Thank you for your interest in joining the Pre-school Committee - below are the answers to some of the frequently asked questions about what is involved.

If you would like to volunteer, please drop us an email at committee@oakleypreschool.co.uk, or talk directly to one of the Trustees.

What is the Pre-school Committee and why do we need it?

Oakley Pre-school is a Charity (a CIO) and needs to have a Board of Trustees in order to operate. We call this the Committee. Without a Board of Trustees, Pre-school legally cannot operate.

How many people do we need as Trustees on the Committee? Who is currently on the committee?

The minimum number of people is 5 - we have 2 members of staff and then need a minimum of 3 volunteers to form the majority of the Committee (and take the roles of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer). Our current committee is Kat Robson (Chair), Neil Goss (Secretary), Sally Adjemian (Treasurer), Ashleigh Hartland, Kirsten Ebeling-Hornett (Manager), Jo Grey (Business Manager).

How long do Trustees serve for?

We ask for a minimum of 2 years commitment, but in reality people have stayed longer. This is really helpful for Pre-school as it creates continuity of leadership which is important for staff, children and the overall direction of Pre-school.

How do Trustee meetings work & how much time is involved?

Trustees meeting around 6-7 times per year. These meetings are usually on Zoom, at around 8pm for between 1-1.5 hours depending on the agenda.

What decisions do the Trustees make?

The trustees are ultimately responsible for the successful (and compliant) operation of Oakley Pre-school. This includes meeting the requirements of Ofsted and the EYFS. So, the decisions that the Trustees make include hiring, the policies and procedures, staff pay, session offers and fee rates. Much of the work involved in proposing and implementing these is done by the Manager & Business Manager under direction from the committee.

My child is school aged, do you really want Wraparound parents on the Pre-school Committee?

Absolutely! Wraparound (Breakfast Club, Sunset Club & School Holiday Clubs) form a key part of what we do and the views of parents as part of the Committee are vital within the decision-making processes. It’s a great way to influence what your child experiences in their Wraparound clubs.

Looking after other people’s children is quite a responsibility. Is there risk from joining the Committee?

We agree - looking after other people’s children is a huge responsibility and one we take very seriously. Oakley Pre-school is a CIO - meaning individuals are not personally financially responsible (the Charity itself is). We also take out comprehensive Trustee insurance as part of our policies.