The Treehouse

The Treehouse is where our preschool age kids continue to learn about Jesus and grow their faith until they begin Kindergarten.  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 Treehouse 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:  Although separation anxiety starts to diminish at this stage, we occasionally will still have a child reluctant to join our class.  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 Children’s Desk.  We will “page” 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 Treehouse.  Our Lesson Plans include a Large Group Time and then we break out into Small Groups where a more intentional learning time happens.  Each volunteer will take a group of 6-10 children to a table and follow the Lesson Plan using the supplies in the Small Group Bin.

Supplies:  Supplies for the Lesson Plan Activities should be in a bin labeled for Small Groups specifically.  Snack supplies are in the cabinets at the back of the room, but should be placed out at the beginning of class.  Large Group Supplies are located on the cart in the back of the room.

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

Large Group Time: Each weekend there will be a Large Group Leader that will lead the kids in an interactive Worship and Bible Learning Time from the stage in the room.  The role of other team members during this time is to help keep little ones attentive.  At this age some of the kids may not be quite as interested and that’s ok.  If they wander to other areas of the room try to redirect them back to the Large Group Area.  If they persist and are not causing a disruption, just make sure they are being supervised.  Sometimes the Student Impact Helpers are good to place with them 1:1.

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.

Small Group Time Each Team Member will take a group of kids to a table and follow the Lesson Plan provided.  Lesson Plans are sent out by email in advance and it is very beneficial to review these plans ahead of coming into the room.

Snack:  Snacks should be set out prior to class but in the event they are not, they are located in the upper middle set of cabinets.  If the Cabinet is locked, notify the front desk.  We offer Goldfish for snack and Water is served to drink.  We do not offer seconds on snacks.

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.

Bathroom:  There are bathrooms located in the room.  Up to 2 children (same sex) may use the bathroom at one time.  If assistance is needed, ONLY ADULTS may assist as per our safe sanctuary policy. If a child has an accident, we do have clothes to change them into.  Let the Service Manager or Desk Team know.

Checkout:  Ideally children are to remain at the tables in their Small Groups until parents come in to pick them up.  Parents will be directed to the tables where you will release the child and give them the papers they have completed.  If service has run long and kids are allowed to go back to feeplay, please be sure there is someone stationed at both gates to keep kids from leaving the room.  Parents are to take their child to the checkout person at the exit side of the room where they will match the parent tag to the child’s tag. 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:  Please make sure all items are placed back in the Small Group Bins for the next service.  Cleaning supplies are located in the cabinet over the sink.  If there are crayon marks, they can be removed with a “Magic Eraser” and then please wipe the table with a Clorox wipe to sanitize it for the next service.