A Few Important Keys To A Positive Lasting Impression In Your Church Nursery

I remember when we first attended the church we are members of now.  The day I had to take my little boy to the nursery was very uncomfortable for both of us.  When we arrived the ladies working did not greet us.  They did not act welcoming at all.  So, for a mom,  that did not make me want to leave my child there and as for my little one, well, let's just say he didn't want to stay. So, when I became the children's pastor I did my very best to impress upon our workers and volunteers how important it is to greet the kids and the parents.  How important it is to have an inviting attitude and an inviting area.  Some people have no problem at all dropping their infants off in a strange, unknown, germ-filled room….but just in case they do, it’s good to be prepared.  Here is a quick list of s few pointers they I have learned along the way. 

1^st impressions are lasting impressions.

Appearance: Whoever said appearances aren’t important wasn’t a first time mommy dropping off their precious child. When parents drop off their infants, they want to be able to see the environment they are going to be in for the next hour and a half. It’s important when you’ve got kids crawling around that the floor is vacuumed, the outlets are covered and it looks and sounds (music!!!!) like a fun place to crawl around.

Greeter:

This is a KEY position that someone who knows what they are doing and happy to be doing it, welcomes nursery parents at the door. If they don’t feel comfortable with the person they are leaving their child with, they will not continue to go to this church. I’m serious…their kids are choosing their church right now, not the parents. And if they aren’t greeted with a knowing, confident loving smile then they won’t continue to go to your church. It’s important too that this person can tell them what to expect, takes the time to answer questions (no matter how long the line behind them is) and makes them feel safe.

Information:

After their sweet child has spent most of the morning with strangers, it would be nice to know what they did. Here is a little ¼ sheet hand out that you may want to use.  When you fill it out stick it in the diaper bags:

• I played with:____________________________
• My favorite toy was:____________________________
• I really enjoyed:____________________________
• I got sad when:____________________________
• Diaper changes:____________________________

It takes very little time to fill out, yet means the world to a parent to actually know what went on with their child while they were in church. If you can’t do this, think of one thing about every child that you could say to the parents: “Jonny loved the music today…he was dancing the entire time” or Sara had a difficult time getting to sleep today, but our volunteer Nancy has the magic touch and rocked her to sleep by 9:30”. Parents appreciate that unique touch.

In the nursery, 1^st impressions make lasting impressions. I believe it can be a true expression of Jesus’ love for these precious little ones and their parents, by taking the time to make your nursery: a place filled with loving leaders, and not just a place where you put people who have no where else to serve; a place that feels and looks warm and welcoming and it looks like you have put time and thought into making it a safe place for the little ones…trust me….they are watching and noticing and you are making lasting impressions…good or bad.