We at FCC care deeply about the safety of all our community members, especially our children. To ensure the safety of all minors while in our building or while traveling for FCC programming, we adhere to a set of Safe Church standards and practices outlined below. 

Staffing

  • All classrooms are always staffed with paid, background checked adults who have undergone Safe Church and Mandated Reporter training through Praesidium Academy. 

  • All additional volunteers have background checks on file with the church office. 

  • All classrooms will follow ratio guidelines. The Nursery caregiver and the Kids’ Church classroom teacher may coordinate to complete ratio guidelines by opening their doors to allow for cross-classroom staffing.

  • Parents will leave contact information when dropping off their child.

  • At all times at least one staff member will be First Aid & CPR certified.

Ratios

  • Kids’ Church classrooms will follow an adult to child ratio of 1:15

  • The Nursery classroom will follow an adult to child ratio of 1:5

    • Across all classrooms, a goal of at least 3 adults will be maintained. Should a third staff member not be present, a volunteer adult will be asked to staff as a floater if the total number of children in the program exceeds 15.

    • In the nursery “adult” may be an assistant under 18 as long as they are working with an adult staff member. In the case of staff illness or absence the adult in the nursery may be a known, trained, and  background checked adult. On the rare occasions when this occurs the change and volunteer  will be announced in church. 

Ages

  • Our Kids’ Church classrooms are for children who are in K-8th grade

  • Our Nursery classroom is for children 5 and under. Some 5 year olds can join our bigger classroom & thrive, and we will think through moving on a case-by-case basis with parents/ caregivers.

Inclusion

  • All are welcome in these spaces, regardless of self expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ability, personal belief, religious belief, socio-economic background or political belief. 

  • All who engage in this programming will teach and act in a non-discriminatory and open minded manner.

Physical Safety

  • Adults will address any behavioral concerns with the child directly, using calm and compassionate language.

    • In the event that a child is displaying behavior that is unsafe or overly disruptive the parents/ caregivers of the child will be notified. In some cases children may need an adult to come with them to programming in order to keep our classrooms safe and supportive for all. 

  • Children will never be disciplined by the use of any form of physical punishment or verbal abuse. 

  • All staff members (teachers) in our Church School program are Mandated Reporters under Maine law. All staff will follow Mandated Reporting protocols. 

Spiritual Safety

  • All have the freedom to express their faith appropriately. Children will not be shamed, belittled, or excluded based on their beliefs. 

Use of Technology

  • Staff from Falmouth UCC  will not interact with minors on personal social media channels, and will utilize only our official social media accounts to interact if necessary/ appropriate. 

  • We will offer all parents/ caregivers an opportunity to opt out of having their children’s photo posted online through our Church School Registration form. Parents/ caregivers can change this at any time throughout the year. 

  • If necessary to text a minor under 16 staff will always include a parent/ guardian on the text. In general texting is not a preferred means of communication with minors in our program. 

  • If emailing a minor staff will always use their professional accounts, never personal accounts.

Policy approved by Church Council 12/14/2025