What is the curriculum for kids in BibleZone at The MET?

Each time a child is in our care, we offer age-appropriate activities and lessons that include a Bible story, crafts and activities that support the lesson. We know that:

• Our babies are building a sense of trust as their immediate needs are met. Additionally, they are building a foundation of God through what they hear and experience at church. Our staff routinely sings Bible songs to the children and tells them that Jesus loves them.
• Our toddlers directly relate experiences at church with beginning concepts of God. Our staff reads Bible stories to children in this group as well as using music and finger plays to teach them about God.
• Beginning with our two year olds, we offer a planned curriculum each time we have BibleZone. Lesson plans are developed using various curriculum and are taught by our staff through object lessons and hands-on learning. Our twos’ are provided with age-appropriate crafts and center activities to enforce the lesson.
• At three, four and five years old, your child is so excited about learning the stories of the Bible. Our staff teaches Bible stories based on our current curriculum as decided upon by the BibleZone Staff Coordinator. The staff uses many ways to bring the Bible to life for your child including object lessons, flannel graphs and various crafts, games and activities. Additionally, our staff spends time singing songs and teaching Bible verses to enforce the lesson.

How do I check in my child?

Check In Stations are located throughout our campus. You will receive Check In Name Tags, a Check In Receipt to pick up your children and, if desired, Asset Tags for any personal belongings (think of it as a claim check). Parents can use any Check In Station for registering and checking in Preschoolers.

After a greeter confirms check in assignments, Check In Name Tags (one for each hour of attendance) will print for each family member who has checked in. The Check In Name Tags have the child’s name, room number, a place for a pager or cell phone number, a randomly generated family identification number and a space for allergies or other medical information.

What is the process to pick up my child?

Preschoolers will not be released to older siblings younger than 16 years old, even with the matching security receipt.

The Check In Receipt is duplicated to give each parent his or her own receipt. This receipt will have the date and your family’s random identification number. This receipt will NOT have your child’s name or location in case it is dropped or lost. One receipt will enable you to pick up all of your children because the teacher will not keep the receipt. Teachers will only verify your number. If you lose your receipt, you will need to go to the Guest Reception Area in the Atrium and show proper identification to pick up your child.

No child will be released without the matching identification number or proper security forms from the Guest Reception area.

What do I need to bring for my infant/preschooler?

Newborn to 24 months: diaper bag, diapers or training pants, premeasured formula or pre-made bottles, special snacks, pacifier, sippy cup and a complete change of clothes including a pair of socks.

2 years to 3 years old: diaper bag or back pack, diapers or training pants, underwear, sippy cup, special snack (only if your child has food allergies) and a complete change of clothes including a pair of socks.

By policy, we do not give a child any bottle, cup or pacifier that is not labeled with their name. Please label all your child's belongings.

Are snacks provided?

We provide age-appropriate snacks in the Life Group classrooms. Sunday morning snacks include Cheerios®, Goldfish® Crackers, Ritz® Crackers and Cheese Nips®. Please inform the greeter at Check In of any food allergies that will be noted on the child’s name tag. Due to limited manpower, we are unable to spoon-feed babies.

Is there a nursing room at The MET?

We have a nursing room with rocking chairs, a refrigerator and a television (tuned to the Worship service) available to all nursing moms. The nursing room, Room 131, is located on the Guest Reception side of the Atrium.

What is the health policy for children at The MET?

We require that children be free of fever, vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before entering a preschool or children's classroom. A child who becomes ill will be immediately removed from the other children. Parents will be called or paged to pick up the child.

For the protection of other children in the class we will not accept children with the following:

Fever	Skin infection
Vomiting	Any unexplained rash
Diarrhea - even associated with teething or medication	Childhood diseases such as Scarlet Fever, German Measles, mumps, chicken pox, strep throat, flu, etc.
Common cold - from onset through week one	Pink eye or other eye infection. The child must be on medication for 24 hours before coming to child care.
Sore throat	Fever blisters
Cloudy or green noses	Croup
Persistent cough	Fifth Disease

These policies are for the safety and protection of all the children in the classroom.

Can child care providers at The MET administer medication to my child?

Staff may not administer medication. If your child needs medication, please return to the classroom to administer at the appropriate time.

How are the toys/equipment cleaned in the classrooms?

Classrooms are cleaned and sanitized weekly. All furnishings including high chairs, bouncers, swings, tables, chairs, toys, etc. are cleaned by a staff member after each session.

How are classroom assignments determined?

Room assignments are made based on the age of your child. Because of the ages of the children in BibleZone; for example, a room may be assigned for “young twos.” The difference in age from the “older twos” classroom may only be only a few weeks; however, it is important to maintain the age groups for future registration. Please do not request your child to be placed in a room with another child in a different age group.

What is the teacher/student ratio for classrooms?

It is our goal that the following teacher/child ratios are maintained:

infants 2:6
ones 2:8
twos 2:10
threes 2:12
fours & fives 2:15

We are constantly keeping up with the number of children.

What can I do at home to help prepare my child for church?

• Speak enthusiastically about church, your child's teachers and learning about God before getting to the classroom.
• Always feed children before they are brought to church.
• Communicate any concerns and special instructions about your child to the staff.
• Verbally communicate any food allergies to the staff. If a child has food allergies, you may bring a snack alternative.
• When dropping off your child, do not linger. Even if your child is crying, it is best to drop him or her off and leave. The sooner you leave, the faster your child will recover.
• Be consistent in coming to your group or activity. Your child needs to become comfortable away from you and trust the environment of The MET and our staff.
• Get to know the preschool staff. You will feel much more comfortable if you know the women you are entrusting with your child and your reassurance will then be conveyed to your child.

Is BibleZone available for Ladies Bible Study on Wednesday mornings?

Yes! While the ladies at The MET are participating in Ladies Bible Study on Wednesday mornings, their preschoolers will also be learning what it means to be God’s child. Our dedicated and loving BibleZone staff will be guiding the children to learn from special Bible based curriculum featuring themes such as “I Am God’s Child” and  “I Belong to Jesus.” These lessons are written to add fun and uniqueness to learning while reinforcing what it means to be God’s child.  All the lessons include a Bible story, memory verse and numerous activities to help reinforce the truth in each lesson.

Late day child care is available the last Wednesday of each month for women to enjoy lunch with their group. Ladies attending Ladies Bible Study coordinate this special time within their class. The BibleZone Ministry must be notified of any child that will be staying late for lunch so they can adjust staffing assignments. Please prepare a lunch for your child on these extended days. Children must be picked up by 1:30 p.m.

Women at The MET should be assured while they are learning of God’s love so are their children! Childcare is available every Wednesday morning starting at 9:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. during Ladies Bible Study.

Is BibleZone provided for home schooled children during Ladies Bible Study?

Yes! A Homeschool Room for children Kindergarten through 5th grade is directed by loving, experienced teachers to complete parent-provided class work during the morning. An interactive Bible Study with Pastor Thomas is the highlight of the morning.

Is BibleZone available during MOPS meetings?

Yes! MOPPETS is the child care time of Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS). We provide a program that is fun and exciting for the children while their moms participate in MOPS.

Children may be checked in beginning at 9:00 a.m. and must be picked up by Noon.

What is the curriculum for MOPPETS?

During MOPPETS the children are involved in Veggie Connections, the curriculum of Veggie Tales, designed to connect preschoolers to a powerful relationship with God.

Each MOPS semester, the children participate in a unit based on the life of one Bible character. Through the life of great men like Moses, David and Paul, the children have the opportunity to experience lessons that will take the Bible message from their head to their heart. Kids know that Veggie Tales mean fun. We pull out all the stops to make this time exciting and memorable for the children so that their moms can connect and belong while attending MOPS.