KIDS' MINISTRY
VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK
Updated September 2024
Ashley Enns - Kids of Hope Pastor -ashley@hopecc.net 316.799.1972
Lauren Griffis - Preschool Program Director- Lauren@hopecc.net 316.239-4499
Shanna Sommers - Elementary Program Director- shanna@hopecc.net 225.335.2921
Brandy Ybarra - Blast Program Director- Brandy@hopecc.net 316.393.7681
Shauna Bussard - Wings of Hope Director- Shauna@hopecc.net 316.204.0671
We are so thankful you have decided to join us in our mission to “Bring kids closer to Jesus!” We are here to serve…please let us know if you need anything.
Ashley, Lauren, Shanna, Brandy and Shauna
Hope Community Church • 1831 E 21st Street N • Andover, KS 67002
We also pray that you will be strengthened with His glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who has enable you to share in the inheritance that belongs to God’s holy people, who live in the light.” Colossians 1:11-12
We are so glad you’re on our Kids of Hope Team!
YOU are the ones making a difference every week in the classroom, and your time and efforts do not go unnoticed! Jesus valued children, and He treated them with kindness and love. As KOH volunteers, you are Jesus’ kindness and love to the kids in your classes. We are thrilled about that!
*****
HOW TO LOVE OUR KIDS
Use Positive Language… Especially when a particular child is struggling in class, find a positive way to redirect the child. If the child is making a poor choice, say something like, “Let’s color on the worksheet!” instead of, “Stop coloring on the table!” It’s also a good idea to avoid sarcasm. Children are very literal and will understand warmth, love, and even discipline, but they will not understand the humor of sarcasm. An example is: “If you don’t sit down right now the Boogie man will come and eat your legs off!” Young children only understand the world through literal interpretation. They will assume there really is a Boogie man that will eat their legs off and it’ll be a scary experience for them in their class. We really don’t want that. “Speak the truth in love.”
Be a good example to them in everything…How you present yourself is also an important part of being a person that the kids look up to! In different times and places, different clothes are appropriate. The very best thing for you to wear would be a Kids of Hope shirt. This helps both kids and parents easily identify you as someone that can help them if they need help! If you can not wear a Kids of Hope shirt, please wear shirts with straps/sleeves at least 3 fingers wide, shorts or skirts that reach your fingertips and tops that do not show your torso when you bend over. Our primary goal is for you to be able to fully engage with the kids, and that's hard to do if you have to worry about your clothing.
Sit with Your Students… Whenever the children are sitting, sit with them! Unless you are actively teaching, connect with the kids by getting on their level. This goes for during the Lesson Video, the craft, the games, and even the snack (if BLAST!)!
Reconcile and Redo… Sometimes kids hurt other kids. Instead of separating the children (although that may be ultimately necessary for preschool classes) help them navigate these conflicts like Jesus teaches. Walk the kids through the process of reconciliation (have them honestly share with one another what they’re feeling, admit any fault, and apologize), and then recreate the scenario so that it ends successfully.
Respect their Personal Space… We know you love these kids, and we’re so grateful you do! You may offer side hugs, high fives, fist bumps and shoulder squeezes. Always avoid touching a child if you are upset or frustrated with them.
Be Present… Listen to their stories, watch them play their games, comment on their artistry!
Try Not to Use Phones... We get it; we do! Our phones connect us to everything, sometimes even the lesson we’re trying to teach! We trust you to be fully engaged with the kids and not on your phones during class time. Please do not take pictures of the kids.
Security Codes… Make sure all children have a name badge when they arrive. At pick-up it is very important to match every single child’s security code to their adult. Parents are watching for this. They want to know their child is safe. Even if you know the family well, match their codes. New parents need to know we are consistent-and we don’t want visitors feeling left out of an “inner circle.” If a parent or child is missing a security tag send the parent to the check-in desk.
My friend/cousin/neighbor is coming to church with me. Can he/she come into the class? Unfortunately, he/she cannot. All of the workers in our KOH hall have a ministry application on file—which includes background and character checks— and so, for the safety of our kids, we need to say no. However, we’d love to meet your friend/cousin/neighbor after the service! We’re glad you brought a guest to Hope! Also, if you know in advance that you’re bringing someone, you can always request a sub so you can sit with your guest.
Bathroom usage... Each classroom handles it a little differently, but under no circumstance is any teacher or helper to take a child to the bathroom and then close the door, this includes helping toddlers. Please always leave the main door to the bathroom open! Children that use the in-room bathroom may close the bathroom if they are alone. For older children, have a helper bring them to the check-in desk and they will supervise and return the children back to the classroom.
Dealing with hard behaviors…Sometimes positive reinforcement and being present with your kids just isn’t enough and you have to deal with some really hard behaviors. We have a 3 strike system. 1. Warning-talk to child to tell them what they need to do. 2. Tell child they have a 2nd strike and, if
Absent or sick... Let Ashley know ASAP if your plans change suddenly and you cannot serve we will happily find a sub for you but we will miss you! Please call/text or email Ashley as soon as you can. Use the Services App also! As soon as you know you will be gone, put in a blockout date on the app.
THE LOGISTICS For Sunday Services
Curriculum...Each week’s curriculum will be provided to the teachers by the directors-Shanna for 1st-5th grades and Lauren for infants through Kindergarten. You will receive these via email the week you are to teach. All necessary materials for the lesson will be in your classes' tub. If you have questions, please ask either Shanna or Lauren.
Wonder Ink… Is the Curriculum we use. It’s a one year chronological study. Each year the old testament starts in the fall and the new testament starts with Christmas in December. This allows us to focus on Christmas and Easter like we want to. Wonder Ink sparks curiosity and guides children on a journey of faith through the wonder of God. Wonder is where it all begins. Ink is God’s truth written on our hearts. Let’s help kids fall so in love with Jesus that they never want to spend a day without Him.
Setting Up… Try to arrive 20-25 minutes before your service start time in order to set up your room and have Huddle time. Check yourself in on the iPads using your phone number and get your name sticker. Your class tub has everything you’ll need in it. Elementary tubs are in your classroom cabinets. Preschool-Kindergarten are in the resource room near the KOH office. Oftentimes, the youth volunteers will set up beginning activities before the kids come. Youth volunteers, we really couldn’t do it without you!!
Taking Attendance… You have a blank sheet of paper in your classroom. Put the child’s roster sticker on this sheet. Carry this sheet with you. If there is an emergency you will have a record and contact information
Collecting the Offerings for Classes... Please deposit the offering into the wooden box at the end of the Kids Hall (near Green Resource Room Door) and put the offering container back into the Class. This only needs to be done after 2nd service.
Cleaning Up… Please make sure all trash is thrown away. After 2nd Service, take your class tub to the Green Resource Room. Also, please remember to turn off any lights.
Schedule for Sundays for Infant-Kindergarten and 1st-5th grade Programs…
1st Service
8:30 arrive, check in and set up the room. Each preschool classes' tub in the office resource room) is to be taken to your class. Elementary will find their tub in their classroom cabinet.
8:45 huddle
8:55 doors open - volunteers be ready to greet kids as they arrive.
10:15-ish parents will arrive to pick up their children; please always match their security codes to the codes on the children’s name tags!
2nd Service
10:15 arrive, check in and set up the room. Tubs will be in your room from the 9:00 service.
10:30 huddle
10:40 doors open - volunteers be ready to greet kids as they arrive. Elementary kids go to the Great Room and Preschool kids go to their respective rooms.
12:00-ish parents will arrive to pick up their children; please
always match their security codes to the codes on the children’s name tags! Elementary classrooms will put their tub into their cabinet. Preschool will take their tubs to the Green Resource Room.
LOGISTICS For Wednesday Evening BLAST! Service
Curriculum...Each week’s curriculum will be provided to the teachers by Brandy. You will receive these via email the week you are to teach. All necessary materials for the lesson will be in your classes' tub. If you have questions, please ask Brandy.
Setting Up… Try to arrive 15-30 minutes before your service start time in order to set up your room. Children will start arriving by 6:15 pm. Check yourself in on the iPads using your phone number and get your name sticker. You’ll grab the Class Tub. The Class Tub is inside one of the Resource Rooms... on a metal shelving rack and is labeled with your class name.
Kids Leaving….Parents will arrive around 8 pm to pick up their children; please always match their security codes to the codes on the children’s name tags! If a parent or child is missing their security code, send them to the check-in desk.
Cleaning Up… Please make sure all trash, especially the food trash, is thrown away. Also, please remember to turn off any lights and/or fans that you used during class. Take your class preschool tub to the Green Resource Room.
THE LOGISTICS For Infants and Toddlers
Volunteers…Since our infants and toddlers rooms are used by both Sunday and Wednesday evening services, these policies are for all things infants and toddlers.
Diapering Instructions...These instructions are posted by the changing table.
Infant Food/Snacks…Only use food/snacks that are in the diaper bag for infants or approved snacks from parents.
Toddler Snacks…There are containers of Goldfish and Cheerios that we can give the toddlers with parents' approval. Please pour the food into cups using the spout. Do not reach your hand into the container.
Information Sheet...Each baby/toddler will have a paper prepared by the parents with specific needs and requests. Please check the child’s sheet for instructions every time a child is in class. Instructions for these sheets will be posted in the classroom.
Toddler Curriculum…There will be a toddler curriculum provided to engage them in songs, stories and other activities that help them learn about Jesus and God's love for them.
Checklist for room…
- Make sure the room is safe for infants and toddlers when they come in.
- When leaving...clean toys, tables, changing mats and play mats with disinfectant spray.
- Put toys back in correct containers and places.
- Take trash to the main trash dumpster behind the wooden fence outside the new Kids' Hall. We do not want any dirty diapers left in the building overnight.
Abuse Prevention
- All Staff and volunteers will have a background check and character interview
- All volunteers and staff will attend or watch an abuse prevention video
- Any person with a history of a crime against children or violent crime can not serve
- Each candidate is evaluated on a case by case basis. Some scenarios require further evaluation.
- Hope Community Church and it’s pastors and staff may turn away any candidate for any reason at any time.
Safety and Security
Fire
- Fire Emergencies are signaled by the built-in fire alarm. Team Lead calls 911.
- Classes exit the building at the nearest clear exit (per map) and gather at the basketball court. TAKE YOUR CLIPBOARD.
- Parents will pick up their children at the basketball court.
- Call 911 for injuries
- Desk person makes sure double doors are closed and goes to the nursery to assist.
- Team Lead checks rooms to insure evacuation.
Tornado
- In the case of Tornado or severe weather sirens will go off and we will get alerts on our phones.
- Children will be moved to the tornado shelter in the Kids’ Preschool hall. Children are instructed to sit with legs crossed, facing the wall, head down and arms covering ears and eyes.
- TAKE YOUR CLIPBOARD.
Evacuation/Active Shooter
- In the event that a violent intruder/active shooter enters the building the first response should be to get yourself and the children in your class out of the building and away from the danger. Air horns are located at the check-in desk, the kids ministry office, in the barn and in the main church office. Air horns will be sounded as soon as an intruder is spotted.
- Classes will evacuate to the basketball court, hide behind the trees/hill. TAKE YOUR CLIPBOARD.
- If you can not evacuate, SHUT THE DOOR ASAP. Lock the door and use the door stop beside the door to barricade the door. Your hiding place should be out of the shooter's view. Silence your cell phone. If you can safely speak without drawing attention, call 911. If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen.
- As a last resort if you are in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt or incapacitate the shooter by acting with physical aggression. Improvise weapons and throw items such as fire extinguishers, chairs, or heavy items.
- When given the “all clear”, release children to parents that have come down to the courts or go back to your classroom.
- If parents come to the basketball court to get their child, they should be encouraged (not forced) to stay and hide with the class until the “all clear” is given.
- Lead Teacher will take control and ask someone to call 911.
- Assistant will remove the rest of the children from the area
- Assistant will call for help from the person at the desk. They will call for security to assist in finding a nurse/doctor and flagging down the ambulance and bringing the paramedics to the child.
Hall Monitor
Responsibilities and Job Descriptions
Overview & Purpose
To provide a safe and secure environment for Kids of Hope.
Job Responsibilities
- Arrive before the crowds, about 8:45am (10:30am for second service).
- Carry a radio for communication with Team Lead.
- Be sure doors at the ends of the halls are locked.
- Be sure double doors before bathrooms are unlocked so kids can use the bathrooms.
- Be sure everyone down the halls has a volunteer sticker on. Stop or follow anyone who does not. (Be kind and ask if you can help them find who they are looking for, but do not hesitate to stop ANYONE without a volunteer sticker).
- Be aware of children that are outside.
- Your primary job is to identify suspicious behavior and respond to emergencies.
- Call 911 if warranted.
- Sound air horn to evacuate if warranted.
- Notify Leadership of any situations that come up.
- Ashley Enns, Kids of Hope Pastor, 316-799-1972, Hall Lead for 9am
- Shanna Sommers, Elementary Director, 225-335-2921
- Lauren Griffis, Preschool Director, 316-239-4499
- Larry, Facilities/security, 316-640-9128