In the preschool department at South Peoria Baptist Church, we provide a safe and loving environment for young children to learn about God in. Each week, we teach Bible lessons and do related crafts in order to create a lasting relationship with our savior, Jesus Christ. Classroom volunteers show God’s love by nurturing children in a positive and enjoyable setting.

Activities
The preschool department includes children aged newborn to 5 years old. We have three classrooms available on Sunday mornings at 9:15 and 10:30. The classrooms are broken down by child age:
Nursery: birth to age 2, room 10
Toddler room: ages 2 to 3, room 11
Preschool room: ages 4 to 5, room 6/7

• Childcare available at select church sponsored events. Contact event coordinator for details.

Each classroom is taught by one lead teacher and one assistant teacher each week. In addition to adult volunteers, the preschool department has a youth volunteer program in which church members in junior high and high school assist the lead teacher in working with young children. Only one youth may work in a room at a time. The other volunteer must be an adult.

Youth Shadow Program
In addition to the youth volunteer program, the preschool department has recently begun a Youth Shadow program. The youth shadow program is for junior high and high school church members who don’t have previous experience working with small children. It is designed to provide these youths with the skills and experience needed to become effective childcare workers.

Youth shadows assist 2 other volunteers (only one youth volunteer in a room at a time) in the nursery, toddler, or preschool room. The shadow’s role is to be an apprentice to the lead volunteers. Their job is to assist lead teachers and to learn the classroom management skills that will help them become successful Godly teachers in their own right.

In order to ensure that shadows are receiving the maximum benefit from this program, each shadow will attend a brief (15 to 30 minute) meeting with the preschool director after each session worked. At that time, the shadow will have an opportunity to ask questions, receive feedback, and fill out a short questionnaire.

Volunteer Eligibility
Eligible volunteers must be church members who regularly attend service and have been with South Peoria Baptist Church for at least 6 months. Adults are required to complete and sign an application and agree to a brief background check. Youths are required to complete and sign a youth volunteer application. A parent or guardian must also sign the application. Youths must be at least 13 years old and are required to serve at least once a month.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact Lisa Narang at lisa@spbch.org