MOPPETS policy for discipline

1. Always be consistent--a child's security is based on knowing what to expect in the classroom and from the teacher.  Set classroom standards and follow them.

2. Be observant--Watch for potential problems and /or conditions and be ready to step in when necessary.

3. Always be in control of your emotions--Model good behavior and vent your emotions in positive ways.

4. Never use corporal punishment--As a teacher we don't have the right to use any form of negative physical contact with a child.  The five count will be used in the classroom, and if a child persists, set them in a corner and call a timeout.  As a last resort the MOPPETS team leader will be brought in.  She will take the child to the mother to see how the problem will be worked out.

Male MOPPET workers policy

1. Be tender-hearted

2. Walk and talk softly

3. Get down on the floor with the kids (on their level)

4. Do not work alone in a room

5. Do not change diapers

6. Do not take a child to the bathroom without another worker along

We are going to be open to people who do not go to church with us.  We have to think about issues that aren't pleasant.  A little forethought on our part can prevent a bad situation, for the MOPPET worker or for the child, from occurring.

Schedule for infant MOPPETS meeting (0-12M)

0-6 Months--Auditory stimulation:  singing, talking, music.  Visual stimulation:  mirrors, bright colors.  Touch stimulation:  holding, rocking, patting.

6-12 Months--Play, Talk, and sing with the babies, use bubble mirrors, balls, toys.  Gently caress, provide snacks and pray with them.

The MOPPET leaders for this age group will provide similar activities as listed above for your child, with their routine kept in mind.  If your child has a certain routine that needs to be followed such as eating times and naps, please inform our workers so they can keep the day as close to their normal routine as possible.

Infant Nursery Policy (0-12 Months)

1. Sign-in your child at the door and make any comments needed about feeding times or special instructions in case of fussiness at this time.

2. Children should be brought and called for at the door by mothers or a responsible adult.  No child will be allowed to leave with anyone but the one who dropped them off.  Please hand your child over the bottom half of the door when delivering and picking up, so that the other children do not escape and to keep the nursery floors as clean as possible. 

3. Children should be called for by 12:05 pm at the close of each session unless the worker is notified beforehand.  Sometimes even the most well-adjusted child will become fearful or anxious if he or she is left after other children have gone. 

4. Children who show signs of illness (such as high temperature) cannot be accepted in the nursery.  The MOPPETS team leader will notify the mother to pick up the child immediately if the child becomes ill while in the nursery. 

5. No medication of any kind (not even Tylenol) will be given by any worker.  If a child must have medication it must be kept with the mother until needed (please no medication in the diaper bag) and given by the mother.

6. All bottles, blankets, diaper bags, coats, etc., must be clearly marked.  It is especially important that he bottles be clearly marked since many bottles look alike.

7. Bring only plastic bottles.  (Babies sometimes drop their bottles and someone could be injured by shattered glass.) Bottles brought by mothers will be given according to the mother's instructions.

8. Please use only disposable diapers when your child is in the nursery.  Because of the need to eliminate the handling of diapers by workers, disposable diapers are a necessity.  If there is a medical reason why this is not possible, please let the MOPPET team leader know.

9. Bring a sufficient number of diapers and baby wipes.

10. Mothers should refrain from checking on their children during class.  It upsets the youngsters to see people come and go from the nursery.  Mothers will be notified immediately if they are needed.  (Please take a beeper to help ease your mind.)

11. There will be an area for nursing mothers to do so in some privacy.  Please let the MOPPET workers know if you will need to nurse, so they will make the proper arrangements.

Schedule for Toddler MOPPETS (12-24 M)

15 minutes free play (blocks, toys, balls)

25 minutes of play-dough, coloring books, painting

30 minutes of singing/music (marching and active songs)

15 minutes of story time using a book or the bible

15 minutes of snack

15 minutes for potty break

30 minutes for a craft project and clean up

15 minutes of singing and prayer time

Toddler Nursery Policies (12-24 M)

1. Sign your child in at the door and tell workers about any special needs at the time.

2. Children should be picked up by the same person who brought them.  No child will be allowed to leave with anyone but the person that dropped them off.  Please leave the child as quickly as possible so the child will settle down before the actual class begins.

3. Children should be called for in a reasonable length of time at the close of each session unless the worker is notified beforehand.  Sometimes even the most well adjusted child will become fearful or anxious if he or she  is left after other children have gone.

4. Children who show signs of illness (such as high temperature) cannot be accepted into the class.  The MOPPETS team leader will notify the mother to pick up the child immediately if the child becomes ill while in the class.

5. No medicines of any kind (not even Tylenol) will be given by any worker.  If a child must have medication, for any reason, it must be kept by the mother until needed and given by the mother. 

6. If the child has any favorite toys, blankets, pacifiers, bottles, coats, etc., they must be clearly marked.

7. Bring a sufficient number of diapers and baby wipes.  If a child is in training pants, a complete change of clothes is helpful.

8. Mothers should refrain from checking on their children during class.  it upsets the youngsters to see people come and go from the class.  Mothers will be notified immediately if they are needed.  (please take a beeper to ease your mind.)

9. Discipline in the classroom will be as follows:  we will use the five count, any child not complying with the five count will be asked to sit in time-out for a period of time determined by the teacher.  As a last resort the MOPPETS team leader will be notified and she will take the child to the mother to see how the problem will be worked out.

10. Bring only plastic bottles of juice or milk if your child still needs them.  Toddlers sometimes drop their bottles and someone could be injured by shattered glass.

11. Please use only disposable diapers when your child is in the class.  Because of the need to eliminate the handling of diapers by workers, disposable diapers are a necessity.  If there is a medical reason why this is not possible, please let the MOPPETS team leader know.

Schedule for MOPPETS (3,4 and 5 year olds)

20 minutes at the activity centers (three to four centers)

35 minutes of story and related activities (flannel graph, puppets, etc.)

20 minutes of physical and social games (Red light/Green light, Simon Says, etc.)

35 minutes of snack and rest

30 minutes of craft projects and related activities (Bible memory verse, etc.)

20 minutes of music, clean up, and preparation to go home

Please refer to the policies above (as written under the 12-24 month old section) as the policies are the same.

MOPPETS policy for infectious diseases and sick child policy

The purpose of the policy is to set forth a guideline that shall be followed by Mothers and MOPPETS workers.

We believe that our primary purpose as a MOPS ministry and Christian believers, is to bring people to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, and secondarily, to nurture Mothers in their walk with the Lord by meeting her distinct needs to the glory of Jesus Christ.  It is in keeping with this purpose that we will endeavor to reach out to all Mothers in our community in a loving Christ-like manner.

We recognize that we will certainly be called upon to respond to many challenges in the future, specifically any and all types of infectious illnesses.  It is our purpose to attempt to lay forth a policy which will reach out to any persons with these types of illnesses but at the same time, we also feel the need for balancing our compassion with the need to use wisdom in order to prevent the possible spread of any communicable diseases among our children.  It is with these guidelines in mind that we have prayerfully sought to do God's will in outlining the following Infectious Disease Policy.

We will attempt to address some of the more common infections, diseases which we feel are more likely to be encountered.  We recognize that this is but a small portion of possible communicable illnesses and that our policy cannot possibly address all infectious diseases.  We feel the best course of action is to follow guidelines of Universal Precautions and there by eliminate the major route of transfer of communicable illness.

The basic concept of Universal Precautions is to limit any contact of body fluids or secretions from one person to another.

We believe this is necessary not only to prevent the spread of AIDS/HIV but also to prevent the spread of illnesses such as Hepatitis A, Influenza, Strep Throat, Meningitis and common upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal illnesses.

Nursery 0 months to 5 year old class

Personnel

1. Training--an initial orientation to the nursery and classes by the MOPPETS team leader has been given to each worker.  Specific training in proper hand-washing technique, diaper changing and assisting with bathroom needs was provided.

2. Workers should be in their rooms 15 minutes before class begins.  This allows mothers adequate time to bring their children to the appropriate class and get to their own meeting.

3. Nursery workers will wear slipper socks in the nursery area and remove their shoes when working.  This is for the purpose of keeping the play area as clean as possible.  Workers will also wear a smock while working.

4. Our workers will be sensitive to you and your child's needs.  We believe if you as mothers are comfortable with leaving your children, you can relax and learn in your meeting.  An area is provided for Mothers to write down special needs of their children on their medical history questionnaire.

5. Workers will need to be in good health when ministering to children.  If you are not feeling well please contact a replacement.

Mothers

1. Each mother is required to fill out our Medical/Social History Questionnaire.  Make the MOPPETS workers aware of any change in that information as those changes occur.  Be prepared to care for your own child if necessary.

2. Out of respect for the children and mother's of MOPPETS it is required that mothers refrain form sending their child to class if the child shows any symptoms of a contagious disease or infection.

3. The child will only be able to leave the class with the mother or responsible adult who dropped him/her off.

Enrollment

1. Sign-in sheets--Mothers must register their child into an appropriate class by providing the child's name and other appropriate information. 

2. MOPPETS workers are trained in identifying the signs of illness and will contact the mother if any illness is observed while the child is in their care.  If illness is observed the child will be isolated from the other children with a worker until the mother can be summoned and arrives.

Denying Admittance

1. Children will not be admitted to class if they have had any of the following within the past 24 hours.  General malaise, congestion with cough, diarrhea, purulent runny nose, irritability, temperatures of 100 or above, nausea/vomiting, generalized rash.  Known contact with individuals having chicken pox, hepatitis, meningitis, strep throat or scarlet fever and pink eye.

Diaper Changing

1. The diaper changing procedure shall be as follows:  Roll up sleeves and remove anything that may come in contact with the diaper such as jewelry. 

2. Gather supplies together (fresh diaper, wet wipes, etc.)

3. Place child on the changing counter

4. Put on gloves

5. Release sticky tabs of the diaper on the child

6. Remove the diaper from the child

7. Clean the child using the wet wipes

8. Place the wet wipes and diaper in the trash can, if soiled place both in a small plastic bag

9. Remove gloves and place them in the trash or in plastic bags with the diaper

10. Put on the fresh diaper

11. Return the child to the play area

12. Wash hands

13. Spray the counter with disinfectant solution and wipe dry

14. Tie the bag shut and place in the trash can.

Potty Breaks

1. Children who are potty trained are to be taken to the bathroom as often as necessary but at least once an hour.  Children will be given as much supervision and assistance as judged necessary.  Both child and MOPPETS worker shall wash hands while in the bathroom.

These policies were written with the welfare of the mothers and children as well as the workers in mind.  We hope that these guidelines will help our time together run smoothly and provide a safe environment for all persons.

Return to Johnston Chapel MOPS