Partnership Constitution

THE AIMS OF THE NURSERY ARE AS FOLLOWS:

  • To advance the education of children below the school entry age and to provide a safe and stimulating environment for children of pre-school age.
  • To provide a safe and stimulating learning environment, where children are able to learn through their play and in which each parent/guardian has the right to take an active role in.
  • To actively promote fundraising in which all parents/guardians have the opportunity to become involved.

THE POWERS OF THE CONSTITUTION:

  • To provide accommodation and equipment and to engage staff with the assistance of the Supervisor in situ at the time.
  • To raise funds for the group’s activities.
  • To make payments for supplies to suppliers as and when necessary, undertaken by the Supervisor and Trustees and Committee.
  • To ensure the nursery complies with all issues required by law (legal legislations and guidances).
  • Each member of the committee shall have one vote (excluding the Supervisor who is ex-officio). In the event of a tie vote, the Chair has a second or casting vote.
  • A quorum of any committee meetings shall be not less than half the committee, including two officers.
  • The Treasurer shall keep a correct and accurate account in respect of the nursery’s finances.
  • All cheques must be signed by at least one of the authorised signatories, one being the nursery Supervisor.
  • The Committee Chair must view the nursery’s bank statements.
  • At the end of the financial year, the Treasurer shall prepare the accounts to be audited by an independent auditor, appointed by the nursery group. These accounts must be signed off prior to its presentation at the AGM (Annual General Meeting).
  • The funds of the nursery shall only be used for the purposes of the group.

DISSOLUTION:

If members of the committee decide to end the group, any funds or equipment remaining after all the debts have been paid, will be handed to the PLA (Pre-school Learning Alliance) or a similar charity relating to the education of pre-school children.

CHANGES OF CONSTITUTION:

The constitution may only be altered if two thirds of the members present at the AGM vote in favour of any changes made.

THE COMMITTEE:

The committee shall meet at least once a month and is responsible for ensuring that the nursery complies with its aims and that it is being managed properly.

The committee shall consist of:

  • 3 Officers (Committee Chair, Treasurer and Secretary) to be elected from the body of the committee.
  • Not more than 12 members, but not less than 4 members (Officers included in this figure).
  • The Supervisor of the nursery will be a member of the committee (ex-officio), who through status is unable to vote on any issues. The role he/she fulfils for the nursery must be recognised and therefore must be consulted on all issues appertaining to the day-to-day running of the nursery.
  • Committee members shall be elected for a period of one year at the AGM.  The old committee shall be dissolved and any existing members who wish to stand for re-election will be advised by the Committee Chair prior to the meeting.
  • The committee will elect Officers immediately after the AGM retiring committee members maybe re-elected.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE NURSERY’S ASSOCIATION:

Members shall be one of the following:

  • Family members, parents/guardians of all children who attend the group.
  • Each family to have one vote and to count as one member.
  • Should a parent/guardian employ a childminder and it is that parents/guardian’s wish that the childminder has the right to vote on their behalf, this is acceptable by writing to the Committee Chair.

GENERAL MEETINGS:

  • An AGM will be held in the term following the end of the tax year, once the final accounts have been audited.
  • These accounts must be presented and agreed at the AGM and written statements provided to all families in attendance of the group.
  • A special general meeting maybe called at the request of the committee or one quarter of the nursery’s members.
  • The Secretary or the Committee Chair shall inform all members of the AGM and any special meetings that are to be held, stating the date, time, place and a list of items to be discussed. At least four weeks notice prior to the meeting being set will be given.
  • If the Committee Chair or Secretary does not call a special general meeting within two months of a request to do so, any member may call that meeting. A notice must be placed in a public place (where the group meets) and with at least four weeks notice before the meeting is to take place.
  • The quorum for a general meeting shall be 30% of the members or 4 members, whichever is the greatest, and if fewer attend a new meeting must be called.

THE PARTNERSHIP CONSTITUTION SHALL BE REVIEWED AT LEAST EVERY THREE YEARS BY THE NURSERY PARTNERSHIP.