Childcare FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions related to childcare:
What do we do when we get to church?
When you arrive, enter through the covered entrance in the main parking lot and check in at the Children’s Ministry table right inside the door. All children age 5th grade and younger must be checked in by a parent or guardian at the Children’s Ministry check-in table, which is located just inside the main entrance.
If this is your first time visiting Edgefield, we will ask you to fill out a visitor information card, as well as name tags for your children. On return visits, you will check your child in using our digital check-in system. This is a great time to let the Children’s Ministry staff know of any allergies or specific needs you would like for our volunteers to be made aware of. Then we will walk you to your child’s class and introduce you to his or her teachers.
When checked in, each child will receive a child identification tag (which is to be worn by the child at all times) and a parent security tag. Tags have matching security codes and must be presented at check-out before a child can leave his or her class.
What is the minimum age requirement for a child to come to childcare?
We would love for your baby to attend as soon as you and your doctor are comfortable. This can be as early as 8 weeks old, although there is no official age requirement. During the 9:00am Sunday School hour (during the school year), our infants, crawlers, and walkers are combined for a single class. During the 10:30am worship hour, we offer separate classes for each of those age groups.
What do we need to bring with us?
Please bring a single labeled diaper. Snacks, cups, diaper bags and backpacks should remain with parents. Parents will be texted if a change of clothes or supplies is needed.
Are snacks provided?
We offer allergen-free snacks to our toddler-preschool classes. Toddlers are given gluten-free Cheerios and water, and preschoolers are given a trail mix of gluten-free Cheerios, gluten-free Rice Chex, and raisins. If your child is in one of these classes, we ask that they not bring snacks from home unless permission has been granted from the Children’s Ministry Director based on individual needs.
For children in our infant class, we do not offer snacks, so you are welcome to pack those and leave feeding instructions with the volunteer team. To protect the other young children, please avoid foods that contain allergens or could be choking hazards. Baby puffs and fruit/veggie pouches are great options for these classes.
If a child has a food allergy, it is designated on their nametag with a description of the allergy. Volunteers are required to check each nametag before passing out snacks.
What do you do if my child is upset?
If your child is inconsolable, a volunteer will text you after 15 minutes of unsuccessful soothing. Please let your volunteer team know at check-in if there are soothing techniques that work well for your child.
Is there somewhere I can nurse or feed my baby in private?
Yes! We have a Mother’s Room, labeled as such, available in a classroom on the main level, just past the restrooms. The room offers privacy and quiet for nursing or bottle feeding young babies.
What is the health and wellness policy?
We ask that your child be symptom-free of any communicable diseases or illnesses for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medications) before bringing them to childcare. Volunteers do their part to prevent the spread of germs by disinfecting toys and play areas during and after childcare and by regularly washing hands when changing diapers.