Nursery Ministry

St. Thomas More Nursery Handbook for Parents

Dear Families,

St. Thomas More Catholic church welcomes you to our Nursery! We are committed to providing a loving and Christ-centered environment that is safe, nurturing and clean. Currently, our Infant & Toddler Nursery care is offered during our Sunday 9:00 am Mass.  It is our hope to grow this important & beautiful ministry in serving our “little ones” and offer it during all of our Masses and special events. If you have any questions or would like to know more about our Nursery Ministry, please feel free to contact us at (713)-729-3435 or email Roxanne at [email protected] .

General Information

1. The Nursery will open 15 minutes prior to the start of 9am Mass.

2. It is on a first come, first serve basis — no prior registration is required.

3. The number of Infants & Children we can accept depends on the number of caregivers available.

4. Parents are expected to remain on St. Thomas More premises while they have a child in the nursery.

5. Please try best to label everything that belongs to your child — Diaper bags, bottles, clothing, pacifiers, etc.

6. Please pick up your child after Mass has ended.

Contacting Parents

 Please keep your cell phone close during the time you are away from your child. 

Health Policies

1. For the protection of your child, other children, parents & nursery staff/volunteers,  please do not bring your child to the nursery if he or she is not feeling well or is sick. This includes:

   1.  Fever–  greater than 100 degrees in the past 24 hours

   2. Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours

   3. Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

   4. Questionable rash or skin infection

   5. Runny nose

   6. Sore throat 

   7. Persistent/severe Cough

   8. Any COVID-19 related symptoms.

2. We will not administer medication.

3. Toys used by the children are washed at the end of each session,and as needed.

Sign-in/out Procedures

1. Upon arrival, the parent should sign in the child and list any allergies, medical concerns and/or dietary restrictions . 

2. Sign in sheets and name tags may be found at the entrance to the nursery. Parents must take the number that corresponds with the number on the sign in sheet. (ex: sign in sheet line#1 means you will take number card #1)

3. Parents should write their child’s name on a name tag for their child as well as write the corresponding number and place it on his/her back.  The number on your child’s name tag will be matched to the number card that you have in order to pick up your child after mass.

4. All items (bags, bottles, cups, clothing, diapers, etc) should be labeled before being brought to the Nursery but we can provide tape to label items if needed.

5.  Upon drop-off, parents should remain outside the nursery room to avoid confusion and emotional distress.

6.  Parents of potty-trainers are encouraged to take their child to the bathroom before coming to the Nursery.

Food Policies

1. Infants— All bottles of formula need to be pre-mixed & prepared by the parent. 

2. Toddlers – will be served a snack of either Goldfish crackers or Cheerios & a water cup unless caregivers are told otherwise by the parent.