The Dynamic Children’s Ministry Program at LIFE.

                Ages: From our Mighty Preschoolers to our Awesome Fifth Graders

Learning about the Bible and a living relationship with God doesn’t have to be stale or boring: in fact, it can be a huge adventure. Using every media we can, every method we can and taking into account every learning style, our program is full of various ways for kids to learn about Jesus and His Word, the Bible. Learning can be fun and, in a safe environment, it can be life changing. KidSpace does not have a’ babysitting service’ mentality. It is a place where we take the spiritual development of your child as a top priority.

Our aim is to equip and empower children to enjoy life to its fullest, preparing them for a successful adolescence and transition into youth.

Our Service Times, Age Breakdowns and Curriculum :)

Sunday Mornings: Children released in both morning services after the offering.

8:30am Preschool/Youngers K-2^nd/Olders 3^rd-5^th       --Basic Training-Fundamental Truths

10am Preschoolers/Big City Children’s Church K-5^th

Sunday Nights: Children released after offering

6pm   Preschool/K-1^st/2 ^nd-3 ^rd/4^th-5^th   (Gospel Light Curriculum)

Wednesday Nights: Children released after the offering

7pm    Preschool/K-1^st/2 ^nd-3^rd/4^th-5^th    (David C Cook Curriculum)

For More Info Call the CHILDREN'S MINISTRY Hotline
at 760.480.6233 x 153

What to expect:

When you get there…

For preschoolers, at the time of check-in (which is before the service starts), you will be given a numbered call card. If you are needed to return to your child, your number will be displayed on the sanctuary screens. Your child's security is our number one priority, therefore, this card also serves as our security card.  The person picking up your child will have to present this card AND be on your child's registration card as an authorized pick-up in order for your child to leave the room. For kids K-5^th grade, registration with the age appropriate teacher is required so that we have adequate information to be sensitive to all your child’s needs.

When you depart...
For safety, we do not allow anyone under the age of 12 to pick children up or anyone not listed on your registration card .

Sick child policy...
In order to provide a safe, healthy environment, we ask the teachers to be mindful of the following symptoms before allowing a child into the classroom.

• Fever within the previous 24 hours
• Ringworm, head-lice, or pink eye
• Vomiting within the previous 24 hours
• Any symptoms of childhood diseases such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps, chicken pox, or whooping cough
• Any unexplained rash or open sores

If a child becomes sick during class, his or her parents will be notified immediately.

No medication will be given to any child in the Children's Ministry Department.

LIFE CHURCH is a SAFE CHURCH...

When you come to LIFE you come to a safe place

We've taken extensive measures to make sure the children we minister to are safe.

• Background Checks, Screening, and Training must be completed before our teachers are able to step into the classroom.
• Authorization Forms and Call Cards are used to assure the safest atmosphere for our children.
• Teachers are always assisted by a trained helper so no one person is ever with the children alone.
  

Where do you drop off your children?

There is always a release notice that comes up on the overhead screens to let you know when you can let your children jet back to KidSpace. Generally children are released to their area after the worship set and offering time but sometimes before that when rehearsing for Kid’s Choir.

First service on Sunday mornings, children go to their designated room in the sanctuary building and second service is in the 600 suite A building directly across the alley in the Studio. There are plenty of helpers to assist you and your child to the proper room and to get your child registered.

Sunday nights (6pm) and Wednesday nights (7pm) are in the age appropriate rooms in the sanctuary building as well.

When does the Preschool age begin?

Preschoolers are ready for the preschool class when they are completely potty trained and when they can communicate basic needs to their teachers.

Preschoolers are special!...

Our interactive focus really shows in our preschool program. Surrounded by the fun cast of characters of Veggie Tales, our preschoolers learn about Jesus, His love and care for them and basic bite-sized Bible principles to set a foundation for life. Using different interactive stations where they can use all their senses to learn and role play, preschoolers are kept busy and engaged from the time you drop them off until the time you pick them up. Our curriculum in preschool is Critter Land developed by the same people that bring us our children’s church curriculum (Big City Studio).

We include the preschoolers in our Kidz Choir performances and they are always the hit of the show. Not only because Grandma’s and Grandpa’s love it but also we include them to get them used to public performance/speaking. Our kids are not shy and they love to participate with the ‘big kids’. Professionally filmed and edited DVD’s are available of your child’s performance in the bookstore for special order.

Preschoolers can be dropped off 15 minutes before any service and can be picked up after service with a pick up card. Your child will be given a check-in number so that we can reach you during service by flashing it on the monitors placed directly above the video screens near the stage.

Why registration?

We ask that you register your child for safety purposes and so that we are able to effectively minister to them. The registration card allows us to have a snap shot of what needs your child might have, who is supposed to (as well as not supposed to) pick them up, food allergies they may have and other important bits of information that generally help us understand your child as an individual. All information is held in the strictest of confidence.

Our Curriculum…

The curriculum that we use is Gospel Light, David C Cook, and Big City Studio, Group Curriculum- Hands On. We supplement with various other curriculum as well when needed. What we look for in a curriculum, is an emphasis on the Bible, interaction, and a variety of teaching methods that allow for children of all different learning intelligences to grasp Bible principles.

Aside from the regular curriculum, we also want children to absorb scripture truths for life. Because of this desire, we have a monthly scripture they memorize and are rewarded for doing so at the end of the month. Preschool to 5^th grade memorize comforting scriptures like Psalms 23 about the Good Shepherd and Psalm 1 that teaches about upright character. We believe that when scripture is put in, it will come back to them when they need it in a life situation. We are equipping them for success! To keep current with what scripture is being learned, click on the KidSpace Newsletter where you can find the scripture memory (you can memorize it too!) or about a lot of news and information pertaining to children’s ministry. There’s a lot of fun stuff for kids on there as well.

Our Teachers…

We consider our teachers and helpers to be our strongest asset. Federally and locally back ground checked, our teachers are then trained and work with a senior teacher/mentor until they are comfortable to teach themselves. We have teacher training regularly to help hone and accentuate the gifts and talents are awesome teachers possess. They are a dedicated group of children’s workers that love to teach and interact with children and make a difference in the lives of every child that comes into their classroom.

What about Special Needs children?

Our teachers are trained to work with Special Needs children. Our goal is to help them to function in the general group of children and we work very hard to give them opportunities to be a part of every activity while being sensitive to their needs. In fact, we have found that many of our special needs children have been helped and bettered because they grew up in a loving and patient church environment where they learned skills that they used in school and their other activities. If you have a question or concern about your child, please feel free to speak to your child’s senior teacher when you drop off your child. We understand that it can be stressful and want to do all we can to let you have some ‘church time’ and your child some fun Bible- Kidtime!

Special KidSpace Services…

We like to mix things up at KidSpace! That is why we have fun, theme based events throughout the month that incorporate learning, fun and special activities in our services. Birthdays are always special for kids and that is why every first Sunday morning of the month, during Big City Children’s Church second service, we celebrate the birthdays for that month. We make it fun and make the kids feel special.

Also, the last Sunday night of the month is Super Special. We have our own curriculum that is totally theme oriented and a blast! Incorporating science, culture, art, music, games and theme related activities, kids get to have a little adventure the last Sunday night of each month. We have had everything from 50’s Night (Meet me at the Hop) to African adventures in ‘Safari, So Good!’ Watch for the next event and dress up and be ready for fun. Information about these events are on our calendar at Lifechristianchurch.com. We also have fun nights that encourage kids’ fun side: black and white night, funny hat night, pajama party night, and more. Information about these can also be found on the calendar.

At Christmas time, kids make Cards for Seniors to be given to shut ins who we visit in Convalescent homes county wide all year but make it super special at Christmas. Kids are also invited to join Christmas carolers on Saturday’s in December to pass out the handmade cards to the very appreciative elderly people of these homes.

Adult events always have fun stuff for kids and we keep them busy with fun activities during church parties, church picnics and other events. Children are always a part of every thing that we do.

Creative Arts…

Let’s face it, kids are creative! We have Kidz Choir where kids learn and perform fun, energetic and upbeat music and script for dynamic performances a few of times a year. Children can also join our puppet ministry and become puppeteers themselves helping out in outreaches and children’s events.

Outside Events…

Check our calendar for kid oriented fun ‘out-house’ events we do together to encourage friendship and fun experiences for our kids. On the schedule might be bowling family night, Star Gazers night where we go out on Life’s property with high powered telescopes and eat grilled hot dogs, ice skating or indoor rock climbing. Day trips to Poway lake, trips to Bate’s Nut Farm in Valley Center in the fall and a In-Your-Face Mud run on our property in the summer are also scheduled—to name a few. Parent permission slips are available online or in our Welcome Center.

Large Scale Events…

Every year, Life hosts large (huge) scale events for kids and their families. These events are kid focused. Our Easter Egg hunt boasts 50,000 candy-filled plastic eggs with prizes and fun at the California Center for the Arts Escondido. At Halloween, we host on our premises a massive carnival as an alternative to trick-or-treating that has blow up attractions, carnival booths, free candy, live performances and more. It is popular county-wide and kids love it.

Summer Day Camp…

Every Summer, at Life, we host a week of fun for kids preschool through 5^th grade called Summer Day Camp on the campus of Life. Parents can drop kids off as early as 8:30am and we wear them out until 3 in the afternoon! What happens in between those times are wild games, creative snacks, art projects, theme competitions, water games, kid oriented music and skits, hot lunches, dynamic Bible lessons and much more. Whew! Kids love this awesome week that is just for them. They can bring friends and have a blast and the cost is much less than comparable day care. It’s like a mini kid vacation. The whole week ends with a musical finale the kids perform from the music they learned during the week and a delicious chili cook-off and bake contest for the whole family. Registration can be done on line or watch for early bird specials that happen in May. For more information about the Summer Day Camp, click this link.