When you arrive at McDowell Kids, stop by our New Families Check-In station. Our friendly volunteers will help you fill out the New Family Connect Card and show you how to check your children into our program.

Once you check in, your child will receive a name tag sticker that has their name, a unique security code, any important medical information, and the phone number of the primary parent/guardian on it. This sticker will go on your child. You will also receive a sticker that has a matching security code to the one your child received. This sticker is required to pick up each of your children from their classrooms at the end of service. If you misplace your sticker, please return to the Check-In station to receive a new one.

Once you have checked in, our volunteers will help you find the appropriate classroom for your child based on their age, grade, and developmental abilities.

If, for any reason, we need to reach you during the service, you'll receive a text message. If your presence is needed, please return to the Check-In area with your sticker, and we will reconnect you with your child.

You can also fill out the New Family Connect Card ahead of time if you wish by clicking here.

It's normal for you or your child to feel nervous during your first visit to McDowell Kids. We will do our very best to make sure your family feels comfortable and is able to enjoy your time with us. Below are a few tips that will help facilitate a smooth drop-off.

• Prepare your child ahead of time for drop-off. You can show them photos on our website or our social media pages to help them get an idea of what church will be like when they come.
• Bring a water bottle for your child with their name on it. For very small children, a comfort item such as a pacifier or lovey is very helpful. Please label anything you send with your child.
• Get excited! Your excitement will help your child feel safe and ready for their visit.
• Please try to do a quick, kiss-and-go drop off. When parents linger, it often makes drop-offs unnecessarily hard. We will contact you if we need you to come back. Our volunteers are incredible at getting children engaged in the fun activities we have prepared for them.
• It's ok if your child only makes it through a little bit of service. We are always excited when children try to attend class, even for just a short amount of time. They are welcome to attend service with you if they need to, but we think they will have so much fun, time will fly, and you both will be surprised at how much fun they had.

No. We ask the responsible adult to remain in the building once their child is checked into our ministry.

Don't see the answer you need here? Email [email protected] and one of our pastors will contact you!