Frequently Asked Questions Kidcrest
What measures do you take to ensure my children will be secure while I’m in the service?
Safety and Security
We are proud of our state of the art safety and security system. As children arrive for our weekend services, parents find their family name in our computerized data check-in system. They then print a child’s photo nametag and parent’s check-in sheet.
We require a photo pass for anyone to enter the Kidcrest facility while we are caring for children. The parent check-in sheet has parent/guardian photos and a corresponding photo of each child that is being escorted to a classroom. These photos are checked at the entrance to Kidcrest and the check-in sheet and nametag serve as a pass to enter the Kidcrest facility.
The check-in sheet is left with the classroom volunteer and will be used in case there is a need to evacuate the building. After service, parents again find their family name and print a check-out sheet. Photos are checked at the door and the check-out sheet serves as an entry pass. Photos are finally reviewed at the classroom, photo nametags are matched to photo check-out sheets as each child is picked up.
If you plan to have your child attend a weekend service or if you are bringing a visitor to church with you, please arrive early so we can get needed information and take necessary photos.
How do you ensure that there will be adequate attention given to my child while in your care?
Staffing
Our goal is to maintain a safe atmosphere for our children, so our computer system is set up to control the volunteer to child ratio and the capacity limits of each room in the Kidcrest building.
Unfortunately, rooms can and do close. There may be times when you are unable to check in your child / children if the classroom is full or there are not enough volunteers. See below for the limits assigned to each of our rooms.
| Room |
Capacity (max. #) |
Adult Volunteer to Child Ratio |
| 0-10 months |
10 |
1:3 |
| 11 - 18 |
12 |
1:4 |
| 19-23 |
12 |
1:4 |
| Two Year Old |
20 |
1:8 |
| Three Year Old |
30 |
1:10 |
| Four / Five Year Old |
30 |
1:10 |
| Elem K-2 |
60 |
1:12 |
| Elem 3-4-5 |
60 |
1:15 |
What if the computer informs me that the room is closed when I try to check my child in?
- If you get a message from the computer about a room closing please go to the visitor desk and tell a person behind the desk. At that time we will explain the reason and the possibility of the room opening back up.
- The classroom may be closed for a lack of volunteers. A possible solution is for a parent to serve in the room and support the other volunteers who teach and "run" the room. This would open the room to the waiting child and any other children who are waiting.
- You may wait in the lobby area and see if the room opens up or check back with us after some time has passed. The rooms do open back up sometimes as parents step in to volunteer.
What should I expect if I bring a child visitor?
If you bring a child visitor, our volunteers at the visitor desk in the Kidcrest lobby will assist you in entering the child’s information and taking their picture. Then you will be added as an "other authorized pick-up adult" on that child’s account. From time to time, our visitor children feel more comfortable attending the same area as the child they came with. If they do not attend the same area, the older child may attend the younger child’s class. This is a protective measure for our younger children so they are not in a room that is above their developmental level.
How do you determine when a child advances to the next area?
In our preschool areas (children not yet in Kindergarten), we manually change their room assignment based on their birthday. If you see that your child has not been moved yet, please inform a volunteer at the visitor desk in Kidcrest. From time to time, a parent asks that a child be moved early or held back for developmental reasons. As staff, we consider those on a case by case basis so please contact a staff member about your situation.
In our elementary areas (fall kindergartners-5th graders), we have a "Jump Up" weekend that occurs on the first full weekend in June. Children are moved to the next grade level: Fall kindergartners move to the kindergarten-2nd grade area, fall third graders move to the third-fifth grade area and the fall sixth graders move to the Saturday night middle ground area.
What are the children taught?
Our two-year-olds through five-year-olds have a Bible story experience where we focus each month on a particular truth about our friendship with God. We illustrate that truth in a developmentally appropriate way to connect the Bible story with experiences the children have every day at home, at church, or at preschool.
For our elementary children (kindergarten-fifth grade), each month we focus on a particular character virtue, such as responsibility. We illustrate that virtue through a Bible story which is creatively told through technology, drama and/or audience interaction. The lesson also connects the virtue to everyday experiences the children have at home, church or school. After the whole group lesson, we divide into age-appropriate small groups where children apply the lesson in a practical way to their daily lives.
The elementary lessons are developed from curriculum we purchase through The ReThink Group, and it is called 252 Basics. You are welcome to check it out at: http://whatisorange.org/252basics/
What if my child has an allergy?
We know that food allergies can be life threatening and are important to be aware of for children. It is an option to indicate on your child’s name tag that they have a medical condition such as a food allergy, but this is not enough to help us keep your child safe. Therefore, we ask that you inform the volunteer in the room of your child’s allergy every time you leave them in our care.
The preschoolers (11 months through 5-year-olds) are served a snack during their time with us. We have a standard snack of cheerios for our 11-18 month olds and graham crackers for the 19-23 month olds. All other classrooms have the snack for the weekend posted outside of each room. We strongly encourage you to bring an alternate snack if your child has a food allergy rather than have them simply not eat the snack we serve. This enables your child to fully participate in snack time with the rest of the class.
The elementary kindergarten-2nd grade class has snacks periodically as part of their lesson so please inform us of any food allergy and we will try to find an alternate snack for that weekends activity.
The elementary 3rd-5th grade class have a snack canteen area where they are served lemonade, pretzels, gold fish or cheerios and then there is an option to purchase other snack foods. Informing staff so we can help support their appropriate food choices is very helpful.
