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 role helps ensure assigned tasks are implemented effectively and efficiently, supports Nursery Leads and volunteers, provides direct childcare as needed, and communicates progress, concerns, and resource needs to the Director. When the Director is absent, the Assistant maintains continuity of previously approved operations without making independent decisions about hiring, compensation, policy, or program changes. The position supports nursery operations, staff and volunteer coordination, age-appropriate childcare and ministry activities, child safety and health procedures, parent communication, and administrative recordkeeping. The Assistant follows established policies and procedures, protects confidential information, and refers decisions or proposed changes to the Nursery Director for approval. Work is primarily on-site and includes assigned Sunday services, midweek programming, evening or weekend activities, and designated special events. The setting includes noise, frequent interruptions, and exposure to routine childhood illnesses and bodily fluids. Essential duties involve standing, walking, bending, kneeling, sitting at child level, and safely lifting, carrying, or assisting infants and young children during routine care and emergencies. Essential functions must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
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 commitment to BMBC’s 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 ability to obtain certification before assignment to direct-care duties; required renewals must be maintained.
Strong organizational skills, dependable attendance, sound judgment, patience, discretion, and 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.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation, including actively supervising children and safely lifting, carrying, or assisting infants and young children.
Accurately record all time worked and be ready for duty at the assigned reporting time.
Follow confidentiality requirements and maintain appropriate boundaries.

Nice To Haves

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, or 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.
Carry out the Nursery Director’s approved lesson plans, ministry activities, work assignments, and operational instructions; monitor completion and provide timely status updates.
Track inventory, request supplies before foreseeable shortages, and route purchases and facility needs through approved channels.
Communicate approved schedules, room assignments, task lists, and coverage arrangements to 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 approved expectations, orient volunteers to established procedures, document concerns, and refer personnel or operational decisions to the Director.
Pause intake if safe coverage is unavailable and immediately notify the Director.
Provide attentive, developmentally appropriate childcare, including comforting, feeding, diapering, toileting assistance, and supporting safe transitions.
Use approved Bible stories, songs, prayer, play, and learning activities appropriate to children’s ages and developmental abilities.
Use positive redirection and nurturing guidance, and follow prohibited-discipline restrictions.
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 approved adult-coverage safeguards; never leave children unattended.
Follow secure check-in and check-out procedures, verify authorized pickup, and maintain accurate child counts during transitions.
Apply approved infant safe-sleep practices, including placing infants on their backs on a firm, flat approved sleep surface 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 and administer medication only when authorized under approved policy and training.
Immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect to 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 assigned by the Nursery Director; refer proposed changes or exceptions to the Director for approval.
Follow the Nursery Director’s instructions, BMBC policies, and established nursery procedures; maintain appropriate boundaries; participate in required meetings and training; and promptly communicate safety or operational concerns.
Perform other related tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Nursery Director.