Parental Involvement

Speen Pre-School recognises parents as the first and most important educators of their children. All of the staff see themselves as partners with parents in providing care and education for their child. As stated in the introduction, there are many ways in which parents take part in making the Pre-School a welcoming and stimulating place for children and parents. These include:

  • exchanging knowledge about their children's needs, activities, interests and progress with the staff
  • helping at sessions
  • sharing their own special interests with the children
  • helping to provide, make and look after the equipment and materials used in the children's play activities
  • being part of the management of the Pre-School by joining the committee
  • taking part in events and informal discussions about the activities and curriculum provided by the Pre-School
  • joining in community activities in which the Pre-School takes part

Our Pre-School depends on parents being involved on all levels and we would encourage anyone interested to speak to a committee member about how they could help.

'Parents and carers are happy with the service provided.  They feel the pre-school offers a warm welcome to both children and parents, think staff are approachable and like the variety of activities offered.'

'The committee are actively engaged in organising events to strengthen relationships with parents and raise funds for the pre-school' 
(OFSTED, Oct 2011)

 

The parents committee - our management team

Our status as a charity requires us to have a voluntary management committee and a governing constitution. The management committee members are elected by the parents of the children who attend the Pre-School at our Annual General Meeting. The committee is responsible for:

  • managing the finances including setting fundraising targets and organising events
  • employing and managing the staff
  • making sure that the we have in place - and work to - policies that help us provide a high quality service
  • making sure that the Pre-School works in partnership with the children's parents

The Annual General Meeting is open to the parents of all of the children who attend the Pre-School. It is our shared forum for looking back over the previous year's activities and shaping the coming year's plan.

Volunteers work in the roles of Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Admissions, Personnel, Health & Safety, Fundraising and Marketing  co-ordinator so there is always plenty to do. Parents are also encouraged to join the committee to help with general duties.