Here at Gateway we want all of our kids to connect to God (fresh starts), connect with their peers (great friends), and connect to the world around them (real purpose). To give the kids the opportunity for these connections we have small groups on Sundays for children Kindergarten thru 5th grade.
Gateway Kids utilizes the 252basics curriculum as our small group resource. All of the materials and activities through 252basics are grounded on “3 Basic Truths”
- I need to make the wise choice!
- I can trust God no matter what!
- I should treat others the way I want to be treated!
We believe that these are fundamental to a relationship with God. Our hope is that during their years in Gateway Kids our children will embrace these truths and begin to experience them as they move on to middle and high school.
The 252curriculum is creative, fun and effective. Each month the kids learn about a virtue (peace, humility, patience, etc). By the end of the month the kids have a strong grasp on the virtue, its definition, the Bible verse for the month, and how they can apply it to their lives. Each week we introduce a new story that corresponds and builds on the virtue for the month. That means after one year the kids will have grasped and applied 36 virtues through 150 Bible stories. All while emphasizing weekly the “3 Basic Truths”.
Small Groups are broken up by grade level. At this time we have three small groups:
- 5yr old – Kindergarten
- 1st – 3rd Grade
- 4th & 5th Grade
These classes will be divided and regrouped as our ministry grows.
Gateway Kids is divided into three segments on Sundays- Plug In, Power Up, and Catch On.
Parents drop children off in their designated classrooms.
Plug In- is a small group environment that takes place in the classrooms. It’s designed as a time for the group to build friendships with their peers as well as their small group leaders. Plug In is a time when the virtue is introduced and the verse for the month reviewed through games or activities.
Power Up- is a large group environment that takes place in the cafeteria. It’s a time when all of the small groups come together to hear the story of the day. We present the story with crazy characters, drama skits, visuals, props and always laughter. We also spend time singing, dancing and worshipping God together.
Catch On- is a small group environment that takes place in the classrooms. The small group leaders use this time to help apply the Power Up story to the kid’s lives. They discuss life experiences, play games, do crafts and activities in an effort to apply the story and virtue. Parents pick children up from their classrooms.
Gateway Kids is meant to be a fun and exciting place to connect with God, our friends, and the world around us. We look forward to connecting with your child and helping them grow closer to God so that they can learn to trust God, treat others as they would want to be treated, and make wise choices.
Nursery Classes
Gateway also offers two nursery classes for children age birth thru 4yrs. We strive to give parents an opportunity to enjoy the worship service without worry or distraction. The best way we can do that is to offer a safe and fun environment for their children.
Birth - 24months
25months – 4yrs
Check In and Pick Up Procedures
- Parents must register their children at the Children’s Check-In Station to either provide initial registration information or to obtain their child’s name tag or pager as appropriate.
- Initial Check-In provides the family’s contact information, names and ages of children and their assignment to a nursery class by age or small group by grade level.
- Each child 5yrs – 5th grade will be given a nametag with a security code as well as a parent tag with the matching security code. Children ages birth-4yrs will be given a nametag and parent tag, as well as a pager if needed.
- Parents pick children up from their classroom and must show their parent tag for the small group leader to match the security code against the child’s nametag. Children will not be released to anyone who does not have the corresponding parent tag.
- Parents who wish for their child to be released from class when church ends must have these wishes printed on their child’s nametag at the check-in station. A G (for Go) will be added to your child’s nametag. Your child will not be released without a G on their tag.