In the last blog post, we highlighted the work our volunteers do each Sunday in our nursery. But they aren’t alone in creating a welcoming space for our youngest members. At Redeemer, we also have a dedicated childcare staff who help care for our little ones during both the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services.
I am deeply grateful for the partnership between our volunteers and childcare staff. The spiritual guidance our volunteers provide, paired with the practical support of our childcare team, enables us to faithfully fulfill the work God has entrusted to us in caring for the babies in our parish. As our parish continues to grow, I want to share more about the history and importance of our childcare staff and give you a glimpse into the work these women do each Sunday.
History of the Childcare Staff at Redeemer
In the early days of our church plant, children (especially those under age 3) were a large percentage of our parish. With only one service and a limited number of adults, our leadership decided to hire a paid childcare staff to better meet the needs of our growing congregation. This allowed more adults to attend the service, supported other volunteer roles, and brought much-needed stability to the nursery.
Today, as an 8-year-old parish, we are blessed with more babies than ever before. Looking back on our childcare staff, I’m thankful for the leadership team that made the early decision to address the needs of our nursery. What started as a practical solution to an overcrowded nursery has become a beautiful partnership that supports our mission of creating a space where families with young children can find belonging in our church community.
Three Ways Our Staff Supports Our Nursery
Our childcare staff at Redeemer is responsible for caring for the physical wellbeing of children in the Redeemer Nursery while assisting Redeemer volunteers and staff with the general schedule and rhythms of a Sunday morning. Within those duties, there are three primary ways that our staff supports our nursery.
Capacity
Our nursery cares for a large number of babies each Sunday. If all our regular attendees were present at a single service, we could care for over 50 babies! To ensure each child receives proper attention, we maintain a 1:3 adult-to-child ratio, which requires many staff members and volunteers. Over the past year, we’ve seen an increase in younger babies, particularly those between 6 months and 1.5 years old. As a result, our staff often needs to engage with babies individually rather than in larger groups. To provide this hands-on, individual care, we rely on a significant number of people in the room.
While we have the privilege of having volunteers each week, the number of volunteers required to cover both services without childcare staff members would be equal to the total volunteer number needed for all our older Redeemer Kids classes. Many people have asked me if we could run the nursery entirely with volunteers. While I believe God would provide if necessary, the main reason this isn’t the best option at the moment is that babies need consistent caregivers.
Consistency
Child development research shows the importance of consistent caregivers for babies to feel secure in their environment, especially at the ages when separation anxiety is at its peak. Each childcare staff member works about three Sundays a month for both services, allowing them to build strong, dependable relationships with the children. This stability helps babies feel more comfortable. When you watch the nursery drop-off, you’ll see me carefully choosing who to hand each baby to based on the relationships I’ve observed between the babies and our staff.
This consistency not only makes the children feel safe but also reassures their parents. Many parents feel anxiety during drop-off, especially when leaving their child in a new setting. For regular attendees, it gives parents peace of mind knowing their child is cared for by a familiar face who can provide personalized attention each week.
First Impressions
When a parent speaks with me at the nursery door and notices that the babies already in the nursery are calm, it creates a better first impression. Parents feel more at ease seeing babies who are settled and engaged with caregivers who know each child by name. This sense of trust makes parents more comfortable leaving their children in our care, allowing them to fully participate in the service and experience the community. This is essential in helping new families feel welcomed at Redeemer.
For all of us, participating in the service—singing with the congregation, engaging in the liturgy, taking part in Holy Communion, and greeting one another—are vital expressions of belonging. For parents, especially newcomers, the ability to participate is crucial in helping them feel at home. While it’s natural for babies and parents to feel some anxiety in a new space, a calm nursery with familiar caregivers is one of the best ways we can offer hospitality to parents with young children as they find their place in our church family.
The Result
The partnership between our childcare staff and volunteers is vital in creating a nurturing environment for our youngest parishioners. The history of our childcare team highlights how a practical solution evolved into a cornerstone of our ministry, enabling us to faithfully care for babies while supporting the spiritual life of our parish. As our church grows, we are incredibly grateful for their commitment, and for the ways they help further our church's dedication to fostering a sense of belonging for families with young children at Redeemer.
Grace,
Mikala Thompson
Assistant Director of Redeemer Kids
