For your baby, the church nursery is their first impression of church. It is our hope that they develop “a sweet taste of the love of God” during their time with us that will last with them through their growing years.

While in our care, our team of Lifeguards will interact with your child through play, story time, and music time.

Parent Expectations

We believe in doing church as a “team”. As a team we want to provide an environment that will one day ultimately lead them into a personal relationship with Christ. That is why we ask attending parents to work once a month in our parent rotation program alongside a trained nursery care giver. Please fill out a response card when registering your child indicating which service(s) you prefer to serve and give to a nursery team member, Pastor Len or place in the offering bucket. 

WEll-Baby Nursery

Please help us to operate a well-baby Nursery. For the protection of all the children in our ministry, we ask, that if your child has a runny nose (clouded or greenish), fresh cold (four days or less), fever, rash, persistent cough, diarrhea or any other signs of illness, that you not place your child in the Nursery while they are at risk of exposing other children. Thank you in advance for helping us keep our Nursery a healthy place.

Note: Children will at times become ill suddenly. Should your child exhibit any signs of illness, we will isolate your child from the other children and contact you during the worship service. Please do not leave the church campus while your child is in our Nursery care. In the event that an emergency would require your attention, you need to be readily available.

ideas for making the nursery a great place to be

Please share any suggestions you have for improving our Nursery. We value your comments and want our Nursery to be a positive experience for all our babies.

nursing mothers

We lovingly provide rocking chairs in our nursery for your convenience or we have set aside on Sundays our Pastor’s Library to be a Nursing Mother’s Cry Room.  The room is upstairs in the church offices and we stream the worship service in their so you don’t have to miss the message.

parent commitment & Child dedication service

Mariners Church observes parent commitment and infant dedication. This is a special time when parents thank God for the loan of a precious new life and pledge themselves to follow the Lord’s leadership in the development of the child’s life. Dedication services are scheduled periodically, and parents may register by contacting our church office at 650.726.5959.

when you bring your child

A Nursery leader will meet you at the check-in counter to receive your child, diaper bag and any other necessary items. Please check-in and when checking in for the first time, take care in filling out the information form that will help in caring for your child such as feeding times, sleeping times, allergies and special needs.

for your child's safety

Please label all your child’s personal belongings with masking tape. This helps us keep track of your child’s items. At the time of check-in, apply the adhesive name label  that our system generates for you to your child’s back and take a pager. If your child needs you to return to the nursery, you will be contacted. We ask that you present the check-in receipt upon return to nursery. We will verify that the number on the receipt matches the number on your child’s name tag and then release your child to you. For your safety, a child will not be released to a parent without presentation of the receipt.

saying goodbye

You are welcome to sit with your child for any or all of the time in the nursery. Should you choose to leave after you have completed the check-in process, our staff will help your child to adjust if they exhibit some “separation anxiety.” It’s normal for little ones to cry when leaving a parent and generally does not last long. Our leaders will immediately try to create interest in a toy or activity and give assurance that you will return after the worship service is completed. If your child cries for an extended period of time (15 minutes), we will page you.

what to bring

When packing a diaper bag for your child, please include the following items:

1. Two or three diapers. 
2. Pacifier or other item, should your child need it for security.
3. A complete change of clothes in case your child would require that.

Please mark all personal items with your child’s first and last name before coming to the nursery.

snacks

To avoid bottle swapping or food allergy reactions, please do not provide snacks. We will offer Cheerios or graham crackers. If there is a concern about allergies, please let a caregiver know.

checking on your child

Feel free to check on your little one at any time during the worship service, if you’re aware your child has some separation anxiety, We ask that you do so discreetly trying not to let your child see you.

Pick Up & Drop-off Procedures
Nursery leaders will expect the same person to drop off and pick up each child unless special instructions are given at check-in and that the receipt has been given to the person picking up.

Please make sure that all your child’s personal items have been returned to you before you leave the premises. Lost and found items will be retained for a short time. Items not claimed after one month are donated to a charitable organization. You are asked to pick up your children immediately after the end of the service.