Kidzone

Pastor Riley Rath | Area Leader


Our Values

Physical, Emotional, Spiritual Safety

Loving/Nurturing/Fun Environment

Biblically Grounded Teaching

Partnering with Parents


Our Philosophy

Like Christ Community Church, the mission of KidZONE is to reach everyone with the Gospel and lead them to become fully devoted disciples of Jesus.  We are children of the Father, friends of Jesus, and servants of the Holy Spirit. With God’s abundant love and grace, we hope to be a biblically functioning community of followers of Christ.

Our heart's desire is that we might humbly serve our children here and minister to the children Mira Mesa.  We do this by first humbly admitting that we are merely God’s helpers: God already loves children, and he is already saving and raising people in faith for good!    As a result, we begin with prayer and faith that God is already working on the hearts of children, and we are here to participate in what he is already doing in the lives of children.

Our trust is coupled with wisdom and discipling.  We believe that all truth is God’s truth, no matter where we find it!  Taking insights from other disciplines (education, psychology, leadership, etc.), we seek to integrate insights into our ministry so that we can best nurture children to walk in faith in the modern world.  Furthermore, we value our  passionate and wise volunteers, and go the extra mile to make sure they have the resources they need to continue to walk with Jesus through life as well as love your children in thought, word, and deed.  Simply put, we love people here at Christ Community Church, whether that be regular volunteers, children, or visitors that walk through the door.

Finally, we believe that faith is a life-long adventure, one that children as just beginning! Therefore, while affirming that real faith can occur at any age, we do not want to place unfair expectations on children.  Even more important, we do not want our goals and expectations to be rooted in the fears, worries, and insecurities of adults.  Instead, our ministry centers around the Gospel of Jesus and his kingdom, and how his amazing love meets the needs of children.  


Covid-19 Video Instructions

For Kids

For Parents


Nursery (Ages 0 - PreK)

Drop your little ones off at the KIDzone nursery, located at the front of the church, just to the right of the main lobby.  Our KIDzone nursery staff will provide excellent care for your infants/toddlers while you are in the adult service.  Children will hear a Bible story, color a picture and play with others, all while being encouraged and loved by our experienced and screened KIDzone team.  Don't worry - if your child needs you, we will come and find you to be sure their needs are being met.


Primary (Kindergarten - 2nd Grade) & Elementary (Grade 3 - 5)

Check In

Check in your child, ages 5 through grade 5 in at the KidZONE room, which is located just to the left of the lobby entrance with the grey door.  All children will create a name tag to attach to their clothing for identification purposes. Parents of children ages 5-second grade will also be given a numbered bracelet to wear and return for checkout at the end of class.  This bracelet is one of the ways Christ Community Church helps to identify our younger kiddos and keep them safe.


Volunteers

Our volunteers are recruited primarily because of their love of kids and competency to minister to them.   We want your children to experience the best we have to offer!  Our volunteers are equipped with a curriculum that reflects the Universal Design for Learning theory and are trained in how to best use it, both as they teach the group and talk to each individual child.  Each volunteer is vetted with references and government background checks. They yearly review our church’s Child Protection Policy. 


Teaching

Following check-in procedures and playtime, children gather for lessons designed to teach all sorts of children in multiple ways. All kids initially meet together as they learn what it means to worship God through music and prayer, followed by quick story and/or video to introduce the lesson’s topic.  They then split off into with trained volunteers into Primary and Elementary age groups to interact with the Bible and Christian truths. These lessons incorporating games, crafts, singing, discussion, dancing, and other activities designed to make their church experience fun.


Communion

During weeks the church celebrates Communion, Our KidZONErs will join the congregation in worship.  We have the option to participate in communion when celebrated in church.  If this is not your preference please share your decision with a teacher, and thoughtful accommodations will be made.


Pick Up

At the end of the service, parents pick up their Primary aged children through the gray door to the right in the lobby.  Parents of the kids 8 through Grade 5 should arrange to meet their children either in the classroom or in the church lobby.  Elementary kids are dismissed at the end of the adult service, while the Primary and Nursery children must await their parents return.


Events

Being a follower of Jesus Christ does not end on Sunday Morning!  Throughout the year we have several events designed to foster authentic community within the church, create wonderful memories for children, and give parents a chance to connect with one another.  Some of our favorites include the Easter Egg Hunt, Trunk or Treat, and the Nativity Play.  We also provide special events for just parents so we might better encourage and support them.  These events range in purpose, some provide an opportunity for parents to voice their concerns and hope or offer ideas, while others are centered on education and training, so that our parents might be better equipped  for their God-given duty of spiritually raising their children.  

Special Notes

Allergies/Special Needs

Please notify the KIDzone leaders of any allergies that your child may have. Occasionally snacks are made available for children. Additionally, please let us know of any special needs or special requirements you have for your child. We will do our best to serve your child according to your requests. 


Snacks

Children ages 18 months through 3 years old are served snacks and juice boxes each week provided by the KIDzone. Snacks are simple and include animal crackers, fish crackers or graham crackers. 


Emergencies

In the event of an emergency while your child is in the KIDzone, a volunteer will notify our staff who will be sure to contact you so you can attend to your child's needs. 


Belongings

Please mark all of your child's belonging with your child's name, including the diaper bag, toys and cups. Please include extra diapers, a change of clothing, a non-spill drink container and a favorite blanket or toy if your child is attached to one. 


Diaper Changing

Our staff will be sure that children are changed as changing is needed. If you have any special concerns regarding changing, please let our staff know when you drop your child off. 


Wellness Policy

We ask that parents only bring their children to the KIDzone if their children are healthy and without colds or other contagious illnesses in an effort to protect the other children from contacting the illness. 


Restroom Policy

We ask all parents to have their children use the restrooms before signing them in to the KIDzone. Due to the design of our facility, it's important that children are reminded each week in order to prevent distractions within the KIDzone as well as within the sanctuary. Restrooms are located toward the rear of the sanctuary.


Staffing

All volunteers/staff have been screened by our pastoral staff. All have filled out appropriate applications and have had background checks done to be sure that your child will receive the most safe, secure environment we can possibly provide. The KIDzone nursery is staffed by a preschool professional who has been with CCC since 2002 and is present in the nursery for most services.