At Hope Church your child’s safety is important to us, not only while they are in our care, but also while they are on the Hope Campus.
You are probably familiar with the Child Safety procedures we have in place on a Sunday morning (with the parent code on the claim ticket that matches your child’s nametag), but you may not be as aware of some other policies and recommendations before and after church on Sunday, at special events, or during the week.
Sunday Check-In Policy Update for Parents:
Escort Your Child ALL THE WAY to Their Classroom on Sunday
On Sunday mornings after you and your children have received your nametags, we ask that you escort your child(ren) all the way to the door of their classroom AND to make sure that the adult in the room has acknowledged their entrance.
Recommendations for Parents from the Hope Family Ministry:
Encourage and train your children to know…
- “Buddy System” – Always have a buddy wherever you go. Do not venture off alone with anyone except a trusted family member or designated adult.
- “If It’s Dark, Don’t Park” - Do not go into a room or a closet where the lights are turned off; AND do not turn off the lights in any room you are in. This would not apply to a supervised activity (glowsticks, flashlights etc.).
- “Line of Sight” – That is, they need to play and stay in an area where they can ALWAYS see you (or someone you designate) and you can see them.
Visiting the Hope Campus During the Week...
Because we want to accommodate volunteers in ways that encourage and enable them to participate in the ministry, and, because children’s safety is important to us, we have established the following for parents and children as they interact with our Hope facilities during the week.
Left unsupervised, children have the potential to get hurt, tear things up, and get into things they should not. So, to provide a safe, wholesome environment for them any time they visit Hope Church, we have certain rooms in which they may play while their volunteering parent is occupied.
“Designated Play Areas” Policy
- Nursery "Runners" Room (19) - Toddlers (3 years and under)
- SSF Rooms (44 & 59) - Children (ages 3 -12)
- Boys NRG Zone Rooms (53, 55 57) - Children (ages 4 -12)
- HSM Rooms - Middle School/High School Students Only*
*Younger Children are allowed with the permission of the Hope HSM Director and/or the Hope Family Pastor.
We sometimes have many members of the greater community in and out of the building during the week. If you use a room in the building during the week, please note the following safety precautions:
Policies
- Contact the staff to access one of the “Designated Play Areas.” Access to these rooms may be obtained in the church office.
- Children should stay in the room where you have placed them. At no time should a child (age 12 and under) be wandering about the building unsupervised.
- Leave the room in a clean and safe condition for the next user. (As nurseries require additional cleaning, please inquire of Hope Staff to find out what should be done before you leave.) Those who use the rooms are asked to leave it like they found it, return the key, and check out in the office (if during the weekday).
- All rooms are supposed to be locked during the week. (This is to preserve the hygiene and age-appropriateness of these areas.)
Recommendations
- Children (or babysitters) should have a way to contact you without having to come look for you.
- Coach your kids (or babysitters) on what you want them to do if a person they don't know enters the room when you are not there.
Got questions?
If you have any questions concerning these guidelines, simply click the button below and get in touch with us!