
Become A Trustee
Thank you for your interest in becoming a trustee at Downside Pre-School! Trustees play an important role in supporting our pre-school, helping it meet its goals and provide the best care and education for our children.
Why We Need Your Help
Our current trustees are planning to step down, so we need new trustees to join us. Without trustees, the pre-school cannot legally continue to operate. This is a vital role, but it’s easier than you might think, and you’ll have plenty of support along the way. We understand this might sound serious, but we want to reassure you: the main focus is on fundraising, while our experienced staff handle the day-to-day operations and legal requirements and trustees sign off to say its been done.
Why Volunteer as a Trustee?
Although this is an unpaid role, by volunteering to become a trustee, you will:
- Make a real difference to children and families in our local community.
- Gain valuable skills and experience in teamwork, decision-making, and event planning.
- Be part of a supportive, welcoming team.
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Support Early Childhood Education by shaping the educational experience for young children and make a lasting impact on their development.
What Does a Trustee Do?
Being a trustee is about working together as part of a friendly team to:
- Help organise fundraising activities to support the pre-school and raise money for resources and activities for the children.
- Make decisions to ensure the pre-school runs smoothly and meets its goals.
- Attend half termly meetings to review progress and plans.
Focus on Fundraising
While trustees are responsible for ensuring the pre-school meets its aims, the main focus we need help with is fundraising. Fundraising helps us provide exciting activities, new resources, and better facilities for the children. You’ll work with other trustees to organise events and connect with the community to support our pre-school.
What Support Will You Have?
You won’t be doing this alone!
Our Business Manager attends trustee meetings, they will guide you and take care of the legal and compliance tasks. Trustees only need to review and approve the work.
Our pre-school team will provide guidance and help you feel confident in your role.
Important Information for Trustees
Before becoming a trustee, you’ll need to be aware of:
- Trustee Guidance Notes – Click here to view
- A copy of our Constitution, to help you understand how everything works – We are a member of the Early Years Alliance and abide by their constitution – Click here to view. A signed copy is available for you to view at pre-school.
- The Charity Commission Role of a Trustee – Click here to view
- The Charities Commission Guide – The Essential Trustee What You Need to Know – Click here to view
- Our latest Trustee report and Accounts which can be found on the Charities Commission website – Click here to view
- Before becoming a trustee, you will be asked to sign a Declaration of Eligibility Form. This will be completed at time of becoming a Trustee and your name added to a Register of Trustees – Click here to view
What Happens If We Don’t Have Trustees?
It’s important to know that without trustees, Downside Pre-School will be unable to stay open. This is a legal requirement for all charities. By stepping forward, you’ll be helping to ensure the pre-school can continue providing care and education to local children.
Ready to Join Us?
If you’d like to become a trustee or learn more, please fill out the below form and let us know when you are available. Whilst we try and arrange meetings at a time that suits, it is sometimes difficult to arrange a time that suits everyone, but we will do our best to accommodate. We will then be in touch with a date and time.
Thank you for considering this role. We are here to help you every step of the way and together, we can make sure Downside Pre-School continues to thrive for years to come!