Toddler

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.

The Lesson: The Wednesday before volunteers serve the lesson for the Sunday they serve will be uploaded to Church Center. We ask all volunteers to read the lesson and familiarize themselves with what is being taught before they serve.

Room Readiness: Be in the Toddler Room by 9:30 AM to prepare the room for the children's arrival and get the welcome activity ready. Ensure you have all the supplies you need for the day (snacks, water, pull-ups, diapers, wipes, etc.) and the activities.

Hands-Off Approach: Our disciplinary action is limited; we are not parents, and this is not school. We will talk to the toddlers and de-escalate, but we do not use our hands. If any toddler is not responsive to us, we then direct the toddler to separate from the situation. If the toddler is still unresponsive to our directions, then we will message our morning group message for help from the Team Leader.

Group Message: Reach out to the morning group message when you have a problem with a child. If a toddler is unresponsive to our correction or direction, or if a situation requires immediate attention, such as when an ice pack is needed. For any and all situations, simply say “We need help in the Toddler Room”. 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, energy, 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!

Compassion: Lead & serve with compassion. We handle all situations with compassion & grace. We do not hand out parenting advice or correct families, but rather love and encourage. If there are any issues, bring them to the attention of the Team Leader or Pastor Chris before or after service.

No phones: No devices of any kind. We need to pay attention to the needs of the toddlers.

Arrival Position: One volunteer needs to be positioned at the door during this time, and the other will be with the toddlers. If there is a youth volunteer in the room, they will be with the toddlers while the adult volunteer greets families.

Check-In: Ensure the toddler has been checked in and has their sticker placed on their back.

Placement: We do allow for toddlers to move up from the Nursery early, but it is decided upon careful review. If there are any issues or questions about placement in the Toddler Room, speak to our Team Leader or Pastor Chris before or after service.

Assist with Bags: Help parents with any bags as they drop off their toddlers.

Reassurance: Comfort families by reassuring them that their toddlers will have fun, be safe, and well cared for, especially a family new to the room or the church.

Visitors or Guests: For first-time visitors or guests, direct them to the check-in desk in the foyer.

Allergy and Special Requests: Check for any allergies or special dietary requirements that need attention. Confirm with families if their toddler can have goldfish and/or animal crackers . If there is another snack or someone brings something for their birthday, like cupcakes, ensure that it is okay with the families as well.

Diaper/Pull-up/Underwear and Clothes Check: Confirm that diapers/pull-ups and a change of clothes are available in the child’s bag if they are potty training or unable to use the potty (we do have diapers/pull-ups/underwear and wipes if the parent does not provide them).

Technology: No electronic devices of any kind are allowed to be brought into the toddler room by a toddler.

Welcome Activity: Each week, there will be a Welcome Activity to do with the toddlers. This activity should be done while toddlers are being dropped off. This activity helps toddlers to better adjust to the room. A real example: A toddler arrives crying or fussing for their parents, with energy and excitement. We lead them over to the Welcome Activity, and they begin to have fun and leave their crying behind.

Report Attendance: Before starting the lesson at 10:10, provide a head count to the Team Leader through our morning group message.

Regular Bathroom/Diaper Checks: Assess the toddler’s need to use the restroom every 15-20 minutes to ensure toddlers are comfortable and clean, especially if potty training. We want to avoid accidents if possible. Also, if they are not potty trained, check their pull-up or diaper every 15-20 minutes to ensure they remain clean and dry.

Potty Training: Some toddlers are potty trained, some aren’t - if you are unsure, ask the family. Anytime a new or visiting toddler is dropped off, be sure to ask the family. Toddlers who you know are potty training need to be asked, or rather strongly encouraged, to potty every 15 minutes.

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 counting down 5,4,3,2,1 when you get to 1, place your 1 index finger over your mouth in a shushing fashion to remind the kids to get quiet and still.

Service Energy: Toddlers feed off the energy of the volunteers in the room. If your energy and excitement are low or non-existent, then so will theirs be. Bring life to the room through your excitement and energy by jumping, clapping, smiling, laughing, etc.

Segments: The lesson for each week is broken up into segments. Most segments include a script. The script helps us to transition from segment to segment, ask questions, and breakdown the theme for each day.

Reading: When we read the script and transition from segment to segment we need to do so with energy and excitement to help generate as much involvement as possible.

Prayer & Worship: Gather the toddlers together in the worship area, which is the carpet in front of the TV. Ask them to all stand on a circle. Pray before starting worship to help bring focus. Encourage the children to sing and dance by joining you in singing and dancing to the songs.

Lesson & Script: Use the scripted parts of the lesson to assist in transitioning from one part of the service to another. The best use of the script is to read it before service starts to be familiar with what is said for the day. Then as we start the lesson follow along with the script without having to read word for word what is on the script. Feel free to ad-lib while maintaining faithfulness to the message, energy, and points within the script.

Craft: During this time, direct the toddlers to do their craft, allow room for variation in what the toddlers do.

Game: At this time, transition the toddlers to the appropriate area, the snack area, the worship area, etc., to play the game before pickup.

Black Cabinets: No toddlers are allowed to go into the black cabinets

Engagement with Toddlers: When doing worship, activities, games, etc., engage with the toddlers, sing the songs, dance, play, and engage. When doing the activity, help the toddlers with patience, ensure they understand what to do, and provide as much help as they need while also fostering some independence.

Discipline : Kindly provide toddlers with instruction, direction, and correction. We are not the parents and are not to spank, threaten, or yell. If toddlers need to be separated from the situation or others for any reason, do so. Teaching toddlers to apologize for their wrongs to others is a great way to help them learn how to act with other toddlers and volunteers.

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 counting down 5,4,3,2,1 when you get to 1, place your 1 index finger over your mouth in a shushing fashion to remind the toddlers to get quiet and still.

Free Play: While the toddlers are free playing in the playroom, communicate and play with them. 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.

Playground: When the Toddler Room goes to the playground, they first must be quiet and walk together. Second, the Volunteer will send a message to the morning group message that your room is going to the playground. When your group is getting ready to re-enter, let the group message know so that the Team Leader can let you in. The back door by the playground is exit only, no re-entry.

DVD Player Instructions: If additional entertainment is needed:

Use the "TV remote" to switch the input by pressing the input button

Then press the arrow down to select "HDMI 2”.

Turn on the DVD player using the 'on' button on the DVD Player

Then use the DVD player remote to play the selected video.

Service Ending: The Team Leader will send a message when Pastor is praying to let all volunteers know when the service is ending.

Family Pick-Up: We want all toddlers out of the playroom, shoes on, and calmed down for the family pickup.

Ensure the toddler is leaving with their family: This is essential for the safety and well- being of our toddler. It also conveys this to families, especially those who are new to the room or the church.

Sticker Removal: As you cheerfully hand over the toddler and their belongings/crafts to their families, remove their sticker from their back.

Last Toddler Standing: Once service is over, stay in the room until all toddlers are picked up. Leave no toddler behind and bring no toddler to their family. Families must come to pick up their toddlers.

Room Cleanup: Ensure the toddler room is tidy. Turn off lights and equipment and secure any trash. Keep Trash in the trash can.

Supply Check: Note any low supplies like diapers/pull-ups or wipes on the dry-erase board for restocking or anything that needs to be fixed or washed. Write them on the whiteboard located on the black cabinet.

Shutting Down: Turn off all lights, tie the trash bag up, leave the trash bag in the trash can, and lock the iPad outside of the room.

Responsibilities: As youth volunteers, your contributions are vital in creating a welcoming and safe environment for the children 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 children as they arrive, you will be engaging with the children 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 child is scared or uncomfortable, a child 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.