Children’s Ministry at St. Peter’s

At St. Peter’s, Children’s Ministry is all about the family. We want to partner with parents, grandparents, and the parish to help shape and nurture our children’s spiritual lives. We are here to help families introduce their children to God and grow up in him. As much as possible, we strive to incorporate children into the St. Peter’s church family, while at the same time recognizing that children need their own space to express themselves and be shaped in age-appropriate Christian education.

Sunday School

Between services, 10:25–11:05am

Sunday School is offered between the two morning services. During the Closing Hymn at the 9am service, children are invited to follow the crucifer to the back of the church and proceed down the back staircase directly to their classrooms. Families who attend the 11:15 service should have children in their designated classrooms by 10:25am.

Children’s chapel

During the 9am service only

Children 7 & under are invited to come to Children’s Chapel. We gather in the Narthex during the Sequence Hymn. In Chapel, the children will have an opportunity to hear the Gospel, pray, sing, and participate in a format that is enriching and engaging. Children will return to their pews during The Peace.

PRay & PLay

Wednesdays during the class semester, 6pm

Children are invited to come worship, pray, and play with us on Wednesday nights. If parents are attending discipleship classes, please check children in at the playground after 6:00pm. We will play outside, worship and pray at the High Altar, and then we will move downstairs for purposeful play afterwards.

Toddler Story Time

Mondays, 10am

Join us Monday mornings in the Parish Hall for Story Time. This program is geared toward our preschoolers and toddlers. We read books, sing songs, and play. Please bring your own blanket, snacks, and water. Come early to play on the playground!

Nursery

In addition to playtime and snacks with friends, your little one will begin receiving biblical teaching.

Availability

Childcare is available at the following times, as well as some churchwide events as noted in the event information:

Sunday mornings | 8:30am–12:45pm
Wednesday evenings | 6:00–7:30pm

Check In & Pick Up

Stop by the desk in the Nursery suite located in the undercroft to sign in your child(ren). On the first visit, you will be asked to complete a nursery registration form.

Please notify us of any allergies or special concerns we should be aware of for your child. A special sticker will be placed on your child’s clothing to alert staff of any concerns. You will be assigned an electronic pager (one per family). This pager will be used to reach you during the service if necessary. We ask that all belongings (coats, sippy cups, diaper bags, etc.) be clearly marked with your child’s name.

Anyone picking up a child from the nursery must bring their electronic pager. If you have misplaced the pager, please bring your driver’s license as we will require proper identification to release your child. This is one of the many ways we ensure the safety of the children in our care.

Security

Your child’s security is important to us. We value an environment where children are physically and emotionally safe from all harm. Our nursery workers are all interviewed and screened by the Director of Children’s Ministry and one of our priests. Each provider is background checked and is required to complete an abuse prevention program prior to beginning work. Every event or room has at least two nursery providers at all times to ensure safety. We strive to provide a friendly and safe environment where parents feel confident in leaving their children with us and where children feel confident away from their parents.

Illness

We will not accept children with any of the symptoms below. Children must be symptom free for 24 hours before we can accept them in the nursery. Open wounds should be covered with appropriate bandages. Please keep your children at home if they exhibit:

Excessive runny nose, cough or drainage from eyes or nose.
Any infectious conditions such as strep throat, pink eye, or impetigo.
Fever greater than 100 degrees in the past 24 hours. Children with fevers should be fever-free without the use of medication for 24 hours prior to joining us in the nursery.
Any vomiting/diarrhea within the last 24 hours.
Evidence of lice, ringworm, or any other skin infections.

Allergies

Due to many food allergies, we ask that food items containing peanuts or peanut oil not be brought from home. Goldfish snacks are served to our children so please inform us if your child cannot have goldfish while in our care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to register my child?
Yes. For the safety of your child, we must have a completed registration form including any health or allergy concerns. This will ensure that children in our care will be healthy and safe. The registration form may be found here or at the Nursery desk.

Can I visit my child’s room? What if there is separation anxiety?
Yes! Parents are welcome to visit their child any time and check in on the nursery. Please check in at the Nursery desk and let them know you would like to enter the room. If your child is anxious about you leaving him/her, you are welcome to arrive early and stay a few minutes to play with your child so he/she can settle in. You are also welcome to stay the entire service, if it is your first time visiting St. Peters.

Will you assist my child if we are potty-training?
Yes! Please let the Nursery provider at the desk know of any special instructions for potty training. There are child-sized toilets in our nursery. Sometimes accidents happen, though, so please bring a change of clothes!

Will my child be given a snack?
Yes! Children will be given goldfish for snack. Please alert us if you prefer your child not receive this snack while in our care.