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| Financing the work of the Preschool Parent Association | ||
| Resource Donations OR Membership Fees? | ||
For over 65 years, in the ACT, parents have worked in a successful partnership with the ACT Government (currently through the Department of Education and Training) in the delivery of preschool education. Preschool Parent Associations are independent, Incorporated community bodies (Associations) and need to raise their own funding to meet their legal and constitutional responsibilities, such as: covering the costs of insurance, petty cash, affiliation fees, excursions and any equipment purchases that may be requested during the year. Whilst it is legally possible, for the Preschool Parent Association to set a membership fee, all funds have been traditionally derived from an annually and collaboratively set resource donation rate. Supplemented, if necessary, through a small amount of fun and engaging fund-raising activities. Many Preschool Parent Associations set an annual resource donation rate that will be enough to cover ALL of their organisation’s primary activities, without the need for additional fund-raising. | ||
| The usual amount is $50 per term - that is $5 per week - per family! | ||
It must be remembered, that should the Preschool Parent Association not set an Annual Membership fee, the collaboratively set Resource Donations amount is completely voluntary and the following points need to be kept in mind:
The CPS urges parents to thoughtfully consider the way in which they financially support their child’s preschool education. Should there be a Preschool Parent Association, they will require financial support to meet their responsibilities. It means that the parents, at your child’s preschool, have chosen to maintain the independence of the preschool’s Parent Association as they see a distinct and directly visible benefit for their children and the preschool as a whole. This benefit flows on into the school is a
significant way through a sharing of early childhood resources and
strategic “volunteer-power.” During the past few years an average of
1.3 million dollars, per year, has supported the provision of your
child’s high quality, accessible and equitable preschool program. The money that the PPA collects “stays with the PPA” and neither the P&C nor the ACT Government School Board may assume that the funds are to be channelled into the School’s accounts, unless mutually agreed. The memberships of the Preschool Parent Association, by the nature of the non-compulsory nature of the program will include a broader cross-section of the local community – that alone usually means that for even one year the ACT Government Primary School’s community is broad and quite far-reaching. It is so important to remember that, it takes a community – to make a community work. Where there is a
P&C sub-committee, the P&C have assumed the financial
responsibilities for the “non-compulsory” preschool year and they, as
always, will seek contributions from parents in the form of various
school-wide “fundraising” events. | ||
| Worthwhile and realistic alternatives to financial contribution | ||
Many parents may choose to contribute in other ways, for example should a parent take on a position on the Executive Committee (President, Secretary or Treasurer) that role is just as time-consuming as it is interesting and challenging. Participation in the preschool classroom through being on a volunteer roster and offering to organise or participate in the supplemental fund-raising activities are all extremely worthwhile contributions to the quality and the success of the preschool program. These generous options of volunteering should be actively encouraged as they are definitely necessary commitments that constructively build and strengthen the preschool and wider-school community. | ||
| The ACT Education Act (2004) and the Preschool Parent Association | ||
| Chapter 6 Miscellaneous Part 6.2 Other provisions Section 146 Part 6.2 Other provisions 146 Preschools In exercising functions in relation to a government preschool, the chief executive must take the steps necessary to encourage, and give opportunities to, parents of children attending the preschool to participate in the conduct of the preschool. | ||
SCHOOL POLICY: FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF PRE-SCHOOL PARENTS’ | ||
| Amendments to these arrangements | ||
As negotiated in the Toward 2020 Amalgamation of Preschools with ACT Government Primary Schools - the Preschool Parent Association's responsibility for Preschool cleaning and the provision of cleaning and hygiene consumables was moved to the Preschool's amalgamated Primary School. This was effective as from the beginning of the first term of the ACT Government School Year in 2008. This was declared by the ACT Department of Education and Training to all ACT Government Primary School Principals and School Boards at numerous times throughout 2007 and on into 2008. This includes a letter direct to Principals and School Boards on the 24th September, 2008 from Ms Melsom (Director Indigenous and Early Learning. The CPS Council thanks all Preschool Parent Associations who have worked through these transitions in a considerate and collaborative manner. We value your continued community building efforts. | ||
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| Updated: 10 November 2009 | ||
Welcome to Preschool
From the Executive Officer
Who is the Canberra Preschool Society?
The Role of the CPS Council
CPS 2010 Calendar
The Preschool Parent Association
Financing the Work of the PPA
ACT Government School Parent Financial Contributions
Useful Information for Incoming PPAs
Useful Information for Outgoing PPAs
CPS Handover Manual Feedback
© Canberra Preschool Society Inc. 2007