RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Check-in is a necessary task that families go through when they arrive at church...not exactly something they look forward to doing.

And if they have to wait in line, it makes the experience even less pleasant.  69% of customers say long lines is the most frustrating part of shopping.  And that translates right into your children's ministry.

That being said, there is something you can do to enhance families' experience while they are checking in.

What is it?  Add visual content.

Studies show that customers are drawn toward signage at the check-out line.  And 84% of customers say watching digital displays helps the time pass more quickly while waiting in line.  40% of customers also say they are more likely to go to stores with digital displays near the checkout lines. 

Let's translate that into children's ministry.  How can you add visual content to your check-in areas?

Signs.  Adding signage at your check-in area can help enhance families' experience as they are checking in.  One way to do this is to add plexiglass sign holders at your check-in stations.  You can then swap out the signs on a regular basis with upcoming events, announcements, welcome signs, etc.

Really want to enhance your check-in area?  Add a digital display.   This can be done by adding a monitor with video content.  You can then show videos that welcome families, promote upcoming events, highlight programs, etc.
If you can enhance people's experience at check-in, they will start their day at your church with a positive feeling.  And since the sermon starts way before people enter the auditorium or classroom, that's a good thing.

In this article, I shared 5 things guests hate doing at church.  The first one was waiting in line.

People hate waiting in line.  I do.  Don't you?  If you need a reminder, visit your local DMV for a refresher course.

Each weekend, there are 3 times that have the potential to cause people to get "stuck in line" at your children's ministry.  These are 3 times that you should monitor closely.

Time #1 - First-Time Guest Registration.  You want to make the registration/check-in process for new families as quick as possible.

One way you can shorten the time is by having a separate check-in area for first-time guests.  Don't make them wait in line with your regular attendees.

Another way to shorten the time is by having a simple registration form.  The more information you have to collect from them, the longer it will take.  Trim down your registration form to the basic need-to-knows.  You can also do away with paper registration forms and collect the information on a computer or tablet.  It's quicker to type it than write it...and you get the added bonus of being able to actually read what it says versus trying to decipher someone's handwriting.

Two weeks ago, I timed the check-in process for a new family.  Literally.  I took the stopwatch on my iPhone and timed it.  It took 5 1/2 minutes from the time they stepped up to the registration table to the time they arrived at the classroom door.

Not bad...but not great either.  I'm working to get it down to 3 minutes.  We are preparing to move to a digital form like I mentioned above.  I believe this will shave off some of the time.

Time #2 - Check-In for regular attenders.  How long does it take your families to check in?  How long do they have to wait in line?  Monitor this closely.  If you have lines backing up, it's time to add some additional check-in stations.  If you're using digital check-in, how fast is it?  Are the computers or tablets running at optimal speed?  Do you need to get a better internet connection?  Update some computers?  Invest in a new check-in system?  Regular attenders should be able to check in with a time frame of 1 minute or less.

Time #3 - Pick-Up.  Having to wait after service can be even more frustrating than before service.  Families are ready to see their kids...ready to go eat...ready to get home.

Monitor this.  How long are parents having to wait to get their child?  Are there lines?  Are parents getting impatient?

One way you can shorten pick-up time is by being prepared for service to be out.  Have someone keep you informed about how far along the adult service is so you can know when to wrap up.  Have someone give you a 10-minute and 5-minute warning.  When parents are arriving is not the time to start organizing take-home papers or start wrapping up the lesson.  Have everything wrapped up and ready before the first parent comes to the door. 

Another way is you can shorten the pick-up time in preschool is by placing the take home papers outside the classroom.  We have created "clothes lines" on the wall outside the door and this where we hang them for parents.

Honoring ratios and room capacities is another important factor in cutting down pick-up time.  If a room is overcrowded, the pick-up time will naturally be longer.  Make sure you maintain a proper volunteer-to-child ratio as well as honoring room capacities.

A few weeks ago, I timed how long it took parents to pick-up their 4-year-olds at one of our campuses.  It took 6 1/2 minutes from the back of the line to the door.  That is not good.  The big reason was we didn't have the other 4-year-old room open.  Hence the long wait.  We have corrected this and last week I timed the same room and it was down to 3 1/2 minutes.  Better...but I'm hoping to get it down to 2 minutes or less.

It's important to remember that people decide in the first 8 minutes of they are going to come back to your church or not.   You don't want them spending those first 8 minutes waiting in line.

Did you know the experience you give guests on their first visit is the single most important factor in seeing them return?

Let's define guest experience.  Guest experience is the sum of all the interactions a family has with your ministry.  It includes everything from the family's first awareness that your church exists to the totality of their first visit.  The critical moments during this time are touchpoints.  The touchpoints all add up to create the family's guest experience with you.

Here's 3 keys that will help you create an amazing guest experience for families.

Key #1 - The guest experience is everyone's responsibility.  Everyone the family interacts with is part of the guest experience.  Their experience will not only be shaped by the greeter at the door, but also by the person at the classroom door and everyone else they encounter along the way.

If you want to give guests a great experience, train not only your greeters and check-in team, but your people at the classroom doors and other key people guests will encounter as well. 

Disney has developed a great strategy for this that can be summed up in this statement.

While no one owns the guest, someone, in every case, owns the moment.

Everyone must be made aware of this and own the moments they interact with the guest.

Key #2 - The guest experience is shaped by everything the guest encounters.  You can have a great first-time family check-in process, but if they encounter a smelly, dirty bathroom it will negatively affect their experience.  You can have great hallway signage, but if the pick-up line is long, it will again cast a shadow on their experience.  Look at your guest experience holistically. 

Key #3 - Understand your guests.  If you want to meet the needs, wants and emotions of your guests, then you must know what they are.  Be intentional about identifying these and then create a blueprint for meeting them.  When you truly understand your guests, then you can truly give them a great experience.

Here's an idea that will get kids excited about getting to church on time and checking in.

Each week, pick a different random number and give a prize to the kid/family that checks in at that number.

Example...you decide to give a prize to the 15th kid/family that checks in.  When the 15th kid/family checks in, stop everything and make a big deal about it.

(over the mic or loud where everyone can hear) "Congratulations to the Parker family!  They are the 15th family to check in today.  They win a __________(prize)!  Be sure to join us again next week when another family will win!"

Your turn.  Share some other ideas with us that can help kids/families get excited about getting to church on time and checking in. 

Technology is a great tool children's ministries can use to minister to kids, parents and volunteers.

Here's 10 ways your children's ministry can use technology.

Electronic Check-in
Safety and security must be a top priority for children's ministries.  Electronic check-in is the way to go.  Kidcheck.com is a great choice.  Check them out.

Facebook Page for Parents
Facebook is a great way to connect with parents.  If you'd like an example, you can see ours here.

Facebook Page for Volunteers
Facebook is also a great way to connect with volunteers.  If you'd like an example, you can see ours here.

Text Messages for Parents
98% of text messages get read.  This is a great way to connect and communicate with parents.

Online Registration
A great tool for registration for camps, events, classes, dedications, etc.  Here is an example of one of ours if you'd like to see it.

Mobile Apps
Mobile apps can be used to connect with parents and teach kid's God's Word.  Check out the Bible App for Kids. 

Family Information / Database
A database allows you to keep contact information and records for families.  It also helps you track the spiritual growth steps of kids and families.  

Media Presentations
Today's kids are very visual.  Programs like PowerPoint, Pro Presenter, Keynote and Media Shout are all great options for communicating visually with kids.

Online Volunteer Training
Hard to get volunteers to come to training?  Take the training to them.  Grab a camera.  Record your training.  Post it online.  Send the link to your volunteers.  Follow-up with discussion questions when you meet before the weekend service.  Here's an example if you'd like to see it. 

Parenting Tips
Equip parents to be the spiritual leaders of their kids by creating parenting tips videos.  You can then send them the link to watch the video.  Here's an example if you'd like to see it.

What are some other ways you use technology in your children's ministry?  Share with us in the comment section below.

Each Friday, we'll be sharing one bright idea for Children's Ministry.

These will be practical, high-impact ideas that you can immediately put to use in your ministry.

Here's this week's bright idea...

Have an after party for first-time guest families after your weekend services. 

When guest families check-in before service, invite them to a brief after party that will take place after the service.

Have it in an easy-to-access, highly visible location.  Have someone directing them to the location  Have staff and key volunteers in the room.  Have light food or snacks.

Make it brief.  Let them come and go as they please.  The main purpose is to connect with your guests and jump start building a relationship with them.

Have information about your ministry and simple next steps they can take to get connected.

If you'll do this, you'll retain a lot more of your first-time guests and see them get connected into your ministry.

Got a bright idea?  We'd love to share your idea here next Friday.  Just email it to dalehudsoncm2@gmail.com.  One idea will be shared each week.

Safety and security must be a top priority for every church and ministry.  If you're looking for a great solution, I recommend KidCheck.

KidCheck provides secure children's check-in solutions for churches, fitness facilities, activity centers and child care centers.  They help streamline the check-in process, improve security and create a positive parent and visitor experience.

KidCheck offers complete solutions with easy-to-use children's check-in software, as well as check-in stations, computers, and supplies and accessories such as label printers, scanners, keytags and check-in labels.

The video below -  "Improving Child Safety in Your Organization" and companion "Child Safety and Security" guide discuss the leading concerns around child safety to help organizations create a safe environment for the children in their care.

Topics include:

• Creating a Security Team
• Securing Your Facility
• Medical Emergencies
• Volunteer/Staff Policies
• Emergency Situations
• General Childcare Safety

   
Child Safety and Security Guide (pdf) - click to download

We are giving away a 6 month free subscription to KidCheck children's check-in software (hardware not included).  You can enter by emailing dalehudsoncm2@gmail.com.  We will announce the winner next Monday, October 21.