Nursery and Sunday School
Policies
St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican
Church, Thunder Bay
The Algoma Diocesan Canon H-5 Screening in Faith requires a screening program for children and youth programs. These policies are part of the screening program as they are intended to reduce risk of inappropriate behaviour between adults and children.
1. For the purpose of these policies, nursery is children aged 2 to 4. Children under the age of 2 may attend the nursery if accompanied by a caregiver. Sunday School is children aged 5 to 14. Youth over the age of 14 should consult with the Sunday School Teacher to determine if a class is available.
2. For the purpose of these policies, caregiver means the adult whom the parent/guardian has entrusted with the care of his or her child. It could be a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or friend.
3. A Registration Package includes a Sunday School Registration Form and Nursery and Sunday School Policies.
4. Nursery and Sunday School teachers are to follow the Nursery and Sunday School Policies.
5. A copy of the Nursery and Sunday School Policies is to be given to each family when children are registered in the Nursery or Sunday School and in September each year. A copy will be posted in the Parish Hall.
6. If a child under the age of 12 is attending Sunday School on a regular basis without a caregiver being present in the building:
a. A Consent Form to Attend Sunday School without a Caregiver signed by the parent/guardian must be in the Sunday School file;
b. If a Consent Form is not on file, the teacher will phone the child’s parent to advise the parent/guardian that the child is at St. Stephen’s and a Registration Package will be sent home with the child; and
c. The Consent Form must be signed annually in September.
7. A teacher will avoid being alone in a room with a single student, whenever possible. A teacher should not send an older student off with a younger student to a room by themselves. It is preferred to have a teacher with a group of children.
8. When the Meeting Room is being used as a classroom, the upper door should be left open at all times.
9. If a young child needs assistance in the bathroom, a female teacher should assist. The child is to be asked what assistance is required. The door of the bathroom will be left slightly ajar.
10. If a child is distressed, seems uncomfortable or requests to join their care-giver, the care-giver will be asked to come downstairs or the child will be taken upstairs to the caregiver by another adult or older child if an adult is not available. The caregiver will escort a young child downstairs if the child wishes to return to Nursery/Sunday School class.
11. If a child is hurt, the caregiver will be notified immediately if any first aid is required.If the injury is life threatening, the teacher will call 911 and then the caregiver will be contacted. In all other circumstances, the caregiver will be notified directly after worship.
12. Caregivers are always welcome to observe a class. If a caregiver would like to participate, she or he should ask the teacher if it is okay.
13. Corporal punishment is prohibited.
14. Children who exhibit unruly behaviour will be taken aside, asked to correct the behaviour, and will have consequences of future problems explained to them.
15. If the child continues to behave in an unruly manner, the child is to be sent upstairs to his or her caregiver, and the teacher should talk privately with the caregiver during coffee hour.
16. If the behaviour persists the Coordinator will make a phone call to the parent and advise the Incumbent.
17. An adult without children in the Sunday School or a caregiver, may help occasionally. When an adult is helping, a teacher must be present. If an adult would like to help regularly or without a teacher being present, he or she must go through the process to be appointed as a teacher.
18. In the case of a teacher being under the age of 18, an adult, aged 18 or older, should be present.
19. If a mother wishes to nurse her child, she may use the Meeting Room and close the upper door.
20. In case of fire, the teachers will evacuate the students following the parish’s Fire Procedure Plan.