Committee Meeting Date: Wednesday 30 April 2014

Riding Mill Committee Meeting Pre-School Minutes (30/04/14)

Present: Suzie Done (Chair) Tracey Craft (Treasurer) Helen Yates (Secretary) Suzanne Barker Karen Liddle Laura Bachoumis Hannah Thorpe Helen Alder

Apologies:

Sinead Napier Paula Brown Helen Ridley Natasha Holland

Agenda Item Action By

1.0 Welcome Suzie welcomed everyone and thanked all for attending.

2.0 Apologies Apologies were noted.

3.0 Minutes from the last meeting were approved.

4.0 Leader's Report (See report included with this newsletter). Suzanne noted that pre-school numbers were slightly improving and that it had been a good start to the term. Highlights include a visit from Herbie the lamb, with thanks to the Ridleys, and planting seeds in preparation for the preschool garden. SB

5.0 Staffing changes Suzanne explained that a vacancy had opened at the Montessori School in Hexham on a Friday, which Joanne had taken as this was already her main place of work. She will be missed even though she has not been at RMPS for long, she has made a great impression and the children are very fond of her. Angela Burrows will pick up her sessions on a Friday morning in the weeks leading up to the summer. SB

6.0 Wednesday and Thursday afternoons Despite a lack of interest from parents it was proposed we introduce Wednesday Riding Mill Committee Meeting Pre-School Minutes (30/04/14)

afternoon sessions for the new preschool year starting in September and see how many parents sign up. By offering Wednesday afternoon sessions RMPS will be on a par with what is on offer by other preschools in the local area and will be able to offer more options and flexibility to working parents. The idea is to promote the fact RMPS can offer three full days (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, where morning and afternoon sessions are broken up by the lunch club) and the wraparound care offered through the Broomhaugh CoE School's Squirrels Club (for children aged three and above). This may be more appealing to families where both parents work. SB, HY

7.0 After half term Thursday afternoons will be used to take the older children up to Broomhaugh CoE School to get them used to the new environment ahead of September, when they will be going into reception class. For preschoolers not moving up to the First School in September there will be the option to attend lunch club on a Thursday (from noon) and to stay for an hour afterwards to help prepare some of the younger preschoolers for a longer preschool day. Suzanne and the committee will have more details for parents in due course. Suzanne will also confirm on which Thursdays the four-year-olds (or nearly four-year-olds) will be visiting Broomhaugh School. SD, HY, SB

8.0 Treasurer’s Report See separate attachment As a result of improved numbers, an increase in sessions and higher-than-expected fundraising (at just over £2,000) the pre-school’s year-end loss (for the year ending in February) was £4,674, significantly less than originally forecast.

9.0 Preschool Garden Suzie brought everyone up to date on the preschool garden. The fence has been repaired and some other work has been done, although the apple trees have been mysteriously cut back. We discussed having a sign put on the gate to explain it is a private garden and to arrange for the gardener to come back and finish tidying the area so the preschoolers can begin to enjoy planting after half term. The gardener will also spend some time with the children making bug boxes.

We discussed formally opening the garden (and presenting the memorial plate to the Parish Hall Trust) on Village Day. We will have more details available very soon. The idea is to ask preschool parents to contribute a pot and plant to brighten the garden up and to invite some local dignitaries to attend to raise the profile and thank the community for the £350 funding we have received for the garden from the Parish Council. SD, SB

10.0 Village Day and Band Night Village Day on Saturday 21 June will be an opportunity for the preschool to once again show it is an important part of the community. Plans include a bouncy castle and various stalls/games for the children to enjoy. We will be offering more information very soon to parents who want to help out. We may also need one or two families to donate gazebos for the stalls. Riding Mill Committee Meeting Pre-School Minutes (30/04/14)

11.0 The preschool is also putting on a Band Night on the evening of 21st June with the Tennis Club. Suzanne explained that Tennis Club had secured two bands for the evening and would be arranging tickets and posters. The preschool has been tasked with arranging the liquor license and running the bar! (Clearly they think this is something we might be good at!)

12.0 Incoming preschool committee and June AGM With the preschool committee AGM fast approaching it is time for the current committee to start thinking about handing over to the new committee. We discussed whether any parents present at the meeting would be interested in being on next year's committee to fill one of three roles: Chair, Secretary, Treasurer. Helen Alder expressed interest and there was some discussion about the nature of the role. Suzie reminded everyone that all three current committee members will be on hand to make sure it is a smooth transition for the new committee and to help them as they settle into the roles. She also recommended setting the agenda for the new preschool year at the AGM on 4 June for the new committee to use as a guide.