Early Childhood Ministries
Welcome to Early Childhood Ministries! I am so glad that you have stopped in to check out the ministries we offer for families of Birth – Kindergarten children. Whether your child is currently in our ministry or you are browsing to find out more about what is offered for this age group, welcome! Early Childhood is made up of our Baby & Toddler Department (birth-2 ½yrs) and our Preschool & Kindergarten Department (2 1/2yrs-K). Children this age are full of discovery and eager to learn, which makes our classes and time together even more exciting. We believe that no child is too young to learn about God’s love. From our youngest class up to Kindergarten, we focus on the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of kids by offering safe, loving, and prayer-saturated environments with hands-on activities and character development lessons that are appropriate for their age level.
Please take a minute to browse our website. You will find more detailed information on the different age levels along with ministry brochures that include programming and events. Despite the ministries we offer here on campus for your child, we believe that the most influential person in a child’s life is YOU, the parent. It is our desire to partner with you as we help children experience the love of Christ. Check out our “Parents” tab and find some of our resources that we offer to reinforce your child’s learning at home as well as fun opportunities to serve as a family.
We count it a privilege to be a part of your child’s life and feel blessed that you have entrusted your child to our ministry. If you have any questions, please email me or call me at the church office, 480-722-0700.
Pastor Megan Raber
Early Childhood Ministries Pastor
News
Adventure Camp: June 4-8
W.A.V.E. JR. - Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 p.m.
W.A.V.E. JR is a ministry offered for children ages 4yrs-Kindergarten on the lower level of the Kids Kingdom on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:00pm. Pre-K and Kindergarten age groups meet separately and then combine for SonBeam Choir and large group activities. Children attending W.A.V.E. JR are a part of the SonBeam Choir which presents in the fall and the spring during both Sunday morning Gatherings. During W.A.V.E. JR, the children explore Biblical truths through age-appropriate activities that teach them how special they are to God. W.A.V.E. JR is an exciting environment where kids have the opportunity to be hands-on as they learn about God and develop friendships. Click here to download a brochure and a list of meeting dates. Childcare is also provided 6:00-8:00pm.
Kids Take Action - Summer Mission Challenge - Book Drive
Preschool and Kindergarten kids are joining forces to collect books for the children of Phoenix Children’s Hospital! The sick children and their families at PCH benefit greatly from the book cart and library. PCH even lets the children keep the books they like. They are in need of NEW books of all levels, for all ages, including adults. The greatest need is for baby board books, Spanish books, and adult books. But books of for all ages are needed. The books need to be new for sanitary reasons.
CrossRoads has had 2 very special boys at PCH this last month, and they have been so well taken care of that we want to take care of PCH and the other kids there too. Your kids have the chance to be a blessing to others this quarter by giving to other children. Bring in the books to the Kids Take Action Table downstairs in the Kids Kingdom sometime during May, June & July!
See the www.themercyproject.com for more ways your family can be involved this Summer.
Nursery & Toddler Ministry
Our Nursery & Toddler Department provides safe, loving care during all three of our Gatherings for those birth - 2 1/2 years old. We believe that a child is never too young to learn about God's love for them. Our "Memory Verse Prayer Emphasis" is an opportunity for parents to lift their little ones up in prayer. Each month a different verse is emphasized for parents to pray over their child. The Nursery and Toddler Department would like to partner with you in this important privilege of praying for your child. For our Toddlers, we teach age appropriate Bible stories and provide activities and music to help the children understand that God loves them and God made them.
Click here to access more information regarding the check-in process and health and safety procedures for the Nursery & Toddler Department.
Saturday Night Church (6pm)
A class is offered on the lower level of the Kids Kingdom for babies - 2 1/2 year olds.
Sunday Morning Gatherings (9am & 10:30am)
Babies: A safe and loving environment is provided in the Worship Center. Once your child is walking well, the Early Childhood Pastor will contact you to attend the Walker Class.
Toddlers: The Walker and Talker Classes are offered for our Toddlers. The Walker Class is located in the Worship Center next to the Nursery. The Early Childhood Pastor will contact parents when it is time for their child to move to the Talker Class. The Talker Class is located on the lower level of the Kid's Kingdom. Our Talker kids will remain in this class until the Preschool Promotion dates. (Our Toddlers promote based on a combination of developmental stages, birthdate, and ratios.)
Wednesday Night
Childcare is provided for ages 0-3 years old from 6:30 pm-8:00pm for parents attending a small group or class.
Child Dedication
Parents may have their child dedicated to the Lord as a way of publicly demonstrating their desire to nurture and lead their child to a loving relationship with Christ. Dedications take place quarterly during the three Gatherings. For more information, download the dedication application and turn it in at the church office or click here to email it.
Dedication Form
Preschool & Kindergarten Ministry
Classes are offered for children ages 2 1/2 years through Kindergarten on the lower level of the Kids Kingdom. Christ's love for children is demonstrated through loving teachers and class time that includes drama, video, puppets, craft activities, play, Bible time, and much more! We focus on teaching children important Godly character traits through Biblical stories.
Click here to access more information regarding the check-in process and health and safety procedures for the Preschool & Kindergarten Department.
Saturday Night Church (6pm)
There is a class for children ages 2 1/2 - Kindergarten on the lower level of the Kids Kingdom.
Sunday Morning Gatherings (9am & 10:30am)
There are five classes (Son Rays, Shining Stars, Super Novas, Light Seekers, and Kindergarten Star Gazers) offered for Preschool & Kindergarten on Sunday mornings on the lower level of the Kids Kingdom. These classes are determined based on birthdate and ratios. Children will explore God's word together in a variety of ways during each Gathering that is exciting and practical for them!
Wednesday Night W.A.V.E. JR. (6:30-8:00pm) Spring Session Starts January 11
W.A.V.E. Jr. is offered on the lower level of the Kids Kingdom for children ages 4 - Kindergarten from 6:30-8:00pm. They experience exciting crafts, Bible stories, play time, and music! The children who attend W.A.V.E. Jr. will also be a part of the SonBeam Choir and the musical presentation on Mother's Day.
Click here to download the W.A.V.E. JR. brochure with more information and a list of meeting dates for the 2011-2012 year.
Childcare is provided for children 0-3 years of age from 6:30 pm - 8:00pm
Parents
It is a blessing to be a part of your child's life. We find it a privilege to care for them and share God's love with them during our weekend Gatherings. While we know it is important for children to have mentors speaking into their lives, we also know that the primary influencer in their life is YOU. Below are some resources to help you as you talk with your children about what it means to have and live out a relationship with Jesus. We have our "Take Home Sheets" that reinforce the lesson from our weekend Gatherings, our "Memory Verse Prayer Emphasis" that will give you verses to pray over your child, as well as our "Kids Take Action Missions Focus" that will give your child, as well as your family, hands on opportunities to get involved in world issues. Please take a moment to check these out. The moments you spend praying for your child and talking together about Jesus and what He desires for our lives are crucial. Seeing a relationship with God modeled in front of them by parents will lead to many amazing conversations in the future. We desire to partner with you on your child's spiritual journey. If there is anything that we can do to help in this process, please email me or call me at 480-722-0700. Pastor Megan
Take Home Sheets
Reinforce your child's lesson at home by reviewing our take home sheet. This will review the big idea and Bible lesson that your child learned during our weekend Gathering, as well as give you some practical activities to discuss or participate in together.
Preschool
May 12 & 13
May 19 & 20
May 26 & 27
June 2 & 3
Pre-K and Kindergarten
May 13
May 20
May 27
June 3
Memory Verse Prayer Emphasis
Check out our Memory Verse Bookmark. It lists a verse for each month that you can pray over your child. We have bookmarks, as well as monthly cards, available in all of our Baby and Toddler classes for you to take home.
Prayer Bookmark
Kids Take Action Mission Focus
Each quarter, the Preschool and Kindergarten Department works to make a difference in our community and our world by supporting such projects as clean water efforts, Bible translation, food banks, etc. Check out this quarter's mission flier at our "Kids Take Action" table downstairs in the Kids Kingdom. This is a great way to serve together as a family as we help the young children get involved in the things that break the heart of Jesus.
Kids Take Action - Summer Mission Challenge - BOOK DRIVE
Preschool and Kindergarten kids are joining forces to collect books for the children of Phoenix Children’s Hospital! The sick children and their families at PCH benefit greatly from the book cart and library. PCH even lets the children keep the books they like. They are in need of NEW books of all levels, for all ages, including adults. The greatest need is for baby board books, Spanish books, and adult books. But books of for all ages are needed. The books need to be new for sanitary reasons.
CrossRoads has had 2 very special boys at PCH this last month, and they have been so well taken care of that we want to take care of PCH and the other kids there too. Your kids have the chance to be a blessing to others this quarter by giving to other children. Bring in the books to the Kids Take Action Table downstairs in the Kids Kingdom sometime during May, June & July!
See the www.themercyproject.com for more ways your family can be involved this Summer.
