Please don't take your pre-schools for granted!

[Ripeberry]

If any of you have been following the other thread about pre-schools running out of helpfull parents, then here is the next part of the saga so far.
On wednesday we gave the parents an ultimatum to help by volunteering to be chair (can be anyone in their familly as long as they pass CRB checks) and they are sensible and have community spirit.
A few parents came to me the next day, saying that they just cannot help at all, because they have 1)hobbies to do 2)have to put kids to bed in the evening as Dp's won't do it 3)are working in the evenings which is understandable.
But, in this day an age the Charity commission needs to sort out the way they want these charities run, as i've been speaking to lots of other Chaipersons and they are all running out of parents.
The need for a pre-school is there, but everyone is basically far too busy.
So if you are using a pre-school or you are thinking of using one. PLEASE, please, turn up for the AGM's they hold and support them, because in a few years time they will be gone.
If you have a strong pre-school then well done you have more community spirit than round my way.
Sorry rant over!

[scarletlilybug]

Thanks for this, ripeberry.
Just been looking at your other thread.
We're in a similar position to you - maybe not quite as bad (yet).
I do wonder whether the model of a committee-run pre-school is really viable in the long term? The amount of work I've done in the last year for absolutely no recompense (and a fair share of hassle, too!)... not to mention the financial liability accepted. The all-too-common difficulties in recruiting committee members. It's a big headache.

[Ripeberry]

Thanks for replying, a couple of the more vocal parents are saying that it's the committees fault that it may close.
No one appreciates the work involved and in the last week i've only had 2hr sleep at night due to me worrying about all of this.
They are also the kind of parents that could make life difficult for me as a childminder so yes i am stressed.

[eandh]

We have our AGM on Tuesday and the 3 main roles chairperson, secretary and treasurer stepping down so leaves me and another committe member (Eddas on here!) she is going to be treasurer, I have another friend whose son just started and shes agreed to do secretary and thankfully a few parents have said they'll be committee members, however, it appears I'm going to end up being chairperson. Since I work and have a younger dd if this happens me and eddas decided we will have a meeting with manager, administrator and set clear boundaries with regards to what we are actually able to help with.

In theory I'll be at preschool for another 3 years as when dd1 leaves dd2 starts, however, if its as much hassle as it looks I'll step down next year and send dd2 to a different preschool (there are quite a few around here)

On a positive note after last years agm where 6 people turned up, we advertised early, put posters up, gave a poster to each parent and a letter with tear off slip and we have over 20 people (still only probably about 11 of the possible 35 families)coming this year so hopefully with the new commitee being more organised and proactive it will be alot easier now!

[Ripeberry]

eandh, glad you've got it sorted. I think around my way its more difficult as there are lots of small villages all dotted around and no-one feels like they "owe" their time and energy to helping out as it does not feel like it's in "their" community.
We'll just have to see what the after school club say, as they have a plan, but we don't really want to be taken over by them.

[Lilyjay]

Does anyone know of a committee run pre-school joined to a school that also runs a before and after club?
Any help on this would be much appreciated!

[Fennel]

Our preschool is committee run and also runs the before and after school clubs for the school. I'm on the committee (by mistake really, I turned up for free wine and cheese event and got coopted) - what is it you want to know?

Really I don't think the model of needing parents to run committees to run preschools is that great. Our committee is active and competent but really, the parents doing the most are already busy and it's a drag. Where we lived a few years ago the preschool was run by the school, as a foundation unit, and really that seems pretty sensible to me - and didn't need all this parental involvement. Which has been quite heavy for us with managers and staff leaving, decisions about new buildings, all sorts of legal and policy stuff to sort out. I do wonder if it's all worth it.

[DaisyMooSteiner]

I was talking to someone about this recently, and apparently if you are totally stuck for committee members and the preschool will otherwise close, the PLA will appoint committee members for you.

[Lilyjay]

Fennel,
This is what I was worried about!! It's enough stress with the pre-school to sort out, let alone start up a before and after club. Unfortunately, the previous chair had put this in the tender document long before I was conned into being chair, and the school are expecting it no matter what!
It's a nightmare.
DaisyMoo, That's worth knowing!