Stoke Gabriel Pre-School Meeting

10^th November 2005

Present: Helen T, Laura K, Julie G, Chris D, Lynette D, Bryony S,

Vicki P, Emma Y, Amanda B-H, Kate P, Luke P, Tara B, Sue S

Apologies: Kate Hill

Chairs Report: see attached

Supervisors Report: see attached

Treasurers Report: Currently the pre-school is running at a profit. A lady from the PLA has been over our accounts and said that the budget looks sustainable. Despite us being quieter in the Spring term with respect to numbers of children it still looks good.

Matters Arising

Toilets: At the moment there is not a lot happening because we are waiting for OFSTED to get back to us concerning whether we are allowed to simply install an additional toilet next to the current one or whether more is required. Thanks to Helen for pursuing this difficult issue and those who have kindly volunteered their expertise.

Prospectus: The Pre-School prospectus is completed and just needs printing off and circulating.

New Child Letter: These forms must be returned A.S.A.P. with two copies of the child’s birth certificate. Time really is running out for this so all parents please get them in.

Equipment: Due to the great success of the soft-play equipment up and coming fundraising will be going towards a £286 extension of the soft-play. The kids love it.

Committee: In April the pre-school committee will be losing Helen, Thomas and Sue. This means that the pre-school, in order to continue to run, needs a Chairperson, a Treasurer and a Health and Safety Officer. If you are at all interested in any of these roles please just get in touch with any of the staff or the committee. Your pre-school needs you!

Fundraising

The Pamper Day, organised by Alex and Vicky and held at Sam Marney’s, was a great success and raised £144.

Christmas Bazaar:

A traditional theme will be running through this year’s Christmas bazaar and we need parent helpers for the day. Please see Vicky to sign up.

A craft evening has been held in order to make some of the stuff needed for the bazaar. The next one is at Vicki’s on 23^rd November, please let Vicky know if you can come to this.

The children will be singing and the stage is available for them to sing on in the Village Hall. There will be a Santa’s Grotto, Lantern making, a raffle, home-made produce for sale, a body shop stall, a tombola and a craft stall and other stands. There will also be mulled wine, teas and coffees and mince pies.

Vicki will be advertising for the event.

It will be held in the village hall on Sat 10^th December, starting at 10am.

The pre-school staff are going to have tea towels printed with all the hand prints of the current children on them. They will be made available to all parents to buy and profits will go into the fundraising account. They are a great memento to keep.

A.O.B.

There will be a new rota for tea-towel/apron washing so that all parents can take a turn. The staff will present them to you when it is your turn. Thanks a lot for your help.

As you all probably know Sarah is off on maternity leave from the 28^th November. We wish her all the best. A card and appeal for donations to get her a little something is currently going round. Please dig deep.

The last day of term is Friday 16^th of December.

The next meeting for all parents and committee members will be the A.G.M. on 12^th April 2006 at the V&A pub at 7:45. Please attend because without the parents the pre-school cannot continue.

CHAIRS REPORT – 10 November 2005

Staffing

Suzanne and Caroline have settled very well and are enjoying their role. We have set up a staff communications book for them to try to maximise continuity throughout the week as and their hours don’t overlap. Suzanne has started working towards an NVQ3 in Early Years Care and Education and Caroline is about to start an NVQ2 in the same subject. Rachael has decided not to return from maternity leave, so Suzanne and Caroline are now with us on a permanent basis.

Sarah will be going on maternity leave shortly. Her last day is Friday 25^th November although we hope she will be able to join us for the Christmas play (baby depending). We are delighted that we have Kate who is willing and very capable to step up to supervisor from this date.

A new deputy supervisor, Katrena Evans is joining us on Monday 21^st November. Katrena will be with us for two terms initially.

Bookings

Numbers are remaining consistently high, we are full on a Monday morning and Wednesday morning although we have seven children leaving in December, and so far two new children on the waiting list for January. The Spring term is historically one of the lower occupancy terms.

Most parents have now returned the new Child Information Form. Those outstanding must be returned to me by 25^th November. Devon County Council will retract funding for any child whose form is not received by this date. Please remember that date of birth evidence must also be provided with this form.

Committee

A reminder that meeting dates have been set through to next year as follows:

AGM, 7.45 V&A: Weds 12th April 2006

Thomas Goodall, Sue Stacey and myself will be stepping down from our respective roles of Treasurer, Health & Safety Office and Chair at this meeting, so we are actively looking for our replacements. Please contact any member of the committee if you would like more information.

Helen Tattersall

Supervisors report

Last half term was a successful one. As you know we did the topic “Ourselves” The passports were fun to make and from feedback I have had you enjoyed them as well- thank-you for bringing the pictures in.

This term is mainly taken up with Christmas activities. It is a very busy term and normally very enjoyable. Our Christmas play “The Snowman” is taking place on Wed 7^th Dec at the village hall. All children will have a song sheet coming home please help them to learn the words as this will make it easier for us. The children will also bring home some dates for your diary please keep these handy. As you will see from these dates we are planning our staff and parents Christmas meal at “Amalfis” in Totnes on Wed 7^th Dec. A deposit of £5 per person will be needed ASAP and places are limited so please put your names on the list on the door if you would like to come. The Christmas bazaar will be held on Sat 10^th Dec in the Village hall. All help would be greatly appreciated and tombola and raffle prizes are needed- these can be brought into Pre School.

We have now appointed a new member of staff Katerina Evans, she will take on the role of deputy supervisor to cover Sarah’s maternity leave.

We have now sent out forms asking what sessions you would like your child to do in January. Please fill these in as soon as possible so that you get the sessions you would like.

We have six children going to school in January. We have organised for these children to visit the school a few times to join in with show and tell. The leaver’s presentation will be on the last day of term along with the Christmas party, where Father Christmas comes down the chimney in the Church House. All children are invited but if your child does not normally come on a Friday please book them in. You will need to bring a present in during the week clearly labelled with your child’s name. A list will go on the door for party food nearer the time.

Obviously there are a lot of changes happening at Pre School at the moment. If anybody has any queries or ideas please talk to me at anytime. .