Parents ask us two questions: is it safe, and will my kid like it? They are exactly the right questions. Handing your child to someone you just met, in a building you are still learning your way around, takes a lot of trust. We do not take that trust lightly. Our kids ministry team has spent years building a Sunday morning that is secure for every child and genuinely fun for every age. Here is how a Sunday morning works for children, from the moment you walk in the door until you pick them up again with a craft still drying in their hands.
Secure check-in
Every child gets a name tag and parents get a matching pickup tag. Every volunteer is background-checked. Those two sentences are the foundation of everything we do, so let us walk through them in a little more detail.
When you arrive, head to the kids check-in desk in the lobby, just to the left of the main doors. It opens 20 minutes before each service. First-time families can register in a couple of minutes at the welcome kiosk with the help of a volunteer. We will ask for your child’s name, age, any allergies or medical needs and a phone number where we can reach you during the service.
Once you are registered, the system prints two stickers. Your child wears one, with their name, classroom and any allergy alerts. You keep the other, which has a matching security code. At the end of the service, you will show that code to pick up your child. No tag, no pickup. If you lose it, our team will verify your identity at the check-in desk before releasing your child. It may feel strict, but every parent we have asked is glad we do it this way.
Our safety practices
- Every adult volunteer passes a background check and completes child safety training.
- Volunteers serve in pairs, so no adult is ever alone with a child.
- Classrooms have windows in the doors and are visible from the hallway.
- Our check-in area and classroom hallways are monitored during services.
- Parents are texted right away if a child needs them for any reason.
- Allergy alerts appear on every name tag, and snacks are allergy-friendly.
Classes for every age
Kids are grouped by age so that every lesson, song and activity fits where they are. Here is a quick look at our rooms.
- Nursery (birth to 18 months): A calm, cozy room with rocking chairs, soft toys and plenty of cuddles. Parents can share feeding and nap schedules at check-in.
- Toddlers (18 months to 2 years): Simple songs, play stations and a very short Bible story with lots of hands-on fun.
- Preschool (3 to 5 years): A story time, music, a craft and free play, all built around one simple idea each week.
- Elementary (kindergarten to fifth grade): Large group worship, an interactive Bible lesson and small group time with a consistent leader.
Middle and high school students are welcome to sit with their families during the service or join our student ministry, which meets during the 11:00 service and on Wednesday evenings.
Stories and crafts
Age-based classes with Bible stories, songs and hands-on crafts. Kids learn best when they are moving, making and talking, so we design every Sunday to engage all of their senses.
In the elementary room, the morning starts with upbeat music and a few silly games that get everyone laughing. Then a storyteller brings a Bible story to life, sometimes with costumes, sometimes with props and occasionally with a volunteer dressed as a very confused sheep. Afterward, kids break into small groups with the same leader each week, which helps them build real friendships with both peers and caring adults.
Preschoolers and younger kids get plenty of hands-on time. One Sunday they might build a paper boat for the story of Noah, another they might decorate a crown for the story of Esther. Crafts are simple, a little messy and always sent home so families can keep the conversation going.
What kids take home
Each week, parents receive a short take-home card or a digital note with the main point of the lesson, a memory verse and a couple of questions to talk about together. Some families stick the card on the refrigerator. Others read it at dinner. We also post a short family devotional each week on our website for anyone who wants to go a little deeper.
Ask your kids what they learned on the drive home. You might be surprised.
Angela
Angela, who leads our kids ministry, hears funny and touching stories every week. One six-year-old told his parents that the lesson was about “being brave like David, but without the rock.” A four-year-old announced that God made giraffes because he likes tall things. These little conversations matter, because they help faith become part of everyday family life.
Pickup and after the service
When the service ends, head back to your child’s classroom with your matching pickup tag. A volunteer at the door will check the code before your child is released, even if they recognize you from last week. Please try to pick up within ten minutes of the service ending, so our volunteers can make it to the next service or head home to their own families. On your way out, ask your child to show you their craft. It is usually the beginning of a great conversation, and occasionally the beginning of a glitter cleanup in the back seat.
If your child has a hard morning, our volunteers will let you know honestly and kindly. Every child has an off day now and then, especially in a new place. We will work with you to figure out what might help next time.
Kids with extra needs
Every child is welcome at Grace Hill. If your child has a disability, sensory sensitivities, a medical condition or simply needs a little extra support, we would love to hear from you before your first visit. We can pair your child with a trained buddy, provide a quieter space or plan whatever accommodations help them feel safe and included. Noise-reducing headphones and fidget tools are available in every classroom.
If your child is nervous about being away from you, that is completely okay too. You are welcome to stay in the classroom for the first week or two until they feel comfortable. Many families do this, and our volunteers are happy to help with the transition.
Serve with our kids
Our kids ministry runs on the generosity of more than one hundred volunteers who love children and want to see them grow. Some lead small groups, some greet families at check-in, some rock babies in the nursery and some tell Bible stories with remarkable dramatic flair. Most serve one or two Sundays a month, attending the other service themselves.
If you are interested in serving, we will walk you through the application, background check and training process, and pair you with an experienced leader for your first few Sundays. Teenagers can also serve as helpers alongside adults, which is a wonderful way for them to grow as leaders.
So, is it safe, and will your kid like it? We believe the answer to both is yes, and we would love for you to see it for yourself. Arrive a few minutes early this Sunday, stop by the check-in desk and let us meet your family. We will take care of the name tags, the snacks and the crafts. You just bring the kids.