Minutes of meeting 22nd March 2006 at CA’s House
Present : Charlie Arnold, Julie Turner, Caroline Rix, Sandra Kirkman, James Peck, Jackie Burke, Heather Cox, Rebecca Grace
Apologies: Nancy Towers, Alina Greetham, Chris Napper, Sarah Pell
1. Minutes of
last meeting: Agreed
Still outstanding:
Red child protection folder to be given to Rebecca Grace. Also needs updating.
Committee contact details – all members to provide Julie with address details and the best times to be contacted.
Constitution revision:
Revised version distributed to all committee members. No feedback from the Charity Commission yet. At next committee meeting, all members to sign form to agree to the changes.
2.
Update on staff situation
Staff are happy with their new pay.
Since last meeting, Sue and Ann have left. New member of staff Clare is working out well, she is coming up with new ideas. Currently she is working 4 days but is happy to 5 if required. Her police check is currently being processed. Clare is not qualified but she is keen to undertake the training. She is attending a pediatric 1st aid course next term.
Currently have 4 staff in every day, but this does not allow for cover in emergencies and the staff are finding in difficult to dedicate the time needed to those children going to school this year. The weather is improving as well so the children will want to be playing outside.
JP & CA to look at finances to see if another member of staff can be afforded for 1 term only. CA still has details of 5 people who applied for the post.
NT – posters asking for parent helpers for summer term to help with the outdoor playing. Suggested it may help if parents come at a certain time to help with the outdoor playing.
Nursery voucher scheme extended to 38 weeks but staff have agreed to 36 weeks as feel the terms can be too long for the children.
3.
Fees
The nursery vouchers have been increased to £8.18 per session. Current fees are £6.75 which was set last September. It was agreed that the fees should increase to £7.50 as of September this year.
CA to check with grant funding if can have two separate fees – for under 3’s the fee will be £7.50, and over 3’s the fee will be the voucher cost - £8.18 at present.
4.
Fundraising
Sponsored walk scheduled for 12th June. Cake stall will be done at the school summer fete again. Ladies night booked for November.
CR to speak to flower club regarding Tiggers donating prize for their fashion show in gratitude for the flower arrangements at the Ladies night.
5.
Outings
Draft policy on outings currently with Tracy for review.
NT looking at Tilgate park for possible outing venue.
HC to look at other venues.
6.
Garden Project
CR has had meetings with all parties and has received advice on how best to complete the grant request forms. Meeting with Wendy from Parish council was very good, lots agreed but not the drawings on the wall, but was agreed that can use the garden sheds for this. Rachel is now doing the CAD drawings, Alex the gardener will then overlay his planting scheme. Once completed, the drawings will go to Wendy and the Parish Council for approval.
The rifle club have suggested moving the fence forward to give more land. Spiky plants will be planted in front of the fence to discourage people from climbing over.
Drainage issue still needs to be looked at as unlikely will get funding if this has not been resolved. Alex thinks it could be resolved once the land has been leveled.
Need to think about how to get rid of the climbing frame – advertise to parents/school?
HC mentioned that the fence will need to be at least 4ft high with a maximum 4inch gap to avoid foot holds. There can be no horizontal bar or footholds. Static equipment secured to the floor should have a 6ft clearance – will need to check sandpit compliance.
7.
Health & Saftey
Folder complied with staff daily inspection list, committee checklist, management assessment for Ofsted, risk assessment forms, fire drill records.
HC - Need information from Wendy regarding dates for wiring, electrical, boiler checks etc. Also need to check how often the building should be fire safety checked.
Been noticed that the cleanliness of the room could be improved – CA to discuss with Wendy on their cleaning policy
Suggested Tiggers purchase their own cleaning equipment – CA to discuss with staff at the staff day on Tuesday 28th March.
8.
Committee communication
JT raised the issue that the committee were not being informed of key things, such as new staff, term date changes. The day-to-day communication needs improving to at least the Secretary and Treasurer.
CA mentioned that the new member of staff was a hasty decision and apologized for not informing the committee.
9.
Future committee members
JT will be resigning from Secretary position at next AGM due to no longer having a child at Tiggers. Need to recruit additional committee members. AGM will be in September.
10. AOB:
Update from Sarah Pell:
£1,200 spent on new equipment. Storage of this equipment will be discussed at the staff day next Tuesday.
Shed floor needs replacing – JP to take forward.
JP mentioned that it would be a nice gesture to offer to pay Nancy for any personal expenses she has incurred with the phone mast campaign – HC to speak to Nancy.
Tiggers have applied to join Early Years – this allows children to receive book packs at certain ages.
JB suggested Tiggers should do a Christmas play as all other local playgroups do.
Parents evening discussed for parents to discuss progress of their child with the key worker. This needs to be looked at further as unsure of the support it will receive.
Actions arising from
meeting:
|
All |
Address details & best contact time to Julie Review revised Constitution Recruit additional committee members |
|
CA |
Red child protection folder to be given to Rebecca Grace Check if can have 2 fee levels |
|
JP & CA |
Look at additional member of staff for 1 term |
|
NT |
Parent Helper promotion for summer term |
|
CR |
Speak to flower club about Tiggers donating a prize – possibly Albert Hall tickets |
|
HC |
Look at possible outing venues Information on wiring checks, building fire safety etc Speak to NT re. Expenses reimbursement |
|
JP |
Replacement of shed floor |
Date of next meeting:
To be confirmed