Education Programs for Children

Presbyterians are known for their service to God through the life of the mind. At the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, we offer a variety of Christian Education programs for children.

The Children's Ministry program seeks to:

• Ensure that all children know they are loved unconditionally by a good and gracious God
• Engage children actively and imaginatively in learning Bible stories
• Help children come to know God as they experience life together in the church community
• Inspire children to live the Christian faith day to day as they reach out to others in love and service
• Encourage children to worship, love and serve God with joy and thanksgiving in whatever way they are capable

Sunday Morning Nursery (0-2 years)
Bright, clean and recently renovated, our church nursery provides a healthy, safe, well-staffed and loving environment for the youngest in our church family. Our paid child care staff is joined by one or two parents in the nursery each week. The nursery is staffed from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. each Sunday and is for infants through age two.

Child care is provided for all-church events through the year.

The Village on the Hill - PCCH's Sunday School

2-3 year old Room

Once children turn two, they are invited to join the older children upstairs in "the Village". The 2/3 year old room is a gentle introduction to the Sunday School experience where children enjoy free play, a short circle time with a bible story, followed by a simple craft and finally snack! This room is staffed exclusively by the parents of children in this age group who rotate through each Sunday. This room is open prior to the start of our service at approx. 9:45a.m. each Sunday and parents are encouraged to drop their children off prior to attending the service at 10:00am.

Godly Play (mature 3 years - Kindergarten)

Children three years old through kindergarten age are welcomed into our "Godly Play" room. Godly Play provides a time and a space for children to engage with God and with the story of God’s people in the bible. A Godly Play session includes a time to gather the circle and get ready, a time to listen to a story, a time of wondering, a time for children to respond to the story through their choice of art materials, and a time for a feast. Answers or meanings are not imposed by a teacher. Instead, children are encouraged to wonder about what the story means, in the circle and through their own art. Learn more about Godly Play.

Children in this class remain with their families in the service until after the Children's Moment, when they will be escorted to their classroom by our shepherds.

"The Village On the Hill"

PCCH's Sunday School program (aka. The Village on the Hill) offers children in grades 1-6 a unique way to learn about the bible and their faith. Bible stories are taught in three week rotations, which allow the children to explore and experience the story through different media, such as art, music, theater or in our computer room. Children are divided in to three classes based on school grade - 1st & 2nd , 3rd & 4th and 5th & 6th and are taught by volunteers from throughout our congregation.

Children in this class remain with their families in the service until after the Children's Moment, when they will be escorted to their classroom by our shepherds.

See the "Village" Rotation Curriculum for Sept. - Dec 2008

eMerge

Our class for 5th and 6th graders meets during the church school hour (after the Children's Moment) to have fun, grow in knowledge of the church and the bible, explore relationships and growing up as well as comtemporary issues.  It is taught by our associate minister, seminarian, and members of our congregation.

For information on classes and programming for teenagers, please visit the Youth page.