Guest Author - Terrie Lynn Bittner

This article is part of an unofficial FAQ on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Information found here should not be taken as official or even correct, since it is subject to my personal talent for mistakes. For official information, please visit Mormon.org.

The nursery is for all children who are at least eighteen months old, but who are not three years old on January 1. The nursery children have their own classroom and at least two adult leaders. They are taken to the nursery right after Sacrament Meeting and stay there until church is over. “The purpose of the nursery class is to provide a loving, safe, organized place where young children can increase their understanding of and love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, have positive experiences in a Church setting, and grow in feelings of self-worth. The nursery class is the first Church experience where very young children are taught the gospel and interact with other children and adults.” (Primary 1 lesson manual) The program is supervised by the Primary presidency. The Primary is the auxiliary organization for children twelve and under.

The nursery lasts for one hour and forty minutes. The recommended program includes: playtime for 35 minutes, gathering time for ten minutes (when children and teachers might have a prayer, song and other activities), music time for ten minutes, snack time for ten minutes, lesson time for ten minutes, activity time for fifteen minutes and a ten minute closing time. The lesson manual for the nursery is the same one used by the Sunbeam class and is available online. Lessons cover very basic gospel principles and each lesson has suggestions for adapting it to use in the nursery. Lesson topics include: being a child of God, prayer, gratitude for nature, appreciation for family, kindness, and the Savior.