Assistant Nursery Director

Brown Missionary Baptist Church•Southaven, MS

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Nursery Director reports to the Nursery Director and carries out the Director's approved plans, activities, assignments, and ministry procedures. The Assistant ensures assigned tasks are implemented effectively and efficiently, supports the Nursery Leads and volunteers, provides direct childcare as needed, and communicates progress, concerns, and resource needs to the Director. In the Director’s absence, the Assistant maintains continuity of previously approved operations without assuming independent decision-making.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and at least one year of relevant experience caring for infants or young children in a church nursery, childcare, or early childhood setting.
Demonstrated Christian character and a commitment to BMBC mission, beliefs, ministry standards, and the well-being of children and families.
Ability to complete required background screening and child-protection training before beginning assigned childcare duties.
Current infant/child CPR and first-aid certification, or the ability to obtain certification before assignment to direct-care duties; maintain required renewals.
Strong organizational skills, dependable attendance, sound judgment, patience, discretion, and the ability to communicate calmly with families and caregivers.
Ability to use email, calendars, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and approved church check-in or recordkeeping systems; training may be provided for church-specific systems.

Nice To Haves

A Child Development Associate credential or coursework in early childhood education, child development, or a related field
Experience coordinating volunteers
Supporting a ministry leader
Maintaining childcare records
Working in a church nursery
Experience supporting children with varied developmental needs.

Responsibilities

Assist with opening and closing nursery areas, preparing classrooms, and organizing supplies for scheduled services, programs, and approved events.
Execute the Nursery Director’s approved lesson plans, ministry activities, work assignments, and operational instructions; monitor completion and provide timely status updates to the Director.
Track inventory, request supplies before foreseeable shortages, and route purchases and facility needs through approved channels.
Communicate the Nursery Director’s approved schedules, room assignments, task lists, and coverage arrangements to the three Nursery Leads and assigned volunteers; report vacancies or proposed adjustments to the Director for approval.
Verify that assigned workers and volunteers have completed required screening and training before placement in childcare duties.
Reinforce the Director’s approved expectations and help orient volunteers to established procedures. Document concerns and refer personnel or operational decisions to the Director. If safe coverage is unavailable, pause intake as needed to protect children and immediately notify the Director.
Provide attentive, developmentally appropriate care, including comforting, feeding, diapering, toileting assistance, and support for safe transitions.
Use approved Bible stories, songs, prayer, play, and learning activities appropriate to the children's ages and developmental abilities.
Use positive redirection and nurturing guidance. Do not use corporal punishment, humiliation, intimidation, or other prohibited discipline.
Follow authorized allergy, feeding, and individualized care instructions; escalate concerns and support needs to the Director without diagnosing children or exceeding assigned training.
Maintain active supervision, required caregiver-to-child ratios, and BMBC-approved adult-coverage safeguards; do not leave children unattended.
Follow secure check-in and check-out procedures, verify authorized pickup, and maintain accurate child counts during all transitions.
Apply approved infant safe-sleep practices, including back placement for sleep, a firm and flat approved sleep surface, and a sleep space free of loose bedding and soft objects.
Follow handwashing, diapering, cleaning, sanitizing, illness-response, and allergy-control procedures; remove unsafe equipment from use and report hazards.
Respond to injuries, illness, and emergencies within training; activate emergency assistance when needed. Administer medication only when authorized under approved policy and training.
Immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate external authorities as required by law, complete required follow-up, and notify designated church leadership without delaying or substituting for the external report. Do not conduct an independent investigation.
Promptly document incidents and near misses, preserve factual information, and follow emergency evacuation and family-reunification procedures.
Welcome families, explain nursery procedures, and communicate respectfully about children's care, routines, and concerns; escalate unresolved or serious issues to the Director.
Maintain accurate attendance, caregiver schedules, incident records, supply records, and assigned reports in approved systems.
Protect child, family, volunteer, and employee information. Share information only through authorized channels and obtain required permission before using photographs or videos.
Carry out approved family engagement activities, administrative assignments, and other related tasks as assigned by the Nursery Director. Refer proposed changes or exceptions to the Director for approval.