Our ministry to children and their families

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14. 

To learn more about City Kids, email Molly.

Volunteer with City Kids

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I register my child for City Kids? 

When you arrive at Cityview Church, come downstairs to the registration desk.  A volunteer will be there to assist you.

Do I need to register my child each week? 

You only need to register the first time you attend, but you will check in your child at the desk each week.  

What information will I need to provide for registration?

We ask for your contact information and information about allergies, special needs, etc. for safety purposes.  We also ask you to sign a media release so we know if you are ok with your child being in photos.  Those don’t happen often, but we want to be respectful of your choices.

Who will be teaching/supervising? 

We currently have a volunteer team of about 20 people and a City Kids Director on staff.  All volunteers are background checked and trained.  Volunteers typically serve about once a month, so your child will get to build connections with several adults who are investing in the lives of our kids.

Do you use a curriculum?

Yes, we use the Orange Curriculum but thoughtfully choose and edit the activities to fit our community.  Click here for a direct link to the Orange website to learn more.

What time can I drop off my child?  

Children in the Nursery/PreK class may be dropped off beginning at 9:20am.  Children in the Primary class start upstairs in the worship service with their families and are dismissed before the sermon. 

What age groups are together in a class? 

Infants through preschoolers are in the Nursery/PreK class.  Once children begin kindergarten, they transition to the Primary class, which is kindergarten through fifth grade.

I have children of different ages who may feel uncomfortable being split up at first.  What should we do?

Reach out to Molly, our City Kids Director or the volunteer who checks you in.  The curriculum and the structure of the classes are designed to be developmentally appropriate and to provide the best experience for your child.  For example, the Nursery/PreK class has free play time to accommodate shorter attention spans.  

That being said, we want kids to be comfortable and have a positive experience with us.  If an older sibling wants to go with a younger sibling to the Nursery/PreK room for a week or two, that’s fine!  Once they are comfortable, children typically prefer the class that is designed for their age group. Primarily, we don’t want age groupings to be a barrier to your child’s comfort.  Reach out with concerns or questions.

Does my child have to attend City Kids?  

No, your child is welcome to sit with you during the service.  We have a few “Borrow Bags” at the City Kids check-in station downstairs.  They contain coloring materials, playdough, and a few small toys to help keep children engaged if you want to take advantage of that option.  

Your child is also welcome to join City Kids at any point during the service if they change their mind.  Likewise, they can rejoin you in the service at any point by just letting a volunteer know.  We can walk them upstairs and make sure they find you.

What if my child is noisy during the service? 

We strive to be a church that is inclusive of everyone… And that means everyone, whether noisy children or noisy adults!

How are volunteers trained or screened?

All volunteers are background checked through an agency called Checkr.  They also attend a training with Molly.  

How do I volunteer with City Kids? 

Contact Molly for more information.  Just so you know, before supervising children you will need to successfully complete a background check and attend a virtual or in-person training/orientation.  Volunteers typically serve about once a month, and Molly provides the materials and lesson plans you will need.

What safety precautions do you have in place? 

We have a Safe Sanctuary policy that protects children and vulnerable adults as well as the volunteers who serve them.  For example, volunteers are scheduled in pairs so that adults aren’t alone with children.  We also keep lines of sight open as an added precaution.  Contact Molly if you would like more details.

What is the typical class size?  

We typically have 3-8 children in the Nursery/PreK class and around 13 in the Primary class.  

How many volunteers are with each class? 

Two volunteers are scheduled with each class.  

What if my young child cries in the Nursery and doesn’t settle down?  

Especially for children with separation anxiety, they may cry for a few moments when you first leave.  Volunteers will try to comfort, distract, and/or engage your child.  If they are still crying after a short period of time, we will either come and get you or text you.  The Church Center app also has a feature where parents can receive a message, asking them to come to the Nursery.  If you would prefer we handle it differently, please let us know.  We know adjustments and new situations take time, but we also want your child to feel comfortable.

What are the differences between the Nursery/PreK class and the Primary class? 

The Nursery/PreK class has free play time, a short circle time with a Bible lesson, a snack and then a craft or hands-on activity from the Orange curriculum that reviews the lesson.  Learning is mostly concrete, hands-on and exploratory, to fit with the developmental needs of that age group. 

The Primary class (kindergarten through fifth grade) begins with a snack and an introductory question that serves as an icebreaker and/or a lead into the lesson.  Volunteers share a Bible lesson based on the scope and sequence developed by the Orange curriculum.  Then, kids participate in a game, craft, and/or small group activity that connects to the lesson or the memory verse for the month.  Learning is engaging and cooperative, but it also takes advantage of longer attention spans and more abstract/in-depth thinking of kids in this age group.

My child has food allergies.  How do you handle snacktime? 

When you register your child, there is a question about allergies.  Please also let the volunteer know that checks you in.  They will write your child’s allergy on their nametag so everyone is aware.  Molly’s children have food allergies, so we get it.  

Where do I pick up my child? 

Nursery/PreK children will be in their room at the conclusion of the service, the same place you dropped them off.  Kids in the Primary class will either be in the large multi-purpose room downstairs or in the Primary classroom downstairs.

Whom should I contact for more information? 

Molly Rule is our City Kids Director.  You can reach her here.