Committee
Why is there a Committee?
As a registered charity, the Long Bennington Pre-School is managed by a committee of parent/carer volunteers, also known as trustees of the charity. The word ‘Committee’ can sound a bit overwhelming, but we are really just a group of parents with a little time to give to Pre-School.
The committee is essential to the smooth running of the Pre-School and works alongside the Pre-School Manger and staff to ensure the Pre-School is running efficiently and in line with Ofsted and other legal requirements. It is also responsible for overseeing the Pre-school activities, raising the funds to keep it going, managing the finances and ensuring that the needs of all children and staff are being met.
Why does the committee need your help?
We need more parents/carers to join the committee. The Pre-School is required to have a committee of a minimum of 5 members and a maximum of 12. Committees are always looking for new members as the more members the better. It means there are more people to help out, and a wider variety of skills.
Each year, as children move up to big school, some members of the committee stand down, leaving the Pre-School open to closure unless the minimum requirement of 5 members can be filled.
Why volunteer?
It can be a really rewarding and enjoyable experience. As well as meeting other parents and carers you can have a positive impact on your child's early years’ education at Pre-school and the opportunity to gain some new experience for your CV.
Research shows clear benefits for children when parents become actively involved in their child’s learning and development from an early age. Volunteering for the committee offers an ideal opportunity for you to become more actively and practically involved in this aspect of your child’s life. It will also make a real difference to how the Pre-School is managed.
You will personally benefit from this experience by meeting with other parents, updating existing skills and learning new ones, as well as putting something positive back into your local community.
It’s a great way to get to know the staff better and to meet other parents over a cup of tea (or occasionally a glass of wine!).
Forming a committee
We hold an annual general meeting in October when new committee members are elected, however we welcome any new committee members who want to join us throughout the year.
There are some positions which need to be filled: Chair, Secretary and Treasurer being the key ones. Once these have been appointed, the committee can continue to look at the day-to-day running of the Pre-School as well as turning their minds to fund-raising.
What will I need to do?
Monthly Committee Meetings
We hold monthly meetings in the evenings at which we discuss the running of the pre-school such as staffing, financial reports, grants, adherence to government guidelines and safeguarding as well as organising up-coming events. There are usually biscuits and cakes involved too!
As part of the committee, you can expect to be able to make an influence with your own ideas to improve the way the Pre-School is run.
Fund-Raising
Fund raising is vital for the Pre-School and we have regular established events such as the Christmas Fair, Ladies’ Quiz Night, the Easter Hunt and the End of Year Disco but are always looking for new ideas as the money raised is essential to the sustainability of the Pre-School.
You will be involved in the organisation and running of the events as well as helping to identify new fund-raising opportunities.
Running the Business
We do have a business side as we are a charity, and need to manage the financial accounts, annual budgets, managing staff and ensuring guidelines are met. All decisions and meetings are fully minuted. We are fortunate to have a paid member of staff as Clerk to the Committee who sees to all the invoicing, staff pay, payment of bills, monthly/yearly accounts and who submits the accounts for auditing and to the Charity Commission.
I’m interested
Please take the time to consider joining the Preschool committee and make a difference!
To contact us please don't hesitate to speak to any of the existing members – you can find their mug shots on the noticeboard.
You can join any time of the year but coming along to the AGM in October to show your support would be much appreciated.
If you would like to join, please contact one of the existing committee members who will be able to give you the date of the next meeting or AGM.
Not for you? We can still use your help!
The committee would love to have as many members as possible but we understand that it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
However there are other ways you can help, from passing on any fund-raising ideas you have to baking cakes for fund-raising events, from sparing some time to volunteer at events to raiding your cupboards for tombola prizes, or even letting us know if you have any DIY skills that could be handy!
Why is there a Committee?
As a registered charity, the Long Bennington Pre-School is managed by a committee of parent/carer volunteers, also known as trustees of the charity. The word ‘Committee’ can sound a bit overwhelming, but we are really just a group of parents with a little time to give to Pre-School.
The committee is essential to the smooth running of the Pre-School and works alongside the Pre-School Manger and staff to ensure the Pre-School is running efficiently and in line with Ofsted and other legal requirements. It is also responsible for overseeing the Pre-school activities, raising the funds to keep it going, managing the finances and ensuring that the needs of all children and staff are being met.
Why does the committee need your help?
We need more parents/carers to join the committee. The Pre-School is required to have a committee of a minimum of 5 members and a maximum of 12. Committees are always looking for new members as the more members the better. It means there are more people to help out, and a wider variety of skills.
Each year, as children move up to big school, some members of the committee stand down, leaving the Pre-School open to closure unless the minimum requirement of 5 members can be filled.
Why volunteer?
It can be a really rewarding and enjoyable experience. As well as meeting other parents and carers you can have a positive impact on your child's early years’ education at Pre-school and the opportunity to gain some new experience for your CV.
Research shows clear benefits for children when parents become actively involved in their child’s learning and development from an early age. Volunteering for the committee offers an ideal opportunity for you to become more actively and practically involved in this aspect of your child’s life. It will also make a real difference to how the Pre-School is managed.
You will personally benefit from this experience by meeting with other parents, updating existing skills and learning new ones, as well as putting something positive back into your local community.
It’s a great way to get to know the staff better and to meet other parents over a cup of tea (or occasionally a glass of wine!).
Forming a committee
We hold an annual general meeting in October when new committee members are elected, however we welcome any new committee members who want to join us throughout the year.
There are some positions which need to be filled: Chair, Secretary and Treasurer being the key ones. Once these have been appointed, the committee can continue to look at the day-to-day running of the Pre-School as well as turning their minds to fund-raising.
What will I need to do?
Monthly Committee Meetings
We hold monthly meetings in the evenings at which we discuss the running of the pre-school such as staffing, financial reports, grants, adherence to government guidelines and safeguarding as well as organising up-coming events. There are usually biscuits and cakes involved too!
As part of the committee, you can expect to be able to make an influence with your own ideas to improve the way the Pre-School is run.
Fund-Raising
Fund raising is vital for the Pre-School and we have regular established events such as the Christmas Fair, Ladies’ Quiz Night, the Easter Hunt and the End of Year Disco but are always looking for new ideas as the money raised is essential to the sustainability of the Pre-School.
You will be involved in the organisation and running of the events as well as helping to identify new fund-raising opportunities.
Running the Business
We do have a business side as we are a charity, and need to manage the financial accounts, annual budgets, managing staff and ensuring guidelines are met. All decisions and meetings are fully minuted. We are fortunate to have a paid member of staff as Clerk to the Committee who sees to all the invoicing, staff pay, payment of bills, monthly/yearly accounts and who submits the accounts for auditing and to the Charity Commission.
I’m interested
Please take the time to consider joining the Preschool committee and make a difference!
To contact us please don't hesitate to speak to any of the existing members – you can find their mug shots on the noticeboard.
You can join any time of the year but coming along to the AGM in October to show your support would be much appreciated.
If you would like to join, please contact one of the existing committee members who will be able to give you the date of the next meeting or AGM.
Not for you? We can still use your help!
The committee would love to have as many members as possible but we understand that it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
However there are other ways you can help, from passing on any fund-raising ideas you have to baking cakes for fund-raising events, from sparing some time to volunteer at events to raiding your cupboards for tombola prizes, or even letting us know if you have any DIY skills that could be handy!