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Kid's Team Policies

The mission of our Kids Ministry Team, including Gospel Kids (Sundays) and Gospel Kids Midweek (Tuesdays), is "sharing good news with the next generation."

Every Kids Team member must read, sign (below), and abide by these policies. Thank you for serving the next generation!!

Check-In

Team members should be in their room at least 20 minutes before the service starts to ensure the room is ready. Put on a “Gospel Kids Team” lanyard and get ready for the children. Be thinking, “How would I like the room to look if I were dropping my kids off?”
Smile and greet parents AND children when they arrive in your room. Be open to listening to any specific instructions or new allergies. Be sympathetic to kids having a hard time.
Ensure each child has a name tag with an emergency contact phone number from the Check-In Desk. All children must check in to ensure the right kids go to the right parents! If kids arrive late enough to miss the Check-In Desk, a team member in the nursery/playroom must fill out the clipboard with the required info.
If a child cries for over 10 minutes, please contact the parent and gently ask how they would like to proceed.

Team Member Identification

All team members must always wear a team lanyard when serving with kids. Wearing a lanyard builds trust with new families and relationships with other team members. When serving, team members are encouraged to wear their “Kids Matter to Jesus” t-shirts. 

Parent Pick-up

Under no circumstances may a child leave the room unless they’re picked up by the parent with a matching security code (paper or digital copy). Older siblings aren’t allowed to pick up younger siblings — kids can't be responsible for kids. Text a team leader immediately if anyone tries to pick up a child without a matching tag or if anything feels wrong about the pick-up.
If a child is not picked up within 10 minutes of the end of the service, a team member may walk that child to their parent(s). Do not leave any children unattended. 

Diaper Changing (Nursery)

All team members must wash their hands before and after changing diapers and wipe down the changing table before and after changing a diaper. Disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer are in the rooms. Ask for any specific diapering instructions at the time of check-in. Youth helpers cannot change diapers.

Diaper Changing (Preschool)

If a child is not potty trained in the classroom, contact the child’s parent for diaper-changing needs. 

Bathroom

All kids MUST be accompanied by an adult team member to the bathroom. Ensure the child goes into the bathroom. Wait for them outside the bathroom, and walk back with them.
When a child needs assistance in the bathroom, the following must be observed: Adult team members only may assist in the bathroom, no youth helpers. Do not close the door to the bathroom when assisting a child. Use proper hand washing techniques for all who enter the bathroom.

Staffing 

All team members must read, sign, and abide by the Kids Team Policies and have an updated background check on file with the church before working with kids. Background checks are updated every three years.
Youth helpers must work alongside 2 adults and cannot be solely responsible for kids at any time. Youth helpers may not hold babies or young children but can play on the floor with them. 
Team members must regularly attend worship when they are not scheduled to serve on the Kids Team.
Joe Makeever (920-284-0126) is the Kid's Team Leader.

Proper Displays of Affection  

Appropriate touch should exhibit a pure, genuine, and positive display of God’s love. Physical contact with children should be age and developmentally-appropriate. Be aware of differences in sexual development, cultural differences, family backgrounds, individual personalities, and special needs.
  • Hugs: One-arm side hugs are positive contact. Avoid initiating full contact, body-to-body hugs, or kisses.
  • Lap Sitting: Appropriate sitting on laps may occur with children ages five and younger. Discourage lap sitting with school-age children. Rather, encourage them to sit next to you.
  • Casual Touch: Gentle contact may be used on children’s heads, shoulders, arms, and hands. Avoid being rough.
  • Back Rubs: Anyone working with children should refrain from giving back rubs at all times. 

Discipline

When a child’s behavior is dangerous or disruptive, immediate disciplinary measures are needed. However, violence or rough treatment should never be used on children by a team member (e.g., spanking, shoving).
Verbal reminders in a positive statement: Instead of “No hitting,” we say, “We use our words, not our hands…” Instead of “Don’t grab that toy,” we say, “We like to share at church, let’s take turns."
Rearrange location: “Bobby-Jo, I’d like you to come to sit/play over here for a few minutes so I can help you be safe and kind.”
Time-out in the classroom: "Bobby-Jo, please come sit over here and cool down until you are ready to be a good listener. We love you and want everyone to be safe.” 
Removal from the room: If a child continues to be dangerous or disruptive after trying several disciplinary actions, they will need to leave the room. Text Joe (920-284-0126) to assist.

Sickness

Sick kids (and adults!) should stay home. Children should be free from diarrhea, fever, or contagious disease for at least 24 hours before coming to church. If a child is on antibiotics, parents should wait a full 24 hours before returning. If the child has a clear-running nose or rash due to a non-contagious condition, make sure the team members are aware. Please be considerate in protecting the health of all the children.
All team members should follow proper hand washing techniques (and/or regularly use hand sanitizer) to keep germs from spreading. Kids should use proper hand washing techniques after using the bathroom and before snack time — soap and warm water for 20 seconds.

Injury

An injury might include anything that causes bruising or bleeding, for example, a bump to the head or if a child is bitten.
In the event of an emergency, call 911 immediately from a cell phone or the cordless phone in the room.
If a child is injured, text the parent right away using the contact number on their name tag and report the injury immediately to Joe. Do not wait until the end of the service.

Evacuation 

In the event of a fire or other situation requiring evacuation of the building, make sure you have every child and make your way to the nearest exit. The building has three emergency exits along the north side (rear) of the building and the main entrance doors on the south side (front) of the building. Proceed to the parking lot on the west side of Festival Foods (nearest our building) and call 911 when you are safe.

Definitions of Abuse

Physical Abuse: any physical injury inflicted on a child by other than accidental means.
Sexual Abuse: any sexual activity with a child by an adult or an older minor. This includes both physical touch (fondling, touching of private parts, inappropriate kissing, intercourse) and non-touch actions (sexual comments or remarks, showing pornography, forcing the observance of sexual activity).

Reporting Concerns of Possible Abuse

All team members must immediately report concerns of abuse that they have knowledge of or observe to a team leader or pastor. Appleton Gospel Church will take every report seriously and will report suspected abuse, as required by law.

Signs of possible abuse:

  • Bruises, welts on face, neck, chest, back
  • Unexplained burns on palms, soles of feet, back
  • Delay in seeking medical help
  • Afraid to go home
  • Pain, swelling, or itching in the genital area
  • Bruises, bleeding, discharge in the genital area
  • Difficulty walking or sitting, frequent urination, pain
  • Venereal disease
  • Poor peer relationships
  • Regressive or childlike behavior
  • Injuries in the shape of an object (belt, cord)
  • Fractures that do not fit the story of how an injury occurred
  • Extremes in behavior: very aggressive or withdrawn and shy
  • Frightened of parents or other adults
  • Stained or bloody underclothing
  • Unusual interest in sex for age
  • Runaway or delinquent behavior

Responding to the Child in Need

If a child first comes to you with information about abuse, be sure to take their word seriously. Don’t deny the problem or assume they are mistaken. Stay calm and listen to the child. Give emotional support, reminding the child that they are not at fault and that they were right in telling you. Do not promise the child that you will not tell anyone. Report your concerns immediately to Joe or Pastor David.

Pastoral Note

We understand that some of these policies cover situations so terrible that they are painful even to consider. However, we live in a broken world. Sin is pervasive and can result in great hurt, injustice, and abuse, even in the church, even with those who are the most vulnerable among us (kids!). In God’s call for us to love one another, we must be especially careful and thoughtful to love and protect our littlest ones well. We say it all the time: kids matter to Jesus. Thank you for helping us communicate this beautiful truth to them.
- Pastor David

I have read, understand, and will abide by the Kids Team Policies.