following persons should be members of the PMT: the preschool coordinator or preschool division director, a father and mother of a preschooler (but not from the same family), the director of the child care or weekday education ministry. Perhaps a pediatrician or lawyer could serve as resource person to the PMT on matters affecting policies, insurance, and hiring.

These church staff members should be ex officio members: pastor, Minister of Education, or Minister of Childhood Education. The preschool coordinator or division director may serve as chair, or the committee may wish to elect its own chair. Some of the following qualifications should be considered when selecting a chair:

• Good working knowledge of the various preschool ministries• Respect for preschool leaders and staff• Ability to maintain good working relationships.

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Duties of the Preschool Ministry Team• Recommend and publicize preschool policies and procedures. When formulating policies, the PMT

should consider teachers in all ministry groups. Teachers should have input on decisions that concern their areas of responsibility. Teachers should understand and feel comfortable with policies that are adopted. A date should be set when teachers from all ministry groups will meet to discuss policies.

As the PMT works to establish policies, members should ask questions such as: Do these policies meet our church’s needs? Is our total preschool ministry meeting the needs of the preschoolers and their parents? Do we show evidence of cooperation and a friendly relationship among all preschool ministry groups in the church?

When the policies have been formulated, they should be presented to the church for approval. Proposed policies may be distributed to the church members (especially parents of preschoolers) before they are discussed and approved. After the policies have been approved, they should be duplicated and distributed to preschool leaders, parents of preschoolers, and other church members.

• Recommend the purchase of furnishings and supplies. A Quality preschool ministry requires a constant supply of furnishings and supplies. The PMT may designate one of its members as purchasing agent, or a staff member may be assigned this responsibility.

Expendable items such as art paper, crayons, tempera paint, clay, paste, newsprint, and large drawing paper may be purchased by each department or ministry group. A more economical method is to order these items in large quantities. Supplies should be located in a storage area near the preschool departments. All teachers should be familiar with the procedures for obtaining needed materials.

• Coordinate space assigned to preschool ministry. A church with a diversified preschool ministry knows that often one preschool group is ready to use a room as soon as another group has vacated the room. Coordinating the use of space is important if a church’s total preschool ministry is to be effective.

The PMT should have a record of space needs of every preschool group in the church. These records should show the number enrolled in each group, the purpose of the group, and hours when the group is meeting at the church. The PMT assigns needed space to various groups. Careful planning is needed to meet the needs of all ministry groups.

• Work with the Personnel Committee to select, equip and supervise employed preschool teachers. Often churches pay persons to work with preschoolers during worship services and other church meetings.

The PMT should work with the Personnel Committee or a staff member who employs the teachers to develop a list of qualifications and a job profile.

Supervision of employed preschool teachers may be assigned to a staff member, preschool division director, or the PMT. Periodic evaluations of the employed preschool teachers’ performance should be conducted by the person(s) supervising.

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• Communicate regularly with the Church Council or Church Leadership Team (CLT). The chair of the PMT should be a member of the Church Council or CLT. The chair may serve as a liaison between the Church Council or CLT and the PMT. Communication is vital to avoid conflicts that may develop between the two groups.

The PMT should meet as often as necessary to coordinate preschool ministry in the church. The committee should meet at least once each quarter.

Policies and ProceduresPolicies will vary with individual churches. The PMT should make a careful study of preschool ministries in the church and should tailor policies to meet the needs of preschooler, their parents, and teachers in all preschool ministry groups.

The PMT should establish four types of policies to guide the preschool ministry in a church:• policies for parents• policies for leaders• general operating policies for use and care of preschool departments • policies for older preschool children

Note: Policies which ensure that preschoolers have a safe learning environment may include guidelines for parents and teachers in the following area: safety and hygiene practices, infectious disease guidelines, playground use guidelines, emergency procedures (including evacuation routes), and security practice guidelines (forms of identifying the child with his parent when the parent arrives for the child). The PMT should consult the local fire marshal for a thorough safety evaluation of their facilities in case of fire or severe weather conditions. The local health department and state licensing agent may provide suggestions for developing safety, hygiene, and infectious disease guidelines. The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA, will be helpful in the most recent studies concerning disease control. Consulting the individual groups will give the committee credibility with the church and community as it tries to meet the needs of preschoolers in the congregation. These guidelines may be included in a manual of preschool policies.

Parents should be kept informed about the reason for policies and guidelines in preschool ministry. One of the main reasons for a PMT and preschool policies is to strengthen the relationship between parents and preschool leaders.

Churches with preschool ministries that involve tuition should provide written policies for these ministries. Copies of policies for the use and care of preschool departments should be given to the director and teachers who use the rooms. Understanding and cooperation are essential for good working relationships. The following preschool policies are given as guidelines.

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Policies for Parents• Preschoolers birth through preschool six and their teachers are the only persons permitted in their

departments. Observing this policy will provide greater safety for children and enable teachers to provide activities to meet the needs of each child. The teacher will receive the child at the door.

• Children who show signs of illness, such as high temperature, cannot be accepted in a preschool department. Teachers will not give medication to any child. (See infectious disease guidelines).

• The children should be brought and called for by a parent or other responsible person. Someone other than a parent is to call for a child, teachers should be notified in advance who will have this responsibility.

• Children will be called for immediately at the close of each session. Sometimes even the most well-adjusted child will become fearful or anxious if he is left after the other children have gone.

• During the extended teaching care, a light snack will be served to the children.• Bottles and baby food brought by the parents will be given each child according to their parents’

instructions. Provide “Baby’s Schedule” cards for parents to write feeding instructions. These cards should be kept on file.

Policies for Leaders• Leaders in a preschool department are members of the church in which they teach.

• All preschool leaders, both volunteers and employed, are expected to equip themselves for teaching.

• All leaders are expected to study literature for their particular age group and to plan activities so appropriate Christian education may occur when preschoolers are at the church house.

• All leaders are expected to show love, understanding and acceptance for all preschoolers.

• As the children arrive, all leaders should greet them with a bright smile and warm words.

• Leaders are expected to sit on a child-size chair or on the floor. Too much moving around can be disturbing to young children.

• All leaders are responsible for regular contacts of absentees, prospects, and parents.

• All leaders are expected to follow the church’s child safety policies and procedures, including criminal background checks.

• All leaders are expected to wear nametags.

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General Policies for Use and Care of Preschool Departments• Children older than preschool age are not permitted in a preschool department/room.

• A person under 18 years of age is not to be recruited as a preschool teacher.

• Each preschool room should be considered as a separate department; the director or lead teacher of each department is responsible for planning for teaching in that room.

• A list of needed furnishings and equipment of any department will be submitted to the chair of the PMT for approval and consideration by the PMT.

• The director and teachers of all preschool departments will consult with the staff, preschool division director or coordinator, or chair of the PMT before making any major changes in procedure.

• The church custodian is responsible for keeping the floors, windows, halls, and restrooms clean and sanitary. Preschool teachers will be responsible for the sanitation of toys and equipment and for keeping the rooms clean and free from clutter.

• At the end of each teaching session, teachers should put away material such as books, puzzles, block accessories, pictures, and remaining art materials.

• At least two adult leaders are required in preschool rooms for safety reasons and to provide good learning experiences for the children.

• Preschoolers may be transferred from baby or 1’s rooms within the preschool division according to their physical development. Department directors will inform the division director, preschool director, or coordinator know when children are ready to be transferred. 1’s may be transferred to the two-year department according to the church’s grading or promotion date.

• Snacks should be served to preschoolers during extended teaching care. Snacks often consist of fruit juice or water and crackers.

• When ministry groups need provision for preschoolers during special events, they are required to notify the preschool division director or chair of the PMT at least one week before child care is needed.

• The PMT will want to decide that the preschool rooms should be closed by a certain hour, such as 10:00 p.m. This will vary from church to church.

• Learning experiences for preschoolers through three should be provided for all regular church activities.

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Equipping of Preschool LeadersEquipping enables directors or teachers to become more effective leaders and Christians. Persons who serve in the Preschool Ministry are expected to take advantage of equipping opportunities. Effective equipping includes:

• Understanding how preschoolers grow and develop• Equipping in appropriate methods to use to teach young children• Growing in knowledge of Biblical background and theological concepts

Partnering with ParentsA young child’s environment is the source of his experiences, feelings, attitudes, and knowledge of the world. When a child comes to church, he brings something of his home with him, even the language of parents. A good preschool teacher sees a child for himself, a unique human being God has made.

Many parents understand how preschoolers grow and develop. Many are educated in the ways children learn, but they do not understand how to apply the Biblical message to everyday living. Preschool teachers have a twofold responsibility for strengthening church and home relationships, first to the child and second to the parents. Parents and teachers should work together to learn best how to meet the needs of the child.

ResourcesEquipping CDs

• “Reducing the Risk.” CD, Christian Ministry Resources, P.O. Box 1098, Matthews, NC 28106.

• “Pavestones 1 & 2: Preschool Equipping CD.” Available for purchase through the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, Emerging Leaders Team. To order call 1.800.ALL.BGAV x2256 or email diane.smith@vbmb.org.

• “Love, Laughter, and Learning”, a CD from LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, TN.

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Made possible by the generous Cooperative Missions gifts of Virginia Baptist Churches affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia.

www.vbmb.org

For more information, contact:

Diane Smith Children’s Ministry Strategist, Emerging Leaders Team

Virginia Baptist Mission Board 800.ALL.BGAV (255.2428), Ext. 2256

diane.smith@vbmb.org