Sanctuary Community Church for Kids
6 Intentional Classrooms for Babies through Highschool
At Sanctuary, we develop our kids ministry around 3 core values:
EMPATHY, INCLUSION, & WONDER
Through stories, prayer, art, wondering, play, meditations, service, and more, we invite kids to explore who Jesus is and what God is like, within the context of a safe and caring community. And we have a lot of kids! About 25-30% of our regular attenders are teens or younger.
With background checks for all teachers and volunteers, a strict “2 adult per classroom” policy, and regular trainings in safety and methods for our volunteers, you can trust that we are doing everything we can to ensure a safe environment for all children.
We aim to make the time they spend with us meaningful, positive, and spiritually interesting. The following guiding principles inform our decision making as we plan developmentally appropriate lessons and activities for each classroom.
Classrooms
The Garden Room: Infant to 2.5 years old
We provide a cozy, safe room for babies to explore and play, and stock it with fun, safe toys for toddlers. In this room your little one might listen to stories, sing songs, play with bubbles, and socialize with new and old friends.
The Forest Room: 2.5 to 4 years old
Our Early Childhood classroom begins class with free play. Then we gather for circle time to read a short story together, and follow up with art and game activities. The sensory bin is a favorite activity, and we always have lots of time for play!
The Ocean Room: 4.5 - 6 years old
When they arrive, kids can play independently or together with the toys and games. Then we gather for circle time and a story. The kids then enjoy activities like acting out the stories, playing a game, and making art. We always have lots of time for play and exploring the sensory bin!
The Prairie Room: 1st, 2nd & 3rd Grade
Kids can play games, build with Legos, and read books during arrival. Then we gather for circle time to introduce ourselves and share a high or a low from our lives. Then we read a story and wonder together about it. After the story, kids can choose to explore more through art, games, movement, prayer, or other activities of their choosing.
The Canopy Room: 4th and 5th Grade
We give our Tweens a safe space to get to know each other, talk about real issues in their lives, and pray together. We usually read a Bible story together, using different translations of the Bible, the Action Bible, story books, or our interactive stories. After the story, we'll reflect with a prayer station, art materials, or a game. We'll also take on some fun service projects throughout the year.
Our Check-In Process:
Classrooms are located in the Kids' Wing, which is connected to the main foyer and opens 10 minutes before the service. Families check in at our greeter’s station computers. We use Planning Center as a secure children's check-in system.
On your first time visiting, you will make a Planning Center account using one of the computers at our greeter’s station.
Parents or guardians will receive a sticker with a unique ID number that matches their child’s name tag ID for that Sunday. All adults must have a sticker to enter the Kids' Wing.
We'll then show you to your child’s classroom, and we will help them get settled.
If your child needs you during the service, you’ll receive a text message to notify you.
After communion, come check your child out of their classroom. Teachers will ensure your ID number matches your child's number.
