Childcare is one of the biggest hurdles that adult small groups will face. Another major hurdle is birthing new groups, but we'll talk about that one later.
Here are some ideas (taken from multiple sources and personal experience) that you may want to consider. There are a few other ideas out there, but they do not match up with our culture/philosophy at Great Oaks (e.g. Starting Point is the only small group allowed to meet on Sunday morning during Children's Ministry programming).
- Parents are responsible for finding their own childcare.*
- Parents pitch in to pay for childcare services that are provided in the host home.
- Parents pitch in to pay for childcare services that are provided in a nearby home.*
- Parents take turns with childcare duties in the host home or a nearby home.
- Parents in different small groups that meet at different times cover each others' childcare needs.
- A small group consists of two subgroups. One provides childcare while the other meets, and then they switch places.
- Small groups have some nights where childcare is provided and other nights where it is not.
- Small groups are designed for the entire family to participate.
- Retirees in the church provide childcare services for small groups as their ministry.
- The church pays for a babysitter if the parents cannot afford one.
*Preferred option if at all possible...
4 comments:
I wrote huge post and the omnipotent despot of the blogosphere kicked it out. The high points:
*include kids in the group, everything, including giving them a kid lesson on the same topic. The kid lesson can be done in another room while the adults meet in one room.
*kid group rotates through group members or is done by another group swapping services. Kid group isn't babysitting, kid's get lessons too.
* kids need to learn community now, not when they are older.
*Yes, this is a huge committment for the group but that is what we're called to. This is BODY life, its not easy but it is beautiful.
**oh, all of this was written in the framework of advice and opinion and not cold bullet points but the Omnipotent Despot ate my comment and I don't have the time to retype it all. Sorry about the bullets
A...
Thanks for the additional ideas. I really liked your comment about body life not being "easy but it is beautiful."
How are you and Jonathan and @ doing (just following protocol from African Banter)? Can you clarify for me where you guys are at? If you don't want to post it on the blog, email me at chris@greatoakscc.org. Thanks!
I haven't met your cousin yet, but I did speak to his/her small group leader yesterday! Is Eric or Brandy your cousin? I don't remember...
Tell Jonathan "thanks" for the shout-out on his blog!
Hey Chris,
I've given you this idea before and it kind of goes along with the retiree option you had. I still think that if groups could "adopt" grandparents for group night it would be great for everyone involved. The adults could have group w/o the children and get much more out of the study, the kids can spend time together and with someone "older", and the "older" couple can enjoy being with small children again and possibly help them through stories, songs, games or crafts learn more about Jesus.
Nancy J.
As a Women's Ministry leader, I have found this childcare issue to be the most daunting issue of Small group ministry. We have tried hiring sitters to be on premises in another room and have the parent(s) pay a small fee to the ministry covering childcare costs. But, most do not want to or cannot afford childcare even at $2/hour per week! So, in order to encourage attendance, we've had free childcare with a request for a donation. This never came close to covering the cost of sitters who you can't get for under $10/hour. Most of the groups I know have the kids play in the basement or other part of the house. This causes problems with all the interuptions, noise, etc. - but it is an easy and cheap way to do it. Paying for a sitter (like a teenage member of the church), if affordable, can be great, especially if a couple of sitters are paid for by the whole group. One big problem that we've run into with that is the reliability and lack of guarantee that both can be there each time. After you've spent weeks, even months, looking for and securing a sitter - it really stinks when one or both cannot make it one time or more.
In closing - when you find the perfect solution, let me know as this has been an ongoing struggle with my ministry!!!
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