What to Bring

When packing a diaper bag for your child, please include the following items:

• Two or three disposable diapers (No cloth diapers, please.)
• Pacifier or other item, should your child need it for security
• A complete change of clothes in case your child would require that
• A bottle of milk, formula, juice or water (This is a good practice even for mothers who nurse.)

Please label all personal items with your child's first and last name before arriving at your child's class. This helps us keep track of your child's items.

For your child's health, we operate a Well-Baby Program.

For the protection of all the children in our ministry, we cannot accept a child with a runny nose, fresh cold (four days or less), fever, rash, persistent cough, diarrhea or any other signs of illness. We request that you not place your child in the program while they are at risk of exposing other children. Thank you in advance for helping us keep our DIG program a healthy place for all.

When you arrive at your child's room, a leader will meet you at the check-in area to receive your child and any other necessary items. Please check in and notify the leader of any information that will help in caring for your child, such as feeding times, sleeping times, allergies and special needs.

At the time of check-in, you will apply an adhesive name tag to your child's back with his or her name on it. You will be given a sticker tag with your child's name and pager number on it. If you are needed to return to your child's classroom, you will be paged on the screen at service. We ask that you present the sticker tag with pager number upon return to your child's classroom. We will verify that number on your child's name tag and then release your child to you. A child will not be released to a parent without presentation of the assigned sticker tag with pager number.

Snacks

Snacks are provided for the children once they graduate to the Walker classroom. The food items consist of water, fish crackers, Cheerios or vanilla wafers for our new walkers through 3 year olds. If your child has an allergy, please inform the leader when you check in your child.

Saying Good-bye

After you have completed the check-in process, simply wave a quick good-bye and leave for the worship service. As you know, it is normal for little ones to cry when leaving a parent. This does not last long, and separation becomes easier over time. Our leaders will immediately try to create interest in a toy or activity and give assurance that you will return after the worship service is completed. If your child cries for an extended period of time of 10 minutes, we will page you.

Checking On Your Child

Feel free to check on your little one at any time during the worship service. However, we ask that you do so discreetly, trying not to let your child see you.

Pick-up Procedures

Your child's leader will expect the same person to drop off and pick up each child, unless special instructions are given at check-in. Please make sure that all your child's personal items have been returned to you before you leave the premises. Lost and found items will be retained for a short time. Items not claimed after one month are donated to a charitable organization.

Nursing Mothers

Nursing mothers may come into the nursery classroom to nurse. Because our space is limited, we ask mothers to limit their stay to just the time required to meet the needs of the child.

Baby Dedication: A Renewal of a Godly Tradition

The arrival of a new baby is a time of rejoicing for any family. The newness of life often brings a special freshness toward all of life. Often, during this time, parents want to do something in the church building to celebrate their joy with others and to present their child to God for blessing.

For more information about Baby Dedications at Northgate, click here