Group Child Care Policies

-Use good and common sense safety practices
-Refrain from unsafe actions that might endanger themselves and others
-Follow safety procedures provided for the protection of everyone.
-Report unsafe situations or actions immediately to the Pastor

-All children will be treated with gentleness, respect, and understanding.
-Physical punishment will never be used.
-If an issue occurs, please connect with parent / guardian

- Whatever room / building is being used, lights must remain on at all times of use
- Please be respectful of others if in a public venue (ie. Ski lodge)

If it is above 20 degrees Fahrenheit and not raining kids church can start with out door play time. Parents are to have children go to the restroom and be propperly layered for out door play when arriving.

Ensure volunteer can recognize the symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia.

Educate children to deal with cold weather: drink plenty of fluids, dress warmly in layers, and recognize signs of potential cold injury.

Reduce the amount of time children spend outdoors when the temperature is 15 degrees Fahrenheit or colder (with or without wind chill).

Keep children indoors when the temperature is 10 degrees Fahrenheit or colder (with or without wind chill).

Give children plenty of warm fluids to prevent dehydration.

Ensure children are dressed warmly, covering exposed skin: insulated boots, winter weight coats, mittens, hats, neck warmers.

When children are outside, be watchful for shivering or signs of numbness in faces, ears, hands, or feet.

Change wet clothing or footwear depending on temperature.

-Children may only be dropped off if two Alpine Kids Church Volunteers are present.
- Alpine Kids Church has an online sign in. The sign-in will have the following information: Date, first and last name of workers, first and last names of children present, names of parents or guardians signing child into and out of Alpine Kids Church
-No person volunteering with kids in any Kids Church sponsored program or serving in a manner representing Kids Church may be under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or illegal drugs.
- Parents or assigned guardians must pick up their children from Alpine Kids Church. If children are left behind after the rest of the group has been picked up, volunteers will take them directly to the parent, so that you they not left alone with one or two children in a room for an extended period of time.
- Photos waivers are to be signed by parents for photos ONLY taken for the purpose of social media / website use for Alpine Church. NO personal photos of children in Alpine Kids Church are allowed to be taken.
-Children will be released only to parent or guardian of the child. In the event a different person tries to claim a child, a Pastor must be notified immediately.

- Applicants who have a record of child sexual or physical abuse are not eligible to serve in Alpine Kids Church
- All applicants for service in Kids Church are required to complete an application which includes
personal information, history of past work with kids, and three adult references. Failure to return a completed application will disqualify a candidate for a position within Kids Church.
- All Alpine Kids Church volunteers agree to a background check
- Volunteers or childcare helpers will maintain strict guidelines for appropriate touch: top of the head, shoulders, elbows, hands, side ways hugs.
- NO TICKLING, NO WRESTLING, OR ROUGH HOUSING
- Children older than three years old will not be allowed to sit on a volunteers lap
- Children have the right to say “no” to being touched. Unless a physical emergency and a parent / guardian will be immediately informed of whatever incident takes place
- Volunteers or helpers should immediately report any behaviors which seem abusive, inappropriate, or in violation of any of our policies to the Pastor.

- All allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and will be investigated.
- Situations will be handled immediately and with due respect to people’s confidentiality and privacy.
- Full cooperation will be given to law enforcement authorities.
- Appropriate care will be given to and recommended for victims.
- If the accused is a volunteer or employee, the church will relieve him or her of duties until the indecent is resolved.

- A child is never allowed to walk to the restroom alone.
- Children who are mostly or fully toilet trained may go into the bathroom stall alone, but must be accompanied to the restroom by an adult who checks to see that the stall is empty before allowing the child to enter.
- The adult waits outside of the stall in clear view of others.
- Parents have selected in their child's information form if they allow an Alpine Kids Church Volunteer to assist their child if they need it when they go to the bathroom. Volunteers are required to know and follow the selection of the parent / guardian. NO exceptions.
- Parents or guardians are responsible for diaper changes. Parents have selected in their child's information form if they allow an Alpine Kids Church Volunteer to change a child's diaper. Volunteers are required to know and follow the selection of the parent / guardian. NO exceptions.
- diaper changes are to be done at the appropriate changing station

- Individuals with a record of child sexual abuse or physical abuse are not eligible to work with children.
- At least two adults must be present for Alpine Kids Church from the start of drop off until all the children have been picked up.. (At the ministry leader’s discretion, one adult with a helper may also be adequate. Helpers must be at least 12 years old.)
- To be eligible to work in childcare at Alpine Church an individual must:
-- complete a Team Membership Application
-- Sign a Childcare Policy Agreement
-- agree to a background check
-- be interviewed / approved by the Pastor
- All childcare workers under the age of 18 must be always under the direct supervision of an adult worker and complete a Team Membership Application with approval by parent or guardian, they will be considered “helpers”
- No one under 12 years old will be considered eligible to be a helper.

- Familiarize yourself with the location of the Emergency Exits
- Please be familiar with the children’s form filled out by parents, as it answers questions in regards to certain emergency situations with their children.

- First aid kits are provided with Kids Church Kit
- In case of accident or injury, you must fill out an Injury/Accident Report form. These forms are in the Alpine Kids Church Binder. Please get ahold of parent/guardian immediately.
- Parents should be notified in the event their child experienced an injury or
accident during the childcare program. Completed forms must be turned into the Pastor.