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Child Care
Child care is an important part of our welcome to St. Columba’s youngest members and their families. It offers a place where infants and young children can experience the love and care of this community, and it offers parents an opportunity to give their full attention to worship and other church activities.
Located on the first floor of the building on the Albemarle Street side, child care is available for infants and children through preschool every Sunday morning and at occasional evening services and lectures. Hours are 8:45 am – 12:30 pm September through May and 10:15 – 11:45 am during the summer service schedule. Children can stay for any length of time while child care is in operation.
Child care is staffed on Sundays by a supervisor, adult caregivers and youth caregivers. Children are cared for in small groups of similar ages and play needs.
- Babies: Infants — 12–14 months.
Please provide all bottles, drinks, necessary food, and all diaper
gear and clothing.
- Toddlers: 15 months — 2–1/2 years. Parents are asked to
supply bottles or any special drinking cups and diaper gear. There
are child–sized toilets near the room.
- Preschool. This group closes during Sunday School (10:15–11:05) and resumes at the end of that period. Whenever Sunday School is not in session, the group continues throughout the morning.
A Few Points to Remember
Crying
It happens. Young children can be distressed at separation times and
do miss their parents. That’s a sign of healthy development. Sometimes
children cry just because someone else is crying. As long as the good
times, exploration and happy play outweigh any crying and distress,
we’ll cope. We will come and get you if we think your child is
inconsolable and we feel the prospects of change aren’t good.
Such situations are always a judgment call and will be handled by the
Sunday Supervisor.
Checking–in and Checking–out
Everybody seems to come at the same time — the last minute. After
all, getting the whole family dressed and ready for church isn’t
easy. Please help us keep track of the children and get every child off
to a good start. Simple rituals and procedures for coming and going are
important to us all.
- Sign in on the room clipboard with first and last name. You will receive a beeper to notify you (it lights up and vibrates) if your child or a caregiver needs you. You must return the beeper when you pick up your child.
- Mark your child’s gear with his/her
name.
- Introduce your child to a caregiver.
- When you return, be sure to sign your child out, return the beeper and tell a caregiver you are leaving.
Contact: Pattie Ames