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Saddleback KidsNursery Handbook

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WelcomeThe Saddleback Kids Nursery is a safe and loving environment for your child age birth through23 months. Our volunteer Nursery Leaders provide special care to each child who is entrusted to them during worship services.

At Saddleback Church we believe it is possible to share the love of Christ with your child from the day of his or her birth. Jesus’ love, radiating from our Saddleback Kids leaders, helps your young one feel that the church is a happy place where he or she is loved and secure.

We realize infants change and grow at different rates. It is our desire to provide a safe and stimulating environment for your child at each developmental stage.

Newborn Birth to CrawlingNursery (approximately birth - 6 months)

Crawlers Crawling to First Steps(approximately 6 months - 12 months)

Walkers First Steps to Walking(approximately 12 - 18 months)

Toddlers Experienced Walkers(approximately 18 - 23 months)

Your child is precious to us and to Jesus. As ministers of Jesus’ love, our prayer is that we may

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serve you and your family. If you have any questions or suggestions, please give us a call at (949) 609-8651.

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Regarding Your Child’s HealthWe operate a well-baby Nursery. For the protection of all the children in our ministry, we are unable to care for a child with a runny nose, fresh cold (three days or less), fever, rash, persistent cough, diarrhea or any other signs of illness. We request that you not place your child inthe Nursery while they are at risk of exposing other children. Thank you in advance for helping us keep our Nursery a healthy environment for all.

Note: Children will attimes become ill suddenly. Should your child exhibit any signs of illness, we will isolate your child from the other children and text you during the worship service. It is imperative that you not leave the church campus while your child is in our Nursery care. You need to be readily available in the event of an emergency that would require your attention.

When You Bring Your ChildA Nursery Leader will greet you and help you check in your child. The leader will receive your diaper bag and any other necessary items. We will note any information that will help in caring for your child such as feeding times, sleeping times, allergies and special

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needs.

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Nursery Check-In and Check-OutPlease label all of your child’s personal belongings. This helps us keep track of your child’s items. At the time of check-in, a Nursery Leader will apply an adhesive tag to your child’s back with his or her first name and your full name. You will be given a matching tag (claim label).

What to BringWhen packing a diaper bag for your child, please include the following items:1. Two or three

disposable diapers. No cloth diapers please.

2. Pacifier or blanket, should your child need it for security.

3. A complete change of clothes.

4. A bottle of milk, formula, juice or water. Please mark allpersonal items with your child’s first and last name before coming to the Nursery.

Keeping In TouchThe Nursery Leader will ask you for your cell phone number. If your child needs you during the worship service, you will receive a text message on your cell phone. Please keep your phone on vibrate and available during the service.

Forgotten ItemsPlease make sure that all of your child’s personal items have been returned to you before you leave the

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classroom. Lost and found items will be retained for three weekends in the room. Items not claimed are donated to a charitable organization.

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Saying GoodbyeAfter you have completed the check-in process, simply wave a quick good-bye and leave for the worship service. It is normal for little ones to cry when a parent leaves. This does not last long and separation

becomes easier as you develop regular attendance routines. Our leaders will immediately try to create interest in a toy or activity and give assurance that you will return after the worship service. If your child

cries for an extended period of time (10 minutes), we will text you.

Check-OutAt check-in you were given a claim label. We ask that you present the claim label when you return to the child’s classroom. After the leader verifies that the label matches the bar code on the roster label, we will return your child to you. A child will not be released without presentation of the claim label.

We ask that you pick up your children immediately after the end of the service to allow us time to prepare for the next service.

SnacksSnacks are provided for the children once they graduate to the Crawler classroom. The food items consist of water and either wheat free cereal O’s or vanilla wafers. If your child has a food allergy, please inform the leader when you leave your child.

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CurriculumRegular learning experiences are planned for your child. Bible lessons are reinforced with songs and supervised play.

Bible Time

Heart Time

Prayer TimeThank you Jesus prayer.

Family TimeAt-home activity. To be involved with what your child is learning, go to www.saddlebackkids.com and click of the big orange“SK Weekend” button.

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Parent Commitment and Child Dedication ServiceAt our Child Dedication service, parents commit to raise their child to know Jesus Christ for the glory of God. Our Child Dedications are a completely separate celebration from the worship services and are held on designated Saturdaysfrom 10:00–11:00 a.m. Before parents register for a dedication service, they are requiredto attend just one Child Dedication Class. Registration is not required for the class.

Please check our website forclass dates: www.saddlebackkids.com. At the end of the class, parents will be able to register for one of our Child Dedication services. Also, if you participate in a Small Group through Saddleback Church, a private dedication with a Community Leader is another option to consider.Please call (949) 609-8651 for more information.

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Saddleback KidsOur Vision:Connecting kids to God and others.

Our Mission:Our ministry exists to bring children into age appropriate WORSHIP where they can BELONG to the family of God, GROW in their relationship with Christ, learn to SERVE and then go SHARE Christ in the world!

Our Team Values

1.Safety and Security – Protecting children is our number one value!

2.Teamwork – Serving together lightens the load and strengthens the heart.

3.Adaptability – The ability to be flexible in a changing culture or environment for the sake of the team and the big picture.

4.Relevance – Being aware of your culture and being willing to adapt in order to effectively communicate and connect with your audience.

5.Shepherd Leadership – Leading others in the leadership style modeled by Christ.