Hi everyone,

This is simply a spot to put your ideas/tools for keeping the kids safe for the week! It doesn't have to be just sign in/out procedures, but first aid, etc.

We really try to keep the kids contained in the sanctuary for sign in/out by playing a video game on the screen - Zoombinis, Where in the World is Carmen San Diego, etc.

Also, we are going to try to have different 'first aid stations' this year. I was our first aid station last year, but I'm going to set up a chair outside the gym, in the snack/craft zone and in the office. All three will have a list of people qualified for first aid/CPR.

I'd love to hear your ideas!

We never actually had a first aid station at our VBS (at least not to what I can recall) but we have at least one church member who is a doctor who we can go to. I had CPR and First Aid training before (I received my Red Cross CPR/First aid card) but it has been years since I had that training. Make sure the volunteer staff all know who has training/experience in taking care of whatever first aid needed. I'll bring that up at our upcoming VBS meeting because I don't know if it's even ever been talked about.

Make sure the teachers know where the parents of the children in their class is going to be! You need to be able to locate them quickly if something happens. Make sure you know their names...not just their last name because you don't know how many different Mr. and Mrs. So and So are actually in attendance.

Make sure each classroom have a safe student to teacher ratio. Also, please teachers do not place it on only one of the teachers in the room to take a bunch of kids to the bathroom at one time - this is stressful on the teacher and it puts the kids in danger - one may wonder off or something. The teacher would have a hard time with so many kids to attend to at one time! Plus, if some need help when they go to the restroom the teacher have to take her eyes off of all the other children as she help that one kid. Also, make sure that preschooler girls and boys are taking to their gender bathroom. If you have all female teachers in one room - then, take the boys at a separate time than the girls to the girls bathroom. This is a policy we even enforce for Sunday and Wednesday services.