Our Chair

Kim

Hi I’m Kim! 👋🏼

I’m a mum to Imogen, who will hopefully be joining Cygnets soon with another baby due in September 2024. After hearing such wonderful feedback from parents of children attending and previous team members, I’m really excited to be part of the committee and support the wonderful team here at Cygnets Pre-school.

With a background in HR, I am hoping to learn more about early years children’s education and see first-hand what a fantastic setting Cygnets is for the children in our community.

I’m not really one for hobbies but I love family walks with our dog Paisley and going anywhere with a beach.

The Chair plays a strong coordination role; bringing the committee together to make key decisions, supporting the Manager with any issues and generally represents the pre-school in a positive way.

The Chairperson plays a strong coordination role; bringing the Committee together to make key decisions, supporting the Manager with any issues and generally represents the Preschool in a positive way. 

Responsibilities of the Chair are to:

• safeguarding committee lead

• oversee the committee, and chair meetings

• assist with staff recruitment, retention and any employment or legal issues that may arise

• provide line management support to the setting Manager (and sometimes Administrator)

• support and authorise the work of the Treasurer, Management Secretary and Manager (and sometimes Administrator)

• delegate and ensure jobs within the committee are shared and completed

• Be the ‘Nominated Person’ for the setting with Ofsted

• Conduct the annual appraisals of manager alongside the deputy manager

• Keep order at committee meetings, conduct voting if required, and hold the casting vote.
  - Delegate tasks to other committee members
  - Act as spokesperson for the setting where necessary
  - Conduct an Annual General Meeting (AGM) as stated
  in the setting’s constitution, and give the Chairperson’s Annual Report

• Act as the first point of contact for management issues

• Work with the Treasurer and committee to ensure that financial stability is maintained

• Ensure new Committee members are made to feel welcome and have a sound induction and handover process.

Our Secretary

Iris

I am a proud mum to two boys, 2 year old Luca, my little firecracker, who currently attends Cygnets, and Mateo, my big child. I'm all in to support our amazing staff's hard work, keep the pre-school thriving, and help our kids flourish. Let's keep the legacy going strong!

 The Secretary’s role is required to take minutes at committee meetings and compile agendas. On behalf of the pre-school, composing letters and emails, producing posters / flyers, and working closely with the Management; sharing information and keeping each other up to date.

I love finding out more about their preschool life and support an amazing community asset that we have in Cygnets.

Responsibilities of the Secretary are to:

• liaise with the Chairperson to draft & agree committee meeting agendas

• take detailed minutes and actions at all committee meetings

• liaise with other committee members to collate and prepare all papers needed for committee meetings (at least a week beforehand). The papers should include correspondence since the last meeting and minutes, which are a record of the last meeting

• draft Preschool correspondence, such as Committee emails and newsletters to parents – to be approved by the Preschool Manager or Chair

• liaise and work with the Manager/Administrator on certain jobs

Our Finance Manager

Celia

I was lucky enough for my twin daughters to attend Cygnets 17 years ago.  I fell in love with the preschool and when I moved to Devon I still wanted to give something back to the community and volunteering to oversee the settings finances worked for me.

The Finance Manager, alongside the treasurer, is responsible for overseeing the financial records of the Preschool. The Finance Manager oversees income and expenses and helps set budgets and plan for projected spend.

The Finance Manager, alongside the treasurer is responsible for keeping the financial records of the Preschool in order and requires financial awareness and spreadsheet knowledge and oversees income and expenses and helps set budgets and plan for projected spend.

Responsibilities of the Finance Manager are to:

• Work with the committee to ensure the financial stability of the setting is maintained

• Ensure safe accounting systems are in place at all times, ensuring accurate records are kept of all financial transactions

• Support the Committee in making financial decisions by providing cash flow forecasts and information for annual budgeting

• Ensure that the setting’s budget allows for contingency/reserve funds to deal with unexpected repairs and staff redundancy (recommended 3-4 months running costs)

• Review annually, with the Committee, fees and staff salaries, taking into account minimum wage rises, employment legislation and staff qualifications

• Act as a signatory e.g. Manager overtime forms and Provider Agreement

• Provide a written financial report at each Committee meeting and Annual General meeting (AGM)

Our Treasurer

Vacancy

Alongside the Finance Manager, the Treasurer is responsible for overseeing the financial records of the Preschool. The Treasurer oversees income and expenses and helps set budgets and plan for projected spend.

The Treasurer role is responsible for keeping the financial records of the Preschool in order and requires financial awareness and spreadsheet knowledge. The Treasurer oversees income and expenses and helps set budgets and plan for projected spend.

Responsibilities of the Treasurer are to:

• Work with the committee to ensure the financial stability of the setting is maintained

• Ensure safe accounting systems are in place at all times, ensuring accurate records are kept of all financial transactions

• Support the Committee in making financial decisions by providing cash flow forecasts and information for annual budgeting

• Ensure that the setting’s budget allows for contingency/reserve funds to deal with unexpected repairs and staff redundancy (recommended 3-4 months running costs)

• Review annually, with the Committee, fees and staff salaries, taking into account minimum wage rises, employment legislation and staff qualifications

• Act as a signatory e.g. Provider Agreement

• Provide a written financial report at each Committee meeting and Annual General meeting (AGM)

Committee Member

Montanna

I’m Montanna, and I have 2 girls, Ava (7) and Thea (5) who both attended Cygnets Preschool and I have Tommy (18 months) who will be attending Cygnets later in 2024. I’m a fully trained beauty therapist but several years ago I joined a high street bank and I’m now a business specialist.

Since both girls attended Cygnets Pre-school, I’ve witnessed first-hand the quality of care and fantastic early years development this setting provides. I see this as an opportunity to give something back and get actively involved in the community.

In my spare time I like reading, baking and going for days out with my family.

I have been a committee member for a couple of years and I find it’s an extremely rewarding role and I’ve loved meeting new people.‘

Committee Member

Georgie

My name is Georgie, and I was lucky enough for my daughter to attend Cygnets a few years ago.  During her time, I slowly got more involved with the team, and fell in love with the staff’s enthusiasm, ethos and wanted to volunteer some time to help in any way I could to give support to the leadership team (Swans) and the fantastic setting we have on our doorsteps. I was Acting Chair for 18 months.

 My background is catering and hospitality and love cooking for friends and family when the occasion arises. The ‘Swans’ are particularly partial to a sausage roll or two, so the baking comes in handy now and again! My favourite season is October and there is nothing better than a long crisp walk a pub lunch then snuggled up for a family movie and lazy afternoon! 

Destinations on the bucket list must include Italy, Alaska, and The Maldives! 

Best saying in life: "You can't buy happiness, but you can buy cake and that's kind of the same thing"

Committee Member

Chloe

I’m Chloe and I have been a paediatric nurse for over 12 years. I am mum to Freya who is now 5 years of age. She attended Cygnets from the age of 2-4 and thrived within the setting. This encouraged me to join the committee to support cygnets with events for fundraising. I was Secretary for 18 months.

Since having my child, I have been blown away by the community spirit, and so wanted to join the committee to support one of the great community resources – Cygnets Pre-school Leadership team.

Committee Member

Lauren

Hi, I’m Lauren. I have two gorgeous boys, Flynn (6) and Barney (4). Flynn attended Cygnets and Barney is in his last term before he commences his reception year. I am a self-employed small business owner that is called ‘Perky Arts & Crafts’. I help run local craft markets where the community can help support small business’.

Cygnets is a wonderful setting for play and learning, encouraging a gentle step from pre-school to the reception year. I have always felt comfortable leaving my boys at Cygnets and joining the committee seemed like a natural step for me to feel more involved.

Committee Member

Emiliana

Hi! My name is Emiliana and I’m a mum of 2, Mila (5) and Yuri (18 month). I also work part time in retail. Mila started Cygnets when she was 2 and she loved it, the support from the staff was great. Yuri will star his journey later this year.

 Cygnets was so important for us as a family, from the very beginning, it was amazing seeing my little one discover the world with the help of all the teachers. Still now, she keeps talking about the amazing time she had there. I’m really happy to be part of the committee and I’m looking forward to continuing working with this lovely setting.

Committee Member

Becca

Hello! I'm Rebecca, but you can call me Becca. I'm a mum to four unique children and have joined the Cygnets Pre-school committee to be a part of a community led charity that educates and puts our children first.

 I have a creative side and would love to explore this within the committee, along with my knowledge already within a childcare setting, I hope to extend on this whilst getting to know the pre-school and their values and form friendships on this journey. 

Committee Member

Donna

My name is Donna and I have two boys, Ollie (8) and Harry (6) who both attended Cygnets Pre-school. My daughter Izzy is 3 years of age and currently attends the pre-school.

As well as being a Mummy, I am a Veterinary Nurse, which I have been doing for 16 years and love. I joined Cygnets committee to support the team in making a difference to children in their first stage of their learning journey.

Committee Member

Leona

Hi, I'm Leona and I joined as a Cygnets committee member in March 2024. I have 2 daughters, Sofia who is 3 and attends Cygnets Preschool and Athena who is 1.

I've joined the Cygnets committee as my daughter has had a wonderful experience within this setting and I really value the opportunity to get stuck in with the lovely staff and my peers on the committee, and hopefully give something back to the pre-school that has helped my child thrive.

Values and Principles

To act in the best interests of the charity and the children and families who access its services

• To commit to achieving the aims of the charity and to act in accordance with the charity’s governing document, policies and procedures to fulfil its objectives

• To act prudently and with care when managing the finances, resources and operations of the charity

• To commit to ensuring the charity provides quality childcare provision based on equality of opportunity and valuing diversity for all children and families

Law

To understand your legal responsibilities and to keep up-to-date with good practice; in order to ensure that the charity meets relevant statutory and legal requirements

• To contribute to ensuring that all policies and procedures comply with relevant legislation

• To ensure the childcare provision is operating within the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework

Safeguarding and child protection

• To support the charity’s commitment to safeguarding children

• To follow the charity’s safeguarding children and child protection policies and procedures, to ensure that all children in the care of the setting are protected from harm

Meetings

To aim to attend all trustee meetings, sending apologies in advance where possible

• To play an active part in discussions and decision-making; exercising your own independent judgement butunderstanding that decisions are collective

• To ensure that any matters raised individually are brought to the attention of all trustees, where appropriate

• To work effectively as part of a team with the other trustees, avoiding disagreements, expressing your own ideas, perspectives and opinions and in return respecting fellow trustees’ views and experiences

Conflicts of Interest

To avoid any potential conflicts between personal interests or loyalties and trustee responsibilities. Where identified, to bring these to the attention of the trustees and withdraw from taking part in any discussions or decisions in relation to these matters

• To not misuse the role of trustee to gain preferential benefits or treatment

• To not accept any gifts, hospitality, payments or financial benefit for being a trustee, except for reasonable expenses that have been approved by the trustees

• To ensure permission is provided by the charity’s governing document or the Charity Commission before receiving any payment for another role within the charity

• Where another role is carried out for the charity, to agree to keep the two roles separate, and to withdraw from taking part in any trustee discussions or decisions in relation to the other role

Confidentiality / Support

• To respect the privacy of children, their families, employees and other trustees of the charity

• To abide by the setting’s confidentiality and information sharing policies and to only share information appropriately and when required

• As a spokesperson for the charity, to act professionally and only communicate information as agreed by the trustees

• Support the employees of the setting

• To ensure that suitable inductions are arranged for all new trustees and employees