The Hideout

We are so glad you have joined our team!  Here is some information that may be helpful as you serve in the HIDEOUT.

The Hideout is where little ones start at 2 ½ years of age and will stay until they turn 4 and transition to the Treehouse.  Developmentally this is an exciting stage with lots of milestones including language development, increased cognitive understanding, and greater large motor development.  Children of this age start asking questions, develop their own stories, start learning to “share” and play with others.    The goal of our ministry in the Hideout is to:

• Provide a safe, loving environment for them while their parents worship

• Provide activities, music and experiences that allow children to be introduced to Bible stories, begin to build a biblical vocabulary, love God through worship and to learn to talk to God through prayer.

Following are some guidelines for serving:

Check-in:  Parents will come to into the room with their child’s check-in tag either in-hand or already on the child.  Please mark the child’s name and tag # on the grid sheet located at the on the front counter. 

Criers:  Our general policy with crying little ones is to try to soothe them as best possible.  If crying persists after 10-15 minutes, notify the Kid’s Desk.  We will “text” the parent and ask them what their tolerance level is for allowing their child to cry.  Some parents prefer to let them cry it out, others want to take their little one out of the room.

Lesson Plans:  Each weekend there will be a new Lesson Plan written specifically for the Hideout.  Please follow the Lesson Plan as best as possible given the circumstances in the room that service, that day.  We understand that there are many variables, (limited volunteers, crying little ones, etc) that can limit executing the Lesson Plan, so do the best you can.  For most services there is a specifically assigned “Lead Teacher,” but occasionally, we do not.  If you are uncomfortable taking the Lead even after you have served alongside a Lead Teacher, let us know.

Supplies:  Supplies for the Lesson Plan Activities should be laid out on the counter.  If you cannot find something, check with the “Service Manager” or the Kid’s Desk.

Centers:  The room is set up to allow children to have a free play time at the beginning and end of the service time.  There will be standard toys and some “theme” related toys that will be switched out with each theme change.

Large Group Time:  Our Large Group teaching time is after the little ones have cleaned up their toys.  The Lesson Plan has scripted out everything necessary to teach the Bible Story for the day.  There are little square carpets for the children to each choose and sit on. 

Lesson Media:  All of the songs, Bible Story video and slides are prepared each week and ready to go.  The presentation is easy-to-use – if you are the Lead Teacher and need help just let the Kid’s Desk Staff to know.

Craft:  Usually there is a coloring sheet or some other simple activity to engage the little ones and reinforce the story for that day.  Some will be interested in doing this activity, some will not, either is ok.  After they have completed it, mark it with their name and place it in their Diaper Bag if they have one or the counter up front.

Snack:  We offer Goldfish as a snack and serve at the tables.  They are located in the Snack Cabinet which is labeled.  If the Cabinet is locked, notify the front desk.  Seat the toddlers at either table and have them hold out their hands for a “squirt” of hand sanitizer.  Have them rub their hands together.  Water is served to drink.  Note:  Food allergies are listed on their name tag.  Take a quick glance as you are passing out snack to reconfirm no one has allergies OR a quick way to check the entire group is to look at the Room Roster that gets posted each service on the back door.  This list provides allergy information for the kids currently checked in.  We also provide Cheerios in place of goldfish for a gluten/dairy/egg free alternative.

Diapering & Bathroom:  The changing table is stocked with gloves and wipes for diaper changing.  You may use the child’s diapers supplied or if there is none, we have extra in the cabinet under the changing table.  Only adults are to change diapers, Student Impact are not to attend to diaper changing duties.  If a child is potty training, we have stickers at the front counter for reminder.  There are extra clothes under the changing table in the event of an accident and no clothes have been left by the parents.

Checkout:  Parents come in and wait at the front counter and the child is brought to them, match the parent and child tag.  The parent will keep their tag if they need to pick up other kids in their family.  Please be sure to remove the Child’s Tag before they leave the room.  If the tag is still on the child it alerts our security team that the child may not have either left the room unnoticed or without a parent OR somehow not be with an approved parent/guardian.  So please make sure tag is removed.  If a parent is missing their tag, have the parent go to the Kid’s Desk to do a manual checkout. Then the Desk person will clear them to pickup their child. 

Cleanup:  After 11:00am, spray toys and changing table with Cleaning Spray.  After 9:00 and 11:00 wipe down tables with Clorox Wipes.  If you notice a toy a child has placed in their mouth, please place it in the sink after they have finished playing with it.