Policies & Procedures

Safe Child Policy

 
Our vision for St. George’s is that our church be a warm place where parishioners feel a deep sense of belonging. What better goal than for our families to feel at home here, and our children literally to grow up in the church? We do, however, face a reality that conflicts with this goal. That reality is that our church building is open to all people during significant portions of each day. Imagine, if you will, how differently you might organize your home and your child’s life within it if complete strangers could and did have access to it throughout the day and evening? 
 
In an effort to balance making St. George’s feel like a second home to our children and making that home as safe as possible, we have developed a Safe Child Policy and Practices. Much of the policy addresses hiring and screening procedures as well as guidelines for children’s discipleship volunteers and child care/nursery workers. A portion addresses our practices from week to week. Each child care worker and children’s ministry volunteer receives a section which outlines his or her responsibility in implementing the policy. A third portion, reviewing the elements most important to you as a parent, is included below. (The policy in its entirety is available for your review at any time at the church office.) 
 
By working together, we can provide a place where our children can grow physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
 
If you have any questions about these procedures, please feel free to contact Joanna Williams, Director of Children’s Discipleship or Elizabeth Nash, Children’s Discipleship Program Coordinator. We would be happy to discuss them with you further. Thank you in advance for your participation in this importance ministry to our children! 
 
 
 

Safe Child Practices

 
  • Children under 9 should be accompanied by an adult at all times. 
  • Parents must escort children under 9 at the beginning of the program year to and from their activities. Children 9 to 12 years old may be released on their own unless a parent requests otherwise.
  • Parents are expected to remain on campus while children under 12 are in activities or child care. 
  • Our Safe Child Policy requires that two adults be present with children at all times. When dropping off your child at an activity, please remain until two adults are present. 
  • When dropping your kindergarten or younger child off at an activity or child care, you will be asked to fill out a security tag which will be placed on the child. When picking up the child, you must provide the matching tag. In the event that the tag is misplaced, the Director of Children’s Discipleship or Children’s Ministry Program Coordinator must release the child. 
  • For your convenience, children in child care for the 8:45 service will be escorted by our workers to their atria. 
  • Children under 9 will be dismissed only to parents, previously authorized adults, or siblings over 12. 
  • Child care is open 15 minutes prior to and 15 minutes following services and other events. Please pick your child up promptly. 
  • Children’s activities and child care are not available to children of adults attending functions involving alcohol. 
  • Children are allowed in the kitchen only under the direct supervision of an adult.