Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them” (Matthew 19:14). At Resurrection, we aim to provide a safe and nurturing environment where children can hear the good news about Jesus, learn about the Bible, and grow in their faith. Every grown-up at Resurrection has the responsibility to model and share with our children the love and grace of Jesus. The standards and guidelines listed here outline important ways this care and nurture for children are to be expressed at Resurrection.
SAFETY
– In any situation where care is being given to children, two adults approved for childcare should be present. When there is only one teacher in a given class, the teacher must either move with the students to a space within clear sight of other teachers or merge with another class (including the adult class).
– There must be two nursery workers in the nursery whenever the nursery is operating.
– Teachers and nursery workers should keep a record of attendance each week, adding the names of any visitors.
– Children should not be accompanied by just one non-parent adult in any part of the church building, including the basement and library. Parents should ensure appropriate supervision for children in all parts of the building.
– Children outdoors unaccompanied by a parent must stay within clear sight of the Fellowship Hall windows.
– If a parent needs to attend to a child during a childcare activity, caregivers should notify the parent using, if possible, the pager system established for this purpose.
– If there is a need to evacuate, teachers should bring their attendance sheet, follow the evacuation map specified in the Church Safety Plan with their classes, and take attendance at the designated location. Church leaders will facilitate the reunification of families in the order of youngest age classes to oldest.
– Fire drills and other emergency preparedness training will take place according to Resurrection’s Church Safety Plan.
SPEECH
– Seek to honor God with your words and your tone. Choose your words carefully when speaking to and around children. Speak to children and other volunteers out of love.
– Keep things gentle and positive whenever possible. Do not yell at, threaten, or shame a child, even in jest. Sarcasm is not appropriate for communicating with young children.
TOUCH
– Take care to make each child feel comfortable physically and emotionally. This may be different for each child. If a child does not want to be touched, do not touch them (unless necessary for the safety of the child or others).
– Be aware of what kinds of touch are appropriate and inappropriate in caring for children, and never touch a child in an inappropriate manner.
RELATIONAL
– All interactions should be public and visible. Do not take a child to a private place. Do not ask a child to keep a secret.
– Respect children’s privacy especially in bathrooms. If you are taking a child to the bathroom, stay outside the door.
– For younger children who need help, caregivers must ask parents for instructions and summon parents to help their own children use the bathroom if that is the parents’ wish.
FOOD
– No food is to be served or eaten in the nursery, but snacks may be provided during Sunday School.
– Childcare workers should ask parents about food allergies, sensitivities, and restrictions, keep a written record of them, and obtain permission from parents before giving snacks.
– In consideration of children with food allergies, all snacks served to children should be nut-free.
– In case of severe allergies, childcare workers should seek instructions from parents about what to do in case of an emergency and be prepared to take appropriate action and seek appropriate help should the need arise.
– Teachers and helpers should clean up crumbs and other food spills, leaving spaces where food has been served clean and neat.
VOLUNTEERS
– All Sunday School teachers should be communicant members of Resurrection. In certain cases, Sunday School helpers and nursery workers may be communicant members of other churches. Ordinarily, members of other churches should begin working with children at Resurrection only after attending Resurrection for at least six months.
MANDATED REPORTING
– All Sunday School and nursery works at Resurrection are “mandated reporters” of child abuse according to Pennsylvania state law.
– The state of Pennsylvania requires volunteers working with children to report suspected abuse to both ChildLine and Resurrection OPC. From DHS:
A mandated reporter must make a report of suspected child abuse if they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a victim of child abuse under any of the following circumstances:
– The mandated reporter comes into contact with the child in the course of employment, occupation and practice of a profession or through a regularly scheduled program, activity or service.
– The mandated reporter is directly responsible for the care, supervision, guidance or training of the child, or is affiliated with an agency, institution, organization, school, regularly established church or religious organization or other entity that is directly responsible for the care, supervision, guidance or training of the child.
– A person makes a specific disclosure to the mandated reporter that an identifiable child is the victim of child abuse. This specific circumstance includes when a mandated reporter is “on” or “off” the clock.
– An individual 14 years of age or older makes a specific disclosure to the mandated reporter that the individual has committed child abuse.
– Mandated reporters must make an immediate and direct report of suspected child abuse to ChildLine either electronically at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis or by calling 1-800-932-0313.
– After making the report to ChildLine, you are required to immediately thereafter notify the person in charge of the institution, school, facility or agency or the designated agent of the person in charge. (At Resurrection, please report to a member of the session.)
– The penalties for a mandated reporter who willfully fails to report child abuse range from a misdemeanor of second degree to a felony of the second degree.
– More information,visit https://www.dhs.pa.gov/KeepKidsSafe/Pages/FAQ.aspx
CLEARANCES
Pennsylvania state law requires nonprofit organizations to ensure that all employees and volunteers who have responsibility and direct contact with children (defined as the care, supervision, guidance or control of children or routine interaction) are in compliance with background reporting and training requirements. Based on this requirement and to ensure the safety of the children of this church, the session has determined that all church officers, employees, and volunteers working directly with children must obtain the following three clearances:
– Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check
– Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse Clearance
– FBI Criminal Background Check. (For volunteers, the FBI Criminal Background Check is required only for someone who has not resided in Pennsylvania for the last 10 years.)
For more information, visit https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dhs/resources/keep-kids-safe/child-abuse-clearances.html.
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Special thanks to Calvary OPC in Middletown, PA; much of Resurrection’s policy is based on Calvary’s, available at https://calvaryopc.com/child-policies, including some exact wording.
Version 1.0, published September 10, 2025