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Two toddlers in the church nursery are grabbing toys out of a basket.
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The Caring Checklist Your Church Nursery Really Needs

Use The Caring Checklist to prepare for a Sunday morning in your church nursery. To send the message of God’s care for the “least of these,” you need everything in place before the first child steps into your area.

The Church Nursery Caring Checklist

Use this checklist to get ready for kids to arrive.

Clean Up

Parents want to see that your rooms are clean and organized. This sends the message that their kids are your priority.

  • Sanitize hard toys with disinfecting spray.
  • Use disinfecting wipes to sanitize surfaces such as diaper-changing tables and countertops.
  • Use disinfecting spray on areas such as door and cabinet knobs, toy chests, or shelves.

Stock Up

Ensure your room is inviting to children and showers them with the welcoming love of Jesus.

  • Set out toys so children can immediately sit and play.
  • Have supplies for crafts or games ready.
  • Make sample crafts ahead of time.

Read Up

Your church nursery ministry is never just babysitting—it’s a foundational time for kids to learn about God. Before Sunday, take time to prepare for the lesson.

  • Read the curriculum, and make notes of what you need to do to prepare.
  • Pray for each child to soak up God’s love.
  • Pray for God to transform your heart as you serve his children.
  • Practice a “welcome song” that mentions Jesus for toddlers to sing every week.
  • Use a variety of teaching methods so kids get to actively explore.
  • Think of ways you can informally remind kids of the lesson through play.

Hang Up

You’re bound to have specific things to do for preparation and clean-up. Hang a checklist by the door to each room so volunteers can adhere to procedures.

Church Nursery Set-Up Checklist

Ensure rooms are clean and toys are accessible.

  • Review the curriculum, set out any supplies you need.
  • Check pagers and place them in an accessible location.
  • Place nametags and markers by check-in station.
  • Place snack boxes on counters in each room.
  • Post allergy-alert sign with the day’s snack.
  • Prepare for snack/beverage needs.
  • Plug in bottle warmers.
  • Pray for kids with other leaders.

Church Nursery Clean-Up Checklist

  • Sanitize and neatly put away toys, categorizing so all blocks are together, animals are together, kitchen items are together, and so on.
  • Empty trashcans.
  • Put away leftover curriculum and supplies.
  • Put leftover snacks and pitchers in the supply closet.
  • Turn off the pager system.
  • Place dirty laundry in the bin.
  • Put clean sheets on cribs as needed.
  • Unplug bottle warmers.
  • Turn off swings, music player, and other electronics.
  • Spray disinfecting spray and let dry on hard toys.
  • Use disinfecting wipes to sanitize surfaces such as diaper-changing tables and countertops.
  • Use non-toxic disinfectant for areas such as door and cabinet knobs, toy chests, or shelves.

Looking for more nursery ideas? Check out these posts!

7 thoughts on “The Caring Checklist Your Church Nursery Really Needs

  1. Marilyn Watkins

    I’m looking for a Baby Information Sheet for a baby when they check in that will give the Sunday School teachers information as to: last time child ate; how they like to sleep – on their side or on their back; approx. time to feed; allergies; Sunday School class to find Mommy/Daddy, etc.

    Do you have a schedule that the parents can fill out?

    • Hi! You could make up a checklist, or you could simply have a space on your registration card for specific instructions like breast/bottle; side or back sleep; food allergies; snack preferences; last time fed, etc.

      Our volunteers check to make sure that each child has a registration card on file when the child arrives in the nursery. If not, the parent then fills one out. These cards are checked for each child every time they come into the nursery.

  2. Christine Yount Jones

    No, I’m sorry that we don’t. You could post on our facebook page to see if anyone has one they could share with you. We have close to 33,000 people on this page.

    https://www.facebook.com/ChildrensMinistryMagazine

  3. My good friend is going to be on charge of nursery at new church, so we are looking for ideas of what to put in infant room, toddler room, and preschool room. Only problem is that we have to set it up early Sunday mornings and clear out room Sunday night. Set up can’t stay throughout the week. So ideas for easy portable baby gear, organization/storAge, and anything else would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!!

    • childrensministry.com

      What a fun and exciting time! Hopefully, someone will have a good suggestion for portable nursery must-haves!

  4. Tracy Taylor

    Love most of the suggestions but PLEASE research or just read the instructions on clorox wipes and other chemical cleaners. It clearly states these products are dangerous to humans and domestic animals. It also states that if you do use them on a surface that you will serve food from, )or one can infer if you clean an object in that a baby might put in their mouth or touch and then put their hand in their mouth )the the surface requires a potable water rinse. There are safer ways to clean- use microfiber for mechanical cleaning ( removing the bacteria verses killing it ) or find safe cleaners.

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