Sunday School Safety Essentials

Sunday school should be a safe place where kids can enjoy learning and playing. Unfortunately over the years it has been found that bad things happen even in Sunday school classes. Injuries, physical or emotional child abuse, and abduction are just some of the dangers any Sunday school program must address. The good news is that with a properly trained staff, safe facilities, and consistent operating procedures these issues can be virtually eliminated.

The core of any program is people. Do not compromise on selecting individuals to lead and volunteer for classes even if it seems difficult to find people. Good leaders will put together a top notch program that others will want to be involved in. Churches are traditionally trusting environments, which makes them a prime target for child abuse. A child molester cannot simply be identified just by looking at someone. Today’s churches cannot afford to skip interviews and background checks on leaders as well as volunteers. A regular leader for each class will get to know parents and kids and become familiar with their varying needs. Provide introductory and ongoing teaching and training for staff. People are more likely to stick around if they feel they are growing personally. This will ensure your Sunday school team and program gets better and better.

Special attention should be given to your church facilities. Of course common child safety sense should be observed, such as child safe anti-tip brackets on shelves and furniture, and child proof doors and cabinets. Often church’s have placed classes and nurseries in out of the way rooms or a basement area. These areas commonly have other unused rooms, or storage and supply closets that could be a place for abuse to occur. Class rooms should have windows on doors or viewing windows. The best classes are in all glass rooms; this also provides a bright and cheery environment for children’s activities. Security cameras are a great way to attain accountability. If leaders know they are being watched it is less for an abuse to occur whether it is a verbal outburst or something more serious. Data stored on a digital video recorder (DVR) can easily be referred to should a question arise. Wireless security cameras are easy to setup in existing building, since there are no wires to run.

Class procedures that address safety and security concerns are the final piece to the puzzle. A two adult class policy and security staff that monitor hallways for suspicious activities or individuals are the best way to deal with abuse. Programs should also include a registration system where organizers take children’s and parent’s information including contact info, medical alerts, and any other pertinent care information. Large churches should consider a security checkpoint to get into the Sunday school wing. With so many divorced and single parents custody alerts are not uncommon. Even though a child acknowledges a parent leaders should still know whether or not that parent is authorized to remove the child from class. An effective method is to issue a pickup slip or pager to a parent or caregiver at the time of drop off, which they would present when classes are over. This way a leader can keep tabs on each child and scenarios where parents flood into class rooms and scoop up their child should be avoided.

The days are gone where children’s safety can be taken for granted. With proper planning and attention and some old fashioned elbow grease your kids programs can be a fun and safe place that promotes and grows the church, while fostering children’s development.

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