SunLand Policies

SPECIAL ATTENTION REQUIRED CHILDREN

Every child is welcome in SunLand, but we recognize that some kids may need a little extra love and attention. Our Children’s Ministry is staffed by a great group of volunteers but there are not enough of them to give one-on-one attention to a child who needs some special attention. We welcome parents of children like these (or their older siblings who are able to assist them) to join in on our classes and be a part of our Sunland Community.

ABUSE POLICY

We at Sunland have the Duty to Report any such evidence that shows that a child is in need of protection to the authorities. The safety and well being of children is our primary concern and we will take this matter seriously. If a volunteer suspects that a child has or is being abused/neglected they will report it immediately to either to the Children’s Ministry Director or the Lead Pastor. We will pursue the matter from there.

LOST CHILD PREVENTION

- Know your class numbers
– Head count frequently
– Watch the doors and keep them closed/locked
– Engage the kids so they have no reason to leave

HEALTH INCIDENTS

- If there is a minor health incident, use the first aid kit and administer Band-Aids.
– If there is a serious health incident, send someone to find a staff member while you stay with the child. Be attentive for instructions and be prepared to take the remaining children to the gazebo until the parents can claim them from there.
– Make sure you know about allergies that may be present in the classroom or other serious medical conditions.

Remember that there are to be NO PEANUT PRODUCTS anywhere around the church. No NUT products at all in the Sunland rooms.

EVACUATION EMERGENCY

- In the case that we need to evacuate, gather the children into one or two lines and begin filing out the nearest door (Preschool class: use the outside door up the little flight of stairs. There is also another door right beside your classroom as you enter the auditorium.)
– Teachers of all classes are to grab the sign-in pages for attendance to be taken at the shed.
– Walk up to the shed (which is on our parking lot near the Portable).
– Walk quickly and quietly and DO NOT LET THE CHILDREN LEAVE.
– We must assemble and do a count before parents can take their children.
– Wait for the Children’s Ministry Director to give further instructions.

BATHROOM PROCEDURE

If a child needs to go to the bathroom, we will send a female leader (or older sibling) with that child if in kindergarten or younger. If the child is in diapers or pull-ups, we will ask parents to come from the service to tend to their child before returning them to the class. If needed, we will assist the child as minimally as possible, but will treat the child with the love and respect as if they were our own. We will act as if the child’s parents were in full view, and will act knowing that our Heavenly Father is watching.

CLASS MANAGMENT AND DISIPLINE

We want SunLand to be a great experience for the children and for each teacher and helper. We understand that children have short attention spans and lots of wiggles; we expect children to be children!
It is our intention to have fun and learn about God in Sunland. We also want to help reinforce the teaching that you do at home. We do not allow physical or verbal attacks and will encourage sharing and kindness and apologizing

FOR PARENTS

- Parents, please talk to your children ahead of time about your expectations regarding their behaviour in class. If you help reinforce the importance of respecting their teachers and peers, that will help us.
– If your child is having a hard time participating on a particular Sunday, we will make attempts to help them make positive choices; but if we find they are just having an off day, we will call you. We only have an hour to give to all the children in the class, so we can’t take time out to sort out a lot of behavioural issues. Everyone has bad days, if your child needs to sit with you, or if you need to join them in the class, that is understandable; hopefully the next Sunday that rolls around will be a better day
– If there is a minor incident that does not require us to call you as a parent, we will speak to you about your child’s behavior/”victimization” after the class. This includes disruptive behavior, physical interactions, vandalism, etc.
– If there is a major incident with another child we will ask both parents to leave the service to claim their children and will speak to both families about what took place together either after the service or at the earliest available time.
– If there are repeated incidents of misbehavior we will ask parents to stay with their child or keep them with them in the service.
– We do not use or allow physical discipline by our leaders in Sunland.
– If there is something we need to know about your child (if they have problems concentrating or a learning issue that would be helpful for us to know), that will help us understand what they need in the class. If you have helpful tips for us regarding your child’s needs, that will go a long way in making their time in SunLand as happy as possible.

FOR CHILDREN:

- No running or wrestling
– No screaming or yelling (except when initiated by the teacher in a lesson, which happens)
– Hands and feet are to be kept to yourself
– Kind words only
– Listen and participate and have lots of fun!

CRIMINAL RECORD CHECK POLICY

To ensure the safety of both our children and those who are serving in the areas of Children’s Ministries, Sunland requires that each Teacher and Helper completes a criminal record check.
“Third Hand” helpers are not required to have a criminal record check as they will not be alone with the children.
If there is any concern please speak to the Children’s Ministry Director or Senior Pastor.
Our Criminal Record Checks are handled through the District of West Kelowna.