How to Create a Church Nursery With a Small Space

A nursery at a church can provide children with a lot of care and attention during services.

Some churches today are quite small and have limited space for the many activities or groups that use their facilities. With a little planning, however, you can design and create a welcoming nursery for children and infants in a small room, and still provide the care and tending they will need.

Things You'll Need

• Mop
• Several sponges
• Broom
• Vacuum
• Five or more cans of different colored paint
• Cribs or bassinets
• Child-friendly tables and chairs
• Assorted games and toys
• Children's books
• Computer and printer

Instructions

1. 

   A pastor is great to discuss with about ideas for a church nursery.

   Speak to the pastor, designated religious official or leader of the church to inquire about forming a committee for the nursery. The committee should be made up of people in the congregation who would like to volunteer their services and manpower to your cause. Designate tasks to everyone on the team for construction, decoration and care-givers.

2. Choose a location for the nursery. Especially due to the tight space, you'll have to contact local officials in your area to discuss any licensing or regulations issues, such as child-to-adult ratios and proper safety concerns. The room should have access to a sink, have proper insulation for heat and cold, and be close to the restrooms. Also, it should be located in the vicinity of the main sanctuary, close enough for parents to access, while not too close that noise could interrupt the services.

3. 

   The church nursery should be germ-free and healthy.

   Clean the room thoroughly. Mop the floor, steam-clean carpets and wash the walls. Dirt and dust can accumulate quickly, and if the room hasn't been used in a while, it can be a health hazard to children.

4. Paint the room with neutral, soft pastel colors, and if someone in your committee has the creative talent, consider adding bright murals on the walls, such as rainbows, animals and trees. Add special carpet that doesn't stain, is easy to clean and is comfortable for kids to sit or lie on. Because the room is small, it's not a good idea to use too much decor on the walls, as that space can be used to install cabinets instead.

5. Consider the furniture you'll need for the size of the room. A small room does not have much space for a lot of things, and it still has to cater to infants and preschool children. A few necessary pieces of furniture might include a couple of cribs or bassinets, a small activity table and chairs, a rocking chair and a diaper workstation. You'll also need a few shelves or cupboards to keep extra diapers, first-aid kits, toys, books and games. Access to a phone and fire extinguisher should also be included.

6. Write up a manual containing the policies and procedures for the nursery, the schedules, the rules and the responsibilities of the parents. Include a notice in the church bulletins every week. Especially because the room is a bit smaller than normal nurseries, parents who come in to drop off children should sign a register, indicating their acceptance of the rules and their desire to have their children looked after. Include a cut-off for the number of children who can be cared for at one time.

References

• Ministry to Children: Church Nursery: Practical Ideas & Encouragement
• The Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut: The Church Nursery