Connection

Education

Credentialing

Member Support

Donate

Nursery & Preschool

Youth and Family Ministries

How do we encourage self-discovery and empowerment?

Nursery/Preschool programs, sometimes called Uni-Tots, often focus on:

Providing a safe, fun, and happy environment.
Introducing the earliest spiritual concepts through songs, background music, stories, and play that are developmentally appropriate.
Encouraging an association of the church environment with love and friendship.

Nursery

Generally children from birth through about 2 years of age.

At this stage, children experience faith as a connection between themselves and their caregiver. They have the potential for faith but lack the ability to act on that potential. But in this stage, reality is not well-differentiated from fantasy. During this stage, children have rich imaginations and it is important for adults share positive, uplifting ideas of faith.

Suggested Nursery Program Standards

Nursery care is offered during the Sunday Service. It is for children aged infants to 2 years old.
One paid nursery staff person is present during this time period. However, due to high visibility and frequent checks from the leadership, as well as an open policy for the parent to come and check on their children at any time, this is acceptable, with one to three children present. If the number of children exceeds three, a second screened adult should be added.
Some situations require more supervision, e.g. any activity that is located off the church property or activities on church property, but at a different time or location than usual. In these instances, at least two unrelated adults (depending on the number of children more than two), should be present.
No one adult should be allowed to be with the children unsupervised.

Diaper Changing Policy ▼

Diaper Change Permission

I herewith authorize the staff of the Unity __________ Nursery to change my child’s ____________________________ (Name) diapers if needed, even if only one staff person is present.

Guardian’s Name: _______________________________________________ (printed)
Signature: ______________________________ Date: ____

Preschool

Key Reasons for a Preschool Ministry Program

1. Spiritual and Foundational Development ▼

The preschool years (ages 3–5) are a critical window for spiritual development, as children are highly receptive, trusting, and forming their basic worldview.

Laying a Foundation: Children at this age are like “sponges” and have a “fully present capacity to connect with God.” A dedicated program can lay a solid foundation of biblical truth and spiritual concepts in their hearts and minds before their worldviews harden.
Introducing Core Faith Concepts: Through age-appropriate, interactive methods like stories, songs, and play, children learn about:
- God’s love and care for them.
- Basic biblical narratives.
- Prayer as conversation with God.
- The value of all people as creations of God.
Developing Moral and Character Traits: Faith-based education is a framework for developing a moral compass. Children are intentionally taught and modeled virtues like kindness, honesty, sharing, responsibility, and empathy within a biblical context.

2. Support for Families and Church Growth ▼

A thriving preschool ministry is often a determining factor for families choosing a church home, and it strengthens the entire congregation.

Equipping Parents: The church partners with parents by providing them with resources, confidence, and training to lead their children spiritually at home.
Allowing Adult Worship: It provides a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for children so that parents and other adults can focus and participate fully in the main worship service without distraction or stress.
Outreach and Growth: A strong children’s program acts as an open door for unchurched families who may want their children to have some faith structure. The child’s positive experience can lead the whole family into the church community.
Fostering Community: The ministry creates a supportive community where families connect with one another, and children develop positive relationships with caring adult role models outside their family.

3. Biblical Priority and Future Investment ▼

The church’s mission inherently includes ministry to children, making it the most significant long-term investment a church can make.

Following Jesus’ Example: Jesus explicitly welcomed and valued children, saying, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). This demonstrates that children are a vital part of the church body today, not just future members.
Highest Spiritual Yield: Research suggests that a person has the highest probability of embracing faith in something greater than themselves during childhood. Investing time and resources in this age group yields the highest spiritual return for spiritual development.
Raising Future Leaders: Preschool ministry is an opportunity to sow into the next generation of spiritual leaders, ensuring the continuity and health of the church for decades to come. By prioritizing this ministry, the church commits to its own future.

Stages of Development

Ages 3 to 5 ▼

Young children are noticing more about the world around them and their place in it. They are full of curiosity and questions and are developing the capacity to respond in a loving way to others and to take responsibility for their actions.

Generally they...

Need adults to model appropriate behavior
Need consistent rules; respond to clear and simple expectations
Are still awkward with writing and small, detailed activities
Love to have stories read to them
Love to help out in the classroom
Like a lot of physical activity
Need to move frequently from one activity to another; short attention span
Soak up information with incredible speed
Think very literally
Learn best by playing, exploring, and role play

Curriculum Focus for this Age Group ▼

To help the children understand that they are loved just as they are.
To explore Jesus as a human being and as a model of love and goodness.
To help the children understand that they, too, have the spiritual potential to act in ways that bring out their best selves.
To help the children develop their spiritual potential to express love and caring for others.

Simple Structures to Include in a Preschool Program

Rituals & Routines
Rituals & Routines help create a feeling of connection and safety within the classroom. Rituals are the way we create a feeling of community and are sacred activities designed for togetherness and unity. Routines are essential for children because our brains are pattern-seeking. By establishing routines, learners know what to expect and this helps to create a sense of safety.

Heart Agreements
Heart agreements are used to highlight expectations within the classroom. Click here to download an example Toddler Heart Agreement.

The Sacred Circle
The sacred circle is a time of community building and creating a safe space for learning. The goal is to allow the children to participate in creating/facilitating the circle as they are able. With young children, the adult leads and moves the time forward; children as helpers are guided in how to do their piece.

1. Transition to the Circle ▼

Because the younger children may be at activity centers, use a signal like a chime to indicate that it’s time to stop what they are doing and listen. Then sing them to the circle.

We come to the circle to greet the new day.
We come to the circle to welcome and say,
I see you. I see you. You are the love of God.
I see you. I see you. You are the love of God.

As you sing the song, look into the eyes of the children. Eye contact is important. While you are singing, have the circle helper set the circle. This might include round felt cloth (the color can change for the season or for the power of the month), a candle, offering basket, hearts, Safe Keeping Chest, and Wish You Well wand.

2. Affirm the Children ▼

I see the love of God shining from your eyes and I can feel the love beaming through your heart. Put your hand on your heart and feel the energy.

3. Safe Keeping Check ▼

Invite the children to pick up a heart from the center cloth. Have them hold it in their hands while you explain that your responsibility to them is to keep them safe. Invite them to place their heart in the Safe Keeping Chest, letting them know that you will keep their hearts safe during the class time.

4. Heart Agreements ▼

Tell the group that your responsibility is to keep them safe and their responsibility is to help keep it that way. Share the Toddler Heart Agreement with them.

5. STAR (Stop, Take A Breath, and Relax) ▼

Have the STAR helper lead the group in a breathing exercise to calm and center everyone before continuing.

6. Affirm One Another ▼

Sitting in the circle, the affirmation helper starts by saying: “My name is ______ and I am ______.” The group then responds together: “(Name), you are _____.”

Example:
Individual: My name is Tony and I am the love of God.
Group: Tony, you are the love of God.

7. Prayer ▼

Invite the group to share who or what they want to pray for. Have the prayer helper start the prayer by saying: “I am grateful for ___________________.”

8. Offering ▼

Let the offering helper lead the blessing. Keep it short and simple for younger children. Emphasize that this time is not only about money, but about giving loving thoughts and blessings to others.

9. Song ▼

Choose a song with directed energy that allows the children to move their bodies and release energy before sitting down for story time.

Preschool Curriculum

[Block//Title]
[Block//Type] | Open

[Block//Short Description]

Business Hours:
Monday: 8 am - 5 pm CT
Tuesday: 8 am - 5 pm CT
Wednesday: 8 am - 5 pm CT
Thursday: 8 am - 5 pm CT

Other times are available by appointment only

Phone: (816) 524 - 7414

Email: info@unity.org

Address: 200 Unity Circle North, Suite A
Lees Summit, MO 64086