The aim of religious education in this church is to foster
the lifelong exploration of religious thought and values through a program that
promotes spiritual development by means of free inquiry, mutual respect and
responsible behavior.
All Souls has a carefully planned
curriculum designed to help each child from nursery days through ninth grade
develop and nurture his or her own spiritual beliefs and practices. Religious
topics are taught by volunteers — members of All Souls who participate in a
program of teacher development overseen by the Board of Religious Education.
Our curriculum encompasses Bible
literacy, Unitarian and Universalist heritage and World Religions. A strong
Fine Arts and social service component are included in every grade.
Childcare
Child care is provided during all
services and adult education classes. Children's programming is provided during
worship services on all but festival Sundays.
On Sunday mornings, September
through May, the nursery opens at 9:45 am. Children should be picked up
IMMEDIATELY after the worship service. Children in nursery care must have a
parent or guardian present in the building.
Infants and Toddlers
In the infant and toddler rooms,
trained, paid caregivers ensure consistent and quality care for our youngest
members. Each room has separate, en-suite toilet, diaper-changing and kitchen
facilities, and direct access to enclosed outdoor playgrounds.
Our child-care practices follow the
guidelines set forth by the National Association for the Education of the Young
Child (NAEYC). Cathy Wolf supervises the child care staff.
For the sake of cleanliness, we ask
that only nursing mothers come into the infant room, where there is a
comfortable chair available for them to feed their babies. Mothers desiring
more privacy are welcome to use the Religious Education office or the Thoreau
Lounge. Parents whose children are not ready to separate from them may watch
the service with their child in the Family Room.
Well-Child Policy
Children who have had fever,
vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours should stay at home. Children
with active coughs or runny noses should not be in the nursery. Parents will be
asked to immediately remove a child who shows evidence of illness.
Parents of nursery children should
sit toward the back on the north side of the sanctuary, so they are easy for
staff to find if their little one should need them. The service is aired live
in the Family Room for parents who need to be with their children.
School Age Child Care
Care for school-age children is
provided during most congregational events. Parents should still come with
their school-age children to sign them in and to advise the caregivers as to
their whereabouts in the building.
On Sunday
mornings, children have their own age-appropriate worship services in the
children's chapel.