Busy Bees

Our Staff

 

At Busy Bees, we take our commitment to staff suitability very seriously.  To ensure the staff working at Busy Bees are suitable to do so, the vetting process begins from the point of application.  This process ensures that all staff working at the setting are safe to do so.  Please ask if you would like to see a copy of our Suitable Persons checklist.

The team at Busy Bees are:

 

 

Emma Davis - Manager and Designated Safeguarding Officer

Working towards Foundation Degree in Early Years

Forest School Leader

Diploma in Preschool Practice Level 3

 

Bev Hughes - Deputy Manager and SENCO

NVQ Level 3

SENCO

 

Jodie Smith - Supervisor

NVQ Level 3

 

Lisa White - Supervisor (Breakfast, After School & Holiday care)

Level 2 Playwork

Early Years Care and Education - Level 3

 

Vicki Steventon - Deputy Supervisor (Breakfast, After School & Holiday care)

Playwork Level 2

Early Years Care and Education Level 3

 

Michelle Bullock - Preschool Assistant

Diploma in Homebased Childcare

 

Fay Pilliner - Preschool Assistant

Playwork Level 2

Early Years Care and Education - Level 3

 

Janet White - Assistant (Breakfast, After School and Holiday Care)

Take 5 for Play

 

Committee

Busy Bees is run by a parent committee led by a team of 5 Directors who are all volunteers.  The Directors are legally responsible for the management and running of Busy Bees.

The Directors are elected by a properly constituted group and has the same responsibilities as the owner of a business. It is responsible for:

* The smooth running of the group and for the welfare, care and education of the children who attend.
* Deciding what to buy, paying the bills, fixing the fees and initiating fund raising.
* Employing staff, deciding salaries and ensures PAYE and National Insurance contributions are paid.
* Ensuring OFSTED requirements and obligations relating to the hire of premises and insurance are met.
* Determining the admissions policy and making sure that the group operates in a non-discriminatory way.
* The financial accounts of all the group's activities to present to the members - and where appropriate, the Charity Commission - for approval each year.
* Taking legal responsibility for the group and all its actions (or inaction). If the group gets into legal or financial trouble, members of the committee can in many cases be held responsible.

The Directors are the employer of staff  and so have overall responsibility for recruiting, training and developing staff, paying their salaries and managing their contracts. The Directors also have responsibility for things like developing a business plan, managing the daily accounts and working with staff, ensuring the setting follows health and safety, risk assessment, insurance and first aid guidance.

 

Research shows clear benefits for children when parents become actively involved in their child's learning and development.
Volunteering offers an ideal opportunity to be more involved. Parents also find benefits for themselves including meeting other parents, updating skills and learning new ones, as well as putting something back into the local community.

 

1. Can anyone be a Director?
All parents of children at Busy Bees and other interested parties within the community can put themselves forward to be elected at a Committee meeting or AGM. At least 60% of the Directors should be family members, i.e. have a child attending Busy Bees.

2. How many times do Directors meet each year?
A minimum of three times a year. Our Directors usually meets once a term but regularly keep in contact though telephone calls and email.

3. When is a new Director elected?
Usually, new members are elected at the AGM when members stand down.  However, should a member stand down at any other time, a replacement will be sought.  

4. Who are the main officers?
Chairperson, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.

5. How many members are needed?
Our committee is made up of  5 Directors who are voted in.  The current Directors are listed at the bottom of this page.

6. Who attends meetings?
All Directors, staff and parents.  The staff cannot vote at the meetings and cannot be present when decisions about wages are being made.

7. How long does a Director serve?
Generally they serve for a minimum of one year 

8. Who can’t be a Director?
People under the age of eighteen or have a disorder under the Mental Heath Act, those
convicted at anytime of an offence involving deception or dishonesty, unless the
conviction is legally spent, those who are un-discharged bankrupts, those who have been
removed from being a trustee because of misconduct, those disqualified from being
company directors and those who have failed to make payments under county court
administration orders.

9. Can Directors be paid?
Only for the expenses of any work that they do.

10. Who does the staff appraisals?
The Manager appraises the practitioners. The chair appraises the Manager.  The Directors would also have to over see the whole appraisal process as they are the legal employers.

11. As a Director am I able for any loss or debts?
No. Busy Bees is a company limited by guarantee.

12. Can I leave  half way through the year?
Although this is not preferable some circumstances may mean that this may occur. You should make your resignation in writing to the Chair.

13. Do Directors need to have a CRB check?
It is a requirement of Ofsted that anyone who has day to day contact with the children in any capacity has a CRB “Enhanced” disclosure. You will be required to apply for a CRB check through Ofsted - all the relevant paperwork will be supplied.

 

Directors 2011/2012:

Gary Knight - Chair

Rob Stewart - Vice Chair

Angela Leaver - Treasurer

Jessica Warner - Company Secretary

Lorna Shakesheff - SEN Advisor