FAQ

If this is your child’s first time in Children’s Ministry, please go to the children's check-in table in the courtyard of Temple Israel and we will register your family. Provide your name, email, and cell phone number in addition to your child’s name, date of birth, and any health or allergy information. We will help you find the right class for your child based on age and development markers.

If you’ve already enrolled your child in Children’s Ministry, you’ll be able to check in your child by using the Redeemer app to expedite the process. You will see your children enrolled in a class in your account on Sunday mornings, and you’ll be able to scan a specific QR code to print your security tags. Your child’s tag includes a security number. You’ll be given a corresponding identification tag with a matching security number. This security number changes each week. Please hold onto your tag, as it allows you to enter the children’s areas and pick up your child from their classroom.

We recommend you wait until your child is at least 2 months old and has begun receiving immunizations. However, we’ve noticed that children brought to the nursery prior to 8 months old are less likely to experience separation anxiety as they grow older.

You may bring your child’s diaper bag and other items such as a pacifier or a security blanket, but make sure they are labeled. Please leave all toys and dolls at home. For health reasons, nursery workers are unable to mix your child’s formula. Please pre-mix your child’s bottle.

If your child is unwell, please keep them at home. Children must be free from the following symptoms and illnesses (without medication) for 24 hours before entering the classroom:

• Fever of 100° or higher
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye or other eye infection)
• Rash
• Nasal drainage that is green or yellow
• Sore throat
• Open sores
• Cold or Flu
• Excessive coughing
• Lice
• COVID

If your child develops any of these symptoms in class, you’ll be notified to pick them up. If we’re unable to reach you, the area supervisor or receptionist will stay with your child outside the classroom.

Nursery classes are led by staff and volunteers, all of whom have completed the application process and gone through mandatory training and background checks. We hold annual comprehensive training to ensure our volunteers follow our policies and are equipped to nurture your children.

Only people with pre-printed tags may enter the children’s ministry area. Pre-printed tags are available when you check your child in at the kiosks on the first floor. At least two adults are always present with children. No child will be left alone with one adult in a classroom.

We allow youth to volunteer as well, always alongside at least one other adult. They must be at least 14 years old to serve in the nursery, 12 years old to work in the two-year-olds’ classrooms, and preschool.

Each nursery class has an adult-child ratio based on the developmental needs of each age group:

• Infants and Crawlers: 1 adult to 2 children
• Walkers: 1 adult to 4 children
• Twos: 1 adult to 5 children

We closely monitor the adult-child ratio in each classroom. Should a classroom go over the appropriate adult-child ratio, the area supervisor or receptionist will ask parents to volunteer. On occasion, a classroom may be closed if not enough adults are available. We also require a two-adult ratio in all classrooms. This means there will always be at least two adults, one of whom is a woman, present while children are there. This is to protect children from potential abuse and to protect adults from false accusations.

Our 4th floor has a Wiggle Room - an enclosed area where mothers may nurse while listening to the service. Mothers are also welcome to nurse in the nursery if their child needs to be fed during class time.

If your child has any allergies or special conditions, please explain them in detail to the staff member leading your child’s class.

Make sure allergies are listed in your child’s check-in account. When allergies are correctly noted in the system, they will be printed on your child’s name tag.

If your child has severe allergies requiring epinephrine, please give the medication to the staff coordinator.

Yes! We are committed to caring for children with special needs. Inform a staff person that your child has special needs, and discuss any special instructions with class teachers. You may attend class with your child for the first few weeks to help them get acquainted with the classroom environment. During this time, inform staff and volunteers of any routines and practices that will help your child thrive. As always, we welcome suggestions for how we can best serve your family.

If your child needs one-on-one attention, we can introduce them to one of our special needs buddies attentive to your child’s needs. With a special needs buddy, your child will be in a small classroom environment for most of the class time, with some time spent in a larger classroom setting for worship.

Please contact Lindsey Schultz for more information.

Our staff and volunteers can only administer adhesive bandages and ice packs. If more attention is required, we will immediately notify you.

If the fire alarm sounds while you are in the service, you must follow the evacuation instructions and exit out of the sanctuary. Do not come to the childcare area. This will cause congestion and prevent us from safely evacuating your child from the building.

In the event of an emergency, your child will be evacuated according to the following plan:

• Deputy Fire Wardens and assistants will evacuate children and infants via stairwells leading to the sidewalk in front of Temple Israel.
• Staff, children, and infants will proceed to the rendezvous location at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection on E. 74th St. between Lexington & Park Avenues.
• Teachers will have attendance sheets with them to check attendance at the rendezvous location.
• Parents will pick up their children from the rendezvous location of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection on E. 74th St.

Please email the Children's Ministry Director Lindsey Schultz at [email protected].