At the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church we strive to provide safe, comfortable and enjoyable child care for children during Sunday services and, occasionally, during special events at the church. We provide this service to members of our congregation and to visitors at no cost, although we welcome contributions to help cover the church’s child care-related expenses. Below, you will find information about this program as well as some guidelines that we ask you to follow.
- All children must be registered with our Religious Education program in order to use our facilities. Visitors may register by completing a short, single-day services card, while regular users and church members must complete and submit a more complete registration form on an annual basis. Both forms are available in the nursery when you drop off or pick up your child.
- The child care program is available for children 6 months to 4 years old. Children who are 5 years of age or older may enroll in our church school which meets most Sundays throughout the academic year. Occasional visitors to our church are more than welcome to use our facilities and/or attend church school.
- We maintain a strict 5-to-1 ratio with our child care workers. Due to the size of our facility, we can accommodate no more than 10 children at a time. We accept children on a first-come, first-served basis.
- In the event of an emergency, you will be contacted in the sanctuary and asked to attend to your child’s needs in person. Should the church require evacuation, staff will bring your child to the corner of church & Pine Streets, where you should collect him/her immediately after your own evacuation.
- Our child care program focuses on religious education and we endeavor to practices that begin your child on a life-long journey of spiritual and ethical learning in keeping with the values of Unitarian Universalism. If you’d like more information about this, please contact the Director of Religious Education.
- For the health of all of our children, staff, and volunteers, we ask that you monitor your own child’s wellness and take appropriate action if he or she seems sick on any given Sunday. In particular, please do not bring your child to child care if he or she has a fever or cold. It takes very little for an illness to spread and you may be unwittingly inflicting harm on another child should you bring your child to church ill.
- We expect children to behave with an appropriate level of civility. While we are highly familiar with the challenges of infant and toddler behavior, we cannot allow children with aggressive behaviors, or who act in any other manner that may endanger themselves or others in our facility. This includes things such as biting or hitting another person. Should a behavioral issue arise, you may be contacted by the Director of Religious Education or asked to remove your child from child care.
- Child care is available from 9:50 am until the end of worship services (approximately 11:30 am). It does not include coffee hour. Please pick up your child from the child care center promptly following services.
- Any questions, suggestions or concerns should be addressed to Director of Religious Education at 978/283-3410, or via e-mail at gloucesteruu@earthlink.net
Care Provided for Young Children
Care Provided for Young Children
Information and Guidelines for Parents and Guardians