10 Safety & Security Measures You Need for Your Children's Ministry

Safety and security is such an important part of children's ministry. It is a non-negotiable. In a world of abuse and insecurity, the church should be a place where parents and kids are safe.  The church should be a place where parents can feel confident that when they drop their child off, their child will be safe and secure.  

Churches have to get safety and security right if they want to earn the right to be heard by families. 

That being said, here are 10 safety and security measures you need to have in place.

#1 - A secure check-in and check-out system.

Every child should receive a name tag and every parent should receive a matching tag for pick-up. Everyone has to show the matching tag when picking up their child.  No exceptions.  

#2 - No one should ever be alone with a child.

Again...no exceptions. 

#3 - A secure bathroom for boys and girls. 

These bathrooms should only be for kids to use.  

#4 - Always have two volunteers in place before you open a classroom. 

This ties into #2.  

#5 - A personal interview with potential volunteers.

Sit down and have a conversation with every potential volunteer. In this meeting, you will ask the hard questions and see if they are a good fit to serve in your children's ministry. If you would like a copy of the questions I ask for this, you can get a free copy at this link.

#6 - A background check on everyone.

After you have finished the personal interview and feel like they are a good fit, run a background check on them.  

#7 - Men don't change diapers.

Enough said. All the men are shouting "Hallelujah!" Seriously, for safety measures have ladies do the diaper changing.

#8 - Windows into every room so you can look in and see what is happening.

You should always be able to look in the room and see what is happening. Have side panel windows or a window in the door. 

#9 - Only approved volunteers and parents should be able to enter the children's area.

Check their tags as they are entering the children's area for drop off and pick-up. Keep the main doors locked during service.

#10 - A dedicated safety and security team that monitors the children's areas.

Enlist a security team that helps keep your children's areas safe. If you can, take it to the next level and have an armed police officer on duty by the children's area. 

Do these 10 things and you will have a safe environment for the kids and families. 

p.s. Do you need more safety and security training?  You can access the Children's Ministry Safety and Security Webinar at this link and watch it on demand.