Handbook for Moms

Welcome to MOPPETS, the children’s ministry for MOPS On the following pages, you will find important information on: Structure of the MOPPETS program for ages Birth – 6 th grade Details on the transition (drop off) and pickup processes Policies There are also a set of forms that MUST be completed before your child may participate in MOPPETS. Please bring these forms to your first meeting. Feel free to contact us with any questions. We are looking forward to a great year! Thank you! MOPPETS Co-Coordinators – Abbey Kveene – Renee LaPlume

Team Co-Coordinators – Abbey Kveene Main contact for moms Curriculum writing & prep Opening leader – Renee LaPlume Main contact for teachers Schedule teachers, find subs Behavior management Teachers – Each class will have one (or more) teacher that will rotate with them to each activity – Activity leaders lead the activities – Children 18m-23m will stay in their classroom with their teachers and the activity leaders will come to their classroom.

Birth – 17 Months Infant Class Moms are welcome to bring their infants into the MOPS meeting or leave them in the loving care of our nursery staff. Babies will be stimulated with music, toys, Cheerios (if you would like them to have a snack), and lots of snuggles.

18 Months – 2 nd Grade Red Class Green Class Blue Class Orange Class Children rotate to different activities designed to develop skills, keep them busy, and, most importantly, build their knowledge and love for God! The curriculum uses music, activities, and crafts, to reinforce each Bible lesson. Some weeks there may also be a short video which goes with each Bible story.

Transition Process We UNDERSTAND. Transition time (drop off time) is stressful for children… and moms! It’s hard to leave your child, especially if his/she is upset. Rest assured, your child is in a loving, fun environment. If your child cries continuously for more than 15 minutes, a teacher will come to the MOPS room to get you or we will text you to come get your infant. 1.(At the first Meeting only) Turn in all paperwork at the registration table as you enter the education wing (near the restrooms) Complete the paperwork ahead of time for quicker, smoother registration If needed, complete at the table on the first day Children cannot start MOPPETS until paperwork is complete in full 2.Outside the infant room, attach your baby’s nametag and write your cell phone number on the list by your baby’s name Nametags (yellow for Infants class) will be premade Add to your baby’s nametag any special instructions (e.g., “Do not give Cheerios to eat” or “Lovey helps to comfort her”) 3.At the Infant room door, a teacher will greet you and your baby We ask that you do not enter the infant room because it is upsetting to the other babies when another mom is in the room. (At the first meeting only) Drop off 4-5 diapers (a large plastic bag will be provided). These diapers will be used for your baby (and your baby only) as needed. Diaper wipes are provided by MOPS. Drop off bottle, lovey, pacifier, etc. that you baby might need during the meeting. Be sure to label everything ahead of time with your child’s name. We encourage the use of a pacifier clip attached to his/her clothes. Tell the greeting teacher any special instructions that you wrote on the nametag. Give your baby a hug/kiss and leave. We UNDERSTAND it is VERY hard to leave if your baby is upset. The teachers will hold snuggle, distract and comfort him/her. We have enough teachers so every baby can be held if needed. Rest assured that the teachers WILL come get you or text you to come get your baby if your baby is inconsolable for about 15 consecutive minutes during the meeting. At pickup, we ask that you again do not enter the infant room. The teachers will bring your baby to you at the room door. Also help the teachers out by reminding them if you have any items to take home (bottle, lovey, pacifier, etc.). Infant Class

Transition Process (continued) Red Class Green Class Blue Class Orange Class 1.(At the first Meeting only) Turn in all paperwork at the registration table as you enter the education wing (near the restrooms) Complete the paperwork ahead of time for quicker registration If needed, complete at the table the first day Children cannot start MOPPETS until paperwork is complete in full 2.Outside the gym’s large doors (at the end of the education wing), attach your child’s nametag Nametags will be premade with your child’s class color (18-23 mo.  red, 2 years  green, 3 years  blue, 4-5 years  orange) Add any special instructions to the name tag (e.g., “Potty training so try to ask if he/she needs to go potty often”) 3.At the Gym door, a teacher will greet you and your child We ask that you do not enter the gym area because it can be upsetting to the other children when another mom is in the room. (At the first meeting only) If not potty trained, drop off 4-5 diapers and wipes (a large plastic bag will be provided). These diapers will be used for your child (and your child only) as needed. We discourage you from bringing items like a sippy cup, teddy bear, etc. as it is difficult to keep track of items as kids are busy rotating to different rooms. However, if an item is brought, please be sure it is labeled and picked up at the end of the day. Tell the greeting teacher any special instructions that you wrote on the nametag. Give your child a hug/kiss and leave. We UNDERSTAND it is VERY hard to leave if your child is upset. The teachers will hold snuggle, distract and comfort him/her. Rest assure that the teachers WILL come get you of your child is inconsolable for about 15 consecutive minutes during the meeting.

Transition Process (continued) Red Class Green Class Blue Class Orange Class 4. A quieter space Some children are uncomfortable in a large group setting during drop off. For them we can provide a quieter drop off area. If this seems like a better option for your child, let the worker know at the drop off door. They will be sure your child transitions in the smaller room (next door to the nursery) These children will then rejoin their groups before rotating to different stations.

Pick up Red Class Green Class Blue Class Orange Class At 11:30 children need to be picked up. Green and Blue classes will be picked up from their last station in the big room. Green-gym area, Blue- crafts, The Orange class will be picked up in the church library (next to the nursery) Infants in Yellow class and children in Red class with be picked up from their own rooms. Art projects will be in the hallway across from nursery. Please remember to take with you any extra items you may have left with your child earlier that morning.

Policies (page 1 of 3) Teachers – Child: Teacher ratios will not exceed the following: Infant Room (4:1) Month Class (7:1) Year Old Class(7:1) Year Old Class (10:1) 4 Year Old – 2 nd Grade Class (10:1) 3 rd Grade – 6 th Grade Class (15:1) – Background check are performed for all adult teachers Registration – Moms must complete all forms before starting MOPPETS, even if just visiting (information includes allergies, special needs, special instructions, emergency contact information, etc). – Moms (not a mom’s friend) must check child in with teacher every week. Behavior Management – If your child cries continuously for more than 15 minutes, a teacher will come to the MOPS room to get the mom. – Teachers will manage age-appropriate behavior, but if excessive, a teacher will come to the MOPS room to get the mom. Snacks – Moms are responsible for clearly communicating food allergies and concerns Snacks for ages 18 months and older will all be nut free and produced in a nut free facility. Water will also be provided for those 18 months and older. Snack for infant room will always be regular Cheerios. Diapers – Teachers will change soiled diapers and those noticeably wet. However, they will not change diapers of all babies, so moms should make sure they drop off babies with dry diapers. Infants & Other Children – Moms should feel comfortable bringing infants into MOPS meetings. – Moms may bring their school-aged children to MOPPETS if there is no school that day. – If a mom cares for other children in her home (niece/nephew, neighbor, etc.) and wishes to bring them to MOPPETS, please get permission from the MOPS Co-coordinators before bringing them to a meeting. Personal Toys – Children should not bring his/her own toys into the classroom. If a child requires a special comfort item (e.g., a blanket or stuffed animal) this is acceptable but make sure it is labeled and you have it with you when you leave.

Policies (page 2 of 3)

Policies (page 3 of 3) Emergency pick up location outside