St. Luke's Nursery provides a safe and loving environment for our youngest children, so that parents can participate in services and programs offered at our church. It is available for children up to age 3.
The Nursery is located in the room next to the church Library. The Nursery is open during Sunday morning services. Typically, the Nursery opens at 10 minutes before the first service begins and closes after all of the children have been picked up, following the second service.
The Nursery is also available as needed during other church functions, such as classes, choir rehearsals, and Friends and Spirit. Please contact the Nursery Coordinator, Annette Lynch at 493-5148 to find out about specific Nursery availability.
The Nursery is staffed by two employees:
Please come into the Nursery with your child to greet the staff and make sure that a staff member has the necessary information about your child. Complete the sign-in sheet stating the name of your child, your name, and your location in the church (e.g. sanctuary, left rear).
Please bring a diaper bag, labeled with your child's name, with at least one diaper and wipes. We do not stock diapers or wipes in the Nursery. For infants, please bring a bottle, if needed, and instruct the staff about how you want the bottle administered.
For toddlers, a snack, typically crackers, is provided, as well as water in small paper cups. You may also bring a sippy cup labeled with your child's name. Alert the staff if your child is not to have a snack, particularly if there is a concern about food allergies, or if you have brought an alternative snack for the child.
Many toddlers have trouble separating from their parents. If your child is having difficulty separating, the staff will defer to you and will not intercede until you have indicated that you are ready to leave. Stay in the Nursery for as long as you feel comfortable before departing. If you child is still crying when you need to leave, please bring your child to a staff member and tell her that you are leaving. A staff member almost always can calm a crying child within a few minutes of the parents' departure (although some will begin crying again when parents reappear to collect them!) Children who cannot be settled within a reasonable time will not be left to "cry it out." If your child cannot be settled, the staff will come to get you and bring you back to the Nursery (or send someone to the sanctuary or elsewhere to find you.) Parents are always free to stay with their child in the Nursery for as long as they like.
Please don't bring a sick child (fever, vomiting, etc.) to the Nursery. Children should be illness free for 24 hours.
The Nursery is filled with age-appropriate and stimulating toys. Children have the opportunity to work puzzles, "play house," build with blocks, and play with cars, dollhouses, and balls. We play music and read books.
If you have questions or suggestions for the Nursery, please contact Annette Lynch, Nursery Coordinator at 493-5148.