Please feel free to contact us!
Cass Brannan, Preschool Minister, cass@calvarytuscaloosa.org 205.657.4891
preschool@calvarytuscaloosa.org
www.calvarytuscaloosa.org
www.treetopministries.blogspot.com
Calvary Baptist Church 205.758.0495
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tips for Parents
Tips for Parents:
· Consistent church participation helps children develop a sense of trust and security within their overall church experience.
· Talk to your child about coming to church and create the excitement for them.
· Communicate with leaders any allergies that your child might have.
· If your child becomes upset, remind them in a kind, firm voice that you are going to church and will be back soon. If your child remains inconsolable after 10 minutes, we will come and get you.
· Help your child develop ‘church security’ by picking them up promptly after each session. A child may become anxious when other children have departed.
· Consistent church participation helps children develop a sense of trust and security within their overall church experience.
· Talk to your child about coming to church and create the excitement for them.
· Communicate with leaders any allergies that your child might have.
· If your child becomes upset, remind them in a kind, firm voice that you are going to church and will be back soon. If your child remains inconsolable after 10 minutes, we will come and get you.
· Help your child develop ‘church security’ by picking them up promptly after each session. A child may become anxious when other children have departed.
Treetop Events
Other Annual Treetop Events
· Easter Family Picnic and Easter Egg Hunt
· Parents Night Out
· Donuts with Dad
· Muffins with Mom
· Preschool Family Mission Project
· Preschool Summer Camps
· Vacation Bible School (2-5 year olds)
· Easter Family Picnic and Easter Egg Hunt
· Parents Night Out
· Donuts with Dad
· Muffins with Mom
· Preschool Family Mission Project
· Preschool Summer Camps
· Vacation Bible School (2-5 year olds)
Parent and Child Dedication
Parent & Child Dedication
Parent & Child Dedication is a special time in life of families here at Calvary, where parents and the church will commit to taking the resources and energy of Calvary Baptist Church to build strong families and to raise Godly children. This dedication is a celebration that recognizes these children are a gift from God and makes public the church’s commitment to your family and your family’s commitment to the church.
Parent & Child Dedication takes place twice a year: the first Sunday in October and on Mother’s Day.
If you are interested in being a part of this special day, please contact the Preschool Ministry office at preschool@calvarytuscaloosa.org
Parent & Child Dedication is a special time in life of families here at Calvary, where parents and the church will commit to taking the resources and energy of Calvary Baptist Church to build strong families and to raise Godly children. This dedication is a celebration that recognizes these children are a gift from God and makes public the church’s commitment to your family and your family’s commitment to the church.
Parent & Child Dedication takes place twice a year: the first Sunday in October and on Mother’s Day.
If you are interested in being a part of this special day, please contact the Preschool Ministry office at preschool@calvarytuscaloosa.org
Treetop Programs
Preschool Ministry Schedule:
Sundays:
WorshipCare…………………………8:25 and 11:05 AM
Sunday School………….…………………………..9:45 AM
Sunday Night ChildCare………………………..6:00 PM
Wednesdays:
The Backyard…………………………………………6:00 PM
WorshipCare: This ministry is offered during the 8:25 and 11:05 worship services, for preschoolers who are 6 weeks to Kindergarten.
- During the 8:25 hour, preschoolers will be able to play and learn more about Jesus in an environment that is fun and appropriate for all who attend.
- During the 11:05 WorshipCare hour, preschoolers are split into age appropriate classrooms where they will have activities, music, crafts, small and large group learning, and snack, where they will get a closer look at Jesus, using First Look.
Sunday School: This ministry is offered during the 9:45 worship service, for preschoolers who are 6 weeks to Kindergarten. Here they will experience getting a closer look at Jesus through activities, crafts, small and large groups, music, and other methods. (please check out the First Look tab for a closer look at the curriculum that we use)
ChildCare is provided during Bible studies, Sunday nights and Wednesday nights, and other programs/events for preschoolers, birth through 2 years, who are not old enough to participate with the older preschoolers. ChildCare is a safe and loving environment by paid, trained, and loving workers, who will help give preschoolers a closer look at Jesus!
THE BACKYARD:
This event will be a time filled with music, fun, Bible teaching, and other activities that help give preschoolers a closer look at Jesus. The music portion of The Backyard will provide opportunities for preschoolers to learn about God and to glorify Him through music and the arts through singing, moving to music and using rhythm instruments. The Backyard will also consist of activities and teaching that line up with the biblical truths being taught in our Sunday morning program. The Backyard will be a place where preschoolers will learn about music, worship, and Jesus in fun, creative, and exciting ways! Located in the Treehouse on the 1st floor, The Backyard is 6:00-7:30 pm on Wednesdays, for ages 2K through kindergarten.
ChildCare will is provided for those preschoolers under the age of 2 during The Backyard.
WorshipCare
WorshipCare: This ministry is offered during the 8:25 and 11:05 worship services, for preschoolers who are 6 weeks to Kindergarten.
- During the 8:25 hour, preschoolers will be able to play and learn more about Jesus in an environment that is fun and appropriate for all who attend.
- During the 11:05 WorshipCare hour, preschoolers are split into age appropriate classrooms where they will have activities, music, crafts, small and large group learning, and snack, where they will get a closer look at Jesus, using First Look.
We ask that ALL preschool parents be involved and serve on our WorshipCare Rotation. We ask that parents serve on a every-other-month rotation, where you serve six times a year for a total of six hours a year. This helps you see firsthand what your child is learning and gives you another chance to teach your child about serving. If you would like to influence and benefit the next generation by volunteering one Sunday, every-other-month, please contact Cass Brannan for more details.
Parental Involvement
“There are two powerful influences on the planet – the church and the home. They both exist because God initiated them. They both exist because God desires to use them to demonstrate His plan of redemption and restoration. If they work together they can potentially make a greater impact than if they work alone. They need each other. Too much is at stake for either one to fail. Their primary task is to build God’s kingdom in the hearts of men and women, sons and daughters.” – excerpt from Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, by Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuwhof
We, Calvary Baptist and the Preschool Ministry, have learned that we can’t do ministry alone and you can’t do parenting alone. There has to be a partnership of the two. The church, on average, gets to invest about 40-45 hours a year into the life of your child, but you as a parent get over 1500 hours a year to invest in your child. So, we want to be able to give you the resources and tools to take the truths that we are teaching your child into your home and into your lives. We are going to do our best to invest in you and we will do that through several different avenues. Check out the tabs on this page for more details and resources.
Parent Ministry
We offer several venues for mom’s and dad’s to get together.
- MomTime meets on the first and third Wednesday mornings of the month from 9:30-11:30. ChildCare is provided! The first Wednesday of the month we drop the kids off and go somewhere to fellowship. The third Wednesday we have a speaker and fellowship. If you work and can even join us for one hour on a break, please come!
- Mom’s Night Out – each month the mom’s will have a chance to get out and fellowship with each other. Please take a peak at your email and the Blog for more details on these events.
- DadTime will meet once a month and be a time for Dad’s to hang out with each other. There will be a different DadTime event each month, whether it is at a restaurant to eat or at someone’s house to watch a football game. Check your email or the Blog for more details on these events.
Parent Involvement
We believe that parents are the primary spiritual leader and teacher for their child. You will spend more hours with your child than anyone else will in any given year. We want to give you the opportunity to carry out what your child is learning on Sunday mornings and Wednesdays nights and take it home. Please take a look at the First Look tab for more resources that will allow you to spiritually lead your child as the Bible has commanded.
We ask that ALL preschool parents be involved and serve on our WorshipCare Rotation. We ask that parents serve on a every-other-month rotation, where you serve six times a year for a total of six hours a year. This helps you see firsthand what your child is learning and gives you another chance to teach your child about serving. If you would like to influence and benefit the next generation by volunteering one Sunday, every-other-month, please contact Cass Brannan for more details.
Tips for Parents
- Consistent church participation helps children develop a sense of trust and security within their overall church experience.
- Talk to you child about coming to church and create the excitement for them.
- Communicate with leaders any allergies that your child might have.
- If you child becomes upset, remind them in a kind, firm voice that you are going to church and will be back soon. If you child remains inconsolable after 15 minutes, we will come and get you.
- Help your child develop ‘church security’ by picking them up promptly after each session. A child may become anxious when other children have departed.
Resources
Please check out the following resources that will help you in your journey of parenting:
Websites:
Music:
Allergy Alert
Due to the number of children and child allergies, the Treetop Ministries asks that water be the only drink that is brought with the child (unless the child is under 12 months old, needing breast milk or formula).
Treetop Ministries is a peanut free ministry and will seek to protect the health of every child that is participating in any of our ministry programs. We do provide snacks for children that may include: goldfish, animal crackers, graham crackers, saltines, apple juice, lemonade, and water. Snacks will be listed outside each child’s room! Please inform your child’s teacher if they cannot have any of these items.
Please notify your child’s teacher or the Preschool Minister of any allergies that your child may have.
Behavior Guidelines
Behavior Guidelines
Unacceptable behaviors include but are not limited to:
throwing objects
kicking
hitting
pushing
biting
leaving the area without permission
name-calling or any language that shows disrespect to another person.
If a behavior problem should arise, this is how discipline will be handled:
First, the child will be redirected from the situation.
Secondly, the child will be spoken to by the child's leader in the classroom concerning the situation.
Thirdly, the child will spend time in the Preschool Ministers office AND the parent will be asked to come and take their child.
Unacceptable behaviors include but are not limited to:
throwing objects
kicking
hitting
pushing
biting
leaving the area without permission
name-calling or any language that shows disrespect to another person.
If a behavior problem should arise, this is how discipline will be handled:
First, the child will be redirected from the situation.
Secondly, the child will be spoken to by the child's leader in the classroom concerning the situation.
Thirdly, the child will spend time in the Preschool Ministers office AND the parent will be asked to come and take their child.
Illness/Sickness Guidelines
Illness/Sickness Guidelines
We are unable to accept children who exhibit any of the following symptoms: (even if on medication)
· Any colored discharge from the nose
· Green or yellow runny nose
· Coughing/Sneezing
· Any discharge from the eyes
· A body rash (excluding diaper rash)
· Any childhood diseases
· Or children who, within the past 24 hours, have had:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Medication that could mask symptoms
· Antibiotics within the past 48 hours
Please cover all scrapes and cuts with a bandage prior to dropping off your child. We have a first aid kits available if you need supplies.
We are unable to accept children who exhibit any of the following symptoms: (even if on medication)
· Any colored discharge from the nose
· Green or yellow runny nose
· Coughing/Sneezing
· Any discharge from the eyes
· A body rash (excluding diaper rash)
· Any childhood diseases
· Or children who, within the past 24 hours, have had:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Medication that could mask symptoms
· Antibiotics within the past 48 hours
Please cover all scrapes and cuts with a bandage prior to dropping off your child. We have a first aid kits available if you need supplies.
Illness/Sickness Guidelines
Illness/Sickness Guidelines
We are unable to accept children who exhibit any of the following symptoms: (even if on medication)
· Any colored discharge from the nose
· Green or yellow runny nose
· Coughing/Sneezing
· Any discharge from the eyes
· A body rash (excluding diaper rash)
· Any childhood diseases
· Or children who, within the past 24 hours, have had:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Medication that could mask symptoms
· Antibiotics within the past 48 hours
Please cover all scrapes and cuts with a bandage prior to dropping off your child. We have a first aid kits available if you need supplies.
We are unable to accept children who exhibit any of the following symptoms: (even if on medication)
· Any colored discharge from the nose
· Green or yellow runny nose
· Coughing/Sneezing
· Any discharge from the eyes
· A body rash (excluding diaper rash)
· Any childhood diseases
· Or children who, within the past 24 hours, have had:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Medication that could mask symptoms
· Antibiotics within the past 48 hours
Please cover all scrapes and cuts with a bandage prior to dropping off your child. We have a first aid kits available if you need supplies.
2 Years to Kindergarten
Guidelines for those in the TREEHOUSE (2 years to Kindergarten)
- Your child’s name needs to be placed on everything. We will provide labels if items are not labeled.
- All children need to be checked in at their classroom in the TREEHOUSE.
- Please inform the teachers/leaders of any allergies, special needs, etc., for your child.
- Children are only to bring water to drink, due to allergies found in other children.
- Parents are to remain on the
- Parents are not allowed in their child’s classroom. This helps in keeping yours and the other children safe!
- Children at this age often have trouble separating with parents. We will page you if your child does not adjust. Our volunteers will do their best to comfort your child. If they are unable to comfort your child after 15 minutes of persistent crying, they will notify you.
- All Preschool Parents are asked to serve on our WorshipCare rotation schedule. This ministry provides care for preschoolers during the WorshipCare hour after Sunday School (11:05)
- Parents are asked to follow all Sickness and Allergy Guidelines.
- Please leave all personal toys at home.
- Please pack an extra change of clothes in your child’s bag if they are still in diaper’s or potty training.
2 Year Old to Kindergarten
Guidelines for those in the TREEHOUSE (2 years to Kindergarten)
- Your child’s name needs to be placed on everything. We will provide labels if items are not labeled.
- All children need to be checked in at their classroom in the TREEHOUSE.
- Please inform the teachers/leaders of any allergies, special needs, etc., for your child.
- Children are only to bring water to drink, due to allergies found in other children.
- Parents are to remain on the
- Parents are not allowed in their child’s classroom. This helps in keeping yours and the other children safe!
- Children at this age often have trouble separating with parents. We will page you if your child does not adjust. Our volunteers will do their best to comfort your child. If they are unable to comfort your child after 15 minutes of persistent crying, they will notify you.
- All Preschool Parents are asked to serve on our WorshipCare rotation schedule. This ministry provides care for preschoolers during the WorshipCare hour after Sunday School (11:05)
- Parents are asked to follow all Sickness and Allergy Guidelines.
- Please leave all personal toys at home.
- Please pack an extra change of clothes in your child’s bag if they are still in diaper’s or potty training.
Birth through 24 months
Guidelines for those in the NEST (birth through 24 months)
- Your child’s name needs to be placed on everything. We will provide labels if items are not labeled.
- All children need to be checked in at their classroom in the NEST.
- Please inform the teachers/leaders of any allergies, special needs, etc., for your child.
- Babies should not be left until they have reached 6 weeks old. (This is to keep them from being exposed to germs, etc., earlier than they need to be). Please feel free to take your child to Sunday School or Worship before this time.
- Please pack an extra change of clothes in your child’s diaper bag.
- Please bring bottles only. Baby food will not be given and formula needs to be pre-measured. Our leaders will not measure out the formula for you.
- Children are only to bring water to drink, due to allergies found in other children. If the child requires formula or breast milk, this is allowed. Please have all bottles ready for use. We will not mix formula bottles for the child.
- A nursing room is available on the Treetop Ministries main hallway.
- We cannot give your child medication.
- We are not responsible for personal items left in diaper bags, such as billfolds, car keys, cell phones, etc.
- Parents are to remain on the
- Parents are not allowed in their child’s classroom. This helps in keeping yours and the other children safe!
- Children at this age often have trouble separating with parents. We will page you if your child does not adjust. Our volunteers will do their best to comfort your child. If they are unable to comfort your child after 15 minutes of persistent crying, they will notify you.
- All Preschool Parents are asked to serve on our WorshipCare rotation schedule. This ministry provides care for preschoolers during the WorshipCare hour after Sunday School (11:05)
- Parents are asked to follow all Sickness and Allergy Guidelines.
Security Procedures
Security:
Treetop Ministries seeks to give all preschoolers and their families the safest environment to learn about Jesus Christ. In order to keep the ministry safe there are a few procedures that we ask all parents to follow.
THESE ARE NOT OPTIONAL
- All preschoolers need to be checked in at their age-appropriate classroom.
- Outside each classroom you will find a basket of numbers. There are two of each number (they are stuck together with Velcro): one is to be clipped to your preschooler and they other is yours. This is your Security Tag to pick up your child.
- You will also sign them in on the sign-in sheet and place a nametag on your child.
- ALL parents must use the tag to pick up their preschooler. There are NO excuses.
- NO child will be released without the matching of the parent tag with the child’s.
- No child should be allowed to pick up another child (the person picking up the child must be over 18 AND have the security tag).
- No parent may leave the campus while their child is in
- We ask that ALL parents stay out of the classrooms for the safety and security of ALL of the children.
- Kindly knock on your child’s door and a leader will assist you in picking up or dropping off your child.
What to expect!
When you arrive in the Treetop Ministries, the bottom floor at
- If you are a first time guest, please stop at the Welcome Desk to get checked in. One of the welcome team volunteers will assist you in answering your questions and helping you find your preschoolers proper classroom. You will also receive a Guest bag with some goodies and some information about the Treetop.
- If you are a returning guest or member you will simply take your preschooler(s) to their appropriate class and check them in there. (please check out the Policies and Guidelines tab for Security and Policy on our check in/out procedure)
Preschool Ministry Schedule:
Sundays:
WorshipCare…………………………8:25 and 11:05 AM
Sunday School………….…………………………..9:45 AM
Sunday Night ChildCare………………………..6:00 PM
Wednesdays:
The Backyard…………………………………………6:00 PM
What is offered for your child?
What is offered for your child?
Sunday
WorshipCare…………...............………….….….8.25 AM
Sunday School………………………………..…....9.45 AM
Preschool Worship……………………….……...11.05 AM
W.H.A.M. …………………………….………..…....6.00 PM
Wednesday
AWANA………………………………..…………..6.00 PM
ChildCare is provided during Sunday and Wednesday night programs for those under 2 years old!
Sunday
WorshipCare…………...............………….….….8.25 AM
Sunday School………………………………..…....9.45 AM
Preschool Worship……………………….……...11.05 AM
W.H.A.M. …………………………….………..…....6.00 PM
Wednesday
AWANA………………………………..…………..6.00 PM
ChildCare is provided during Sunday and Wednesday night programs for those under 2 years old!
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