Quick & Easy Evaluation of Early Childhood Ministries
How much do early childhood ministries influence a person's spiritual growth? Christians who study human development now believe that our personalities are 85 percent formed by the time we are 6 years old. If that is true, it is part of God's design and fits with His view in Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child how to live the right way. Then even when he is old, he will still live that way"(New Century Version). Every church needs to evaluate how well they minister to little ones. This form can be a starting point for deciding what ministry features are in place and which need to be added or improved.
Preschool Ministry Features (3-year-olds through kindergartners)
The Child’s Perspective:
The Room:
T__ F__ The room matches the quality of adult facilities.
T__ F__ There is enough space to move and to learn actively.
T__ F__ The furnishings match the children's size.
T__ F__ The room includes sturdy, safe toys and equipment for active Bible learning.
T__ F__ Colorful pictures and projects are displayed at the children's level.
T__ F__ High interest areas help draw children into the room.
Bible Lessons:
T__ F__ The Bible lesson begins when the first child arrives.
T__ F__ The Bible lesson includes active and quiet Bible learning.
T__ F__ The Bible lesson follows approximately the same schedule each week.
T__ F__ Bible words and activities match age-level interests, needs, and learning styles.
T__ F__ Bible lesson activities are designed to transfer to everyday living.
Relationships:
T__ F__ Children look happy to see their teachers.
T__ F__ Children receive individual attention from teachers and helpers.
T__ F__ The pastor occasionally participates in early childhood ministries.
The Teacher’s Perspective:
Training:
T__ F__ Teachers receive group and/or individual early childhood training.
T__ F__ Teams of teachers learn, plan, and problem solve together.
T__ F__ The church provides handbooks, the Christian Education Counselor, and/or audio and videotapes that teachers can use for additional training.
T__ F__ Newly recruited teachers are mentored for the first months of their ministry.
Support:
T__ F__ The church provides teaching supplies like construction paper, glue, etc.
T__ F__ The church budget allows teachers to request equipment for their rooms.
T__ F__ The church provides storage for teaching supplies.
T__ F__ The church provides tapes of adult worship for teachers who miss services.
The Parent’s Perspective:
First Impressions:
T__ F__ Ushers greet and escort visiting families to early childhood classrooms.
T__ F__ Friendly teachers greet visiting parents and children with information that helps first-time visitors feel at ease.
T__ F__ Teachers follow-up first-time visitors within 4 days by phone or mail.
Communication:
T__ F__ Teachers inform parents about each week's Bible lesson.
T__ F__ Parents periodically participate in early childhood ministries.
T__ F__ Parents express appreciation for teachers' ministry to their children.
Bridge Between Church & Home:
T__ F__ Teachers provide parents with means to continue Bible lessons at home.
Church Nursery Features (Infants through 2-year-olds)
The Parent’s Perspective:
First Impressions:
T__ F__ The church nursery looks attractive, clean, and safe.
T__ F__ Friendly teachers welcome visiting parents.
T__ F__ Teachers provided visiting parents with printed information about the nursery.
T__ F__ Teachers provide nametags for visiting babies and their belongings.
T__ F__ Parents complete care cards so teachers can tailor care for their babies.
T__ F__ A sign-in system assures parents of babies' security in the church nursery.
Communication:
T__ F__ Parents receive printed nursery policies about safety, health, and learning.
T__ F__ Teachers inform parents about babies' activities in the church nursery.
T__ F__ Parents can check on care their babies received during each service.
T__ F__ A paging system can call parents to the church nursery if they are needed.
Support To Establish Healthy Christian Family:
T__ F__ The church provides Christian parenting resources, such as Parenting Helps.
T__ F__ The church schedules periodic Sunday school parenting electives or seminars.
T__ F__ Cradle roll or small groups encourage networking among young parents.
T__ F__ Parents can borrow books, periodicals, or tapes owned by the church.
The Baby’s Perspective:
Comfort of Routines:
T__ F__ Every teacher knows nursery policies so care remains consistent every week.
T__ F__ A printed schedule is posted in the church nursery for easy reference.
T__ F__ Nursery teachers consistently feed, change, and hold babies.
Comfort of Knowing Teachers:
T__ F__ Nursery teachers minister every week, if possible, but at least once a month.
T__ F__ Every nursery teacher can call every baby by name, or nametags are used.
T__ F__ Teachers learn the "preferences" and "interests" of babies in their care.
Comfort of Activities:
T__ F__ Teachers interact with happy, as well as crying, babies.
T__ F__ Simple, prepackaged Bible activities are available in the nursery for regular use.
T__ F__ Teachers point to and talk about Bible pictures in cribs and at diapering areas.
T__ F__ Praise music and Christian lullabies play softly during quiet times.
The Teacher’s Perspective:
Communication of Policies:
T__ F__ Every nursery teacher and helper has read printed nursery policies.
T__ F__ Printed reminders of policies are posted in the church nursery.
T__ F__ Teachers understand how policies protect or nurture babies in the church nursery.
T__ F__ If a rotating staff is used, teachers receive reminders of their time(s) to minister.
Supplies:
T__ F__ The church provides sturdy, safe, attractive equipment in the church nursery.
T__ F__ The church keeps a supply of diapers and clothes for emergencies.
T__ F__ The church provides cleaning supplies to sanitize toys, cribs, and diaper areas.
T__ F__ The church provides toys and pictures to introduce babies to first Bible ideas.
Communication of Appreciation:
T__ F__ The pastor periodically thanks nursery teachers from the pulpit.
T__ F__ The pastor encourages parents to thank nursery teachers.
T__ F__ The teachers periodically receive written thank you notes or small gifts.
T__ F__ The church provides sermon tapes for nursery teachers who miss services.
Communication of Significance:
T__ F__ The church nursery matches the quality of adult facilities.
T__ F__ The pastor talks of the significance of early spiritual experiences from the pulpit.
T__ F__ Nursery teachers are included in regular staff training.
T__ F__ The church provides books, videos, and audiotapes about early experiences.
T__ F__ During baby dedications church members make a commitment to nurture babies.
T__ F__ Church members commit their time and energy to minister in the nursery.
