Parents and Kids

• Only scheduled volunteers and parent(s)/guardian(s) are allowed in the Vineyard Kids hallway during the Sunday Worship Service.
• Children may not be dropped off without volunteers present.
• Windows have been placed in doors to all children’s classrooms approved for childcare use. These windows are to be left uncovered at all times so that the view into the room remains unobstructed. 
• Lights must be turned on in any room in which children are present. Lights may not be turned out for the viewing of movies. 

• Individuals with a record of child sexual abuse or physical abuse are not eligible to work with children.
• No person volunteering with children and representing Vineyard Kids may be under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or illegal drugs.
• To be eligible to volunteer with Vineyard Kids you must: 
  • complete a Volunteer Application, 
  • pass a background check,
  • sign Vineyard Kids Policy Agreement, 
  • be interviewed by the Vineyard Kids Director/Pastor.
• All volunteers go through basic training to familiarize themselves with policies, procedures, and basic child care.
• All volunteers must wear an approved identification while on duty.
• Follow the two-worker rule: when possible at least two unrelated volunteers should be present at all times.  As much as possible keep child to volunteer ratios as such: 1 volunteer for every 3-5 children under age 3, 1 volunteer for every 8-10 children over the age of 4
• All teenage volunteers must be supervised by an adult volunteer.
• If children are being taken outside of their regularly assigned space, they must be accompanied by at least 2 volunteers.  The assigned classroom volunteers must be notified as to where children are located.
• Any lesson plans that involve transportation of children, or any special activities, outside of the classroom must have prior approval from the Vineyard Kids Director/Pastor and communication with parent(s)/guardian(s).

• Volunteers report anyone engaging in suspicious activity or loitering to the Vineyard Kids Director/Pastor or a pastor.
• Childcare can only be provided on a Sunday morning when parent(s)/guardian(s) are present on the church campus. 
• Depending on volunteers, all children will be signed in both at the Check-in desk and their classroom.  At minimum children will be signed in at the classroom.  Children will receive a sticker name tag with a number on it and any pertinent allergy information.  Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will receive a tag with the corresponding number of the child on it.  This tag is necessary to check-out a child.  If a tag is lost, identification will be necessary to check-out a child.
• Sign-in sheets will document: date, first and last names of child(ren), approved parent(s)/guardian(s) first and last name for check-out, allergy information, and any other pertinent information needed.
• Parents of children through fifth grades must pick up their children from the childcare program.
• Physical contact must be limited to appropriate touch. Appropriate touch is defined as no touching where a bathing suit covers (examples of appropriate touch: top of head, shoulders, elbows, hands, sideways hugs).
• Children older than three years old may not sit in volunteers’ laps. 

• Children must be escorted by a same-sex (when possible) Vineyard Kids volunteer to the designated children’s restroom door – located in the Nursery and NOT the adult bathrooms.
• If a child needs direct assistance, a volunteer will provide assistance in the presence of another volunteer.
• Nursery changing tables will be placed at all times so as to be in view of all nursery volunteers.  Diaper changing must be performed in the designated area.

• Volunteers will regularly explain and enforce the discipline policy so that the expectations and responsibilities of children are known and understood by a child.  Discipline is not about punishments, rules, and negativity.  It’s about guidance, correction, diligence, and teaching. 
• All children will be treated with gentleness, respect and understanding. Remember the role that a child has in the church.
• Never use physical means in dealing with a child unless in an attempt to protect yourself or others from harm.
• Use of profanity and/or derogatory gestures will not be tolerated.
• Stealing, fighting, verbal or physical abuse, or inappropriate touching will not be tolerated.
• Rules are posted in each classroom.

Class Rules:

1. 1. 1. Be Kind
      2. Listening Ears On
      3. Raise Your Hand
      4. Keep Hands & Feet to Yourself
      5. Be safe…no climbing…no running…tell someone
      6. Have Fun!!!

Discipline Actions: 

1. 1. Get on child’s level, look them in the eye.  Give a verbal warning, explaining why the behavior is not acceptable.  Give a suggestion for the right way to act or behave and help them to do it.
   2. If a child does not follow directions when you give them a redirection, remove them from the situation or activity so they can calm down and prepare to rejoin the service.  Place them in an area away from the other kids for no more than one minute per year of age.  Create an entry in the behavior log so that other volunteers may know that a child has struggled with this behavioral issue.
   3. If a child still does not obey, contact the parent in the service and have the child removed that week.  If a pattern of behavior continues with a particular child a meeting of the Vineyard Kids Director/Pastor and the parent(s)/guardian(s) will be scheduled to find a way to integrate the child in Vineyard Kids in a healthy way.  A child is never given up on, just new approaches implemented.

• Vineyard Kids follows the Vineyard Church of Ithaca’s Photo Disclaimer. https://thechurchco-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/sites/1496/2022/08/2022PhotoDisclaimer.pdf

If there is an allegation of abuse, volunteers will report the suspected abuse to the Vineyard Kids Director/Pastor and/or Senior Pastor.  Volunteers will not discuss the suspected abuse with other volunteers, parents, etc.  All information regarding the child will be kept confidential with the Vineyard Kids Director/Pastor and the proper authorities.

Upon an allegation of abuse being made, the church will take the allegations of abuse seriously and will investigate. 

• Situations will be handled immediately, yet with due respect to people’s confidentiality and privacy. 
• Full cooperation will be given to law enforcement authorities. 
• Appropriate care will be given to victims. 
• If the accused is a volunteer or employee, the church will relieve him or her of duties until the incident is resolved. 

What is Child Abuse?

The following definitions (as provide by “The National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse”) are provided to aid in awareness:

Physical Abuse

Non-accidental injury, which include beatings, violent shakings, human bites, strangulation, suffocation, poisoning or burns.  The results may be bruises and welts, broken bones, scars, permanent disfigurement, long-lasting psychological damage, serious internal injuries, brain damage or death.

Neglect

The failure to provide a child with basic needs including food, clothing, education, shelter and medical care; also abandonment and inadequate supervision.

Sexual Abuse

The sexual exploitation of a child by an older person as in rape, incest, fondling of the genitals, exhibitionism or pornography.  It may be done for the sexual gratification of the older person, out of a need for power or for economic reasons.

Emotional Maltreatment

A pattern of behavior that attacks a child’s emotional development and sense of self worth, such as constant criticizing, belittling, insulting, manipulation; also providing no love, support or guidance.

Volunteers have been trained and should be familiar with what to do in an emergency.  If they are required to take a child from their classroom in an emergency they will also take all measures necessary to maintain the safety of the child and have procedures for reuniting child(ren) with their parent(s)/guardian(s).

• Children with the following symptoms in the past 24 hours will be asked to not enter Vineyard Kids.
  • fever
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • infectious cough
  • colored discharge from nose
  • discharge from eyes/pink eye
• A child taking antibiotics should have received them for at least 24 hours before coming to Vineyard Kids.
• First-aid kits are located in each classroom. Volunteers should be familiar with these locations. 
• In case of accident or injury, you must fill out an Injury/Accident Report Form. These forms can be found in the Check-in desk. 
• Parent(s)/Guardian(s) should be notified if their child experienced an injury or accident during the Sunday Worship Service, or any activity. Completed forms must be turned in to the Vineyard Kids Director/Pastor.