OUR NURSERY

2007-2008

Dear Nursery Enthusiasts:

This year instead of mirroring the older Sunday school children’s curriculum, I will be using a book called “Celebrating Me and My World, A Unitarian Universalist Preschool Curriculum” by Debora Chandler Pratt. Starting on September 9^th, I am going to teach Unit One from this book titled: Special Me. The focus is on the child’s body, senses, abilities, and social interactions. On special days we may deviate from the book. Feel free to ask to take a look at our lesson for that day or to take a copy home to review.

An established, consistent routine helps your child trust the world that she is in at this age, and sticking to one for the nursery will make for easier drop-offs and happy reunions with his/her friends. While we still allow for lots of change as our imagination takes us, the schedule in the nursery usually follows this pattern:

• Drop-off/Free play/welcome activity: During this time, there will be an activity at the friends’ table related to the lesson for your child to enjoy. Take a look at the exhibit with your child and feel free to talk with me about how your child is feeling that day or any questions you should have. Sign-in is also done at this time. Please also let me know of any food requirements as we do our best to honor these requests.

• Circle time: Once we’re all here and have said our hellos to each other, we take out our mats and sit in a circle. This is where we recite/shout our ‘We Believes!’, light our chalice, sing songs, have show and tell, read books and listen to the lesson for the week. I also have the children share about their week and feelings.  (Circle time is for children who wish to join in social interaction. It is encouraged for all ages but not enforced.)

• Art Activity: Back to the friends table! Here we do anything from making snowmen to eating dirt. Sometimes we make masterpieces, but most of the time we have fun making a mess related to the lesson. Big t-shirts are available for those children dressed in their Sunday best.

• Wash hands: everyone lines up at the door to go wash hands. We have two important positions essential for every hand washing: paper towel hander-outer and door holder. This is when the nursery helpers set up for snack.

• Snack Time: Everyone goes to the table and does their best to wait until all the food is out for all their friends. Then we recite our special poem, and eat together! During this time we also share with our friends about our week.

• Clean up: Everyone helps pick up things for about five minutes to help get our nursery back in order.

• Pick up: Children are free to play until their parents come and get them. I keep all children with me in the room until parents are there with their children. Sometimes kids want to go with their friends, but I would prefer to have permission from parents before letting them out. The kids love the excellent food at coffee hour!

There you have it! I am usually in the nursery by 10:30 and don’t leave until 12:30, so feel free to come early or stay late to talk with me!

I also encourage that you come to CommUUnity Night, a night where many churchgoers get together and enjoy the company of others in the presence of kids, borrowed or owned. Watch the eBroadcast, Flame, and Sparkler for announcements of these special nights.

I believe the nursery is a sanctuary just like the rest of the church. It is a place where we come and learn together, and have a chance to just be. Sometimes as parents we don’t even allow this for ourselves!

We invite you to come and enjoy the church, our nursery and all of us in it!

See you Sunday!

  Miss Shawna

(P.S. Please sign up to be a nursery volunteer, but most importantly, talk to others in the church and encourage them to come and volunteer. Many don’t realize how many little children there are to love in there and would jump at the chance to help, if only you invite them personally!)

Updated Sept 05, 2007 wfr