Committee Meeting

1. Welcome.

• Introductions were made by all committee and staff as first meeting with new members. Warm welcome made to Kathleen Lumby (Hilltop staff), welcome back to Carole Armitage (Hilltop) and well wishes to Sue Marshall (Hilltop).

2. Agree and sign minutes from last meeting.

• These were signed and agreed.

3. Matters arising from last meeting.

• After meeting with Paul Tompkins, Business Manager from North Somerset Council, the sessions for 2/3 years was introduced and has commenced.

• Water in taps in Brampton now sorted.

• Paper towel dispenser now installed in Brampton.

• Bell fixed at Hilltop.

• Term dates for 2006-2007 have now been set.

4. Chair's Report.

• Hilltop now has a bank helper - Sue Hook - details to be supplied. Also Sally Beesley is available.

• Social Services have requested one child under 3 years commence at Brampton. Registration has been changed with OFSTED to allow this.

• CRB checks - there are new guidelines. OFSTED still check Pre-School Manager and committee members. Capita Education Resourcing have been appointed to check all other CRB applications within the Pre-School.

• OFSTED have moved offices to Redcliffe Way with phone number remaining the same.

• Sue Youle, Pre-School Learning Alliance, visited Brampton and everything fine, no major problems noted. Rose and Committee members will address few issues raised. Hilltop visit to come. The aim of her visits are to assist Pre-Schools prior to OFSTED inspections.

• Policies need updating on risk, complaints, loss of child on outing, allegations report and staff induction. Also need to display operation plan.

• Child Safe seminars to be attended by all staff, when available.

• Kathleen Lumby's qualification still being chased.

• The website is doing well with 245 hits at present. If there are any photos to go on please let us know.

• A big thank you for everyone who helped with Victorian Evening.

• Decisions on a night out to be advised later.

5. Treasurer's Report.

• Julia advised that £121.95 was raised on the Victorian Evening.

• The financial position at present is down compared to last year but not worrying - Julia is to keep a check on this.

• Expenditure is up due to wage bill increase.

6. Brampton Report.

• Rose enquired if there were any funds available - Julia is to fully check but agreed that monies could be spent. There is also available £50 from spiritualist.

• A fence panel in play area has once again been damaged - it was agreed to leave at present as this has been covered and no children are in danger.

• Rose wanted to clarify In-Service days. Sally and Julia explained that staff are entitled to 5 in-service days and it is entirely Hilltop/Brampton's decision how many they would like and when they would like to take them. They cannot be taken in the term dates set as this is the 38 weeks that children attend, days cannot be lost from those 38 weeks, to ensure maximum funding is received.

7. Brampton Parent Rep's Report.

• None.
  

8. Hilltop Report.

• Staff were very excited that the window cleaner had eventually been today.

• The railings outside have still not yet been painted - Sally Melson to enquire with Council what is happening.

• The sign outside - Sally Melson also to email Council as this is covered with graffiti.

9. Hilltop Parent Rep's Report.

• None.

10. Any Other Business.

• Notice boards are needed for corridor after doorway in Hilltop - Kath and Elaine have got boards they can donate.
  

• Carole suggested cupboards at Hilltop are covered with cork tiles instead of painted so that drawings, etc can be displayed.
  

• Kath Houlden, Fundraising Officer, then discussed three possibilities for this year. Firstly, it was proposed to hold a Quiz Night, possibly 9 March at Brampton. Everybody seemed to think it was a good idea and Claire Goodby suggested some fundraising tips. Kath's husband would be quiz master. Tickets would be sold in advance to check attendance. Secondly, Sue Marshall's husband has offered to do a gig with his band doing 60,70 and 80's music, this is to be looked after perhaps even to perform in the summer fete. Finally, Kath has been organising catalogues for Yellow moon, which sells mainly arts and crafts, we would have our own source code and could order all year round. This is to be done on a trial and error basis as there is no cost to us.
  

• Suzi Chaning-Pearce has nothing to report as yet.
  

11. Next Meeting.

• Next committee meeting will be held at Brampton on 27th February at 8pm.