Each role on the DCNS Committee has different features and responsibilities. Here is an outline to enable you to understand the roles further.
Chairperson
- Chair the committee meetings and manage a fair and democratic process. Appropriately manage the committee, DCNS Head and staff team using the support and expertise of the committee.
- Meet implement and ensure that all legal and statutory requirements are met.
- Maintain confidentiality and ensure that confidentiality is adhered to across the committee and staff team.
- Be confident to act as a signatory on legal and financial records.
- Manage meetings, agendas and actions ensuring actions are completed.
- Take part in the pre-school agenda and try to gain an understanding of the national childcare agenda and what is expected of pre-school provision.
- Ensure the inventory, insurance policies and health and safety policies are up to date and accurate.
- Ensure positive communication between committee, staff and parents. Identifying any training or positive development needs.
- Hold the casting vote.
Vice Chair
- To deputise, when needed, for the Chairperson at committee meetings and other meetings.
- To support the Chair and Committee in all its activities lending a hand where necessary.
Treasurer
- Prepare and report on financial statements for meetings.
- Budgets – current and future planning (prepared in partnership with the DCNS Bursar).
- Take responsibility for ensuring the Annual Audit takes place.
- Liaise with the Bursar to check financial records, financial controls and procedures, ensuring bills and staff wages are paid.
- Work with the Chair and the Committee on grant funding applications.
Secretary
- Support the committee with administration duties. This includes taking and distributing minutes during the 3 Committee Meetings and AGM each year.
- Co-ordinate meetings by e-mailing all Committee members before each meeting, and sending the agenda and minutes from the last meeting.
- Act as contact for the Charity Commission, updating the list of Committee members as necessary and submitting the nursery’s accounts annually using their online system.
- Write letters and correspondence, where necessary. These are usually to thank individuals or businesses especially after a fund raising event.
- The fundraising and refurbishment committees are separate with their own Hon. Sec so it is not essential to attend these meetings, but doing so gives a greater understanding of everything that is happening at the nursery.
Parent Member
- Actively participate in meetings ensuring that there is a fair and transparent decision making process. This means you have the responsibility of voting on certain issues and supporting the school in its future plans.
- You must at all times adhere to the confidentiality policy of the school as you will be privy to information which could be delicate.
- Oversee the finances and decision making on budgets, contributing to the business plan for future years. Also develop and review the policies and procedures of the school.
- Taking part in fundraising activities in as much or as little involvement as you wish.
