If you are working for, or are going to be part of a VMC it is important to understand what the roles and responsibilities are of that committee. VMC within the childcare sector appear primarily around pre-schools and this has been the chosen management structure for pre-schools for many years, with the VMC being run by volunteers (mainly parents) giving their time to support the pre-school mainly to ensure it’s effective running whilst their own children are there.

What is the role of the Voluntary Management Committee?

The following statement taken from the Volunteer Development Agency describes it as this:

“A voluntary management committee is the group that has ultimate legal responsibility for a voluntary or community organisation’s activities. “

Meaning that any parents or community volunteers that choose to take up a role within the committee, have a responsibility to the running of the organisation. This is not a role that should be undertaken lightly and must be understood that the role is undertaken without any financial reward; members can only be reimbursed for their expenses, but cannot take payment for their services.

As a member what is expected?

Members are not normally involved in the day to day running of the setting, but rather they are there to ensure that the setting is supported from a ‘business’ perspective. A VMC would employ a staff team to run the setting on a day to day basis and are not expected to be physically there themselves everyday. Those employed within the setting as a member of staff cannot undertake an officer role within the VMC as this would constitute a ‘Conflict of Interest’.

©2010 Childcare Managers

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