Revised January 2020
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish a plan to evaluate workers caring for children and to define some basic principles of care, in order to help maintain a safe environment for children participating in the ministries of Faith Community Church, such as, the nursery, Sunday school, Toddler’s Church, and Vacation Bible School.
The Caregiver’s Qualifications:
A background check will be completed on adult workers caring for children. A deacon will review these checks and will identify for the elders any areas of concern.
The Protecting Principles
These principles will be applied with the care of children:
1. Two adults should be present whenever children are being cared for.
a. There are times — such as an evening worship service when the number of children is typically few — when only one adult need be present with a responsible teen-age girl serving in the role of the second adult.
b. We do not see this allowance as a compromise of our goal of protecting children.
2. Bathroom supervision:
a. Diaper changes will be performed by a woman in the open area designed for that purpose in the nursery.
b. Children younger than 5 years should generally be directed by the supervising adult to the restroom in Building D. If that room is unavailable, then the supervising adult will direct a group of children to another restroom, first checking that it is unoccupied, then allowing children to enter.
c. Children 5 years and older should be supervised to and from their restroom visit by an adult supervisor (preferably, men supervising boys and women supervising girls), who will first check that the room is unoccupied, then allow the child to enter, while the adult remains outside.
d. So far as it is practicable, adults should avoid being alone with a child in a bathroom stall or in the bathroom with the door closed.
3. Whenever possible effort should be made to avoid allowing classroom doors to create a visible barrier that prevents those outside from seeing who is inside.
a. Unless there is a widow within the door itself or a window near the door that allows ready inspection of the inside of the room, the door should remain open.
b. Doors should not be locked while children are inside the room.
The Recognition of Parental Responsibility in the Application of Corporal Discipline:
The application of corporal discipline is a parental responsibility. It will not be administered by an FCC worker or volunteer.
