Gospel Foundations–the nursery at WEPC–is open during both services on Sunday morning for all children from birth to three years old. We endeavor to create a safe, nurturing place where children can experience the love of God within the covenant community. This happens through play, bible stories, prayer and a lot more play! You can know that as you worship or study in teaching fellowships, your child is also hearing the truths of the Gospel in an age-appropriate way.
Care for Every Age
We have a large nursery made up of several age-specific rooms:
- The Beginning: birth to 12 months
- The Ark: 12 mos. (or walking) to 18 months
- The Mountain: 18 – 24 mos.
- The Great Sea: 2 – 2 1/2 years old
- The Wild Earth: 2 1/2 to 3 years old
- The Valley: 3 to 3 1/2 years old
- The Shore: 3 1/2 to 4 years old
Activities
The Beginning Nursery has swings, bouncy seats, exersaucers, and sensory toys for the babies. There is a quiet crib room for needed naps as well as a Nursing Mother’s Room that is equipped with audio of the service.
Young toddler rooms have toys to reinforce motor skills such a push toys and soft climbing cushions as well as a variety of fun toys. These toys help to stimulate imaginative play as well as fine motor skills. No matter what room and what service your child attends, the Gospel will be presented to him/her in an age-appropriate way.
Signing In
Please be sure to sign your child in and out of each service. There is a clipboard in the doorway of each nursery. Visitors will receive blank numbered nametags. If you’re a regular attendee, you’ll want a permanent name tag by completing a nametag form. Be sure your child is wearing his nametag on the back of his clothing. You retain the other nametag which you will present when you pick up your child. There is a number on your child’s nametag. Should we need to reach you during the service, you will see your child’s number displayed in the lower corner of the screen. Please report to the nursery immediately.
Leadership
The nursery is staffed by two directors, eight coordinators, over 50 room leaders and hundreds of church members. Every church member serves in the nursery on a rotating basis. Jennifer Hirt is leading this ministry.
What to Bring
Children may need items from home during their stay in the nursery. Please pack:
- two or more disposable diapers
- a pacifier or other item for comfort
- a complete change of clothes
- milk, formula, juice or water in a bottle or sippy cup
Learn more about our food safety policies »
Keeping Everyone Healthy
We aim to maintain a safe and healthy nursery. The rooms are cleaned on a weekly basis, and the toys are wiped down with disinfecting cloths at the end of the 10:30 service each Sunday. In order to keep our nursery healthy, we ask that parents not place their child in the nursery if he/she is contagious. Should the nursery coordinator feel that a child is contagious, we will page the parent.
Emergencies
Should there be a situation involving your child during the service, you will be notified when your child’s nametag number is flashed on the screen. If a child cries or fusses inconsolably for 10 minutes, we will page the parent. In the case of an accident, an accident report will be completed and kept on file at the church. Simple first aid kits are available in the nursery. In the case of a fire alarm, your children will exit the building through the nursery. Pick up your children at the fence on the west side of the building. DO NOT report to the nursery to collect your child during a fire alarm. Church deacons and elders will report to the nursery to assist in evacuating the children in a quick and orderly fashion.