The Committee is responsible for:

• Supporting the senior staff in managing the Pre-School finances and personnel
• Ensuring that the Pre-School has policies, which help it to provide a high quality service, and that it works to these policies
• Ensuring that the Pre-School works in partnership with the children’s parents and carers
• Fundraising

We depend very much on the goodwill of parents and their involvement with the Pre-School. Without the Committee, the Pre-School would not be able to operate and would have to close.

Each volunteer member of the Committee brings different skills which are invaluable to the running of our Pre-School. Committee members have worked, or do work, in various industries, such as; management, financial, or secretarial. Others may have worked with children before, or in situations dealing directly with the public. The important thing is, each member is valued for what they can bring and everyone is welcome.

Under the Pre-school Learning Alliance Constitution, the Committee can consist of no less than 5 and no more than 12 elected members, but sub-committees may be formed so tasks may be shared among parents and all the work need not fall on any one person or group. There are three set roles required on the Committee; the Chair, the Treasurer and the Secretary. These posts have a more defined role, some details of which are set out below together with some of the duties shared amongst Committee members:

Chair

Chairs all committee, general and annual meetings including the AGM. Co-ordinates the work of the Committee. Assists the Secretary with the preparation of the agenda for these meetings. Works alongside the Treasurer and supports the rest of the Committee members. Line manages the Manager and Administrator of the Pre-School. Acts as the “Nominated Person” for Ofsted purposes (usually, however Pat, the Manager is the Nominated Person at present).

Treasurer

Prepares, or assists in preparing in advance, an annual budget for the Pre-School and monitors it regularly. Monitors the Pre-School’s bank accounts, opens new accounts if required and changes signatories when required. Signs cheques jointly with the Administrator or other nominated Committee members. Keeps accounts of all income and expenditure and keeps the Committee aware of the financial position of the Pre-School by providing a statement of the finances at every meeting. Arranges to have the accounts audited and presents them at the AGM. Arranges for accounts to be filed and records updated at the Charities Commission.

Secretary

Organises all meetings including booking venues (if appropriate) and liaises with Committee members to ensure they are all informed. Prepares and circulates agendas for each meeting, takes minutes at each meeting and circulates minutes for approval of all Committee members. Supports all Committee members.

Shared responsibilities for all Committee members

To act in the best interests of the Pre-School, promoting its values and working together to achieve its charitable objectives. To work as part of a team, reading Committee papers and contributing to the decision making process of the Committee. To undertake Ofsted suitability checks as appropriate. To ensure that the Pre-School complies with the rules in its constitution, charity law and other regulations that govern the work of the Pre-School. To aid in raising money to support the work of the Pre-School.

The Committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting held in April each year and generally meets twice a term. The Annual General Meeting is open to the parents of all children who attend the Pre-School. It is our forum for looking back over the previous year’s activities and shaping the coming year’s activities.

If you would like to put something back into our community by volunteering for the Committee in any role, please speak with our staff or contact us at bactonunderfives2023@outlook.com

We very much look forward to welcoming all new volunteers for both the committee and our fundraising events and will be holding some short sessions soon to set out the work of the committee and explain how you can help.

Thank you