What We Do...

Our goal is to give your baby a jump start in learning the Word & Love of Jesus Christ. We believe that through doing, seeing, and hearing, babies can learn that Jesus loves them and that He created them special. We offer nursery services for children ages 0 through 3 years. The nursery is offered during Sunday School (9:00 a.m.), as well as during our Sunday worship hour (10:00 a.m.). We strive to give your baby continuity of care and a loving, structured environment in which to grow. Our Sunday school hour nursery is strictly a play-time. Care is provided by the same face every week, and babies are in engaged in loving activities and play (and, of course, rocking & hugging!).

Our worship hour is divined into two different sections--the PLAY portion and the PRAISE portion. The PLAY portion lasts from the time baby enters the nursery for the worship hour, through the time that the congregation partakes of communion and offering upstairs. After communion and offering, the three-year-olds in the nursery are escorted to Young Life Children’s Church, which is held downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. The remaining babies who are able are seated at our special table for the PRAISE portion of our nursery.

During this time, a teacher (more about the teachers below) comes downstairs and gives a very hands-on lesson to the babies about Jesus (more about the lessons below). In addition to the teacher, the nursery volunteers for the week stay in the room to administer care to those who need it and to support the lesson structure. After the short lesson, the babies are then taken from the table, diapers are changed, and a few minutes of play-time is given until parents/grandparents start arriving.

You Might Be Wondering...

What are the lessons about?

The lessons are divided into 4, thirteen week sessions. The repetition gives the babies time to grasp the concept, but doesn’t bore them by extending too long. The lessons are: God Made Everything, God Made Me, God Made Families, and Jesus is Born. The lessons are adapted from Palma Smiley’s “To Babies with Love” curriculum (http://earlychildhood-curr.com/index.html).

How early will my baby be put at the table?

We usually start babies at the table around 4-5 months, or when they are able to comfortably hold their heads up and sit up. Often in the first couple of months, we cushion their seats with blankets to make them more comfy. We never expect a first time baby to stay at the table the whole time the first few weeks (although often their attentiveness surprises us!). Keep in mind that your chid is never to old nor too young to give it a try. If they aren’t ready for the table they’ll be served by our nursery volunteers.

What if I want to keep my baby upstairs with me?

We would never attempt to take away from your time with your baby or make you feel as though your little one isn’t welcome upstairs. Many of our families keep their babies upstairs with them during opening songs and then bring them down before or after communion/offering for the lesson time. Although there are nursery services for all of our worship time, we completely understand if you want your young one with you for part or all of worship.

What happens if my baby is just ‘having a bad morning’?

Who among us doesn’t have a bad day? We make every effort to remember that our babies are just that--babies. If your child has a sad & weepy morning, we will not force him/her to sit at the table for lesson. In addition, if we feel it’s pertinent to your baby’s comfort we will come and get you from service. If you choose to stay downstairs with your child & they aren’t ready to sit at the table, we have another room available for you to play with them in, so that they aren’t distracting to the children having lesson. We’re always willing to try, try again & if necessary we’ll help your child transition, even if the initial separation causes a few tears (with your permission). It is our experience that babies usually stop crying after 1-2 minutes of their parents getting ‘out of sight’!

Do you offer snacks?

We do usually offer a small snack every week. When your baby begins attending regularly we will ask you wat is okay for your child to eat, if anything.

What is your cleanliness policy?

We’ll be the first to admit that babies are lovely little germ-sharing sweethearts. Any toy that is played with is put into a bin and thoroughly sanitized every week. In addition, the table is washed free from germs, as are any other pieces of furniture used (play-pens, bouncy seats, swings, etc.). Any cloth item is taken to one of our homes and washed & dried, and we aren’t afraid to throw away things that don’t pass inspection! Once a month (more often during cold/flu season), the entire nursery is gone through and cleaned.

Diaper changing--we are equipped with a wall-hanging diaper changing table. The table is frequently wiped clean with Corox/Lysol wipes and a clean disposable pad is used with each changed. Nursery attendants use hand sanitizer both before and after changing babies and have disposable gloves available for genuine cleanliness all around!

What if I’m still nervous or not sure?

We understand--putting your baby into the care of others is scary. We invite you to come down with your child and see for yourself what goes on during our nursery hour--our door is always open (figuratively, of course, not literally--we don’t want any escapees!).

About Our Volunteers...

Because we want everyone to be ministered to upstairs, our nursery volunteers are on a weekly rotation. Although we know it can be hard to leave your child with new faces, if you stick with it your child will soon become as familiar to our family of volunteers are the volunteers will to you. All of our volunteers are trained on our policies, and most are parents are grandparents themselves. Although you may often see a student volunteer in the nursery, rest assured that he/she is always accompanied by an adult.

Although we change volunteers every week, there are only 2 people that come downstairs to teach the lessons. These ladies come down after communion/offering & stay until the end of service.

The Teachers...

Miss Darla--Miss Darla teaches 2nd grade at the local school and currently lives in Lancaster with her husband and their 3 boys (ages 8,5, & 1).

Miss Andie--Andie Lawson teaches 2nd grade at Moulton-Udell Schools in Moulton, IA. Andie lives here in Lancaster.

If you have any questions about the Praise ‘n Play Nursery program please contact Miss Jenn at jennbeeler@hotmail.com