The nursery supports parents by providing for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of young children during worship services and other scheduled events.
We are called as the church to receive, nurture and treasure each child as gift from God and to give high priority to the quality of planning for children and the preparation and support of those who minister with them. We are called to love, shelter, protect and defend children within our community, to nurture and support families in caring for their children, acting in the children’s best interest.
The St James’ nursery is staffed by professional childcare workers who provide loving care for our children.
We will provide a light snack, generally animal crackers or goldfish, during nursery care. If your child has a food allergy or special need related to food, please provide this information on the Registration Form and notify the Nursery Director.
Nursery Hours:
- Sunday during the 10:30 am service for ages 0-3 years
General Information:
- Nursery staff are fully vaccinated for Covid-19, and are tested regularly for Covid.
- Parents and guardians may leave a child in the nursery ONLY to attend a St. James’ Episcopal Church-sponsored activity.
- Parents who would like a space for their small child to move around during the service, but who do not want to leave their child in the nursery, will be encouraged to use the quiet play area in the sanctuary.
- Changing tables are available in the restrooms for diapering needs by parents.
- The maximum number of individuals, which includes 2 caregivers, any children of caregivers, and children being cared for in the nursery, is 8.
Parent Responsibilities:
Parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. We count it as a great privilege to partner with parents in laying a foundation for faith in their children’s lives.
Parents can help us by:
- Becoming familiar with the nursery procedures and policies.
- Remembering that each policy and guideline is based on a desire to provide a safe, secure learning environment for your child.
- Filling out the required Registration Form.
Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures:
Children are dropped off outside of the nursery.
- At the time of drop-off, you will be asked to sign your child in.
- If your child has any allergies, is potty-training or has special needs, please note that on the sign-in form.
- On the form, you will verify that you have screened your child for Covid related symptoms or other illness prior to their arrival in the nursery.
Parents should include the following supplies for their children in a diaper bag: Bottle or sippy-cup (labeled with your child’s name)
- Diapers and wipes
- Soother (pacifier, blanket)
- Change of clothes
- Please check diaper bags regularly to ensure there are proper supplies. If you forget these supplies for your child, we have items available for use.
We prefer that you DO NOT bring the following items:
- Medicine of any kind. (If your child needs medication at all, it MUST be administered by the parent/guardian)
- Personal toys
- Meals or snacks other than bottles and baby food
After sign-in, please hand your child to the nursery worker.
We want your child to feel comfortable in the room, so if your child is having separation anxiety or difficulty transitioning, you will be asked to enter the nursery to assist with your child. After your child is content, however, we will ask you to exit the nursery. The staff will text-message parents during the service if you are needed.
When the service has ended, please arrive promptly to pick up your child. You will need to sign your child out, by placing your initials in the sign-out box on the sign-in sheet.
- Once you have signed your child out, the nursery workers will bring your child to the door with your child’s diaper bag.
- We will only release children to their parents/guardians or individuals preapproved by parents on the Registration Form.
- Older siblings may not pick up younger siblings.
Policies
Incident/Accident Policy
We strive to keep your child as safe as possible. However, if your child is in some type of incident/accident, we will contact you in a timely manner. An incident report will be completed by the worker(s) who witnessed the event and then given to the Nursery Director. The Nursery Director will follow up with the parent/guardian of each child involved.
First Aid Kit
A First Aid Kit is available in the nursery. General first aid can be administered by nursery workers as needed, but if your child needs medication it MUST be administered by the parent/guardian.
Illness
To prevent the spread of viruses and infectious illnesses the following policies will be enforced. You will be notified immediately to come pick up your children should they become ill in the nursery. Medication will not be administered by any of the nursery staff. Should your child develop an infectious illness after a session in the nursery, please contact the Nursery Director immediately.
Children who show signs of illness should be kept at home. According to the Committee on Control of Infectious Diseases of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a child should not be taken from home when any of the following exists, or if the child has had symptoms of the following within the previous 24 hours:
- Fever greater than 101 degrees
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Any of the symptoms of the usual childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, chickenpox, or whooping cough
Children should also be kept at home who show signs of any other illness, including but not limited to:
- Strep Throat
- Head Lice
- Covid
- Pink Eye
- Undiagnosed Rashes or Sores
- On-going Cough
- Runny Nose and Watery Eyes
Nursery Caregivers
We require all nursery caregivers who work with children to go through a screening process that includes an application form, reference checks and a criminal/child abuse background check. Nursery caregivers take part in 3 hours of Safeguarding God’s Children training prior to beginning employment and do First Aid/CPR training
Safeguarding God’s Children policies of the Diocese of Texas states that two Safeguarded adults be present at all times when caring for children, and the ratio of children in care to the number of caregivers depends on the age and the number of children. Currently, the maximum number of individuals who may be in the nursery is 8, including caregivers, the children of caregivers, and children in care.