Kids Ministry · TRAINING GUIDE
1st–5th Grade
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Our Purpose
Volunteers in 1st- 5th grade play a crucial role in creating a space where kids can connect with God and each other. The top priority is eliminating distractions so every kid has the chance to focus and participate. Volunteers must lead by example—stay engaged, off phones, and participate in worship and games. Most importantly, forming real connections with the kids opens the door for meaningful conversations about God. This role isn’t just about keeping order; it’s about shaping young hearts and pointing them to Christ through our actions and interactions.
SECTION 1
Service Order
| Time | What’s happening |
|---|---|
| 9:15 am - 9:25 am | Attend Volunteer Morning Meeting |
| 9:30 am - 10:05 am | Arrival & Hangout |
| 10:05 am - 10:10 am | Rules & Rewards |
| 10:10 am - 10:40 am | Gym/Game |
| 10:40 am - 10:45 am | Bathroom Break |
| 10:50 am - 11:20 am | Worship & Lesson |
| 11:20 am - 11:30 am | Pick-Up/Sticker Removal |
SECTION 2
Pre-service Preparation
Volunteer Meeting: Arrive by 9:15 AM wearing your volunteer shirt for the volunteer meeting to discuss the day's schedule and any special instructions. Our meeting is going to end at 9:25, so if you need coffee or snacks, head to the coffee bar, but be in your rooms at 9:30.
Volunteer Check-In: After our morning meeting, when you arrive in your rooms, please enter your phone number on the iPad and check yourself in.
Room Readiness: Be in the room by 9:30 AM to prepare the room for the kids’ arrival.
Hands-Off Approach: Our disciplinary action is limited; we are not parents, and this is not school. We will talk to the kids and de-escalate, but we do not use our hands. If any kid is not responsive to our Rules & Rewards (see section 4), then we will message our morning group message for help.
Group Message: Reach out to the morning group message when you have a problem with a kid. If a kid gets 2 strikes or if a situation requires immediate attention, like an ice pack is needed. For any and all situations, simply say “We need help in the 1st-5th”. Be prepared to explain the details upon the Team Leaders’ arrival.
Security: For matters of safety and security, if you see a person looking into rooms, wandering the kids’ hall, or in the parking lot. Message the morning group message.
BE THE LIGHT: Strive to eliminate negativity and instead bring positivity, excitement, hope, and vision. When serving, aim to bring a cheerful attitude and set aside negativity. We know and understand that everyone is dealing with challenges outside of this environment, but we serve to put our focus on making an impact for the kingdom!
No phones: No devices of any kind, we need to pay attention to the needs of the kids.
SECTION 3
Arrival & Welcome
Arrival Position: One volunteer needs to be positioned at the door during this time, and the other will be with the kids. If there is a youth volunteer in the room, they will be with the kids while the adult volunteer greets parents and kids.
Reassurance: Engage with the families with a positive attitude, ask the kids’ names, age, etc, and show you are interested in knowing them and caring for them.
Visitors or Guests: For first-time visitors or guests, direct them to the check-in desk in the foyer.
Check-In: Ensure the kid has been checked in and has their sticker to be placed on their back, if not done already.
Technology: No phones or electronic devices of any kind are allowed to be brought into kids’ church.
Placement: A kid in Kindergarten cannot move up into the 1st-5th grade, and in the same way, a 6th grader cannot move down to the 1st-5th grade room. Only 1st-5th graders allowed in 1st-5th grade. No exceptions.
Report Attendance: Before leaving for the gym at 10:10, provide a head count to the Team Leader through our morning group message.
SECTION 4
Rules & Rewards
Checks & Balances: The “Rules & Rewards” system exists to help kids grow, learn, and play. We want kids to have fun, and we also want them to learn. Go over the rules and rewards with the kids using the printout in the binder.
Remote/Slides: You will use the remote to go through the graphics for the Rules & Rewards.
Strike System: The first strike, no prize. Kids get strikes for breaking any of the rules. Show the prize box to the kids and let them know we keep it stocked with fun stuff! Second strike, we get the Team Leader. You will message the morning group message for the team leader to stop by and assess if the kid needs to be removed. Kids can earn a strike back through good behavior throughout the morning.
Count Down: 5,4,3,2,1: We count down from 5,4,3,2,1 to direct the attention of the room. Once we get to 1, the whole room should be quiet and eyes forward, no one moving around. Practice with them by having them start talking (not yelling) to each other, and then count down 5,4,3,2,1.
No Bullying: No talking down to or making fun of someone or being physical: pushing, shoving, hitting, etc. at all.
One Voice: The one voice at a time rule means we listen when someone is speaking, whether it's a volunteer or a friend asking a question. We listen with our whole body, no playing in their seats or chatting with their neighbor.
Help Others Learn: We have the kids put all toys in pockets, put stickers on their backs, throw trash away, and not talk to their neighbor. These help to keep the room an environment free of distractions so everyone can learn.
Got Questions?: This is specifically for our worship and lesson time. Kids should not interrupt the worship or lesson to ask questions. There will be a designated question time after the lesson. Some examples are: Kids ask to use the bathroom, ask what song is playing, etc.
No Technology: No phones, smart watches, tablets, etc., we do not know what is on the device or what can be accessed from it. If it has a screen, it needs to be placed in the sparkly bucket next to the prize box.
Gym Rules: No one is allowed in the game room or the student worship center until bathroom time. When we go to the gym, we go quietly and do not run. One volunteer will lead the front, and the other will be at the end of the line. No boots are allowed on the court. No food, drink, or GUM allowed in the gym!
SECTION 5
During Service
Accompany: A volunteer must accompany the kids at all times . They do not go to any room or area by themselves.
Bathroom Break: There are designated bathroom breaks during the drop-off/hangout and after game time in the gym. The bathroom kids will use is the Student Center Game Room Bathrooms .
Engagement with Kids: When doing worship or music, engage with the kids, sing the songs, and model how worship can be done. While the kids are free playing in the playroom, communicate and engage with them (play video games, build Legos, chat, etc.). Observe who looks like they may need someone to play with or someone who looks like they are sad or apprehensive, and talk and play with them. Assess any situation that warrants it.
Discipline : Kindly give kids instruction, direction, and correction . We are not the parents and are not to spank, threaten, or yell. If kids need to be separated for any reason, do so. Teaching kids to apologize for their wrongs to others is a great way to help them learn how to act with other kids and volunteers.
Black Cabinets: No kids of any age are allowed to go into the black cabinets.
Shoes: Do not let students take their shoes off in the worship or game room.
Worship & Prayer: One volunteer will be in the back of the room to turn off the lights. This volunteer’s job during worship is to watch the kids and correct any distractions. One volunteer will lead the worship, starting with prayer. Once worship begins, the songs will autoplay until the lesson graphic or video plays.
Remote/Songs: You will use the remote to start the autoplay of the worship songs.
SECTION 6
Gym/Game Time
Travel: Ensure that the kids travel quietly to and from the gym! Very important that we walk together with 1 Volunteer leading the group and 1 Volunteer walking behind the group.
Keys & Doors: Inside the black cabinet to the left, there is a lanyard with a yellow bobber. Bring it with you to the gym. Use the key to unlock the gym and get back into the church. The door to enter the gym is the second set of doors to the right of the glass garage door. The door to enter back into the main building is the second door to the left of the playground. If you have any issues, text our morning group message.
Student Center: Kids are not allowed in the Student Worship Center. Kids are not allowed to play the games in the Game Room during the bathroom break.
Boots: No boots are allowed on the court. Kids are able to take their shoes off.
Food, Drink, & Gum: No gum, food, or drink in the gym. Make sure to go over this in the Rules & Rewards.
SECTION 7
Family Pick-up/Post-service
Treasure Chest: Also known as the Prize Box, this is for kids who have gone through the day without any strikes . Those kids will be rewarded with a prize when their name is called out of the room.
Sticker Removal: As you cheerfully direct kids to grab their belongings/crafts and exit to their families, remove their sticker from their backs.
Ensure the kid is leaving with their family: This is essential for the safety and well-being of our kids. It also conveys this to parents, especially those who are new to the room or the church.
Last Kid Standing: Once service is over, stay in the room until all kids are picked up. Leave no kid behind and bring no kid to their family. Families must come to pick up their kids.
Shutting Down: Turn off all lights, ensure the room is tidy, and turn off lights & equipment.
Black Cabinets: Make note of anything that needs to be fixed, washed, or anything we are running low on. Send a message to us in our morning group message about anything missing or lost.
SECTION 8
Youth Volunteers
Responsibilities: As youth volunteers, your contributions are vital in creating a welcoming and safe environment for the kids under our care. We believe youth volunteers are excellent role models for kids.
Expectations: We want our youth volunteers to know the volunteer guide for the rooms they serve in, just like the adult volunteers. Read over this complete guide to better be able to assist the leading adult volunteer in all areas.
Energy: Bring energy and excitement to everything, the lessons, crafts, activities, games, and worship!
Drop-off: While the leading adult volunteer is at the door greeting parents and kids as they arrive, you will be engaging with the kids by playing games, Legos, etc.
No Phones: No devices of any kind, pay attention to the kids to optimize the time we have to connect and lead.
Correction: Let adult volunteers know of any issues that arise, and they will instruct, direct, and correct. Issues include: behavioral issues, supply issues, a kid is scared or uncomfortable, a kid doesn’t feel good, etc.
Tidying Up: Help clean up the room by putting things away, wiping down surfaces, and preparing the room for the next service.
Above All: Assist the other volunteers in the room with a cheerful attitude and a helping hand.