Sunday School

(Sunday School has resumed during our 10am service)

Children join our service for the first fifteen minutes and are then dismissed after the Children's Sermon. We have a rich curriculum for all age.

Children's Programs

We seek to teach children to understand and seek wisdom from the Scriptures in a safe and fun learning environment; support families so they may grow in relationship with one another and Christ; encourage youth to model their lives after Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit share their faith by serving the world.

Nursery

Available during Sunday morning worship services. 

Children join our service for the first fifteen minutes and are then dismissed after the Children's Sermon. We have a rich curriculum for all ages.

Upon nursery drop-off of your child, we will ask you to fill out a Nursery Potty Form. This will best helps us meet the needs of your child. 

Nursery Potty Form

Safety Policies

At the Presbyterian Church of Novato, we take our responsibility to care for children very seriously. These policies are intended to facilitate a safe and nurturing environment for our children. While providing accountability for all staff and volunteers, and to eliminate as many opportunities for abuse or misconduct as possible.

We have created the Safe Church Misconduct and Abuse Prevention Policy. Its procedures have been adopted and will be strictly enforced. To view a copy of the policy click the button below. 

Safe Church Misconduct and Abuse Prevention Policy

We have Disciplinary, Bullying, Bathroom and Sickness Policies. These policies should be adhered to at all times during our programs and events. To view a copy of the policy click the button below. 

Disciplinary, Bullying, Bathroom and Sickness Policies

PCN will ensure that all mandatory reporters, Sunday School teachers, employees and volunteers working with children are trained on this policy within six months of its adoption and every three years thereafter, as a minimum. Newly ordained mandatory reporters, new Sunday School teachers, employees and volunteers working with children will be trained within 6 months of their ordination, employment, or their volunteer work. 

Every year we have a volunteer training in the fall where we go over our policies, procedure, and requirements. 

Everyone working or assisting with children and/or youth must complete the following application forms: 

F. Children and Youth Ministries Application Form – Adults Page 19 

G. Children and Youth Ministries Volunteer Application Form – Minors Page 20 

H. Pre-employment Screening Certification Questionnaire Page 21 

I. Consent to Background Screening Page 22 

Reference checks will be routinely done, and background checks (including fingerprinting) are required for all paid staff (including ministers) and all regular volunteers. A regular volunteer means a volunteer who is 18 years of age or older and who has direct contact with or supervision of, children for more than 16 hours per month or 32 hours per year. (Ch. 2.9, Sec. 18975, Business and Prof. Code, January 1, 2022). 

In cooperation with California laws, PCN prohibits registered sex offenders from working with children or youth or being in close proximity to ministries with children or youth. This church also prohibits the following persons from working with children or youth or being in their close proximity (except for church intergenerational activities): anyone who has been convicted of a violent crime, any sexual offense (even if not registered as a sex offender) or has consented to entry of a court order involving the same. 

Any volunteer who works with or supervises youth regularly shall: 

1. Be a member or active attendee of PCN for at least six months prior to starting such activities. Volunteers who are not members of PCN may qualify by submitting a statement of faith for review/approval by the Christian Education Committee. 
2. Be at least 14 years of age. Adult supervision of minor volunteers is required. 
3. Complete online mandated reporter training provided by the Office of Child Abuse Prevention in the State Department of Social Services. (https://mandatedreporterca.com/)
4. Complete an online training course provided by PCN on recognizing the common grooming processes and behaviors of sexual offenders. ( We are using Ministry Safe’s Sexual Abuse Awareness Training)

If you have questions or concerns about these policies, please talk with Sydney Fletcher our Safe Church Coordinator, as we want to hear from you and value all input.