For churches

Children's check-in: what a good process looks like

A child goes home with the adult who brought them, or with someone that adult has named. Everything in a check-in process serves that one rule.

VantageIQ Technologies · October 4, 2026 · 3 minute read

A matching pair

The idea is a claim check. GuideOne's sample policy gives the parent a "child check" at sign-in, which has to be shown to sign the child out, and Brotherhood Mutual's checklist asks for the same kind of procedure. Church Law & Tax describes it as a matching tag for the child and the adult. The child goes home only when the two match.

When the adult has no tag

This is the moment the process exists for. Church Law & Tax advises that an adult without the matching tag waits until the others have left, shows a driver's license and fills in a form. GuideOne's policy has the child care leader contacted before the child is released. Put adults on the checkout, not teenage helpers. A familiar face is not a reason to skip the check.

Two adults

GuideOne's sample policy asks for at least two unrelated adults whenever children are supervised, with a narrow exception. Church Mutual says no adult should be alone with a child who is not their own. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises limiting one-on-one time wherever possible by having at least two adults present.

Rooms you can see into

GuideOne's policy keeps classroom doors open unless there is a window in or beside the door, and never locks a room that has children in it. The CDC recommends windows in doors for the same reason.

Who is allowed to serve

• A written application, an interview and references that someone has actually called.
• A criminal background check. The CDC warns that a check will not find most offenders, because most have never been caught, and MinistrySafe says background checks cannot stand alone.
• A waiting period. GuideOne and Brotherhood Mutual both suggest six months in the church before someone works with children.
• Training every year, which Church Mutual recommends.

What to write down at check-in

Brotherhood Mutual's nursery checklist asks whether you keep a record of each child's food allergies. We would add two things: how to reach the parent during the service, and who may collect the child.

When a court order is involved

Guidance from attorney Frank Sommerville, published by Church Law & Tax in 2010, is to find out whether the church is named in the order and to call an attorney at once if it is. Follow your own release procedure, and if an adult who is not authorized tries to take a child, call the police.

If you suspect abuse

The CDC's 2007 guidance is to report to the authorities whenever there is a reasonable suspicion, and not to run an investigation of your own. Who is required by law to report differs by state, so learn your state's rule before you need it.