Parents

Our desire is to lead children into a relationship with Christ. At Discovery, your family will experience a safe and friendly environment that supports families, and gives them opportunities to grow together in Christ.

The team at Discovery loves children and considers it a great honor to be serving the children of our church and community. Our team is excited to see God grow in the hearts of each child.  We take great care in preparing our leaders through an extensive orientation and training program. They have been carefully screened and are committed to the safety of your child.

 



Parent Policies

Discovery Kids provides a safe and secure environment for your child. We have policies which were developed to protect your child, the volunteers and class room environment. Our full policy is available upon request.  

SECURITY GUIDELINES

  • Children, Birth – 6th grade must be checked-in and dropped off by a parent or guardian.
  • Our computerized check-in/out security system allows families to register all of your children at one time.
  • Check-in is open 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled service
  • For the safety of your child, it is important that we have a completed registration form and current information pertaining to your child.
    • All Guests need to complete a ‘Guest Registration Form’ at Check-in..
    • Previously registered attendees need only to give their last name.
  • Parents will be given a numbered security tag and/or pager; these items are REQUIRED to pick up your child(ren).
    • Note: We recommend parents wear their sticky security tag, as it makes you easily identifiable within our secure Discovery Kids areas.
    • Parents of children Birth – 3 yrs of age receive a ‘pager’ as well – allowing us to reach you during the service(s) if the need arises.
  • Only a parent or guardian may pick up Early Childhood children (Birth – K). Parents or older sibling (16 and up) my pick-up elementary children (1st – 6th Grade).
  • Children are to be checked into their age appropriate class. Based on age(Pre-K) or grade (K-6th) as of Sept. 1st.  (Allowances will be made for Guests.)
  • Only children, parents and Discovery Island volunteers are permitted into Discovery Island areas during ministry hours 
    • Other than Discovery Island volunteers, any adult entering classrooms during ministry time, must first check in with area coordinator.
  • A volunteer should never be alone with a child. 
  • Two adults must be present in Discovery Island class rooms to accept children
  • Adult child ratios are for the safety of the children as well as the consideration of our volunteers. Adult to child ratios minimums are observed in Discovery Kids class rooms:
      • Nursery 1:4
      • Early Childhood 1:7
      • K – 6th 1:10

Note: As a courtesy to our volunteers and their families, children must be picked up immediately following the service. We welcome you to stay and socialize after you have picked up your child.

WHAT’S HOT & WHAT’S NOT
DISCOVERY ISLAND HEALTH POLICY
In order to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all children in Discovery Kids, we follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Please do not bring your child to the classroom if he or she displays any of the following symptoms:

  • Fever – greater than 99 degrees within the last 24 hours.(w/o medication)
  • Diarrhea and/or vomiting in the last 24 hours. (w/o medication)
  • Pink eye or other eye infections (red, crusty, or watery discharge)
  • Sore throat
  • Sneezing or cough, if persistent and/or productive
  • Color nasal discharge: white - viral infection; yellow or green - bacterial infection
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin)
  • Any skin infections; sores and/or crusts on the scalp, face or body - particularly if red, swollen, draining, or spreading
  • Skin eruptions or rash (other than diaper rash)
  • Lice
  • Swelling and tenderness of glands, particularly around face or neck
  • Any communicable diseases

 

NOTE: Neither leaders nor the staff of Discovery is allowed to give any medicine to any child in Discovery Kids.
If your child has any of these symptoms – please keep your child home from Kids ministry and allow them to get well.  This is a blessing to your child and the other kids and staff of Discovery.

We want to provide a healthy environment for the children and the workers.  If a child displays symptoms of an illness while in the classroom, we will notify the Children’s Ministry director or one of the Lead Teachers on duty.  We will move the child to the back of the room, away from the other children until we can locate the parents to come pick up their child.

FAQ's

Who is responsible for my child on Sunday morning?
Parents are expected to keep their children with them at all times before and after services and during worship, if they are not in class . Children are not permitted to roam unattended in the hallway, the gym or outside of the building at any time. Unattended children will be returned to their parents and/or class. The children’s staff is responsible only during planned programming. Children are expected to comply with our guidelines and allow us to provide for their safety. For your child's safety, please do not allow your child to remain outside the building alone or unsupervised at any time.

How will I be contacted in case of an emergency?
At check-in you will receive a identification card for your child(ren).  Parents of children Birth – 3 yrs of age receive a ‘pager’ as well.

In the unlikely event of an emergency, parents will be notified one of three ways: Pager, your child’s identification number will be presented on the bottom of the screen in the main auditorium or by an usher.

It is therefore important to sign your child in, and note where you will be, so that parents can be reached quickly and directly. The child's teacher will be instructed to wait for the parent(s) to pick up their child unless we are notified otherwise by the parent.

What do I do with my children if I am late?
Come and sign your child in – we will welcome and take them to there class, at any time!

When do children move up to the next classroom?
Promotion to the next grade/age level is an annual event typically occurring during the month of August. The only exception is in our Birth to 2 year old classes – this is based on child’s development.

What do I do if I am receiving ministry (prayer) at the end of the service or serve in another ministry?
If you are not able to pick up your children within 10 minutes of the close of the service, the child's teacher or children's church worker or usher will bring your children to you, unless you have previously made other arrangements with the ministry coordinator(s).

Why are some of the rooms closed when I try to drop off my child?
Children may be dropped off 10-15 minutes before an event, program or worship service.  Also, our Nursery or classrooms have set adult to child ratios that are necessary for the safety of the children and for the consideration of the volunteers serving. On occasions Discovery Island must close classrooms, because we have not met this ratio. When this occurs, parents are always welcome to stay with their child in Discovery Island upon a directors approval.

What do you do with the information on the registration form?
The information on these forms is kept confidential. We only use the information to get to know you and your children better. We are able to identify birthdays, send you updated ministry information and keep our records current. 

Is there anything that children should not bring with them?
It is preferable that children do not bring food or toys into class with them. It is always best that things be left in the car or at home. That way there are no lost toys or important items.

Do you need volunteers?
Yes, we always have a need for volunteers. Wanting to be apart of a great team that impacts kids lives?  Join the Discovery Kids Team. Click here to contact us about how to begin this process. ‘Volunteer’

 

Parent Child Dedication

A child is a God-given trust, a gift from God to parents and the church community.

Our memorable dedication service offers you an opportunity as a parent to commit with other parents to raising Christ-centered, others-oriented children. It also gives you the opportunity to have a pastor pray for God’s blessings on your child and your family. It is this focus that leads us to Parent and Child Dedication, rather than just baby dedication

Dedication is a celebration that recognizes your child is a gift from God and makes public the church’s commitment to your family and your family’s commitment to the church. It is not a ceremony that brings salvation to your child or a substitute for believer’s baptism.

Our Child dedications services are held on Sunday mornings, two times a year. In order to participate: you as a parent, must have trusted in Christ as your Savior, be a faithful attender at Discovery, and be the parents or legal guardians of the child.

While many parents dedicate very young children, your child does not have to be an infant. You can participate no matter what your child’s age.

Register Here

Next Date: December 2007

 

Got Questions?

If you have questions, please email us at Glenn@discovertheone.com or call 918-371-2505