Kidtown Volunteer Handbook

Let's Get Started

We'll work through the Kidtown Handbook section by section. Each section will have questions that you must answer before moving to the next section.

Creating an intentional, gospel-centered space for kids to belong, believe, and become participating members of God’s family.

Before serving in Kidtown, each volunteer must:

• Pass a background check

When serving in Kidtown, each volunteer is responsible for:

• Being on time and attending the morning meeting
• Coordinators arrive at 8am
• Team Members arrive at 8:50am
• Kidtown checkin starts at 9:15am

Walkie Talkie Procedures

• The Walkie Talkies are in each Kidtown classroom, with the coordinator on duty or director, with XD and on site officer
• Use walkie talkies to communicate certain Kidtown needs, such as bathroom breaks, as well as emergency situations such as: suspicious person, active shooter (code word: LOCK DOWN), tornado, fire, or injuries
• Walkie talkies are to be attached to an adult in a classroom at all times while kids are present. They are taken outside, to Kidtown worship, and to any other space you may go with the kids in case of emergency.

First-Aid

General Safety Procedures

• During arrival, the coordinator/director should be at the check-in door at all times.
• Notify a staff member if anyone is suspicious or carrying a large bag that is not a diaper bag.
• No adult is allowed to pass the check-in podium without a child
• No adult is allowed in the classrooms without a background check
• No child is allowed in the classroom without a name tag. A child cannot be in the room without an adult.
Check-out/Dismissal:
• At dismissal the coordinator/director will be at the two entrances to the Kidtown areas
• No adult is allowed to pass these volunteers without showing their pick-up tag
• Notify a staff member if anyone is suspicious or carrying a large bag that is not a diaper bag.

Tornado Threat

Fire Threat

Active Shooter Threat

Wellness

Children must be symptom-free from the following (without medication) for at least 24 hours before entering Kidtown:
• Fever of 100° or higher
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Conjunctivitis (Pink eye or other infection)
• Rash
• Open sores
• Cold
• Excessive coughing
• Lice

Proper Touch

• Let children initiate hugs.
• Be sensitive and do not force yourself upon a child
• PreK and above do not sit in laps
• No adult should be alone with a child—always have two background checked adults with kids at all times

Restroom Policy

• Contact Director/Coordinator to assist with bathroom breaks via Walkie-Talkies
• Only females may assist kids in the bathrooms

Diaper Change Policy

• Only female volunteers can change diapers

Volunteers under 18 years of age

• Anyone under 18 years of age cannot assist kids in the bathroom
• Anyone under 18 years of age cannot change a diaper
• Anyone under 13 years of age cannot hold or carry a child

Snacks

• If snacks are given, check all kids name tags for allergy information before giving snack

Cell Phones

• Be present. No cell phone use during Kidtown, unless there is an emergency.

Volunteer Drinks

• Keep any and all hot drinks out of reach of children
• Always have a lid on drinks

Name Tags + Rosters

• Do not accept a child without a Name Tag—if this is missing, direct them to the Check-In podium
• As kids enter, write their names on the roster clipboard

Parents

• Do not let parents into the classroom, accept kids at the classroom door
• If a parent comes in to comfort their kid and stays, contact the Director/Coordinator who will come and kindly take care of the situation.
• No adult is allowed in the classroom without a background check.

Roster Clipboard

1. Take this with you wherever you go (Kidtown worship, outside, etc.)
2. Use Roster clipboard to keep track of the kids in your class during transitions and emergencies
3. Use roster clipboard to be aware of safety procedures (on back of clipboard)

Walkie Talkies

1. Use walkie talkies to communicate certain Kidtown needs (such as bathroom breaks) as well as emergency situations such as: suspicious person, active shooter (code work: LOCK DOWN), tornado, fire, injuries
2. Walkie talkies are to be attached to an adult in a classroom at all times while kids are present. They are taken outside, to Kidtown worship and any other space you may go with the kids in case of emergency

Discipline/Classroom Management

1. Praise the positive and reward good behavior. Children often learn by modeling behavior. Try, for example, “I love the way Sarah is sitting quietly with her hands in her lap. Great job!” The other children will follow quickly in hopes of being praised in the same way. Praising kids rewards good behavior and reinforces it for the entire class. You may also use rewards, such as: obedient children are the first to receive snack or art supplies.
2. Explain the rules of the class every week. Children do well when they know what is expected of them. The classroom structure will be similar from week to week. Having a predictable routine helps kids cope with an environment and understand appropriate behavior.
3. Make things fun! Instead of going into things like clean up time with a negative approach, such as “I’m so sorry, but we have to put toys away now,” try addressing it with a positive spin, like, “Okay, kids, I have a mission for you: do you think we can have all of these toys put away in two minutes?” Singing the clean up song is also a fun way to begin and encourage a cleanup routine.
4. How to talk to a child who is crying. Engage an upset child with something of interest. Talk to them in a way that distracts them from thinking about their parents and avoid saying that Mommy or Daddy are coming. If absolutely necessary, you can remind them that Mommy and Daddy will come back soon, but do not make that the point of your conversation. For children who are likely to cry, ask their parents about how to best soothe them. If the child is inconsolable for 8–10 minutes, give them to the Coordinator or Director. They will contact the parent.

How to Handle Discipline

1. Be specific as you explain that you want him or her to follow direction, be kind to friends, participate, etc. Remember that discipline should always be given in love, not in anger.
2. Warning 1: Remind the child of the classroom rules and ask them to stop their behavior.
3. Warning 2: Pull them aside to have a private conversation about it. Tell them if it continues they will need to spend some time away from the class.
4. Warning 3: If they still don’t fix behavior, contact coordinator or director to come get the child for a one-on-one redirect time.
5. If behavior still persists after redirection, the director/coordinator will contact parents for pick up.