Nursery
Sunday morning classes for infants from birth to 2 years old.
Children's Ministry
We call our children’s ministry Awesome Adventure because everything about Jesus is awesome, and becoming like Him is an exciting, lifelong adventure!
Join the Adventure
If you want your children to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, build peer friendships that will have a positive impact on them, and be equipped to make a spiritual difference in the world, then bring them to West Shore Free Church for an Awesome Adventure!
Something For Everyone
Raising children with a Christ-like character takes work! Our age-appropriate classes and events along with our resources equip parents and other family guardians in the journey.
Preschool
Sunday morning classes and activities for preschoolers from 2 to 5 years old.
Elementary
Sunday morning classes and activities for children in grades 1 to 6.
Children’s Ministry Events
VBS: Spark Studios
Aug 1-5 @ 6-8:30 p.m.
Children (4 years-old to 5th grade) will learn that they can use their gifts to bring glory to God, just like King David! They will discover that creativity is a gift from the infinitely creative Creator who designed them for His glory.
- Children 4 years old (by July 1)- completion of 5th grade can attend.
- All Children will start and end praising Him in our Worship Rally in the Worship Center.
- Preschool will then attend their typical Bible classes to learn and create together.
- We will have a large group teaching for grades K-2 & 3-4. They will learn and go deeper through discussion in their small groups.
- Those in 6th grade are welcome to serve.
Special Needs Ministry
Awesome Adventure is for all children, even those who face special challenges on their adventure. We have a coordinator who helps these children and families join the adventure by partnering them with Adventure Guide buddies and meeting with parents to discuss specific needs.
Our Curriculum for Sunday Morning Classes
All children from birth through sixth grade study the same Bible story each week from The Gospel Project by Lifeway so you can discuss it as a family. The curriculum focuses on showing kids how the whole Bible works together to tell a single story: God’s plan to redeem His people through His Son, Jesus Christ, compelling kids to join the mission of God.
Plan Your First Visit
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What Door To Use
As you enter our church property from the Williams Grove entrance, please take a left as the road splits and park in the lower lot. Inside the lower entrance, a friendly team of greeters will be waiting to assist you to get your children registered and to their classes. Our nursery and preschool wings are located on the upper level of the church directly adjacent to the auditorium. Our elementary wing is near the lower level entrance to the church.
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What To Bring | Birth - 11 Months
- Diaper bag
- Diapers
- Change of clothes
- Bottle or sippy cup
- A favorite blanket for your child’s comfort and security (optional)
In the Butterfly Room (birth – 11 months), we will not feed your child any food other than what you have provided for them. Please notify us of any food allergies your child may have when you arrive so this can be identified on their name badge.
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Check-In Your Children
Look for our First Time Family greeters at the West entrance lower level lobby or at the Welcome Center in the upstairs lobby. They will ask you to provide your family’s basic information to help us care for your child. You will only need to do this the first time you visit.
Your child will receive a name label with security code and any allergy information. You will receive a matching security label. Then one of our greeters will walk you and your child to their classroom, where you will have the opportunity to see their class and briefly meet their teacher. Children can be dropped off up to 15 minutes before the service starts. Please keep your cell phone turned on so you may be contacted if needed.
We provide children’s programming during and between both services every Sunday. If you will be involved in programs at our church throughout both service times, you can check your child into Awesome Adventure at the beginning of the first service and wait to pick them up until after the second service ends.
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Pick Up Your Kids
When you check in with your child, you will receive a pick-up tag that matches your child’s name tag. You will need to show that tag when you pick up your child. Your child will only be released to the person who has their corresponding pick-up tag.
At the end of your morning, you should return to the children’s wing where you dropped off your child. Please tell the registration attendant your child’s name and age or grade of your child. Your child will come out to the pick-up area near the registration desk. A volunteer will match-up your security card with your child’s name badge and release them to you.
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Health Policy
For the health of all the children, and for the peace of mind of every parent, children with symptoms of illness must stay with their parents. The Parenting Golden Rule is, “Do unto other parents as you would have them do unto you.” Upon the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics, please do not bring children with the following symptoms to any of the Awesome Adventure areas:
- Fever currently or within the previous 24 hours
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea within the previous 24 hours
- Any symptoms of childhood diseases
- Runny nose with any colored discharge
- Sore throat
- Any unexplained rash or skin infection
- Pink eye and other eye infections
- Head lice (child should be free of all nits)
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Masks & Social Distancing
It will be up to the discretion of families and ministry partners whether to wear face-coverings while attending classes.
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Food
Snacks are served both services in the preschool and elementary classes. Cheerios are served in the nursery to toddlers. If your child has allergies, feel free to send a snack along.
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Safety & Security
West Shore Free Church takes our responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment for children very seriously. We have implemented safety and security policies that include:
- An electronic check-in and sticker verification system for all childcare and classes
- Background checks and an internal vetting process for all adult volunteers
- Application & internal vetting process for all teen volunteers
- A health policy that asks parents to keep children with symptoms of illness home
- Regular hand washing among leaders and children and disinfecting of classrooms and facilities
- We seek to maintain a teacher-to-child ratio of 8:1 in elementary classes, 5:1 in preschool classes, and 3:1 in nursery classes