Children’s Ministry Facility Materials for a Toddler Classroom

Each classroom should be supplied with the necessary items that are used each week. All additional supplies can be found in a general location such as a resource room, resource closet, supply cabinet, or supply containers that are easily accessible to teachers and volunteers. If space is a factor, supplies and materials will need to be purchased weekly and made available to all volunteers at a designated location within the children’s department. It is helpful to label this area or room so that volunteers can find additional supplies easily.

Each classroom should have clean floors and walls without sharp edges, doors with windows, and adequate size classrooms with enough space to accommodate the amount of children for each age group. Consideration in choosing the right ventilation, lighting, classroom size, furniture, equipment, and supplies should be a priority for the safety and well being of every child within the ministry.

When setting up a children’s ministry strong emphasis should be placed on the safety of every child. Exits should be marked with signs and evacuation routes should be visible in case of an emergency. A copy of an evacuation plan with exit routes should be posted in every classroom next to or close to an exit door.

Below is a list of classroom furniture, equipment, and supply recommendations for a nursery within a children’s ministry. Furniture must meet standard recommendations for each age group and must be sturdy and in good repair without missing pieces or rough edges. Furniture, equipment, and supplies can be bought through a children’s school supply company or local store. When selecting furniture, equipment, and supplies consider the age, size of the classroom, and standard recommendations for each age of children within the ministry.

The nursery and toddler rooms should be locked when not in use so that the furniture, equipment, and toys will remain clean until the following Sunday. All other ministries who use the nursery or toddler rooms during the week should be responsible to help maintain and keep these rooms clean, sterile, and safe for the children.

Recommendations for classroom size, maximum ratios, and maximum group size have been taken from the state of Texas Minimum Standards for Child Care Facilities.

Some states may vary with standards and regulations, therefore it is best to refer to individual states where the church resides and use these standards and regulations as a guide to follow.