VISION: Children growing in the knowledge of God and His Word and in their love for Him and others, nurturing a lasting, fruitful faith as they imitate Jesus Christ, their Savior.

MISSION: Partnering with parents to shepherd our children and teach Biblical truth through conversation, intergenerational worship, and service to God and others.

PowerUP – PowerUP is a high-energy start to our Sunday School hour. Beginning right after the worship service in Room 110, children and students from age 2 though 5th grade join together to sing and dance, build relationships, and hear a 5-minute lesson from the Bible. Your children will not want to miss this fun, energetic time!

Kids’ Church - Before the sermon begins, a slide will show on the screen in the Worship Center dismissing children ages 4 to 6 to Kids' Church (Room 110). Their time together begins with prayer and a conversation and learning time that connects with the Sunday School lesson for the morning. Singing and dancing to kid-friendly Christian music, Bible memory work, and a large-motor game all combine to make learning about Jesus fun and memorable.

Sensory Room (Room 111) – The Sensory Room is for children who have sensory issues/special needs or just need a quiet place to calm themselves. The room is equipped with a small trampoline, swing, pea pod, body socks, rain stick, weighted blanket, and several other items to help children who might need them.  

Sick Child Policy – Children who have runny noses, constant cough, fever, eye irritation or rash CAN NOT be left in any of the Nurseries for care. We also ask that children be kept at home who have any of the following symptoms and/or illnesses: diarrhea, impetigo, questionable rashes, measles, mumps, strep throat, active chicken pox, conjunctivitis (pink eye), vomiting, hand-foot-mouth, or lice. If your child is being treated with antibiotics, he/she should be on the medication for at least 24 hours before coming to the Nursery or any Sunday School room.

If a child has a continually clear runny nose or rash due to not contagious allergies, please let us know. We realize that some symptoms hang on long after the child is no longer contagious, but if the condition facilitates the spreading of germs beyond usual circumstances, we reserve the option to recommend other non-nursery options.

ValleyKIDS Nursery cares for infants to 3-year olds in a safe, loving environment. Parents can participate in worship knowing their child is well-cared for.

Infant Nursery is available during the 9:00 service and 10:30 Sunday School hour in Room 116. The Nursing Nook provides a private, comfortable space for infant feeding. Toddler Nursery is available during the 9:00 service in Room 113. A bathroom with diaper changing facilities and toilet for those potty-training are part of the nursery. Please label your child's diaper bag, as well as bottles, pacifiers, and sippy cups.

Parent Notification (during the Worship Service) - The Nursery leader in each room will decide if a parent needs to be contacted. Examples would be if the child is ill or injured, the child cannot be consoled (after a minimum of 10 min.), or a toileting accident. You will be contacted via a text message to the phone number associated with your Planning Center account. Please be aware of this process in the event that we need to contact you.

Sunday School classes for elementary students are K-1st, 2nd-3rd, and 4th-5th. Students begin the Sunday School hour right after the worship service with PowerUp in Room 110. 4th-5th grade students dismiss to Room 102 for their lesson time using BE BOLD from Group Publishing. Using the Gospel Project, a chronological, Christ-centered journey through the Bible, K - 3rd grade students hear a lesson using live teaching as well as video. Students return to their classrooms for Small Group Time where the lesson is reinforced using discussion, activities, games, and Bible verse memorization. Parents pick up their students from their classroom. 

Planning Center (Secure Children's Check-in) - Nothing is more important to us than the safety and security of your children. That’s why ValleyKIDS has chosen Planning Center as our children’s check-in solution to bring you the best check-in experience and to allow us to partner with you to keep your children safe. Planning Center helps ensure no one can pick up your child without your consent. 

Check-in/Out Procedures - Upon arriving at Valley, proceed to the Children's Education wing at the west end of the building.  There are two check-in stations for your use. Make an account for your family by following the on-screen prompts. You will check in using your 10-digit phone number. One label will print for each child (including a diaper bag label for the nursery). Attach one to your child (one to diaper bag if using) and keep the guardian tag for yourself. Then take your child to the appropriate nursery or classroom.

At the end of the morning (approximately 11:45), please return to your child's nursery or classroom, show your guardian tag to the ValleyKIDS volunteer. They will match your tag to your child's tag and then your child will be released to you. As an important security measure, only parents or guardians with the matching tag will be authorized to pick up the child.  Children will NOT be released to a sibling.

Volunteers - Every ValleyKIDS volunteer goes through an application process, thorough background check, and training to ensure that your child will have a fantastic, but safe, time with us. If you are interested in becoming a ValleyKIDS volunteer, please contact Mary Lou Menning, Children's Education Director, at maryloum@valleyfree.org or 952.448.6144.

Emergencies – In the event of a fire or other emergency, seek shelter for yourself. ValleyKIDS volunteers will escort all children to the closest fire exit or storm shelter. These routes are posted near the light switch of the room’s main entrance/exit door. ValleyKIDS volunteers will remain with the children until all have been reunited with their parents.