child care minutes 8-8-07

Child Care Ministries Team Meeting
August 8,2007
Members Present: Penny B, Ginny B, Carole B, Pastor David
Newhouse, Deb
New Equipment
Koala Care Changing Stations
Two of the three Koala Care Changing Stations were installed by Ron , assisted by Debbie. One is in room M3 (Preschool Office) and other is installed in the restroom in the Nursery The third one, planned for the Women's Restroom, off the Narthex is being stored due to the redecorating of that rest room. Some discussion took place about the possibility of unsupervised children and youth using the changing table as a "bench of sorts" since when in a pulled down state they are about the height for someone to jump up and take a seat. Carole
B. suggested we print on the outside of the station ..." For Diaper Changes Only" LRS Parent Paging System Dave and Debbie installed the necessary equipment to activate the use of our new LRS parent paging system in the Nursery. Dave was on hand to give us a pager demonstration The system is basically a "plug and ready to go system" that is activated by following the directions on the transmitter for indicating current date and time The pager system has a paging range of up to 1 mile and can be adjusted There is a "theft alarm that sounds if pager is removed from Church property to remind a person to return it The pager system is set up at a different frequency than most sound systems so should not interfere with our system in the Sanctuary They are set to flash and vibrate when a parent is needed in the Nursery We plan a soft use of them starting this coming Sunday Nursery StaffNolunteer Orientation~Workshop is planned for Saturday August 25"' from 9- 11:OO a.m.. (See attached Ministry Guide Sheet) Review of Parent and Staff Nursery Guides- Corrections, additions and changes were made by those present. The guides will be used at the workshop. The "Parent'dGuardians Guide to:
Nursery Care will be given to each family that uses the Nursery. Child Protection Policy Ginny brought up the need for child care during the week for those parents involved in committees and other church related activities and the use of youth do so. She pointed out that # 4 3 on Epworth's current Child Protection Policy, states under the heading of Age requirements 18 + 5 yea rs... "No one under the age of 18 may be a supervisor of a program, event or ministry. Minors who are at least 14 years old can work as paid st& in the nursery under the supervision of an adult. The supervising adult must be present in the building but not necessarily in the room." Some discussion took place about the potential dangers of a youthlor even a single adult caring for infants and children alone in a room. Pastor David expressed his concern for this as well. It was pointed out that having only one person serving as a care provider opens that person up to be liable for an abuse accusation and such a statement does not protect the integrity of the care provider. Debbie added the Safe Sanctuaries Workshop she attended last fall sponsored by the Northern Il. UM Conference strongly suggested the "two adult rule" policy if at all possible.
The real issue with Safe Sanctuaries is not a trust issue, it is a matter of "do diligence" if an abuse allegation should be brought forward the court would ask ... "Did the congregation do what is customary and reasonable to protect the welfare and safety of the children and youth in our church community." Do we also protect the integrity of the persons caring for the children and youth in our church community. Thus the two adult rule. The need to provide child care to our families with young children involved in ministry is an acknowledged awareness. We want to keep the communication open and going to try to provide the safe care that is needed. The Safe Sanctuary Task Force did begin to address some of the above noted discrepancies in a Child Protection Plan for Epworth. It is a work in progress to be continued. Assure Church Sewice is being piped in to M3 We also discussed wanting to be sure the TV is on in M3 each Sunday so that parents who need to leave the service are still able to participate by watching it on the TV. If it can't be brought up
on the screen we need to ask an usher to be sure the video cam is on in the balcony. First Aid/CPR/AED Training (including infantlchild)
We would like to see First Aid and CPR/AED training, sponsored by the church, continued perhaps alternating them every other year. Need to check with the Pingree Grove Fire Protection District to see if they also provide First Aid Training so we can make this available to the child care staff and volunteers.
Debbie closed the meeting with prayer
Respecthlly Submitted,
Debbie