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OUR PURPOSE
Little Crickets Pre-School is supported by a voluntary management committee. Its role is to ensure that diverse perspectives are included across all decision making for fair and equal outcomes.
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As a registered charity, voluntary management is a pre-requisite for this charitable status and the existence o the pre-school.
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Who is on the Management Committee?
Our pre-school has a management committee made up of volunteers who come largely from our parent/carer community and therefore have a vested interest in assuring the best childcare for our children. Volunteers from the wider family, or community are also welcome.
How does the work of the Management Committee differ from the Pre-School Manager?
The committee is responsible for the overall management and organisation of the setting and works with the Pre-school manager and staff to ensure the smooth running of pre-school. Committee members also act as directors and trustees.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Volunteers join the committee for a minimum of a year, but many choose to stay on for longer. Our AGM is held in September when new committee members are sought; but new appointments are most active from the previous term. The committee requires at least 6 members with a maximum of 12, but there are always other opportunities for non-committee members to get involved. A DBS check will be completed for each new committee member.
What is the time commitment?
The committee hold meetings every 2 months (1hr in an evening) to ensure the needs of all staff and children are being met, to monitor the budget, plan fundraising events and discuss any other agenda items.
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In between these times committee members perform their own duties, that may take approx. 3hrs per month and correspond by occasional emails or WhatsApp. There is support available for volunteers and the roles can be whatever you want to make of them. It is a great way to use your skills or build new ones.
Find out about specific committee roles below:
CHAIR - The role of the Chairperson(s) is fantastically varied. It is the main point of contact for committee members, staff and external bodies but your main role is to support the Pre-School manager, with whom you will form a close working relationship. You will have the opportunity to get involved in everything from staff recruitment and appraisals, to policy development and fundraising projects. You will chair committee meetings, delegate tasks to others and help drive decisions of the committee. No experience is required, you will be given any necessary support and you will be supported in your role by other committee members, and staff. This position can also be shared between 2 Co-Chairs.
CO-CHAIR (finance) – The Co-Chair who has responsibility for the finance side of things works very closely with the Treasurer. The Co-Chair’s role includes overall accounting responsibility and is the main contact for Companies House and Charities Commission. The Co-Chair will also approve bank payments (where treasurer not available), give formal approval of any larger costs needed for running of school improvements and be the main liaison with Cricket Club for anything outside of day-to-day. A Co-Chair helps to carry out the Chair role with less time commitments for each individual.
VICE-CHAIR – This role is needed if there is only one Chairperson. If there are 2 Co-Chairs then a Vice-Chair is not necessary. This role is full of potential and can be whatever you make it. You will work closely with the Chairperson and the Pre-school manager, supporting them in their roles in the running of pre-school. The Vice-chair will have specific responsibility for managing matters arising in relation to the maintenance of the pre-school building and in seeking monetary grants.
TREASURER – The treasurer is the person appointed to administer and manage the financial assets and liabilities of the Pre School. For the past 4 years this person has worked very closely with the Co-Chair who has led the financial side of the role.
HEALTH & SAFETY - As the Health & Safety volunteer you keep up to date on current health and safety legislation and recommendations, and advise the committee on health & safety improvements for pre-school. It is the Health & Safety volunteer who conducts building risk assessments with the manager and monitors the accident and medication book.
SECRETARY – As the committee secretary you are responsible for taking the minutes of the committee meetings and the AGM. You are responsible for distributing these in a timely manner to the committee members after the meeting.
FUNDRAISING – As a fundraising committee member, you will be responsible for co-ordinating a plan of social and fundraising events for families throughout the year. You will organise volunteers to help with the planning and running of these events. This role is best shared between 2 or 3 people.