In each issue of Children's Ministry Magazine we offer
exclusive extra content, ideas, and downloadables found only at
childrensministry.com as a benefit to our readers. Use these Web
Extras to help you as you minister to children and their
families.
Children's Ministry Magazine Jan/Feb 2011
Issue
1. From "Going Nowhere Fast?"-Ideas
for finding and adding volunteers:
XL
Recruiting Strategies
Four
Monster Mistakes
Solving Sunday Morning Chaos
2. From "Going Nowhere Fast?"-Teacher-Child
Ratios
Check out this guide for teacher-child ratios: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/earlycld/ea1lk7-1.htm
Closing A Full Classroom
When teacher/student ratios are exceeded in a classroom, kids
aren't safe anymore--and volunteers aren't happy. Let parents know
that for the safety of children and to ensure quality in the
classroom, your numbers have reached capacity and the classroom
needs to be closed.
What to Say
- Be at the door to meet parents in person. Don't put up a sign
and walk away. Be empathetic.
- Let parents know your team is working on opening more
classrooms as soon as space and volunteers allow for it. Share what
you're doing to rectify the situation.
- Let the child know that the room is very full and you hope that
you'll see him or her next week.
- Give parents an activity bag with coloring sheets, crayons, and
fruit snacks for the child to use in a worship setting or adult
classroom.
Provide contact information if the parents want to talk about it
further.
What NOT to Say
- Don't dump your pent-up frustrations on the parent. Whining
won't attract volunteers!
- Don't blame your children's council, elder board, or anyone
else for developing such a "ridiculous and strict" policy. Uphold
and support why this policy is important for the safety of
children.
- Don't blame the parents for not volunteering their time if the
room is closed due to volunteer/child ratio. Gently invite them to
be part of the solution so it doesn't happen again.
