Pre-school leader wants so much stuff! We can't afford it

[Ripeberry]

I'm the pre-school secretary and over the summer helped the new pre-school leader settle in and did loads of work in getting the building cleaned and things repaired.
Since then, our Treasurer has been saying that we don't have that much money to buy things for the pre-school, we managed to get a few things on fre-cycle (so that we could meet the EYFS standards), but there are still so many things the pre-school leader says are ESSENTIAL, like a bee-bop robot, new cutlery, new draws (must be expensive wooden ones)and this morning she typed up a really long list of things asking me to get them.
This was e-mailed to me personally as the committee keep saying there are no funds.
She has latched onto me because i was the one who provided the xmas presents for the kids (£1.50 each for 20 kids) and got water bottles, lent her our old digital camera, our old blender and old office laminator.
We've made appeals to the other parents and they just don't come up with anything.
I know i have to put my foot down and i have e-mailed her to say i can't afford to help the pre-school out anymore personally.
It's just the parents are really slow at paying up each month and don't really support any fundraising, but complain about lack of materials.
Makes me want to scream! I've suggested that the pre-school leader make a list of the items and ask everyone else to provide them.
But of course some parents will be angry about this, it's difficult enough asking them to bring in a piece of fruit each day .
Sorry just needed to vent as i'm stuck at home with DD2 who has the vomiting bug!

can you arrange a meeting between the leader and the committee? and an "open" meeting between the committee and parents? doesn't sound fair that you're getting all the hassle.

We've tried that but some parents say that they pay their fees and that is that! I think it's because the pre-school leader comes from another country (Gloucester) where the facilities and grants are MUCH better than our county and she is not used to having to make do

Sorry i meant 'county' but it may as well be another country!

I think you know what you have to do as you've already said it.

PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN !

I've been there and its bloody hard work, but even if you can afford to buy these things, why should you ?

You need a committee meeting pronto.

I'll just say i'm skint which i am! I'm just too soft, but that bee-bop robot thing is just over the top! Even the primary school doesn't have one of those.

a blinking robot??? sturdy toy kitchen/train set yep, but a robot???

As others have said, put your foot down. Would there be any reason not to put out a fully transparent summary of the playgroup finances, so people can see what the budget for new gear is?

As the secretary, draft up a letter to the parents saying that isn't it great that we have an enthusiastic new leader who wants to do the best for our children. List the things she wants to provide with the approximate cost and also the budget which you realistically have available to spend. Spell out the shortfall. Ask if the parents have any of the items that they wish to donate. Introduce a new policy of fees being paid on time and if they are not charge a penalty. Is the pre school a registered charity? Some of the parents may have an employer/employee charity scheme. I know my DH currently has some money in his CAF account ready and waiting to be donated to a worthy cause - worth a try.

Show the letter to the chairman, treasurer and leader for them to approve/offer suggestions and send it out. Then everyone knows the situation.

Oh yes and a beebop robot? No idea what it is but it doesn't sound essential IMO.

You could apply for an "Awards for All Grant"?

That would take care of the initial buying of toys and equipment that you need.

Bigger problem is the parents not getting involved. I am a fundraiser too so i know what it's like to have the majority sit on their arse and not get involved.

A letter explaining why you need to do a bit of fundraising and also that fees must be paid on time, or the pre-school would be unable to continue may scare them enough to get involved?

I'm already in the middle of drafting a letter. We did a lot of scaring the parents last October as we could not get a committee together and we were 2 days from closing and all of a sudden people came forward. Why can't they just help? They are such hard work [grim]

Message withdrawn

bee-bop robot

Never heard of having to bring your own fruit in though.

rev - do they get funding or do people have to pay to go?

In the EYFS it says:

Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Requirements

ICT - is about how children find out about and learn how to use appropriate information technology such as computers and programmable toys that support their learning.

So maybe she is thinking of the programmable toys bit? Bee Bops are used in loads of settings but still, if the money isn't there...

The early years grant doesn't actually cover snacks. That is why some charge for it or ask you to bring your own. I presume the one's that provide it are using the money from the grant even though techincally it shouldn't be used for that and could be used on othe things.