Kidtown Volunteer Handbook

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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 a safe and inviting space for our children to learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ

What is the arrival time for Kidtown volunteers?

• Arrive at 8:40am for the 9am service.

Guidelines/Expectations for Kidtown Volunteers:

• BE ON TIME! Parents cannot leave children in a classroom until there is an adult volunteer present. Your being on time means that everyone can get to the service on time.
• Be flexible and a team player. Everyone is expected to help clean up rooms.
• Build relationships with the kids and be a role model for the children.
• Make the safety and care of the children your top priority… physically, spiritually and emotionally.
• Do not accept a child without a check-in sticker on.
• Keep open communication with parents about their child – what they are learning, what they did well, behavior issues, etc.
• Keep open communication with Kidtown staff about concerns, suggestions, praises, etc.

On Sunday Morning:

• Arrive at church no later than 30 minutes before the start of each service and report to the Check-in Station for your name tag.
• Go to your classroom and begin reviewing your lesson for the morning.
• DO NOT take a child into the class who does not have a sticker/name tag.
• Following service: wipe down toys and tables.
• In the event that either the Kidtown Director or a Kidtown Assistant cannot facilitate the check out process, do not let any children leave the classroom without a parent checking them out once the service is over. This is done by matching the parent’s code on their sticker with the child’s code on their name tag.

This policy is specifically intended to safeguard our children from all forms of abuse.

• Attend training when available
• Complete a cleared background check authorization, including the supplemental information form.
• Read the Kidtown handbook, complete the quiz and sign confirmation.
• Shadow a seasoned volunteer before teaching alone

• All volunteers must wear stickers at all times with children so they can be identified as Kidtown volunteers.
• Parents must stay in class until volunteers arrive.
• No one may be alone with a child in class.
• Male volunteers never accompany boys or girls to the bathroom.
• A female volunteer should enter a bathroom when absolutely necessary to assist a child.
• Female volunteers change diapers in the classroom.
• To receive a child, the parent must show the parent tag.
• If parent tag is lost, the parent goes to the nearest check-in desk to receive a new one.

When an injury happens:

• Come to the check-in desk with child to be treated or contact the Kidtown Director or a Kidtown assistant to administer first aid.

Serious injuries involving broken bones, fainting, unconsciousness or similar injuries should be treated as follows:

• Keep calm and comfort injured child.
• Do not move the injured child and do not leave him/her.
• Remove other children from area.
• Send a fellow teacher to locate the Kidtown assistant for assistance. The Kidtown assistant will call 911 if needed.
• Parent will be contacted immediately and the child will continue to be treated as needed until further assistance arrives.

Fire

In the event of a fire alarm, follow these procedures:

• Acquaint yourself with the evacuation route for your classroom.
• Before evacuating count the number of children in your class.
• All Classes: Evacuate to the designated place outside the building (far side of the parking lot) with one adult at the beginning of the line and one adult at the end.
• Upon arrival take attendance to insure all your children are with you. If you are missing any children or have additional children in your group, notify a Kidtown Assistant or the Kidtown Director.

Once Outside:

• Await further instructions from Kidtown Assistant or Director. Do not re-enter the building.
• First aid will be brought to you as needed. Do not leave your group to obtain first aid.
• Remain calm. This will help keep your children calm. Keep them informed as you have information to share with them.
• Only after a staff person has given approval to release children can you release the child to the parent with matching ID on sticker. Do not dismiss any children, including elementary age, to go on their own.

Natural Disasters

Tornado

If you are caught outdoors and hear the tornado sirens, immediately seek shelter in the closest building.

Once you are indoors:

• Move quickly to a safe area indoors such as an interior hallway or an interior room away from windows.
• Stay away from windows, doors and exterior walls.
• Close all doors leading to exterior rooms.
• Count your kids before you leave the room.
• Count your children again & take attendance when you arrive in the appropriate room.
• All classes will go to the basement via the stairs located inside the purple stars classroom.
• Once you are indoors, stay indoors until the threat has passed.
• Take account of everyone, including injuries, and call for help if needed.

Active Shooter and Active Threat

Director and anyone who has a radio will alert everyone, via radio/cell or vocally, "CODE SILVER" for active shooter.

If notified of an active threat, take the following steps:

• Alert everyone as you can.
• Lower shades in classes and get children to the wall closest to the door where they cannot be seen.
• Barricade the doors with chairs/tables the best you can.
• Have children take off their shoes to make their steps quieter.
• Lock all interior doors and remain silent.
• Evacuate only if given the password "KIDTOWN CLEAR" to open the door. Midtown Staff will knock on your door and tell you the password. Only then may you open the door.

PREVENTION is the most powerful weapon in discipline. The most essential aspect of prevention is PREPARATION.

• Be sure that you have read and understand the activities and the schedule before you enter the classroom. The children will notice your knowledge and confidence.
• Be explicit about procedures for transitions (signals, songs, etc.) and your expectations for behavior in different settings (small group meetings, large group lessons, individual activities, etc.).

When repeated misbehavior does occur and is distracting to other children...

1. Speak to the child calmly and lovingly in private if possible.
2. Ask what happened instead of why.
3. Point out the rule that was broken and explain why it is not acceptable behavior.
4. Ask the child to make suggestions for how to correct the behavior.
5. Tell him/her the consequence if it’s not corrected and encourage to make the correct choice.
6. Watch for opportunities to praise the child for making correct choices. Follow through with the consequences if he/she chooses misbehavior.

Suggestions for consequences:

1. Warning: state the behavior clearly.
2. Give the child time out.
3. Remove the child from the group or activity and/or bring them to the front desk to speak with the Kidtown Director or one of the Kidtown Assistants.

Remember that parents are your ALLY in discipline.

Most parents like to be informed of their child’s activities during their time in Kidtown. Don’t say “Everything was great!” when it wasn’t. Our frequent and consistent communication to the parents is a tremendous aid in gaining their help in addressing their child’s behavior.