I believe preschool ministry is one of the most important ministries in the church. It is ministering to people at one of the most critical times in their life. So much growth happens in the first few years of a person's life.
If you want to improve your ministry, then preschool ministry should be at the top of the list.
Let's look at 10 tips that can help you improve your preschool ministry.
Tip #1 - Eye Contact.
Children need to be looked in the eye when engaged in conversation to feel you're genuinely interested in them. This usually means getting down to preschoolers' eye level.
Tip #2 - Recognition.
Every child wants to be known and to know that he or she is valued. Preschoolers need to be recognized and called by name. Learn children's names and use them. Every week find at least one good thing to recognize about each child and acknowledge it.
Tip #3 - Use Play as a Teaching Tool.
Knowing facts alone isn't enough. Just because a preschool can repeat something, doesn't mean he or she has learned it. Children learn from meaningful experiences. Play that is hands-on, interactive, and focused promotes learning that lasts. Companies have discovered this and are producing toys that teach. Offer guided play opportunities that teach God's Word.
Tip #4 - Stories.
Kids (and adults) love stories. Use stories to communicate truth. Present each story in an engaging and exciting way. The way you tell the story is important.
Tip #5 - Age-appropriate songs and leaders.
Use fun, energetic worship leaders. People who have of smiles will set the atmosphere for children. Middle school and high school kids make great worship leaders for preschoolers.
Tip #6 - Have good ratios.
When you have good ratios safety is increased, leader retention is increased, and parent confidence increases. Here are the ratios I follow:
3-year-olds - 1 to 8
4-year-olds - 1 to 8
5-year-olds - 1 to 10
Tip #7 - Work with adult ministry.
Your ministry to preschool parents is vitally important because when you influence parents, you influence the primary source of spiritual formation in preschoolers.
A partnership with adult ministries in your church is one of the most strategic moves you can make to leverage the impact of your preschool ministry.
Tip #8 - Keep spaces clean.
When parents look inside your preschool rooms, they quickly access cleanliness. If rooms are untidy, messy or dirty, you will loose the parents' confidence.
Keep toys clean and disinfected. Throw away or repair damaged furniture. Keep the floor vacuumed and the trash emptied.
Tip #9 - Remind your volunteers that this is not baby-sitting.
In fact, it is ministry at one of the most critical times in a person's life. So much is happening in those first three years. Kids are growing and making connections that will effect the rest of their life. Help your volunteers see this and cast vision about impacting kids' lives during those first 3 years. I often say this.
People won't line up to change a diaper, but they will line up to change a life.
#Tip 10 - Care.
Even at their young age, preschoolers can sense when someone genuinely cares about them. They need leaders who will love them and welcome them with a smile. Leaders who will see them and know them by name.
Have you read the book "100 Best Ideas to Turbocharge Your Preschool Ministry?" It contains over 100 ideas to improve your preschool ministry. You can get your copy now at this link.
