One of the top priorities of SHV is to provide a safe, secure, and loving environment for the children to participate in and environment where you feel comfortable leaving your child (ren). We take our children’s safety very seriously, and to that end we ask that everyone who works with children adhere to the following policies without exception.
Worker Approval and Identification
All workers have a completed application and background check on file in the SHV office and have been approved by a SHV staff member to work with the children. All workers wear an approved identification nametag when on duty.
Visitors
Visitors are welcome to observe any class by checking in and obtaining a visitor name-tag.
Suspicious Behavior
We ask everyone (including you) to report suspicious behavior to an SHV Kids staff member immediately. If an SHV Kids staff member is not available, contact another pastor or staff member and alert them of the situation.
Examples of suspicious behavior include loitering around the bathrooms, repeatedly looking in and out of different classrooms, someone trying to enter the doors leading to the parking lot, or other suspicious behaviors.
Classroom Procedures
Appropriate touching should be limited to handshakes, high-fives, brief hugs, or a brief touch
on the shoulder. Physical contact with children should be appropriate and only in the presence of other adults.
At least two volunteers must be present with children unless other arrangements have been made with an SHV Kids staff member. Volunteers should remain in clear view of the classroom door or inside window.
Window blinds are to be kept open at all times unless it is necessary to darken the room for proper showing of projected audio visual equipment. Once the presentation is over, the blinds should be opened again. Workers may not have children sit on their lap while the room is darkened or with lowered visibility, or when other workers are not present.
Teachers will notify a hall monitor of a child’s need to use the restroom. The hall monitor will escort the children to and from the restroom and will be in clear view at all times. Only hall monitors can take children to the bathroom. However, if only one child needs to use the restroom, a second child may be sent with them to help wash their hands and be a buddy. There will always be at least two children sent to the restroom at one time.
Approved Activities
Activities or outings of regularly scheduled classes or childcare must be pre-approved by an SHV Kids staff member. All children must have a signed permission slip if the activity is off-site.
All activities, whether on- or off-site, must be led by a qualified leader who knows the policies, procedures, and is approved by an SHV Kids staff member.
Workers will never take a child to the child’s home without another adult accompanying them.
While waiting for parents or guardians to arrive to pick up their children, after services or an activity, all children and workers still waiting should remain in a very visible or public place. If at all possible, two or more workers should wait with the children.
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