Kentisbeare Pre -School
Putting children first
News
Fashion Show 1st July
Do you need a few new separates to liven up your wardrobe? Would you like to buy them at bargain prices? LOOK NO FURTHER. Come along and enjoy this evening of fashion and fun hosted by “Off The Peg”. Tickets are only £4.50 each - all proceeds go to Kentisbeare Pre-School. It’ll be a fun night.
This Special Event will be held on: Kentisbeare Village Hall
Doors open 7:30pm show starts 8:00pm
15 June 2010
Induction Day 23rd June 2010
After the sucess of our first Induction Day we have decided to make this a regular event for all new starters.
If your child is lucky enough to be starting our pre school in September you will be receiving an invitation in the post. Not only does this day give you a chance to come and look around and meet the staff, some committee members will be serving some lovely home-made cakes, tea and coffee so please come and join us!
07 June 2010
Minutes of Committee Meeting 19th May 2010
Committee and Trustee Meeting Wednesday 19th May 2010
VH Committee room
Present: Bee, Suzanne, Catherine T, Angela, Helen, Georgina, Katherine E, Beth, Annette, Simon, Jane and Kat.
Apologies: Kerry, Melanie, Stephanie, Vicki, Donna, Gayle and Sue.
1) Minutes of last meeting approved
• CRB checks all now in place and Annette, Catherine, Sue, Georgina and Kerry to show them to Beth.
• Website and newsletter proving vital sources of information for all
• Report on Auction monies raised for Pre School at a staggering £2360-72. A huge formal thank you to Katherine E, Georgina, Angela, Jamie, Donna, James, committee members and parents who helped make the evening such a success.
• Future fundraising Saturday 3rd July hall booked 9-12pm for car boot sale, confirm with Vicki, and hall booked for Christmas Market/Craft Fair Saturday 9th October Suz, Bee and Annette. Fashion show booked for Thursday 1st July further info and tickets for sale to appear in trays, Kat.
• Term dates and booking of hall up to the end of the year booked. 2011 dates to be confirmed at the next meeting and booked once diary has been bought.
2) Treasurer’s Report
• Current financial position very healthy with no unexpected expenses. A future training budget to be implemented and a staff wage increase to be reviewed at next personnel meeting, Angela
• Children numbers and Admissions to be discussed with Vicki. Session allocation to be reviewed at next meeting according to progress.
3) Staffing Report
• Rachel Weis provides cover on a Monday afternoon and has been more than complementary about the dedicated staff and hard working committee!
4) Action Plan Update
• Action plan to be updated, Simon, Bee and Suz along with the annual Health and Safety risk assessment
5) Welfare of Children
• Health and Safety poster to be purchased (£10.22) and COSH file sheets to be completed, Helen, Melanie and (Bee to find out hand soap ingredients) and kept with first aid box. Online courses for Manual Handling and Fire Marshalling to be considered for all staff.
6) Learning and Development
• Dad’s week beginning Monday 24th May, Suz to email reminder
• Leavers’ Lunch Friday 16th July extra parent help needed Katherine
• End of term party to be organised by the committee on Thursday 15th July. Cakes etc. Suz to email reminder nearer the time. School Sports day Tuesday 6th July from 9.30 with Pre School to attend and participate. A 2:1 ration needed to accompany children to school. More info at next meeting Bee and Suz
• Summer trip Tuesday 13th July to Pecorama. Pre School children free entry and staff to be confirmed. Coach booked and £180 to pay
7) Parents and the Community
• Parents Evening Wednesday 16th June with afternoon and evening timed slots, info to go in the newsletter, plus opportunity for parents to make alternative meeting where appropriate.
• School meeting with Calendula brought up the following issues. There are 3 possible models of approach for the preschool to follow, to allow the governance to be under the conditions of service of the county council. It was suggested that a reception member of staff be invited to join the Pre School committee. Bee and Suz
• Review of parent rota. It was agreed that the system fundamentally stays the same but with the inclusion of a pool of parents that are happy to assist those parents who are unable to do their session. Bee and Suz to have the contact numbers for the pool.
• Date of next induction day 23rd June Annette/working group
8) Partnership Organisations
• Village Hall There is a new outside tap and the hand washing sink now drains!! Well done Bee
• School
• Rugrats It was decided that Woofenden be approached once more for his kind offer of fixing the roof of the shed and if it not completed by the end of June to use one of the other more expensive quotes. Bee and Angela It has been agreed that after the clear out of the ruined toys, a decision will be made about the storage box Katherine E
• Children’s Centre
9) Management of Pre School
10) Date and time of next meeting and AOB
ECCS (inspection) wondered about the possibility of a private area for the children and the use of the wooden blocks. It was recommended that a trolley be bought for the blocks to sit on, possibly purchased from the Galt Catalogue.
Next meeting changed from Wednesday 30th to 23rd June, 7.30 at Brooke House, Kerswell
23 May 2010
Committee Meeting held 24th March 2010
Committee and Trustee Meeting
Angela’s House, Cullompton.
Present: Suzanne, Bee, Angela, Jamie, Sue, Vicki, Jane, Helen, Sue, Katherine E, Beth, Annette, Simon and Kat.
Apologies: Kerry, Stephanie, Catherine T, Melanie, Donna, Gayle.
1) Minutes of last meeting 27.01.10 approved
- Questionnaire results were handed round (confidentiality to be respected). Overall a good response (23/41) The main areas for development are;
Outside Area – to possibly include a slide, climbing and ropes on the bank.
Parent
Behaviour Management
Parent Feedback and engage parents to help with maintenance and groups, e.g. Green Group. Annette, Vicki, Kat.
Approach school re: after school club.
Invite the staff to give feedback on the questionnaire results.
- CRB checks all complete at present. Bee’s to be looked at. Beth
- Judith Jones meeting to be arranged. Angela and Helen
- Profiles of Responsibility from Angela and Sue
- Term Dates autumn term 2010
Tuesday 7th September - Friday 15th October
Half Term Monday 18th October – Friday 29th October (2 weeks)
Monday 1st November – Friday 10th December
2011 term dates to be confirmed at the next meeting.
- Logo bags have been used by a good number of the children, although they are quite difficult for children to put their belongings in. Perhaps more tradition book bags might be purchased in the future if funds become available.
- The joint chair position has been changed and Suzanne is now full chair and Bee was voted into the position of Safeguarding Officer; proposed by Angela and seconded by Vicki.
2) Treasurer’s Report
Finances are stable at present, with continued staffing level assessment.
The children’s funding rate has been increasing from
It was proposed that in future a budget be set for training requirements.
There was some discussion around the date wages are paid. Angela and Helen to liaise to ensure Angela has necessary information giving her enough time to put the wages through.
3) Staffing Report
- Induction Session was very well received and the 5 new children’s parents seemed very positive. It was proposed that the same happen next term, but with more notice to allow any parent wishing to attend to rearrange work commitments. It is to be added into the ‘Admissions’, Vicki, and Bee to do a follow up call. A parent has offered to pressure wash the outside patio; arrangements to be made.
- Bank worker Rachael Weis has been spoken to and is keen to be involved when we need her. She has training in special needs and challenging behaviour.
4) Action Plan Update
When all feedback has been received from the questionnaire, information gathered will be placed into the plan for action in the future. Simon
5) Welfare of Children
- Policy Changes
The Operational Plan and The Parents and Volunteers File to be updated by Bee, along with the Safeguarding, Accidents, Outings and Camera policies. Contact details to be put on the camera. Helen. It was proposed that a check list for the camera, keys, phone, register and fees book be made for staff.
- Health and Safety
There are still issues with the dancers using talc on the floor despite assurances that it won’t happen. A notice is to be placed in the hall, stating that “If dancers insist upon using talc on the floor it is to be wet mopped at the end of the night. It poses a serious threat to the children and staff using the hall in the morning”. Mel
There is a crack in the fixed fire door – Queenie has been notified and will try to get it fixed over the holidays.
The hand washing sink is blocked again and not draining away properly.
6) Learning and Development of Children
- Learning themes for next term to be announced soon. Helen.
- Summer outing is to be on Tuesday 13th July to Pecorama near Beer, Preschool to pay for entry of Preschool children and the coach. Helen and Sue to liaise re organisation of trip.
- The Easter Egg Hunt is on Tuesday 30th March from
- “Sing It, Say It” is taking place on Friday in the Village Hall.
7) Parents and the Community
- Parent’s Evening was well attended, with a 20 out of 30 uptake. Contact with the parents who couldn’t make it to be made and the key workers folders to be offered, or an alternative meeting to be made. Helen and staff.
- Communications: Website and newsletter going well. PR for Children’s Centre, contract signed no payment made as yet.
- Fundraising. The Auction is on the 7th May. Committee to invite as many people as possible, including Grandparents. It was proposed to have a Preschool Sweatshirt/T-shirt stall at the auction. Jamie to be the auctioneer and raffle prizes needed. Information in trays nearer the time. Angela. The Fashion Show (7.30 for
8) Partnership Organisations
- Village Hall – discussed
- Rug Rats – nothing outstanding
- Children’s Centre – discussed
- PLA newsletter – to be discussed at next meeting
9) Management of
- New Build plans have been looked over with reference to the Welfare of the children with Calendula and Mary Ann. It was recommended that there be space for 18 – 20 children. The shed will have to be replaced, perhaps by a play house in the garden, if funds permit. Newly built pre-schools in the area are to be looked at and the plans to be available for parents to feedback on to develop a plan for grants etc. Simon & ALL.
- Shed roof is to be fixed,
10) AOB
The poles for the Sail Shade have buckled, Bee to get in touch with supplier and if possible, position of shade to be changed to give better actual shade.
There are punctures in many of the bikes, which need attention Annette/Justin.
A
03 May 2010