Introducing "Transitional Teachers" to Preschool Ministry

We are constantly looking at ways to better improve how we are facilitating preschool ministry at Greenlight.  That's why we want to introduce you (volunteers) to our latest idea:  "Transitional Teachers".  It's a functional title at best..but nonetheless, stick with us on this one!

A transitional teacher is a designated volunteer who is on the schedule four consecutive weeks in a row (for an entire month), followed by 3 months off.  They arrive at least 20 minutes prior to service time and go through a checklist to help ensure the classroom is ready and volunteers prepped to transition our littlest ones into that morning's program.

The key to transitional teachers is consistency.  We find that our nursery and toddler rooms have the most difficulty helping kids transition from mom/dad/guardian to what's happening inside the ministry rooms.  We feel that having at least one familiar face for an entire four weeks in a row will be one way of making parents and our babies feel more comfortable entering the classrooms.  However, that's not all that transitional eachers will help with.

Transitonal teachers will arrive 20 minutes prior to service to begin the following ABC steps:

A- Assess the Room:  Is the room welcoming and is it tidy?  Are the lights on and music playing softly?  Is the lesson outline from First Look in a visible place for leaders.  Making sure the service feed is on in the nursery is NOT priority during the transitional time when children are arriving.   Assessing the room involves asking yourself "Is this room inviting to both parents and kids?"

B- Bubbles:  Each toddler and nursery room will be equipped with a kit containing items that will help children connect as they enter the room, including BUBBLES, playdough, hand puppets,etc.  The T.T. will not necessarily be the person using these items; however they will delegate the other volunteers in the room (including jr. helpers) to be using the kit during the first 15 minutes of the morning, or as new children are arriving.

C-  Communicate:   As the transitional teacher, your role is to be the main line of communication for parents.  You will be the volunteer at the door, helping parents say their goodbyes and communicating to parents the following:

• we are glad they have brought their child this morning (yes...you should say this aloud)
• we will contact them should their child need them (diaper change) or if they have been crying for longer than 5-10 minutes.
• we ask that they bring their pick-up tag back with them after the service

The transitional teacher will be the person who communicates to Dave any areas of concern or testimonies that you and your team may have about your classroom.

We are confident this is a necessary step to helping our families during this exciting, but transitional time of their child's life.  This could be a child's first opportunity to experience the life-changing presence of Jesus within the walls of our church.  It is truly a privilege to be partnering with parents in this way.

AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!

We are looking for people who are willing to take on this new role and the responsibilities that go along with it.  For those of you who are not interested in changing the times you are scheduled in preschool ministry, that's okay!  We need you to continue pouring into our children every time you serve, because you too are making a difference for both parents and our little ones.

Bless you for your support!

Pastor Michelle Mercer & Dave Liscombe

God is in the Nursery (Part 2)

Over the years I've seen many parents come and go through the different children's ministries I have been a part of.  It always amazes me the variety of expectations parents have regarding what goes on in children's ministries during that short time between the time they drop their children off until they pick them up to go home for their Sunday afternoon naps.  Don't we only wish they all took naps!  Some parents view children's ministries as simply offering child care, to keep their children quiet (or at least out of sight) during the pastor's timely message.  Others view us as behavioural therapists, somehow equipped to transform their offspring from the misbehaving wild child at 11am to an angelic being by 12:35pm.  Don't get me wrong...miracles STILL happen in children's church on Sunday mornings.  Just not always the kind that make dinner times more sane!

The truth is parent's expectations ARE important.

Here is a quick list of what are some healthy expectations for Sunday mornings:

1.  Parents should expect their kids to be well cared for in a safe and loving environment.  If they are experiencing anything less than love, patience, and safety when they hand us their child, then we're doing a great diservice to the kingdom.  We are in a position of trust for that hour and a half, and its best not to forget that as servants in ministry.

2.  Parents should expect their kids to leave changed...and we're not talking about diaper-changing people!  We're talking about life-change that happens on the inside: growth in spiritual maturity, the kind you don't always see on the surface, but overtime a continuous growth and change in their understanding and love of Jesus Christ.

3.  Parents should expect their kids to encounter the Presence of God.  If we don't believe it's possible, then we are only minimizing the size of our BIG powerful God.  We need to first help ourselves then lead others to break out of the mindset that some kids are too young to experience God's life-changing Presence.  We need to remind ourselves of Scriptures such as Psalm 139:13 which state:  "you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb".  If we believe that God is present as a child is being formed within the tummy of a mommy then why would we doubt he still wants to be a felt presence in the daily lives of our children, no matter how young?

As a children's pastor it is my prayer that as volunteers and staff we will live what we teach each and every Sunday.  One of the most simplest truths is that God is in the Nursery.  He's also in the toddler room, the preschooler classes and He is present even in kidz church too!  When we live and lead out of that expectation, we will be pleasantly surprised to find a God who goes above and beyond expectations every time we meet.