KIDS CONNECTION VOLUNTEER TRAINING FAQ’S
The information below represents frequently asked questions following training that took place in February 2025 consisting of Emergency and Intruder Procedures. Click here for FAQ’s on Volunteer Policies, Classroom Management, and Curriculum from training in 2024
EVACUATION PROCEDURES
Q: Would someone automatically head to the younger classrooms to help gather the youngest, most inexperienced children (a.k.a. “herd the cats”)?
A:Yes, there will be volunteers assigned to support the younger classrooms during an emergency evacuation (i.e. coordinator, welcome desk volunteer)
Q: Are we allowed to climb through the classroom windows to escape danger?
A:We do not advise anyone to climb through windows unless absolutely necessary. In certain situations, we may need to do whatever is needed to get to safety.
Q: We used to have cribs in each room for nursery-non-walkers or 2's to load up & roll out in case of emergency. With the gates up, the cribs were removed because they can't roll out. Will there be enough cribs easily accessible?
A:We are purchasing foldable wagons to try out for the non-walker rooms that do not have crib access and will practice using those.
Q: Will we have access to a rope for all the kids to grab onto in the event of fire, etc.?
A":We do have ropes handy in most classrooms, however, in the event of an emergency evacuation, it may be less time consuming to just funnel children out without bothering with the rope.
WALKIE TALKIE PROCEDURES
Q: What channel should the walkie talkies be set to?
A: Walkies will be set to channel 3. It will be the responsibility of the safety team to set the walkies to the proper channel each Sunday morning so this responsibility will not fall on classroom volunteers.
Q: What should we use the walkie talkies for (and what to avoid)?
A:Walkie Talkies should only be used to communicate a threat or an emergency, not for everyday use such as asking for a refill on tissues.
Q: Will we receive training on how to use the walkie talkies?
A: Yes, the safety team will be checking in with volunteers on Sundays to go over the basics. If you have not received an overview by the end of April, please let a coordinator know.
EMERGENCY AND “HIDING” PROTOCOL
Q: Will we have a key to the classrooms?
A: No, but the doors lock from the inside without a key.
Q: Should the bathroom doors or other doors have a flip lock in case we hide in there?
A: No, we have to balance the potential of abuse inside the classroom with the possibility of an intruder outside the classroom and therefore cannot have a locked door within the classroom.
Q: How will we know things are all clear when securing a room and hiding?
A: A leader (Brandon, Barbie, or Christine) will identify him/herself and give the “All Clear” over the walkies.
Q: What do we need to see before calling 911?
A: We would recommend that you call 911 if you observe any threatening behavior. You should not wait to see a weapon before doing so. You will not be faulted to err on the side of caution. If you see someone you don’t recognize (but there are no threatening behaviors), feel free to communicate via walkie talkie, and the safety team will respond.
Q: Is there a certain way to handle crying children when the goal is to be quiet during a lock down?
A: Unfortunately, there may be no way to avoid that except to comfort as much as possible.
Q: Some classrooms are mostly windows. Where is the most appropriate spot to hide then?
A: Blinds/curtains should be pulled. Kids can sit underneath the window sill in those rooms but not directly in front of the classroom door.
FIRE/EMERGENCY DRILLS & TRAINING WITH KIDS
Q: Will we do intruder training with the children?
A: Training children may be a future endeavor, but at this point in time, we want to focus on equipping the adults. We are prayerful that the children would follow the leadership of the adults in charge in a given situation.
Q: Can we do a fire drill with the kids every so often so they know where the meeting points are?
A: Yes, we have fire drills slated for the Spring after we communicate with parents. In order to brief and as non-disruptive/frightening as possible, we will not be sounding actual alarms. For these initial fire drills, a ministry leader and members of the safety team will facilitate the drill by ushering volunteers and children out of the building, class by class. If you have not received training by the end of Summer, please let us know. Volunteers will receive an email prior to their assigned Sunday so they are prepared.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT & VOLUNTEER POLICIES
(Click on any of the policy titles below or the “+” button to read the full policy)
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To best care for our child(ren), a classroom cannot be safely opened until two adult volunteers are present in the classroom. Please check with the coordinator on duty to be sure your child(ren)’s classroom(s) are open. We ask that you wait patiently in the lobby by the welcome desk until the classroom(s) are ready to be opened safely.
Q: Since our training, we have ironed out a few wrinkles regarding the 2-adult rule and the execution of this policy on Sunday mornings. Your questions surrounded the definition of an adult, communication to parents, and the transitions between the services:
A: Adults are considered volunteers age 18 and over. In addition to having communicated this new policy to all of our parents prior to our implementation, we currently use an “open/closed” sign that parents can refer to before entering the hallway. Parents will not be permitted into the hallway until the coordinator has confirmed there are two adults present and the classroom is considered “open”. This should avoid you having to keep the door closed or communicate with parents. Between volunteer shifts, please make sure you leave when you have been relieved by another adult (and be prompt if relieving a volunteer serving before you) If the volunteer serving after you fails to arrive in a timely manner repeatedly, please reach out to a ministry leader or coordinator.
Q: If I am volunteering in another classroom but my child’s classroom is not yet open, what should I do?
A: During the first few minutes of each hour, there will undoubtedly be a need for flexibility and shuffling until all of our volunteers arrive. We ask that you use discretion about keeping your child in the room you are volunteering in until their classroom opens. Waving down a coordinator or another adult to either walk your child to their classroom or stand in your classroom while you drop off your child(ren) is acceptable.
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Adult volunteers are required to check/match security tags issued at check-in. No child will be released to anyone except a designated guardian with a Family ID/Security Tag assigned at check-in. To this end, no one will be allowed in any Kids Connection wings without a Family ID/Security Tag. Adults should be careful to hold onto this tag throughout the morning.
Q: Who can/cannot pick up children? If an adult doesn’t offer a tag to show, should I ask to see it?
A: Adult volunteers (not teens) should be the only ones managing pickup at the end of each hour. Volunteers should only release a child to parent or adult that presents the matching ID tag issued at check-in. Volunteers should be proactive in asking to see the tags before a child is called to the door. Teenaged siblings must be noted as an approved proxy on the roster and present the matching tag issued at check-in in order to pick up their siblings. If a teen is not listed on the roster, he/she has not been approved to pick up. Parents/adults or teens without a tag should be asked kindly to go back to the welcome desk to show ID and get an approval note or new tag from a coordinator. Please avoid asking a child to verify their adult/parents as a remedy for missing ID tags.
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As a tool to maintain behavior in the classrooms, volunteers should utilize the three steps below:
ONE: Volunteer will speak to child, attempt to redirect his/her behavior and give a verbal warning
TWO: Volunteer will take child aside (in classroom) to reinforce and give a second warning
THREE: Volunteer will remove child from the classroom with a coordinator present and parents will be contacted. The child will remain outside the classroom for the remainder of the morning.
Q: A number of questions surrounding carrying out the 3-count intervention, the communication to parents and kids as well as handling repeated behavioral issues are clarified below:
A: The 3-count tool should be explained as soon as a behavioral issue arises. The familiarity of the concept by the child(ren) will aid in its effectiveness. Volunteers can clarify immediately when the first warning is given. If the 3-Count Intervention is utilized, the parents are notified by the coordinator or director to help reinforce proper behavior in the classroom. Volunteers are encouraged to have a conversation with a parent if a child was on the verge of needing the third count, especially if behavior is repeated.
SAFETY
Q: Do we have emergency plans set in place like fire or active shooter drills?
A: We are in the process of working on policy and training for volunteers for both fire and emergency drills and will be communicating soon! In the meantime, we have a security team in place each week to assist in safety and medical emergencies. To alert a coordinator or security team member, send a teenage helper to run to the welcome desk or holler out your door for other volunteers to assist.
Q: What do we do in the case of child illness or injury?
A: If a child is not feeling well, you notice they may have a fever, or they were injured in the classroom, please contact a coordinator. If a child is injured, an incident report should be completed by a coordinator and the volunteer. Injuries and illness are always reported to parents before leaving at the end of the morning.
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Parents should take their children to the restroom prior to signing them into a class. At check-in, parents should let volunteers know if their child is potty training. Volunteers should remind and encourage the child to use the potty throughout the morning. The volunteer should verbally coach the child through the potty process, if need be. If the child does not require assistance, the volunteer should remain outside the door of the restroom. If the child does require assistance, the volunteer should use gloves and remain in the line of sight of another volunteer at all times. Please do not flush wipes.
Changes of clothes are available in bathroom cabinets for accidents. Ask the coordinator for the items you may need. Parents will be notified of accidents.
No male volunteers or teens may physically assist children in using the restroom.
Hands must be washed after assisting a child with using the restroom.
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Parents should take their children to the restroom prior to signing them into a class.
Children may be released to go to the restroom by themselves if the restroom is in sight of an adult worker in The Backyard only. If the child must leave a classroom to use the restroom, a second child of the same gender and approximate grade should accompany him or her, along with a Kids Connection Worker, who remains outside the bathroom. Another KC worker will be asked to assist to maintain proper child to volunteer ratios.
Alternatively, a teacher and helper may take their entire class to the restroom at a designated bathroom break time; volunteers will remain outside the bathroom.
Hands must be washed with soap and water or hand sanitizer and children must return immediately to the classroom.
Q: What ages is it appropriate to help with bathroom breaks, especially for potty training and younger children?
A: As our policy states, only adult (not teen) female volunteers should be assisting with bathroom breaks and should remain in the line of site of another volunteer (keep door ajar). Assist the child first by coaching/instruction but help as needed and for cleanup. Assisting a child will primarily occur within the nursery/preschool setting; however, in certain circumstances, a need may arise to assist a child of elementary age.
Q: What ages require a buddy for bathroom breaks and who is permitted to go alone?
A: The bathrooms in The Backyard and in the Early Childhood wing (through Kindergarten) are located in the same room and don’t require leaving. Because there are no bathrooms on the second floor Elementary hallway, group bathroom breaks (2-3 kids) should be taken only with the same gender. An adult volunteer (such as the coordinator on duty) should remain nearby outside of restrooms to monitor/ensure children return swiftly to class.
CURRICULUM
Q: What is provided for the lessons for the new curriculum and how do I get access to the lessons and materials?
A: All lessons are emailed to the teacher and assistant teacher the week before you are scheduled and the hard copy is made available as well. Any items required for a craft or activity will be provided in the bin inside the classroom by Sunday morning. Additional crafts or activities are permitted with director approval and supplies in preschool supply closet can be used if you need them! Videos and music for each lesson are also provided!
Q: Can I communicate about the lesson to parents outside of pick-up and drop-off?
A: Teachers who would like to communicate with the parents of their class can do so by using snapshot as a contact resource. Communication should be approved by the director!
VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS & SCHEDULING
Q: If I decline a volunteer assignment via email, do I still need to find a substitute? Is there a list to find a substitute?
A: Yes. If you cannot serve when you are being requested to serve (schedules are based on your availability indicated by you in Planning Center) please press ‘decline’, make every effort to find a replacement or swap with another volunteer in the linked volunteer database located within that same email, and communicate with Seth Asher (sasher@ogletown.org) confirming the change.
Q: When it comes to issues that may arise with other volunteers or teenage helpers, what is the process for communicating a concern or requiring accountability?
A: As the adult volunteer, we want to encourage you to take ownership of how your classroom is run. Please communicate personally with teenage volunteers when they may be directing children in ways that are disruptive or unsafe. Behaviors or concerns with other adult volunteers should be addressed directly when possible or brought to the attention of a director or a pastor.
Q: Can I bring food/drink (coffee) into the classroom?
A: Coffee is permitted in a closed container and should be kept out of reach of children at all times. No outside food is permitted in the classrooms due to our allergy safety standards.