Starting up Sunday School - any advice or experiences?

[Technoprisoners]

Just a small group to begin with - preschool up to age 7. Am complete novice at this, so any advice re good resources or ideas would be great. Thanks.

The resources we use for 0-5 are "Bubbles" by Scripture Union: loads of ideas and a weekly programme.

A few things to consider:

Location - you need an indestructible, safe room with space and toilet access.

Leaders. Ideally need 2 leaders each week . This is always a challenge! Preferably CRB checked.

Activities. It's worth having a "toybox" for the tiny ones as they obviously won't be ready for colouring-in or story activities, although might enjoy watching. Get the parents to contribute some age appropriate toys, books, jigsaws (need not be religious).

Then you can do a few activities for the 3-7 children, maybe games, singing, story, craft activity (this is where the Scripture Union material comes in). Drink and biscuit break too.

If you are a mainstream denomination they might have a local co-ordinator for childrens work who could advise you.

Any questions do come back.

It sounds like quite an undertaking but in these days you do have to be serious

...oops too quick

... serious about children's safety, I mean. Our Sunday school has a "leaders box" containing the register, first aid kit, resource books etc, so nothing is forgotten.

Also meant to say, don't be daunted, it's a lovely rewarding thing to do.

Thank you so much for your advice, Blithedance. Do you buy the Bubbles magazines as you progress through the year and what do they look like inside - do they have activities that can be photocopied, for example? I've found a few good looking freebie resources on the net but I do have a small budget to spend on any texts that you think might be worth the money ...

Any more ideas for getting the parents involved? How do you cope with any potential disruptions from the children?

We do have a local co-ordinator for children - do you have any advice for the sort of questions I could put to her & how I can make best use of her role? Sorry for all the extra questions & thanks v much for replying .

Hi

the Bubbles resource is a quarterly pack - a leader's magazine and a sort of comic of weekly colouring sheets for the children (you get one each). I find them helpful, unless you are a primary school teacher it can take ages coming up with ideas each week. They can sometimes be a bit cheesy but I normally find something to use or adapt. They have a mix of stories, craft activities, songs, games etc. You could spend some of your budget on a trial copy and also stock up a box of glue sticks,safe scissors, washable crayons/felt tips etc. Box of play dough is a good standby too. You are stretching the age range a bit going up to 7 but it's a start.

Link here

There are loads of internet resources but I usually have so little time to prepare it's great to grab the magazine and think, right, I have string wallpaper and blutack in the house so I can do XYZ activity - done!

Since it's the parent's benefit to have a creche/Sunday school, you could ask them if they'd be prepared to help out say one week in 3 (obviously if no other responsibilities in service). Maybe have an evening meeting or lunch after church to explain what you are planning and kick it off. I'm sure most parents would rather their children are in a well run creche than have to lurk at the back with them every week trying to keep quiet.

Suggest you ring the children's co-ordinator, ask if they have any child protection/safety guidelines and can they do your CRB checks, any training materials or courses or other tips.

Thank you very much - I shall buy the Bubbles material and craft materials etc & feel quite a bit more confident now!