Funding for a pre-school

Daffodil421

Hi -I've just joined the committee of my child's pre-school. Unfortunately, the last financial year ended considerably in the red so before our first committee meeting I thought I'd try and do a bit of research to get an understanding about how the whole goverment funding area works. Despite googling merrily for about half an hour I have yet to find any sites which can give me any kind of detailed breakdown on what funding/grants we are entitled to, and how to claim it. If anyone out there has any info on where I can make a start it would be greatly appreciated! Also any info on how to get 'things for free' for example 'Books for Schools'. Apologies for my ignorance but we only entered the whole pre-school arena this year! Needless to say, I'm now off to have a search for successful fund-raising! Thank you for reading.:)

shopaholic2

Hi, I used to be chair of the committtee at my son's playgroup so I know where your coming from!
Firstly contact the local council, early years department, they may be able to give you a sustainability grant, which helps you stay afloat for a bit, and also check all your 3 year olds are getting funding from the council.
They you can look around for grants to apply for, altho I hope you have some time cos they are very time consuming usually, the forms, but worth it to get some money.
You can look on funderfinder.
Also, think about what events you could hold to raise some cash,eg; easter bonnnet parade, quiz night, fancy dress day, raffle, table top sale etc etc.
If I can think of anything else I'll come back, there ARE ways of doing it, but its a real labour of love!
Perhaps you could get some mums into volunteer and then drop some staff hours if need be?
Or try to open more,eg we started doing wraparound care, meaning the children could stay all day for a fee, or we would collect them from school and they would stay for lunch and the afternoon session (this works well for the 3 year olds you lose to school foundation units, as they then get the funding!)
Good luck

nikki&asha

Hi
I run a Pre-school for a committee so know where you are coming from, sustainability is a real problem in the sector now with increased costs and expectations!
First port of call is your local authority for grants - can be time consuming and you will have to jump through hoops - and is only a short term solution.
Also contact your early year’s advisor (from local authority) who will be able to find out about other grants for you and save some leg work - short term again though.
Speak to your Children’s Centre – make use of them – we get donated prizes for raffles, freebie craft stuff left over from there events plus lots of helpful advice. They can always point you to someone else to help too.
VERY IMPORTANT – you need to know why you are losing money – look at the figures (should be on the AGM documents etc)
Consider - 1. Are you charging enough – remember children on the grants should not be subsidising the paying children so costing should be based on this. Increases should be phased in slowly.
2. Are you always full, do you cut staff hours when you are not, like at the beginning of term? Can you advertise empty places for free via childrens centre and local schools etc.
3. What has the money been spent on – have you replaced a lot of expensive equipment that will last for years – if so you are not really losing atm. If it is everyday consumables can you get donations from local businesses – or use a scrap store – or ask parents/staff to collect bits and bobs – shiny foil, wrap paper, tissue paper from shoe boxes can all be used in crafts. Buy in the sales! Boot sale, charity shops can be good as well. Be creative!
4. Fundrasing – sponsored things for the children, school photograph companies give commission based on orders as do book clubs such as scholastic, joining tesco/sains voucher schemes are easy just ring them up. End of year events – ask local shops/ businesses to donate prizes – it is a good advert for them plus give them a headed letter and they can claim it back on tax I believe?
The trick is always to ask ask ask – I know a pre-school that has all their drawing paper donated by a local printing business for example!

If I think of anything more I’ll come back!
HTH
Nikki

Daffodil421

Thanks both - I'm really pleased I posted on here. You've given me more help and advice than half an hour trying various government sites! I will def pick up on all the points you've raised. I think as you say, we need to look at where the money has been spent, maximise numbers and make sure we're getting our supplies from the most cost effective source. I have just started work at the local Children's Centre and I will def talk to them although I have a feeling that their budget has been significantly reduced this year. Apologies for late reply, had a login problem and then kept encountering a 'token expired' message when trying to reply. (This is about my sixth attempt - each reply has got shorter but I remembered to cut and paste this time just in case it didn't work!) Thanks again, please do post again if you get any more ideas! )

fengirl_2

Also go and see your local CVS - they will have funding software which can search for grant making trusts for you to apply for and will also give you support with this.

Daffodil421

Hi fengirl - thank you very much for replying! Can you let me know who the CVS are, please?

Caroline73_2

Usborne books do fundraising for schools and pre schools where you can get free books. The main website is www.usborne.com

Savvy_Sue

Daffodil421 wrote: »

Hi fengirl - thank you very much for replying! Can you let me know who the CVS are, please?

Council for Voluntary Service - google CVS plus your town or county to find yours

sarahh56

I work at a preschool as an administrator, firstly check how much other preschools charge for a session, are you undercharging? Look at how much a session you get for a funded child and slightly undercut that.
Do you charge for snack? If not consider charging a nominal charge like 20 -30p a session towards a healthy snack.
Make sure you don't have too many staff in at any one time, try and fill the days up to 16 per session so that you only need 2 staff members before increasing.
Save empty bottles ( slim fast, ribena etc) and send them home asking for them to be filled with change for a certain item that you are trying to buy.

Good luck:)

truly1

Barefoot Books give you up to 50% commission for fundraising, any more details just ask here.