"Serving in the nursery is one of the best callings I've ever had in the Church," emphasized Virginia Vacheresse, a member of the Cole Harbour Ward, Dartmouth Nova Scotia Stake.
For Ron Langford, a Primary nursery coordinator in the Wasilla 1st Ward, Wasilla Alaska Stake, working in the nursery "is a chance to get on your knees and interact with children in a very positive way. I enjoy helping them and making nursery a joy for them.""This calling doesn't compare with any other," added Shelley Cooper, nursery leader in the Murray 22nd Ward, Murray Utah West Stake. "There are so many blessings that come from being with these little children. When a little child says, `goodbye teacher,' and gives you a hug, that's all you need. It means a lot."
Many members who have served in the nursery could echo similar feelings of fulfillment. The nursery program, for children 18 months to 3 years old, is set up to provide a safe, organized environment where these young children can learn about Heavenly Father and have a happy Church experience.
For some members, serving in the nursery may be the last calling they think they would want. But the love and spirit that radiates from the little children can quickly change their minds, according to Betty Jo N. Jepsen, first counselor in the Primary general presidency, who is responsible for the nursery program.
"When nursery teachers understand the value of their service, they know the importance of the call and are happier and more contented," she explained.
"One of our biggest challenges with the nursery is to find a leader who is self-motivated. You don't get a lot of adult reinforcement as the nursery leader. You have to get motivation from the children and their parents and have a vision of what you are doing because you are usually in an area of the building that is away from the flow of the rest of the ward.
"We see successes among those who really devote themselves to the call. They often cry when they are released. They learn to love each of the children, and the children love them. It is a great bonding experience.
"The foundation to a successful nursery is stability in leadership. We know that among the first things children need to learn are to feel secure and loved in their environment. When nursery leaders serve for an extended time and are a stable influence in that nursery week after week, it will help build that security."
Sometimes members are reluctant to serve in the nursery because they are fearful that they won't meet the needs of the children or that the children won't accept them, Sister Jepsen remarked.
Instead they find that the children love them and the nursery leaders become a permanent memory of these children's formal Church experience, she said. Nursery leaders should also feel confident knowing that they will get sufficient help, support and materials to have a successful experience.
"The nursery manual provides enough for everyone if they view it as a useful resource," Sister Jepsen added. "There are activity verses, finger plays, simple toys, games and a music accompaniment tape. There are also patterns for visual aids, take homes and theme lessons for older children.
"If we will just continue to rethink and re-apply and make adaptations within the guidelines, then the resource manual - which is not a lesson book - can be used over and over again.
"We need to view the nursery as a classroom instead of as a day care facility," Sister Jepsen added. "When people begin to think that way, then they value it more than just some place to drop off children while parents are learning the gospel."
To be successful, a nursery should have a variety of activities to meet the needs of each age level, she remarked.
"Some will just observe, and slowly they will learn how to play. Eventually they will listen to a story, then maybe participate in some activity."
Sharie Wood, nursery leader in the Cypress Ward, Cypress Texas Stake, explained: "I think the thing that frustrates most people who work in nursery is when they get no response from the children. The reason the children don't respond is because they are like little computers. The information they are getting in nursery is being programmed into their minds.
"In nursery they are hearing words, seeing things and feeling things they have had no experience with previously. Nursery is vital because it is putting all those beautiful, wonderful programs into these children's minds in a positive way.
"So much of a child's personality is formulated by the age of 3 - their sense of self-esteem, their sense of independence. In the nursery we have them for half of that formulation time to build in good feelings. I can see how truly inspired the nursery program is and how critical this calling is. It is not baby-sitting."
Sister Jepsen added: "This is probably one of the most fruitful times of their development, the time that they can learn most easily the things of the Spirit. We have better opportunities to teach them about truth and light because they have so recently come from that. Anyone who has taught in nursery and remembers speaking about Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father is able to feel the curiosity and desire of these little ones to know more about them.
"It is our responsibility to teach the mortal mind things that the Spirit already knows. We are just trying to catch their little mortal bodies up with their spirits."
The scriptures are always an appropriate resource for the nursery, she continued. "When the children are ready to learn stories and messages from the scriptures, the nursery leaders should feel confident in teaching them. They shouldn't have a heavy curriculum, but they can prayerfully consider what to teach.
"One of the goals of Primary is to teach children that they are children of God and that Jesus and Heavenly Father love them. That's what happens in nursery. So much goes into answering the question, `Who am I?' That is the first question that needs to be answered in their development.
"Another wonderful thing that happens in nursery is that the younger children see the older children modeling reverent behavior and respect for the teacher and for one another."
Some local units may have a tendency to keep the younger children separate from the older children, but there should be a cross section of age groups so that they can learn from and help one another.
And while it may not necessarily be the purpose of the program, an outgrowth of the nursery is that it allows parents to come to Church and listen to lessons and participate fully, knowing that their children are being cared for, Sister Jepsen added.
Running a successful nursery program also takes some financial resources from the ward, she explained. "When budgeting issues are considered, the nursery program needs to be on the agenda. The nursery needs a budget for supplies, crafts, snacks, for some pictures and an adequate supply of quality, safe toys that can be kept clean and in good repair."
For Sister Cooper of the Murray 22nd Ward, one little girl with Down syndrome has made her nursery experience particularly gratifying.
"She has brought a sweet spirit into nursery," Sister Cooper related. "She can't walk or sit in a chair, but she wants to be there. She responds and she seems to be really happy. The other children give her a hug or give her toys to play with. They take care of her."
Sister Vacheresse, recently released after serving for three years in the nursery, added: "When we are with children, we have the power to influence the eternal destinies of the children that we have in our classrooms. I honestly don't think there is any greater calling in the Church than to be a teacher. In the nursery you can mold and teach and influence those children.
"I have a strong testimony of our youth. If we will bring them up by example, these children will grow up and they will be the backbone of our Church."
