Meruka Child Care CooperativeCommittee of Management

Committee Meeting MinutesMeeting held: Monday 18TH September 2017, 7:30pm at Meruka CCC

Attendance – Kaye Meynell, Terri Psiakis, April Anderson, Christie McVeigh, Lucinda Matthews, Jane Fraser, Peta-Lynne Potts, Nikki Wynn, Lynda Muscat, Victoria Metherall, Julie Morrison, Jo Stevens

Apologies – Steve Hogan, Kristy Wong, Kylie Hammon, Paige Macdonald, Rebecca Brown, Danielle Kamolins

Minutes of Previous Meeting: Accepted L. Matthews, 2nd J. Morrison

Assignment Log1. Marketing of Meruka – we are full!2. Grant applications – Jo has identified a Telstra digital package grant for coding-type Kinder activities.

Actions Arising1. Follow-up from Pumpworks re sprinkler system quote: in the process of getting a quote for sprinkler

system so we know which grants to go for. Pumpworks are out as they didn’t get back to us. Have had a quote for sprinklers from Eltham Waterworks, told we need a poly tank with an electric battery-started fire pump which means that in order to operate we press a button and then walk away – budget is for $10,000.

2. Follow-up on Committee Code of Conduct regarding confidentiality & members’ “sitting out” of votes - will include something about minimum attendance, frame the code as a terms of reference that members cite and sign on for at the beginning of the year to cover off confidentiality issues. Regarding “sitting out” of votes, terms of reference will also contain stipulation about when confidential votes may be implemented. From now on, the Parent Liaison’s requests for newsletter items are to be made in writing via email. Action: (Nikki) a collection of committee member profiles to be posted on the noticeboard and the Meruka Facebook page.

3. Follow-up on increase in wages in August 2017 compared to August 2016 – reason for this; is it maternity leave/more long service leave this year? – add to Actions Arising for next month.

CorrespondenceIn:

22.08.2017 – Letter from Julie Coulston, Administrative Coordinator, Planning Services, Nillumbik Council, regarding notification of planning application proposal from 29 Meruka Drive Eltham – doesn’t affect the centre.

01.09.2017 – Email from Children’s Services Regulations Review, Servic Quality and Legislation Branch, Quality Assessment and Regulation Division, Department of Education and Training, regarding enrolments of all children to be checked with a view to any children with Dr John Piesse listed as their GP having their immunization status re-evaluated.

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Out: None.

Reports:

Finance: Written report prepared by S. Hogan. Report can be distributed upon request.The following was discussed:

S. Hogan absent. Actions Arising article 3 to be discussed again next month.

Co-ordinator: Written report prepared by K. Hammon. Report can be distributed upon request.The following was discussed:

98 families, only one has left due to change of circumstances. Centre is full, kids and staff are settled. Absenteeism has evened out with just coughs and colds now. Still trying to organize a session on fussy eating with Kalparrin for staff and parents. Result of re-enrolment as it stands is that 7 families have missed out on days completely and 9

families have missed out on 1 or more of the days they requested. Movement is ongoing so this situation should improve.

16 children enrolled in the funded Kinder program. Toddler Room has 4 vacancies left across the week, Babies Room has 17 vacancies across the

week. Centre waiting list has 102 families on it. Trialling a dance company in Term 4 in lieu of sport and hoping to do yoga on Thursdays. Disappointing to cancel Father’s Day night due to lack of attendance but feedback regarding short

notice for the event will be taken on board for next year. Discussion around contacts and how communication occurs between families and office bearers,

possibility for a Committee email address that enables fundraising, parent liaison, chair and major roles to communicate directly to families. Kaye to follow up with Kylie.

Maintenance & Safety: Verbal report by J. McNamee.The following was discussed: No report.

Staff Rep: Verbal report by C. McVeigh.The following was discussed:

Jo and Emma have been working on getting a grant to revamp the yard. Kinder and Toddler rooms have agreed to pool their allocated Friends of Meruka funds towards the yard rather than resources. Council can potentially contribute, a proposal is being put together and no Meruka money will be spent until the outcome from Council is known. Jo’s cousin is a landscaper, has drawn up a plan. Also potential for fenceline to be extended to accommodate a grassed area for kids who just want to kick a ball.

Have added an extra incursion this year as kids have been super-interested in the fish tanks that are now in every room – Wild Ocean presentation from the Animal guy, to be delivered to kids across all the rooms.

PD about inclusion that was very worthwhile, as a result staff are looking at ways to engage with the wider community eg. Retirement home visits, engaging with local schools.

Staff Liaison: Verbal report by J. StevensThe following was discussed:

Currently: no pay differentiation based on Room Leaders, no differentiation made on tenure, no differentiation based on performance. Do we have the budget to address this and is this something the Committee would like to explore? Flagging this for discussion at the October meeting.

Needs to be more one-on-one discussion of performance appraisals with a view to more regular tracking/rewards.

Parent Liaison: Verbal report by P. MacdonaldThe following was discussed: No report.

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Fundraising: Verbal report by J. Morrison & V. MetherallThe following was discussed:

Picture plates – 65 plates from 57 orders, made about $450. Bunnings BBQ is Sunday 8th October, a list for volunteers on the day is on the door and an email

will be sent out. Chocolate sales are done, orders down on last year.

General Business: 1. Policy review for 2017 – Kylie has allocated policies to be reviewed. Each committee member will

review the same policy as last year. Email will go out prior to the next committee meeting, trialling a checklist to go along with each policy. Asking for feedback with regard to the checklist as to its efficacy. After policies have been sent out they’ll be due back within the month. Further discussion to be had regarding a policy review kit.

2. Vote on the question “Do you think the re-enrolment policy could be more effective.” 5 to leave as is, 3 to change. Re-enrolment policy will remain unchanged.

Meeting closed – 9.24pm

Next Meeting: Monday 16th October 2017, 7:30pm at Meruka CCC

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