Wellkids DNA
Wellkids DNA: Nursery and Wellkids 5+ Overview
Section 1: DNA for Wellkids
The Well: A Burlington Church exists to glorify Jesus and inspire people to love, serve, follow, obey and enjoy Him forever. One of the ways we do this is through our children's ministry, entitled Wellkids. Our vision within the above context for the Wellkids program is to:
1. To create relationships between Wellkid-Jesus, Wellkid-Family, Wellkid-Community, Wellkid - Wellkid, Wellkid-Wellkid Volunteer, Wellkid-Church, etc. (in no particular order).
2. To give opportunities to serve.
3. To someday build an indoor climbing structure and ball-pit.
Section 2: Definitions of Terms (otherwise known as The Rooms)
The first, the Wellkids Nursery for babies through to age 3/4. There are two qualified volunteers, one adult and one youth, staffing the nursery at all times.
The second, the Quiet Room is for nursing mothers and babies. We have a live feed from the 'sanctuary' into this room and mothers are welcome to be with their baby in this room, or if they like bring their baby into the 'sanctuary' with them.
The third, the Wellkids 5+ room for ages 4/5-8. There are two qualified adult volunteers staffing the Wellkids 5+ room at all times. We have a big carpet, toys, crafts, and activities. Here, the older Wellkids will be given free time to develop relationships and follow curriculum. This curriculum to be directly related to the sermon series at hand and is written by a professional children's educator, often including a visit outside to play at the park, if weather permits. Once Wellkids 5+ increases to a number beyond 15 kids, we will make plans to add additional classrooms. We will not divide the kids by ages but by numbers.
The fourth, the Kidspace refers to the kid’s carpets in the 'sanctuary.' Here there is always something to color, a toy to play with, or new comic book to read. The Wellkids gather here before their Wellkids time or stay here throughout the service if they stay in the 'sanctuary.'
If a child is eight years or older (or younger if you think they can handle it and want to) they'll stay with you in the 'sanctuary'. They'll listen to the preacher, or color, or read books soaking it all in. When God begins 'doing things' in response to the preaching or the worship the kids--along with the parent--will 'feel it' and that, almost more than anything, and the fact that they're there with you and watching you respond, will be the most important part of their experience of God at The Well.
Section 3: We Want You
As we add people and kids we begin to assemble a team of professionals to help the Wellkids learn to love Jesus, their parents, their church and their city.
To compile that team of professionals, The Well looks for people who love kids, love Jesus, and want to make Christ known to our Wellkids. We look for people who view our Wellkids not only as the church of the future but the church of the present.
We look for volunteers for sessions: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Each session a new team, full of seasoned volunteers and new volunteers is created. Our goal is never to burn a volunteer out!
Adult volunteers with Wellkids Nursery and Wellkids 5+ must have a current Criminal Reference Check (you can contact you local OPP detachment to obtain a Criminal Reference Check). The Well: A Burlington Church will reimburse the cost (submit receipts to Jessica Dyment). The results of the Criminal Reference Check will be presented to the Wellkids Coordinator, Jessica Dyment and passed onto the elders as needed before you will be considered to serve within the Wellkids program.
Section 4: Descriptions of Volunteers
The Wellkids Volunteers are divided five ways:
Nursery Team
5 + Team
Music Team
Plays & Skits Team
Wellkids Snack Team
Nursery Team
Adult Volunteer
You are responsible to arrive 15 minutes before the service start time (10:15 AM) to make sure the Wellkids for the nursery are signed in by their guardian. As you see newcomers come in and especially if they have kids that look at the Nursery age greet them, instruct them of the schedule, and answer any questions. Be aware of the allergy column on the sign in sheet and review closely once all kids are signed in.
Go into the 'sanctuary' for the first worship set and exit with all the Wellkids. Next, participate in the Music, Skits or ‘BREAK to SERVE’ as all the Wellkids will meet in the Wellkids 5+ space for the first 5-15 minutes.
You are responsible to provide the best care possible to the Wellkids in the Nursery and ask the Youth Volunteer to notify the guardian if any emergencies arise that need the guardians attention.
You are welcome to read Bible stories, color, or prepare a small age appropriate activity in advance but the main goal is to play. Snack will be provided each week by the Wellkids Snack Team.
You are required to clean up the Wellkids Nursery space after all kids are signed out and picked up by their guardian.
If you are unable to make it to church when you are scheduled for the Nursery, you are responsible to find a replacement from the other adult nursery volunteers.
Pray for the Wellkids in the Nursery.
Youth Volunteer
Your primary role is to assist the Adult Volunteer. This includes things such as: notifying a guardian if a child needs assistance, helping during snack time, crafts, readings, playtime, etc. You simply show up and help.
5+ Team
Primary Teacher
You are responsible to come to Wellkids 5+ prepared. The curriculum will be in your email inbox at least a week in advance, our hope being the curriculum for the entire sermon series will be completed by the start of the series and curriculum will be distributed at that point. The curriculum does not give you a "This is what you should do," but rather a guideline to make your own. You are responsible for gathering any items, whether they be craft materials or objects for a game.
You are responsible to arrive 15 minutes before the service start time (10:15 AM) to make sure the Wellkids 5+ are signed in by their guardian. As you see newcomers come in and especially if they have kids that look at the 5+ age greet them, instruct them of the schedule, and answer any questions. Be aware of the allergy column on the sign in sheet and review closely once all kids are signed in.
Go into the 'sanctuary' for the first worship set and exit with all the Wellkids. Next, participate in the Music, Skits or ‘BREAK to SERVE’ as all the Wellkids will meet in the Wellkids 5+ space for the first 5-15 minutes.
Ask the Secondary Teacher to notify the guardian if any emergencies arise that need the guardians attention.
You are required to clean up the Wellkids 5+ space after all kids are signed out and picked up by their guardian.
If you are unable to make it to church when you are scheduled for the Wellkids 5+, you are responsible to find a replacement from the other adult Wellkids volunteers.
Pray for the Wellkids in Wellkids 5+.
Secondary Teacher
Your primary role is to assist the main teacher. This may include such things as: notifying a parent if a child needs assistance, helping during snack time, crafts, readings, playtime, etc. You may be asked to walk a child to and from the washroom. You are not responsible for lesson planning or prior study, however we encourage the Main Teacher/Helper to work as a team and find each other’s strengths. The main teacher may ask you if you would be interested in leading the craft or particular activity in advance. Our goal is to equip our secondary teachers to the possibility of someday being a Wellkids Teacher.
Music
Lead Volunteer
Coordinate volunteers, schedules, and music for the Wellkids Music portion, which takes place immediately after the Wellkids leave the Kidspace carpets.
Volunteer
Assist the lead volunteer in the coordination of the Wellkids Music immediately after the Wellkids leave Kidspace carpets. This could involve playing a guitar, bongo, drum, recorder, singing, or playing the penny whistle (one skill required, not all of the above).
Plays & Skits
Lead Volunteer
Coordinate volunteers, schedules, and plays & skits for the Wellkids Plays & Skits portion, which takes place immediately after the Wellkids leave the Kidspace carpets. The plays and skits do not have to be written, books can be used but we encourage the play and/or skit to relate to the sermon series topic.
Volunteer
Assist the lead volunteer in the coordination of the Wellkids Plays & Skits immediately after the Wellkids leave Kidspace carpets. This could involve acting, reciting a monologue, and practicing beforehand.
Wellkids Snack
Volunteer
The volunteer prepares Wellkids Snack for 15-20 kids, number depending on growth. Snack must be peanut free but does not have to be home made baking. Fruit, crackers, cheese, fruit snacks, granola bars, etc. are just a few ideas. You are placed on a rotation (usually 4-5 weeks).
If you are unable to bring the snack the week you are scheduled, you must find a replacement within the Wellkids Snack Team.
Section 5: Schedule
The micro schedule of Wellkids briefly would be broken down as follows:
10:25 AM Sign the sign-in sheet for your kids
10:30-10:45AM First worship set in the 'Sanctuary' & Wellkids time with the Pastor at Kidspace carpets
10:45 - 11:00AM All Wellkids exit to Wellkids 5+ room for Music, Skits, or BREAKS to SERVE
11:00-11:45 AM Wellkids time
11:45 AM Guardians sign out Wellkids & bring them in the 'Sanctuary'
11:45-12:00 AM Communion & Second worship set
Last Updated: January 5, 2011
