This is the place to learn about what your experience in the Preschool Ministry will be like. We look forward to meeting you in person soon!
Foundational Truths
We believe at First Hurst that it is possible to share the love of Christ with a child from the day of their birth. In every lesson we teach, your child will learn a foundational Biblical truth. It is our hope that these truths take a firm hold of our children's hearts and are carried with them for the rest of their lives. It is a privilege to have your child with us on Sunday mornings. It is a responsibility that we do not take lightly. It is our continued prayer that your child will come to know the Lord at an early age and will “set their hope in God so they will not turn back in the day of battle.” (Psalm 78:1-8)
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The Basics
Service Times
Sundays at 9:30 and 11am
Child Check-in for Birth - Kindergarten
Our preschool check-in begins 15 minutes before each service. Once you enter the main building under the covered drop-off, the Preschool check-in desk is to the left. For the safety and security of your child, first-time visitors will need to fill out a registration card. Once the card is filled out, you will receive a numbered security sticker that has two portions. One portion is used as the child's name tag, and you need to keep the other portion. This portion that you keep serves two purposes:
- Parent Paging — If your child has a medical or behavioral issue, the number on his or her security tag will be displayed in the Worship Center. If you see this number displayed during service, please return to your child's room immediately and show the classroom teacher your sticker.
- Child Pick-Up — When picking up your child, you must present your portion of the security tag before we can release him or her to you.
Want to be Ahead of the Game?
If you plan on visiting the preschool ministry for the first time, please download our registration card, fill it out, and bring it with you.
A Safe Environment
Safety is a high priority for us in caring for our preschoolers.
- Volunteers — All of our volunteers in the preschool area are carefully trained and screened to provide the safest environment possible.
- Security Stickers — We use matching security stickers to protect your child from being released to anyone other than the adult that brought them.
- Ratios — We maintain strict teacher-to-child ratios to ensure quality care and safety for each child.
Keeping Them Healthy
For the children's health, we ask that children who have fever or show symptoms of any contagious disease within the last 24 hours not be brought to church.
Please let us know of any allergies or medical conditions your child may have.
Tips and Reminders for Visiting
- Please label all of your child's belongings.
- Please prepare your baby's bottle in advance. Volunteers do not spoon feed infants.
- We discourage parents from allowing their children to bring their own toys into the class as it is easy for them to be misplaced or forgotten.
Children with Special Needs
We provide a number of different options for our children with special needs. Please email , Pastor of Preschool Ministries, for further information.
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Child Care
Even during our child care times, we use this opportunity to teach your children the truths of our God. We are purposeful in teaching through play, stories, and activities and not simply “babysitting.”
We provide childcare on Wednesday nights for choir and on Sunday evenings during our Life Transformation Classes (Bible Studies). We also offer PNO (Parents Night Out) once per quarter to serve as a date night or fellowship night with your LIFE Connection Class.
Childcare check-in begins 15 minutes before each event. So we can provide the best care possible for your child, please email childcare reservations to , Childcare Coordinator.
If you are interested in joining the paid childcare team please contact .
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Baby Dedication
Dedicating your child to the Lord is a celebration of a commitment made to raise your child in the ways of the Lord. This dedication is not a statement of salvation for your child, but a statement about the way you are committing to raise your child. Walking in this commitment cannot be done alone; it requires the help of others. For this reason, you are to call upon the community of believers around you to help you and hold you accountable to this dedication.
Each new baby that is dedicated has the meaning of his or her name carefully researched. The origin of the name as well as corresponding scriptures are compiled. On the day of dedication, Pastor Jeff Burnett tenderly carries the child and carefully walks throughout the Worship Center explaining and expressing the significance of the baby’s names and our hopes for the child. The baby’s first Bible is presented to the family, as well as a Blessing Brick. This brick, with the word 'Promise' inscribed on it, is to serve as a visual reminder of the promise you as a parent have made to "train your child in the way he should go" (Proverbs 22:6). Blessings are then prayed over the child and parents. It’s a special and unique time-–as is each baby.
If you would like to schedule a baby dedication please contact , Assistant to the Pastor.
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MINISTRY TO YOUR CHILD
RolE of Parents and Families
Scripture is clear that parents have been given the joy and responsibility of raising their children in the ways of Jesus. Parents are the primary voice and point of influence in a child's life. As children experience both pain and joy in life, parents are to help their kids see life in light of the gospel.
Role of the Preschool Ministry
We want to come alongside parents as they take the lead in the spiritual development of their children. It is our hope to equip, encourage, and minister to families by providing resources and opportunities that help them worship and learn together.
One opportunity we provide is called The Den. This is a unique family worship experience for children ages three and up. Childcare is available for babies through two's. The Den takes place once per quarter. It is a fun and exciting time with worship, drama, and a family devotional.
Working Together
The mission and vision of the Preschool Department is: "To partner with parents to build a firm spiritual foundation for their children." We believe that there is much to be gained when parents and the church work together. Here are three ways parents and staff can partner together:
- Come to LIFE Connection (Sunday School) each week during the same service.
By attending the same service each week, your children are able to build relationships with their peers and with their leaders. - Be Involved in an Adult LIFE Connection Class (Sunday School).
The Adult Ministry offers many wonderful classes to be a part of at 9:45 and 11am on Sunday mornings.
The Time Out Class is designed specifically for parents of preschool age children. This class meets at 11am in room A204. Timeout for Parents of Preschoolers aims to move at the pace of parents of preschool age children. Ultimately we're here to grow in our own faith relationship with Jesus Christ and leave a legacy of Christian faith for our own family. Timeout is a place where you can recharge, receive encouragement, gain perspective, and serve others. Check out the Time Out Blog. - Worship together as a family.
Beginning at age four, we encourage parents to take their children to the worship service with them. This is a wonderful time for your children to see you model what worship looks like. This is a gradual process that needs lots of patience and time. Please realize that the goal of taking your child to the worship service is not to teach him/her to sit still and be quiet. The goal is to teach him/her to worship. Children are not created to sit still--a little moving around is usually not disruptive to those around you. Whispered questions are a wonderful way to teach your child about what is going on in the service. Listed below are some ways to make worship meaningful for your child:
Getting ready for church begins on Saturday night. Allow your child to help you as you set out clothes, shoes, Bible, and offering for the next morning. Talk positively to your child about what to expect in worship. It would be a good idea to show your child the
Have a “Big Church Bag” with items such as: Bible, a few crayons, blank paper, offering. Please do not bring toys to church. Your child’s attention will be pulled away from what is happening in the service, which could interrupt your child’s worship.
Take your child to the bathroom before the service begins, rather than getting up in the middle of the service. This distracts your child from participating in the service.
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Need More?
If you desire further information and are unable to find it on the website, please email , Preschool Assistant.