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Nursery FAQ Print E-mail
Here are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions that I trust will be helpful to parents of ABC Nursery Ministry:
What is the Nursery Ministry Serving Policy?
The Nursery Ministry operates very similarly to a co-op, wherein the Nursery is primarily facilitated by the parents of children being served through this ministry. There are two (2) teams on Sunday mornings - Fall/Winter team serving September thru February; and our Spring/Summer Team serving March thru August. A wide variety of serving areas are available to accommodate parents attending 1 or both services. There is one
(1) Wednesday evening program operating October thru May: this program operates with two
(2) classes with children age ranges from infant to age 3. *Visitors are not asked to serve.

Why do we have this Nursery Ministry Policy?
The primary reason for this policy is to have enough people serve in the Nursery Ministry to keep it operating. Our secondary goal is to enrich the Nursery Ministry in the following ways:

(1) no more restricting children from the Nursery as a result of parents not being able to fulfill their pre-assigned sub dates
(2) relieve people of the burden of "once in the Nursery, never leave the Nursery"
(3) offer Nursery helpers opportunities to be spiritually nourished by attending Bible classes and studies during their time away from serving in Nursery
(4) provide a refreshing break for regular helpers, in hopes of their returning recharged and ready to pour out in their serving of our youngest members of Antioch.

Why are the Nursery Ministry teams serving for 6 months?
There are not enough parents or nursery volunteers to support a shorter serving time. We have just enough parents and volunteers to support two 6 month serving teams. Many parents serve in other ministries that do not avail them to the Nursery Ministry. It takes up to one month for many children to become comfortable in their classes. The children are best served by having familiar faces each week over an extended period of time.

Do I have to serve 6 months in order to place my child in the Nursery Ministry? (6 Months ON & 6 Months OFF)
We ask that one (1) parent (that does not currently serve in Sunday School, Kid's Church, AWANA, J-Roc, RIM and Sure Foundation Choir) to extend 6 months of service to the Nursery Ministry. This ministry could not operate without parent helpers. A variety of serving areas are available to accommodate parents who attend 1 or both services. *Visitors are not asked to serve.

Why does the Nursery Ministry need so many people to serve?
Our primary reason is to ensure the safe evacuation of children, parent helpers and volunteers in the event of an emergency. The children we serve range in age from infant to age 3. There are some children who do not walk and others do not walk well on their own. Many in-class helpers can carry 2 babies at one time; thus our child to adult ratio is 2:1 in the Infant and Toddler classes. The child to adult ratio increases to 3:1 in the other classes.

Can mothers and fathers share their serving time by alternating each week?
Yes, one parent can serve one week and the other parent can serve the following week. Many parents that attend both Sunday services have served this way. Parents may attend one Sunday service together and alternate during the other service between serving in the Nursery Ministry and attending a class.

Do I have to serve in the classroom?
No, there are a wide variety of serving areas to accommodate parents serving in and out of the classroom. The serving areas range from helping to set up the rooms before 1st service, walk children down the stairs to the lower level classes, check in children, to wash toys & laundry. A detailed list is available at the Nursery registration table on Sundays.

Do I have to miss the church service in order to serve in the Nursery Ministry?
No, we want all parents and volunteers to attend the church service. There are a wide variety of serving areas to give parents both the opportunity to serve and attend one of the Sunday services.
Our Nursery Ministry is vital to Antioch Bible Church. We want it to be a support and a blessing to the parents that visit, regularly attend and call Antioch their home. If you have any questions concerning your serving in the Nursery Ministry, please do not hesitate to contact Wendie Costello, ABC Nursery Director, (425) 284-2633.