Our Committee of Management

Our incorporated committee of management consists of parents of enrolled children who are elected at the Annual General Meeting of the pre school to manage the legal, financial and employment responsibilities. The committee is made up of volunteers who are prepared to dedicate many hours to ensure the preschool operates in the best interests of the children and families within the community.

The committee is responsible for managing the pre school and usually functions as an employer by ensuring systems are in place for the service to operate on a daily basis and from year to year. The committee appoints and supports staff, develops and applies budgets, promotes the pre school, develops policies and establishes processes for parents to have input into the pre school. The committee needs to keep up-to-date with current legislation and changes in the industry, and maintain adequate records.

Being part of the committee, either as an office bearer or a general member, enables you to be more involved in your child's pre school years and gives you direct input into the decision-making of the pre school. Participation as a member of the committee is a rewarding, though time-consuming, experience. Developing skills, such as financial management, employer and employee relations, marketing, fundraising and meeting procedures enables committee members to be proud of their well-run service.

Benefits of joining the Committee

• It will help the pre school to keep operating.

• It will provide an opportunity for you to contribute to what happens at the pre school (policies and practices).

• You will be able to have a say in the guidelines for the beliefs and expectations that underpin the operation of the preschool. Policies are based on legal requirements, and employer, staff and family beliefs about what is important in providing a service for children at the preschool.

• You will be able to have the opportunity to contribute in an effective way to making the preschool year a positive experience that enhances the development of all the children involved, including your child.

• You will have regularly hear about and make decisions on the day-to-day running of the centre eg. Staff interactions with the children such as programs and special learning activities planned, expectations, behaviour guidance, routines and recommendations for snack times, indoor/outdoor play, and equipment and materials needed, etc.

• It may help you develop new skills.

• Involvement on the committee provides an opportunity to develop or further your skills in areas such as meeting skills and procedures, and fundraising, marketing, financial management and human relations.

• These can be valuable skills to develop for both personal and professional capacities.

• It will help your child.

• You will be able to get to know other parents and this can help your child in forming friendships too + you will feel more comfortable in encouraging play with friends at your home or others when you know other parents better.

• You will have more of an understanding of what happens during your child's time at preschool.

• Involvement by parents in the preschool supports research demonstrating that positive family-preschool linkages contribute greatly to children's competence at preschool.

• A sense of 'belonging' contributes to a positive preschool year for your child. It will help them also to see that parents also have a sense of 'belonging' through involvement on the committee.

As a member of Highett Pre School, you will have an opportunity to join the Committee at our Annual General Meeting, normally held in November. If you are interested during the school year, please let the Committee know, we can often do with more volunteers!