So… why do we need a Committee?
In its current form, Preschools are partly funded by the State Government’s Department is Education and Early Childhood Development. Each child receives part funding for one year of preschool, however the government provides no funding for the daily operation of the kinder nor employment of staff. Instead, the Committee manages the preschool. The volunteer committee is responsible for setting budgets, ensuring the health and safety of staff and children, as well as raising enough funds to keep the centre open. The Mornington Peninsula Shire provides us with the building and grounds to deliver this service and they assist with maintenance.
If I put up my hand, what would I have to do?
When you can, you attend our monthly Committee meetings, held on the first Tuesday of every month (starting in February). You have your say on everything from fundraising to staffing arrangements. Now is a fantastic time to join the Committee as we head into the new year, with big changes and exciting developments on the horizon, you will have an opportunity to have a very real impact on the future of the centre we all love.
Who can volunteer to be on the Committee?
Any parent of a child enrolled at the kinder can join the Committee. The Committee aims to represent the community and is ideally made up of a mix of parents of different backgrounds, genders, ages and abilities. Occasionally a parent whose children no longer attend the kinder may elect to stay on the Committee for the benefit of the preschool. This is possible upon payment of a small fee.
But how would I know what to do?
This year there are several current Committee members who intend to stay on the Committee next year and know exactly what to do. A handover meeting in February allows old Committee members to provide guidance to new ones (ie, tell you what to do!) Our staff are amazingly supportive and ensure volunteers fulfil their responsibilities. The kinder also pays a yearly subscription to ELAA (Early Learning Association of Australia), an advisory body who supports Committees to fulfil their role. No matter what is thrown at you, there is no need to puzzle it out yourself!
What’s in it for me?
- An opportunity to have a voice in decisions that impact your child.
- An understanding of how the kinder operates
- Development of close, positive relationships with staff
- Meet and make friends with other like-minded individuals that care and value their child’s education
- Development of new professional and personal skills
- Positive asset on resume
- Community influence
- Positive experiences and role modelling for your children