Safe and Sound

  One of the main things parents look for in a children's ministry is a safe environment. It doesn't matter how many Bible verses your child learned if your child is missing at pick up. As children's staff members, safety needs to be our first concern. A safe place is loving and creates a good learning environment. I remember having lost a child once. Pick up time came and I was alone in a class with 30 kids. I tried to monitor all of the children, but was unsuccessful. A parent came to pick up a child and she was notthere. I panicked and did not know what to do. Two minutes later, the young girlopens the door and my heart slowed. She had walked herself to the bathroomwithout asking. The parents were happy, but I was not. I kept asking myself how Icould let that happen. What if it was worse? In a mid-sized church, where we tend to identify most of the people, we can get lax and make a lot of assumptions. It only takes one safety mistake to change the lives of a child and his or her family. The truth is, if we don’t have a safe environment, we will not be able to reach kids.

Here are a few safety procedures to follow:

TakeRoll Often-

     Keeping track of the kids is key. Make sure to take one formal roll call at least oncein the class. The rest of the time just in your head compare the list to thekids in your class. If your class moves from one location to another then makesure to retake roll to ensure that all kids are still present. Finally checkout all of the kids using your roll sheet as a check off.

Get To Know Allergies and Special Conditions-
     Makesure to check the roll sheet for allergies and special conditions that childrencould have. Don’t let kids share food or drinks.

WalkKids To Bathrooms-

     Neversend a child any where alone and never go alone with a child. If you have achild who needs to go to the bathroom, take 2 or more kids and walk them. Youdon’t need to go in the bathroom, but just walk them to the bathroom and wait outside. If there is any kind of bathroom emergency or accident, call a pastor or director for help.

CollectCheck Out Slips-

     If aparent doesn’t have a check out slip make sure to write down on the roll sheetwho picked them up. If you do not recognize them ask to see and ID first. Don'tlet kids run off. Kids cannot check other kids out.

KeepYour Eye Out For Hazards And People-

     Let apastor or director know if you see any hazards. Let a pastor or director knowif you see any suspicious people hanging around. If you ever feel unsafe call aPastor immediately. Do not allow people who are not on the schedule to hangaround. If a parent want to stay please contact a pastor or director. They willneed to fill out an information card.

Use Crosswalks And Have Leaders At The front Of A Line-

     Make sure to travel safely to and fromlocations in lines. Have a leader in front and in back especially when travellingthrough the parking lot.

Team Teach-

     Whenever possible have at least 2 teachers in aclass. It is so important to come if you are scheduled to teach. Being understaffed creates a chaotic environment and opens the door for disasters.

Pay Attention-

     Most dangerous situations can be caughtbefore they even start. Watch kids carefully and pay attention to where they are playing and what they are doing.Don't get so caught up in a conversation with a child, staff member or  parent that your attention is not on the kids. Having structured activities helps to control the environment.

Use Playground And Equipment Correctly-

     Make sure to watch kids on the play groundand not allow kids to use the equipment unsafely.

If you ever have any questions or concerns donot hesitate to talk to a pastor or director.