We are so excited you have chosen to join the iKidz team! We want to see kids develop a BIG, authentic kind of faith. It’s a BIG challenge, but we believe it can happen through something SMALL. . .You—the small group leader! But the only way you can help kids cultivate authentic faith is through leading small.

When we lead small, we realize that what we do for a few will always have more potential than what we do for many. When we lead small, we simply make a choice to invest strategically in the lives of a few over time so that we can help them build an authentic faith. That’s what being a small group leader is all about! So thank you for thinking SMALL enough to take on a BIG challenge.

The Win
As a small group leader, we need you to invest in the lives of a few to encourage authentic faith. You win when kids have meaningful interactions, both inside and outside of small group, that influence their faith in Jesus and deepen their relationships with others.

Job Description
What exactly IS a small group leader? A friend? A parent? A coach? A teacher? Here’s what we define as a small group leader: A small group leader is anyone who chooses to invest in the lives of a few to encourage authentic faith. Every SGL should do five things:
•Be Present: Connect their faith to a community by showing up predictably, mentally, and randomly. 

•Create a Safe Place: Clarify their faith as they grow by leading the group, respecting the process, and guarding 
the heart. 

•Partner with Parents: Nurture an everyday faith by cueing the parent, honoring the parent, and reinforcing the 
family. 

•Make it Personal: Inspire their faith by your example by living in community, setting priorities, and being real. 

•Move Them Out: Engage their faith in a bigger story by moving them to someone else, moving them to be the 
church, and moving them to what’s next. 


Qualifications: 

To be a small group leader, you don’t have to be a Bible scholar, pass a theological aptitude test, or display a particular set of special spiritual gifts. You don’t even need to be that cool.
Here’s all you need to do: 

•Love God. 

•Care about kids. 

•Be committed to consistently investing in and caring for your few over a period of time. 

•Complete the application and background check. 


Expectations: 

•Serve consistently on current rotations. 

•Show up on time. 

•Come prepared and ready to serve. 

•Let the Preschool & Children’s Ministry Director know if you will be out.

Polices and Procedures:
Check In and Dismissal
Make sure each child in your group has gone through the official check-in process before entering the classroom. Please check the parent and child’s tag during dismissal. Take the parent and child’s tag. Removing the child’s tag will indicate that they have been checked out of the area.

Restrooms
Never go into the bathroom alone with a child. If they need help, bring another adult with you or leave the bathroom door open. If they are old enough to go by themselves, wait outside for them.

Allergies
Be aware of the allergies of your few—especially peanut allergies. During group times when you are giving out food, double check with each child to make sure they aren’t allergic to anything you’re giving. This should be on the child’s tag.

Discipline
If you have a child that is not following the guidelines that have been put in place, try first directing the child’s behavior. If that doesn’t work have a plan in place to contact the Preschool and Children’s Ministry Director so that they can handle the situation apart from small group.

Sickness Policy
If a child has had a fever within the last 24 hours, they should not be allowed in the environments. If you have any questions, please see our sick policy sheet.

Child Abuse Policy
Please let the Preschool and Children’s Director know if you suspect or see any signs of abuse.

Lost Child Procedure
Should a child get lost after they have been dropped off, please let the Preschool and Children’s Director know. We may need to shut down the environment and not let anyone in or out until the child has been found. Make sure you know what the child is wearing to let staff and leading volunteers know what to look for. If a child has not been checked out of the area, he or she will still have a tag on.

Diaper Changing Polices
Be sure to wear gloves and sanitize the changing area. Make sure other adults are around during the process and let the parent know that they’ve been changed. Please use the stickers on the counter near the nursery door to communicate with parents.

Cleaning
After all children have left, please make sure the room is cleaned up and lights are off.