Committee

Please allow us to introduce ourselves for those who don’t know who we are and what we do.

We are High Legh Pre-School Committee:

Joe – Co Chair

Lindsey – Co Chair

Beth – Treasurer

Leanne – Secretary

Lauren – Events

Although we have specific job titles, the work of managing the Nursery is shared amongst the committee who are jointly responsible for all overall decision making, and collectively we do as much as we can to support all areas.

So, what is the committee and what do we do?

We are a small, parent led committee of volunteers whose role is to ensure the effective running of High Legh Preschool Nursery. We, as committee members, have an important role in being responsible for the overall management and smooth-running of the Nursery, through leadership and direction by ensuring it operates efficiently. 

We also ensure the Nursery fulfils all its legal obligations according to our constitution and meets the needs of the children and parents who use it. Each volunteer member of the Committee are the charity trustees of the Nursery who each bring different skills which are invaluable to the running of our Nursery. 

As a governing body, the committee all have a shared vision of what the Nursery is about, what it wants to achieve and the long-term vision. This can mean the committee’s jobs include anything from organising a fundraising event to negotiating with a landlord over the terms of a lease.

The Committee work within the parameters of a constitution and as a not-for-profit organisation, all our finance is used for the benefit of the children and staff.  Committee members all have full time jobs and other commitments; therefore, this is an additional role but overall, we still all act in the best interests of the Nursery. 

Without the Committee, the Nursery would not be able to operate and would have to close, therefore, we depend very much on the goodwill and support of parents/carers and their involvement with any event or activity regarding the Nursery, so please support us where you can.

The Committee works in tandem with the Nursery Manager and staff to maintain a good working relationship of support and guidance to ensure that the legal requirements and childcare arrangements have suitable aims and objectives to ensure the successful running of our Nursery.

Overall, the Committee:

– Is the employer of the staff but not responsible for the day to day running of the Nursery. The Committee undertake regular supervisions, appraisals, self-assessments, and development plans occur to support and monitor staff

– Act in the best interests of the charity; promoting its values and working to achieve its charitable objectives.

– Maintains the finances through managing the accounts, budgets, and financial reporting to ensure adequate financial resources are sought and secured, ensure money and property is properly managed.

– Submits annual reports, accounts, and information to relevant bodies

– Are all DBS checked

– Ensures appropriate Nursery policies and procedures are in place and regularly reviewed and updated

– Is responsible for the management of the charity on behalf of its recipients

– Makes sure that the Nursery works in partnership with the children’s parents

– Is responsible for fundraising

– Is responsible for the arrangement of the AGM including agenda, minutes, and actions

– Maintains the upkeep of the Nursery building

– Ensures that the Nursery complies with the rules in its constitution, charity law and other regulations that govern the work of the Nursery

– Keeps up to date with statutory and common law obligations, including any changes in legislation

– Have legal and financial responsibilities

– Updates contracts of employment and personnel procedures

– Ensures compliance with legislation e.g., Employment and H&S

– Ensures compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including safeguarding.

Lauren heads up our event side of the nursery where she works with the nursery staff and other parents to organise events to raise funds to purchase new items for the children. If feel you could help in anyway at all, please get in touch. It’s very informal and a great way to meet some more of the parents.

As a charity, we rely on grant funding, fund-raising, and fee payments to keep us running.  Government funding levels put the Nursery under enormous pressure financially making breaking even extremely hard to achieve and therefore payment of fees on time and fundraising is of paramount importance.  

Fundraising is one area which plays a vital role for the finances of the Nursery. Funds raised from events we have held really make a difference – they allow us to renew and replace toys and books, regenerate the garden and outside area, as well as ensuring we can afford to have a good ratio of highly qualified, valued staff.  We depend very much on the goodwill of parents and their involvement with the Nursery.  We hold monthly meetings to plan fundraising events, check the budget remains on track and ensure that the needs of all children and staff are being met. If you can help in any way, please get in touch, and support events and activities which we organise.

We have an AGM (Annual General Meeting) once a year where we encourage all parents of the Nursery to attend. It is an opportunity to meet other parents, learn more about the Nursery, what we have done over the previous months and to be able to shape the future of the Nursery and any upcoming activities.

There is also a High Legh Nursery whatsapp group which we encourage all parents to join to be notified about events and things happening!

If you have any queries or questions, we would love to hear from you and are contactable via email on committee.highlegh@gmail.com, we are very approachable and so please do say hello if you see us around the Nursery.

Many Thanks,

HLPS Committee

Meetings

Details of our upcoming meetings will be published here and circulated to parents. We’d urge parents to try and attend the meetings to help support our nursery and have your say.

The next AGM will be held in October 2024 and communication will follow in due course.