“Let the little children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all.”  Mark 10:14-15

Our Nursery staff is committed to providing quality care for the children in our care. The goal of the Nursery Ministry at Gainesville First UMC is to ensure that every child and parent who comes to the nursery sees and experiences God. We want to make sure your child feels safe, secure and loved. You'll find a child-friendly atmosphere with murals of Noah and all the animals. We also have a unique loft area which is a great place for our older children to play.

All children receive the "Gospel Light" Bible lessons taught at their appropriate level each Sunday. We want children to feel the love of God and the church from the very first tmie they come to the Nursery.

The Nursery is divided into five areas*:
1. Little Lambs, Newborns to 12 months
2. Toddling Turtles, Younger one's
3. Tiny Tigers, Older one's
4. Bouncy Bears, Younger two's
5. Zippy Zebras, Older two's

*Children will be moved to the next level when developmentally ready. Parents, along with the nursery workers, help determine when promotions should be made.

Nursing Mothers
A private room is available for nursing mothers.

Safety Procedures
Each room has two experienced nursery workers who have submitted to nationwide law enforcement background checks, and have training in CPR and First Aid. Parent volunteers assist the nursery workers on Sunday mornings. 

The Nursery Ministry at Gainesville First UMC utilizes a computerized check-in system which transfers information from parent to caregiver, alerting us of special needs. It prints nametags and uses photos of parents and guardians to ensure secure check-out. We use state of the art vibrating digital pagers. We also request that each parent notify us of any special health conditions or custody issues. All items in a diaper bag must be labeled. 

Snacks
Toddlers are given a snack of apple juice and bite-size cereal (low sugar, no additives). We have a peanut-free environment, however, please notify us of any food allergies your child may have.

Sunday School
Infants and toddlers have their own special Sunday School lessons each Sunday. We want our children to feel the love of God and the church from the very beginning. The 2-year olds Sunday School program offers each child the unique opportunity to learn the same lesson as the 3 year olds, but in a smaller, more individualized environment!

If Your Child Is Sick
Young children are very susceptible to illness. We want to eliminate these concerns as much as possible. Please keep your child home if they have had any of the following symptoms within the past 24 hours:
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Runny nose with infection
• Questionable rashes
• Persistent coughing
• Pink eye
• Or, if your child began taking an antibiotic

The Nursery Ministry is more than diapers and toys, the ministry of the nursery touches lives for eternity! We welcome your questions, comments or suggestions, and we will do our best to implement those ideas which will best serve the needs of the children of Gainesville First UMC. Please contact Maria Wold, Assistant Director of Children's Ministry, at 770.536.2341, ext. 148, with any questions you may have.