Four Oaks seeks to provide every child with a safe and secure environment in which to learn and grow in his/her understanding of the Lord. Please check out our map and the security rules listed below, which are designed to help ensure your child is cared for and protected.
You can view our campus map under Links & Resources.
The City
The City is an online software program that helps facilitate communication and connection in our church and has great applications for children's ministries, including check-in. When you arrive on a Sunday or to a special event, look for a sign that says “First-Time Children’s Check-in”. We will be happy to help you check in your children here using The City and then escort you and your child to his/her nursery/classroom. At the end of the day, you will receive an email summarizing the day and an invitation to join The City.
Check in and Pickup
Check-in: Parents/legal guardians should pick up their child's nametag and pick-up tags (has a unique family number) at the appropriate check-in table. Then parents should escort their child to the classroom to be checked in by the greeter. For security purposes, only screened volunteers are allowed in the classroom.
Pick-up: We require a pick-up tag in order to release a child to their parents. Parents wishing to designate another adult or sibling (in high school or older) to pick up their child should inform the greeter at check-in and give the pick-up tag to that designee.
Security Protocols
Volunteer Training/Screening: All children's ministries volunteers must be interviewed, trained, and complete a national criminal background check before serving.
Age Requirement: All nursery volunteers must be at least high school age.
Volunteer/Child Ratios: We follow the volunteer to child ratios listed below. If the number of children begins to exceed this ratio, then the parent must stay with the child or take the child to the sanctuary.
Volunteer/Child Ratios
Infant Nursery1 volunteer: 2 children
Toddler Nursery/Early Preschool1 volunteer: 3 children
Preschool1 volunteer: 4 children
Elementary1 volunteer: 8 children
Discipline
We believe it is first the parent’s responsibility to discipline the child. Volunteers are only to provide gentle words of correction unless specifically instructed otherwise by the parents. Therefore, if a child is disruptive, volunteers will approach the child, get down to his/her level, and quietly and calmly point out the inappropriate action. If the child continues to disrespect the volunteer's authority, then the volunteer will work with children's ministries staff to address the child's behavior. If the child continues to be disruptive, the child's parents are notified (either with a nursery beeper or putting the pick-up # on the screen in the sanctuary) during the worship service to resolve the situation.