WEE Committee

Functions
Selection
Orientation and Training
Network Support

A weekday early education (WEE) program is designed to provide opportunities for children to learn about God's world and how to live in it. As an integral part of the total ministry of the church, a WEE program reflects the overall goals of the sponsoring church. To ensure that these goals are accurately reflected in the weekday program, the church elects a WEE committee and assigns the committee specific responsibilities. These responsibilities include establishing, supporting, and coordinating the weekday program(s) within church guidelines.

The purposes of the church weekday education committee are to:

establish a biblical foundation for the weekday program(s)
coordinate the activities and ministries of the program(s)
serve as liaison between the weekday program(s) and the church

As the weekday education committee carries out its responsibilities, it sets the standard so that weekday and other preschool/children's leadership work from the same philosophy and principles to meet the needs of young children -physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual-while they are at church.

The WEE committee may be responsible for one or more weekday programs. These may include:

Parents Day Out
Full-day child care
Before/after school care
Christian school

Whatever types of weekday education programs a church decides to include in its ministry, quality programs will include age-appropriate learning environments for each child and a Bible-based, Christ-centered philosophy of education. The WEE committee can assist in making each program a vital part of the church's total ministry. Each church may formulate the specific responsibilities of its WEE committee, but there are some basic responsibilities, which will help develop effective administration of the weekday program.

The WEE committee has four basic functions:

To set policy
To hire and develop the director
To approve a written, annual budget
To plan for the future

These functions are carried out in the following ways:

Determine Policies and Procedures
Guidelines for operating and administering the program should reflect the purpose and philosophy of the program and outline the practical aspects of day-to-day operations (admission requirements, tuition and fees, record keeping, insurance, etc.).
Work in Cooperation
Work in cooperation with the WEE program director to staff the church weekday education program. Job descriptions, benefits, and personnel policies will establish the foundation for hiring weekday staff to support a quality ministry.
Assist the Director
Assist the church weekday education director in developing an annual budget.
Project annual income and expenses in a workable, written budget.
Review the monthly financial report of the church weekday education program in the regular monthly meeting of the church weekday education committee.
Review Compliance Requirements
Periodically review compliance of legal, licensing, and safety requirements of the church weekday education program. Be aware of changes in city, county, and state laws related to licensing, health, and safety. Conduct regular reviews and check-ups to ensure a quality weekday education program.
Inform, Involve, and Educate
Make public relation efforts to inform, involve, and educate the church and community about the church weekday education program. As the liaison between the church weekday education program and the church, enthusiastically share with the church family the ministry that takes place through the church weekday education program. Positively publicize the church weekday education program within the community.
Build Relationships
Encourage positive relationships between the church weekday education program and other church organizations involving young children. Sharing space, equipment, and resources requires guidelines, coordination, supervision, and cooperation.
Serve as a positive role model for sharing space.
Provide times for those that share space to meet together, arrange rooms, and become part of a team that ministers to young children and families each time preschoolers are at church. Attend parent meetings, open house, and special events. The presence and hospitality of WEE committee members builds relationships and demonstrates genuine interest in the ministry.
Progress Reports
Report regularly to the church. Include outreach successes, ministry opportunities, names of WEE staff, special events, involvement in Vacation Bible School, and use of WEE Learn curriculum.
Encourage Volunteers
Encourage church members to volunteer in WEE. The program benefits in many ways from people volunteering their areas of expertise such as secretarial, bookkeeping, maintenance, resource development, organization, and others.
Ministry and Outreach
Each committee member can contribute to ministry and outreach of young children and families by:
- Praying for the weekday director and staff, for the children enrolled, for families who bring their children, and for the church who supports this ministry.
- Actively communicating with and ministering to families enrolled in the weekday program during times of crisis. A personal note, card, telephone call, or meal expresses caring concern for the family.
- Cultivating outreach opportunities with church weekday education families.
- Planning appreciation events for the weekday staff. A banquet, Sunday morning recognition, birthday remembrances, or a lunch can express in special ways that the weekday staff members are appreciated.

Committee Selection
The committee members are selected by the church nominating committee and are elected by the church. The director of the WEE program(s) serves as an ex-officio member of the committee. Members must understand and be committed to a biblical philosophy of education that would undergird a quality education program.

A balanced representation of the church's membership on the committee provides natural spokespersons for WEE ministry in key groups throughout the church. Especially helpful on the committee are people with a background in early childhood education, legal matters, medical fields, business and finance, personnel management, public relations, and social work.

Membership of the committee rotates in accordance with other church-elected committees. Many churches find that a six-member committee on a three-year rotation seems to work well. Under this system, two members rotate off each year, and two new members rotate onto the committee. A chairperson may be elected by the committee members or designated by the nominating committee or committee on committees.

An involved, active committee provides positive relationships between the church and WEE programs. The committee will be more effective if it meets at a designated time and place each month.

Use regular meetings to:

develop relationships
update policies
monitor finances

Committee Orientation and Training
As the WEE committee begins its work each year, a time of orientation and training is essential. This time helps new committee members become familiar with the weekday program (purpose, philosophy, and ministry) and to develop positive relationships with existing members.

Ideas for orientation and training include:

Participate in training provided by the church for all committees.
Review the purpose and philosophy for which the WEE ministry exists.
Provide a copy of this guide for each committee member prior to the first meeting of the committee (permission is granted for duplicating). Discuss its contents and answer questions regarding the work of the committee at the first committee meeting.
Read and discuss the biblical principles in Kingdom Education to develop a proper biblical foundation of education.
Take a tour of all rooms and areas used by the WEE program, noting positive environments, resources, and program offices. Document areas of need for future planning.
Prepare a notebook which contains names, addresses, work and home phone numbers of committee members; list of weekday staff and classrooms; policies; financial information; budget; enrollment; personnel policies; recent newsletters; parent handbook; enrollment packet; and any other pertinent information. Distribute a notebook to each committee member who rotates onto the committee. Secure notebooks from members who rotate off the committee. Update as needed to begin a new committee year.
Display resources that support the WEE program.
Mail articles relating to the weekday program, special announcements, and newsletters to committee members on a regular basis. Communication is a key to an informed, effective committee.
Observe the weekday program in operation. See first hand the learning environment, staff, parents, and overall administration.
Gain understanding of the procedures for outreach and ministry to families enrolled in the church weekday education program and become an active participant in this ministry.
Explore other ideas for effective ministry and outreach through church weekday programs with other churches in your area.

Network for Support
Learn about training (local, regional, or national events) for church weekday education directors, teachers, and committees and make plans to participate in training events and to budget for weekday staff to participate.

For dates and locations contact:

your local Baptist association office
your state Baptist convention office
Christian school associations, such as regional office of ACSI
other church/denominational state and regional offices

The WEE committee has the opportunity to give guidance and support to a ministry that touches the lives of young children, their families, and has the potential to impact future generations for eternity.

For more information about Weekday Early Education or Parents Day Out, e-mail your comments to Editor-in-Chief Mikey Oldham.