Glendale Kids | Childcare + Godly Play at Glendale 

Glendale seeks to provide children a safe, loving + clean environment where they can see + hear about the teachings of Jesus.

Infants & children are always welcome in worship! However, we know that it might be easier for parents, grandparents, guardians and caregivers of young kids if they play in  safe + fun spaces just for kids during worship.  Our nursery (ages 0-4) and Godly Play room (ages 5-10) are staffed with experienced staff that have undergone a comprehensive background check and the safe gatherings training. You can view our Safe Sanctuaries policies here.

With a growing number of families with kids at Glendale, on a typical Sunday, we now have 20-30 kids between these two spaces!

When is the Nursery + Godly Play available?

Our nursery is open on Sunday mornings from 9:45am-12:15pm during worship and our small groups after worship for ages 0-4.

Godly Play is open during worship from 9:45-11am for ages 5-10.

How do I get to the Nursery and Godly Play?

There are two ways. You can enter the doors under the external staircase off the parking lot. The nursery will be the second door on the right and our Godly Play room is the fifth door on the left. However, this entrance will be locked as worship begins and stay locked throughout the service to keep our kids safe. You can also enter through the front doors of the sanctuary and a welcome team member will guide you to these spaces.

Important Nursery + Godly Play Info for Parents / Guardians / Caregivers:

You must remain on the Glendale church campus while your children are in the nursery and/or Godly Play during worship.

Please notify staff members upon check-in with any allergies and label all belongings.

For young children, we recommend packing an extra set of clothes.

Meet our Glendale Kids Director, Cassie!

I am excited to be a part of this wonderful community at Glendale! I formerly served as a youth director with a strong background in UMC youth ministry and am now a 5th grade English teacher. I am passionate about creating a nurturing and inclusive environment for our kids to grow in their faith, build lasting relationships, and discover their unique gifts and talents just as I would want for my own two kids. Questions? Reach out to Cassie.

PHOTO: Wild Wonder Summer Camp 2025 at Glendale

Wild Wonder Summer Camp is Coming – July 2026

Wild Wonder Camp activities and lessons (songs & devotions, science & nature, and play & exploration) point to the wildly wonderful world God made and help kids see that they, too, are beloved creations. Our annual summer camp is M-Th from 9am-Noon.

PHOTO: Opening of the newly expanded community playground August 2025

Nathan’s Community Playground

“Nathan’s Playground” was built in 2013 to provide a place for neighborhood children to play. In 2025, a major playground expansion was completed that serves the rapidly growing number of families with kids within our church and also families throughout the neighborhood. Check out GlendaleUMC.org/Nathans-Playground for more information

Our Kids are an Active Part of Worship

We believe that it is important that young people have the opportunity to play an active role in worship at Glendale as greeters, acolytes, scripture readers, musicians, communion servers and pretty much any way an adult would serve during our worship services each week @ 10am!

Mission + Service Opportunities for Children

We are intentional in being active outside the doors of our building and welcome kids of all ages to help us make a difference in the lives of others! Many of the missions we are involved in are great opportunities for kids to get involved like Room In The Inn, putting together snack packs for youth in need for Oasis Center, walking with us at Nashville PRIDE, writing letters to our incarcerated siblings and many more ways to serve. Check out GlendaleUMC.org/Serve for more information on some of the ongoing opportunities for all ages to make a difference.