Rainbows End Pre School has a parent-run committee
which needs you!
What is the purpose of a Pre School Committee?
The pre-school parent led committee is responsible for the overall management and smooth running of the setting. This can mean anything from organising a fundraising event to negotiating with the parish council. The committee is the employer of staff in the pre school and so has overall responsibility for recruiting, training and developing staff, paying their salaries and managing their contracts.
The committee also has responsibility for things like developing a business plan, managing the daily accounts and working with staff, ensuring the setting follows health and safety, risk assessment, insurance and first aid guidance.
What is there in it for new parents?
Research shows clear benefits for children when parents become actively involved in their child’s learning and developing. Volunteering for the committee offers an ideal opportunity to be more involved. Parents also find benefits for themselves including meeting other parents, updating skills and learning new ones, as well as putting something back into the local community.
Fund Raising
Money raised from annual events such as the Summer Ball and Parents Quiz Nights have paid for the pre-school garden at the village hall. We have updated equipment and safety matting and the children can try their hands at gardening, play in the sand pit and water trays and feed the birds and squirrels.
How can parents be involved?
Much of the work of the committee is fun and a great excuse to get out in the evening – building new partnerships with parents, coming up with fundraising ideas, getting exciting plans off the ground, generally mucking in. But there are some regular jobs too:
Chairperson
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Chairs meetings and AGM
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Knows roles and obligations of the committee
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Organises CRB checks
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Ensures staff ratio meets National Standards
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Maintains the business plan, policies and procedures
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Reviews and carries out staff appraisal
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Seeks out bursaries and funding opportunities
Treasurer
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Reviews the fees
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Approves purchase of equipment and developments
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Approves the annual budget
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Monitors budget
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Ensures the accounts are independently checked annually
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Submits annual return to the Charity commission
Secretary
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Organises agenda and minutes of meetings
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Sets meeting schedules
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Informs Ofsted of any changes
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Produces flyers/leaflets for fundraising events
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Organises letters as required
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Organises other parents to support fundraising events as required
If you would like to find out more, contact any of our committee members or the Pre- School Learning Alliance.
2009/10 Officers
Chair – Dave Bimpson
Treasurer – Angela Walker
Secretary – Sam Bimpson
Committee Members:
Sarah Smith, Lisa Deasley, Jayne Seaward, Heidi Sherlock, Maria Simmons, Julia Allan-Patel, Sally Savidge, Jo Robinson and Cheri Benson.
Pre School Learning Alliance
The Fitzpatrick Building, 188 York Way, London N7 9AD
Telephone: 020 7697 2500. http://www.pre-school.org.uk/