Committee

The Pre-School is registered with Companies House (Reg. No. 6231152) but still operates on a voluntary basis run by a committee made up of parents whose children attend or have attended the Pre-School.

An AGM is held every October to which everyone is welcome.  At this, new members are voted in.  Everyone is most welcome to join the committee as long as their children attend or have attended the Pre-School.  There are 3 officers – Chairperson, Treasurer and Company Secretary, and there should be between 2 and 9 additional members).  The committee meets once every half-term to discuss and vote on various matters arising, such as term dates, themes, fund-raising, staff issues, salaries and other general issues.

The committee is the staff’s employers and runs the Pre-School overall.  The Pre-School cannot open without a committee, so please try to join.

Although it can be a little time-consuming, being on the committee is very satisfying, and you are contributing towards your child continuing at the Pre-School of your choice, and making new friends in the process.  You can join the committee at any time, so please talk to the Chairperson, Secretary or Treasurer.

Charities Commision

As a Charity, we are allowed to use the public for fundraising.  Each year, Pre-School must prepare and submit accounts to the Charities commission.

Ofsted

We are registered with Ofsted under the Children Act 1989.  As a condition of this, Ofsted inspects us regularly.  These inspections also enable us to accept funded children as well as providing full day care. Our latest inspection (October 10) found as good with outstanding features.  The full report can be viewed at www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports

PLA

In 2003, we successfully achieved PLA ACCREDITED STATUS, a quality assurance scheme that ensures a high standard of Pre-School education.

As a member of the PLA, we receive a variety of information through newsletters and monthly magazines with advice for the under 5s.  Much of this information is put on the notice board.

Parental Involvement

The Pre-School staff welcome and values your input into your child’s education.  By advising us of changes in family circumstances, e.g. a new baby, or impending visits to hospital, or even trips and visits, past and future, you can contribute to your child’s records and help us to help you prepare your child.  Please feel free to talk to the staff or your child’s key person, about any aspects of your child’s time with us.

When your child starts with us, we want you and him/her to be happy.  It is therefore important that you are happy that your child has settled, and, as such, we encourage you to stay until your child is happy.  Although after many years’ experience, we find that the child generally is before the parent…!

Please remember that you are welcome to attend the Pre-School at any time (although prior arrangement is preferred).

Parents Rota

All parents whose children attend Pre-School are requested to take turns on the parents’ rota.  A new chart is put up each half term on the notice board in the lobby, for you to put your name on.

It gives you the perfect opportunity not only to see what your child is doing each day and discuss his/her progress with their key person.  Please see the Who, What, Where, When and Why guide to parents help in your starter pack for more information.

Pre-School Queries

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the day-to-day running of the Pre-School or your child, please speak to the Play Leader or your Child’s key person who is in the best position to answer your queries.  Questions relating to changes in or additional sessions should be directed to the Administrator, via the staff.  Queries regarding payment of fees should be directed to the Treasurer of the committee.  For any other queries, please speak to the Chairperson.  All matters will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.

Complaints

Should parents find it necessary to consider making a complaint, they should bring the matter to the attention of the Leader first, then if necessary to the Chairperson.  Complaints may also be sent direct to The Office for Standards of Education (Ofsted), National Business Unit, 3^rd Floor Royal Exchange Building, St Anne's Square, Manchester, M2 7LA Tel: 08456 404040.

Notice Boards Inside and Out

Our notice boards both outside and in the entrance lobby display much useful information and should be read regularly