Nursery

Everyone is welcome in the nursery at St. Paul’s. Our nursery is staffed by two qualified and trained adults every Sunday, with oversight from the Director of Christian Education. At the time of registering for the nursery, the Director will sit with the grownups to discuss any concerns or needs that your child may have to feel welcome in the nursery. An “Individual Faith Plan” will be designed for your child, with any accommodations being made as needed. We also have wireless communications set up between the nursery and church to ensure all concerned parties can be contacted at all times.

Separation anxiety between the ages 18 months and 3 years is a normal part of a child’s development. Many times, a parent’s anxiousness can make this experience worse. We encourage you to see this as your opportunity to teach your child that they can be away from you and have a good time. Showing that you will always return for them through these repeated experiences will help them develop age-appropriate independence. Have a pep talk in the morning to remind them they’ll be going to Sunday school and you’ll be dropping them off. Once you arrive, give them a big hug and tell them you love them and you’ll be back. Then, turn and leave without looking back. We know it’s hard, but we promise their tears will dry within five minutes after you leave! It also might be helpful to read “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn with them and to develop your own ritual to combat the anxiety they feel during those times.

St. Paul’s uses Frolic, a story-telling curriculum from Sparkhouse, in the nursery. Each week children will listen to and interact with a story from an illustrated storybook Bible. A corresponding activity will follow the story, focusing on their sense of wonder with pretend play, sensory and large motor activities. The curriculum teaches Old Testament and New Testament stories, with an emphasis on Advent and Lent at the appropriate times of the season.

Children are absolutely welcome to participate in Holy Communion at St. Paul’s. The nursery uses a sign-in/sign-out procedure, and grownups can check their child out of the nursery at any time.