Board Approved October 2004
Recognizing that the active participation of individuals with young children is essential to the vitality of our church, it is the policy of the Fargo-Moorhead Unitarian Universalist church to provide free childcare at church-sponsored events. Childcare shall be provided only for on-site activities while a parent or guardian is on the premises.
Childcare services shall be provided for Congregational Meetings, and other programs and events for which it is reasonably expected that individuals with small children would like to attend. Childcare services also shall be provided, upon timely request, for Board of Directors meetings, Committee Meetings, Choir Practice, and similar adult group meetings.
Childcare is defined as supervision for any child in 6th grade or under. Infant care is defined as babies or toddlers under the age of two. The FMUU Church employs paid staff to care for infants on Sunday mornings from 10:30 A.M. -12:30 P.M.
Coordination of childcare services is the responsibility of the Office Manager, with assistance from the Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE).
For every event, there must be no confusion about the availability of childcare. The sponsor shall specify, together with the event announcement, what childcare will be available, or how and when to make a request for childcare.
In general, the church office requires those requesting childcare to do so one week before the event/meeting.
Depending on the type of event/meeting, childcare may be specified ages of children. For example: "Childcare for all ages will be provided for this meeting"; or, "Childcare will be available in the Nursery for children two years and under. Older children are welcome at the event".
Although it is generally discouraged, there are events for which an exception to providing childcare is permitted when appropriately decided after due consideration by the sponsor. For these events, the lack of childcare must be stated in the event announcement. For example: "This is an event for families to enjoy together; childcare will not be provided.
Childcare Providers must be Child/Infant CPR certified and 16 years of age or older. The current pay rate is $7.50 per hour ($7.00 for subs).
Teens who are members of the church may be employed as Childcare Assistants to regular trained staff. Teens must be 14 years of age or older and have an interest in Childcare with some experience with children. The current pay rate is $6.00 per hour for Childcare Assistants.
Childcare Providers and Assistants may be asked by RE staff to help assist other lower grade RE groups on Sunday morning (such as the Preschool group) if the numbers warrant. All paid Childcare Providers and Assistants must record their hours worked and have their time sheets signed when they arrive and when they leave. Timesheets can be signed by any one of the following people: RE director, RE teacher, coffee server or any committee chairperson.