This episode discusses issues that we should preplan for in our children's ministries.  Items discussed include establishing a safety perimeter to protect the children, the role of the gatekeeper, custody issues and child predators.

First thing we need is a perimeter or safe zone around our children when they are in the nursery, classroom or gym.  A perimeter is the most basic principle of security.     How do we establish that perimeter?

Next, for the little ones we need to make sure that we have ONE entrance in to the children’s area.   Standing at that one entrance needs to be an adult gatekeeper who is making sure that only adults with children enter the area, or the proper ministry leaders and teachers are in that safe area.    We also need to make sure if we want to be most efficient, that the gatekeeper is NOT the adult operating the check in and out system for the children either (this will obviously depending on the size of you ministry)

Next we have to make sure we know that people inside of that secure perimeter or who are the nursery workers, children’s teachers and leaders?   This becomes the next principle we have to look at. 

We also have to look at our check in and out system for the smaller children.   Which parent dropped them off, who is supposed to pick them up.    This is an important issue for us to look at.

Now one of the reasons we have a child check in system is because of abduction by strangers, but the other issue we have to make sure and guard against is the wrong parent picking up a child.   By that I mean there are so many custody situations these days because of split homes.    So we have to be prepared for a non-custodial parent trying to pick up their child from your ministry/facility without the other parents consent or knowledge.    This falls into what I consider to be a very sensitive and dangerous area.