Often it has been said that to share the gospel with parents, churches should teach the children.
But to reach the children, you must first earn the trust of their parents.
This is done by designing safe, well-planned facilities, according to children’s pastors and church building experts.
“Today, many parents and first-time visitors choose their church based on how secure the child is,” said Tommy Haralson, church building services special worker for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM). “They are leaving their child with a stranger and need to feel that they are safe.
“That is more important to them than great preaching and good singing,” he said “Churches must understand this.”
Gary Swafford, director of church planting and building services at the SBOM, concurred and linked the facility’s design to its level of safety.
“The actual structure of the building can be designed to allow limited and controlled access,” he said. “You should have one main entrance into the children’s area from a hub or welcome center where a receptionist can check children in.”
Although churches of all sizes are using various devices to keep up with children once they’ve entered the facility, the point is that each child and parent is identified, he added.
Another important factor in safe building design is room size, so experts recommend that churches allow 35 square feet per child in preschool areas and 25 square feet per child in areas for grades 1 through 6.
“Children need a lot of teaching equipment because they have various learning styles,” said Haralson. “Every child is different and for that reason we have to be prepared and have different types of equipment in the rooms.”
Swafford added, “Churches that are properly designed are set up with activity centers. Children learn in a variety of ways and the method of teaching much be varied.”
Aside from the structure of the facility and ample space, well-designed buildings have good lighting, playground design and rest room placement.
Swafford suggests these rules of thumb for children’s areas:
Preschool
-Space per child: 35 square feet recommended.
-Room size: 200 square feet minimum; no walls less than 12 feet.
-Windowsills: 18 to 24 inches from floor.
-Room capacity: babies to age 1 — seven to 10 per room; 2-year-olds — nine to 12 per room; ages 3 to 5 — 12 to 16 per room.
Children
-Space per child: 25 square feet recommended.
-Room proportions: two units wide by three units long.
-Windowsills: 18 to 30 inches from floor.
-Room capacity: 24 maximum.
Weekday child care
-Space per child: 35 square feet, or as required by codes.
-Play yard: 75 square feet per child minimum, or as required by codes
-Rooms usually require grade level location, often with direct access to exits.
-Check state and local codes for detailed requirements.
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