GraceKids Ministry
Every Sunday morning, kids get to hear the transformative truth of God’s Word in their GraceKids classroom. Cherished babies and toddlers, energetic preschoolers and curious elementary students all have a place to form friendships and grow their faith in Jesus. All volunteers and childcare workers must pass a background check and attend a training before helping in a classroom setting. When you come to visit, you will be greeted by a GraceKids check-in volunteer on the right when you walk in the front doors of the church. This is where you can register your child and we can assign them to a classroom based on their age group.
Nursery: 0 – 2.5 years old
Preschool: 2 years old – 5 years old
Elementary: Kindergarten – 5th Grade
If you would like to read more about our GraceKids staff team, CLICK HERE.
Nursery
Our nursery rooms provide a safe and loving environment for infants, babies, and toddlers up to 2.5 years old. Each week, our caregivers show these children God’s love by providing a safe place for them. We have paid, qualified, and trained childcare staff each week in our nursery to ensure consistency and quality of care for the youngest in our congregation.
Our nursery serves kids from a few weeks old until 2.5 years old. You are welcome to leave your child in our nursery when you feel most comfortable. We work with parents individually on separation issues to ensure an easy transition for both baby and parent.
Nursing
We have a dedicated nursing space in the women’s lounge that is located in the lobby (front room with the tables) that has comfortable space to nurse as well as a changing table for baby.
Having a baby/adopting?
Congratulations! We want to share in your joy during this special time and serve your family as you welcome your new addition. Please let us know that you are expecting by emailing office@gracesouthbay.com.
Preschool
Our Preschool Ministry serves kids ages 2.5 until they reach Kindergarten age (5 years old). Our mission is to inspire every child to know, love and trust in Jesus in a way that transforms how they love God, themselves, and the world around them. We strive to create an environment where children, volunteers, and parents feel welcomed, loved, and supported in their relationship with God.
Our curriculum, The Gospel Project for Kids, is geared toward children ages 2-5 and uses Bible stories, songs, and engaging activities to teach the Bible in a way preschoolers can understand and relate to. The Gospel Project for Kids takes children through the Bible chronologically from Genesis to Revelation, placing special focus on how the Bible is really one great story: The story of God’s redemption through Christ.
*We will transition kids up to preschool class from the nursery twice a year (January & August) and our preschoolers can transition up to the TK/K class once per year (August).
Our preschool classes are divided by age group:
Blue–younger room
Orange – older room
Elementary
Our Elementary Ministry serves kids in Transitional Kindergarten thru 5th grade. Our mission is for our kids to love and know Jesus. The curriculum we use is called The Gospel Project for Kids. It weaves music, teaching, small group discussions, video presentations, and creative activities together to reinforce one clear and simple bottom line each week so kids can walk away and remember what matters most.
Our elementary classes are divided by grade and meet weekly. Once a month we gather all the elementary students together for what we call “Rally Sunday”. ‘Rally Sunday’ is where we have worship songs, a skit, and a group lesson all together. The kids look forward to this fun time and it is always followed with donuts after the service!
Our elementary kids also have the opportunity to experience corporate worship with their parents. After arriving and checking in your elementary child, your child will join you in the sanctuary. Elementary kids will be dismissed from worship to their classes for a time of small group teaching after the announcements in the service.
*We will transition kids up to the next grade level once per year, in August.
Our elementary classes are divided by grade:
TK/Kindergarten
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
**Once a year our pastors do a tailored class for the 4th and 5th graders to help them better understand our membership vows. Once your child has graduated 5th grade they enter our middle and high school youth group, called GraceTeens. CLICK HERE to read about the GraceTeens ministry.