Chair of Trustees

About the role

Chair of Trustees (Charitable Preschool)
Tilehouse Street Preschool and Nursery, Hitchin

Voluntary role
Are you looking to make a meaningful difference in your local community? Tilehouse
Street Preschool & Nursery, a well-established and much-loved charity providing a
nurturing pre-school experience for up to 33 two-, three- and four-year olds, is
seeking an experienced and committed individual to become our next Chair of
Trustees.
About the Role
As Chair, you will provide strategic leadership and effective governance, working
closely with a dedicated Board of Trustees – most of whom are parents of children at
the Preschool. Your experience will be invaluable in guiding the Board, supporting
our Preschool Manager, promoting the setting’s charitable purpose and ensuring it
continues to thrive and serve local families.
Key Responsibilities

•  Act in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries at all times(including avoiding and declaring situations which may lead to a conflict of interest).
•  Provide effective oversight to ensure a high standard of care and education(including meeting the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements).
•  Lead and facilitate trustee meetings, typically held once per term and inperson (at the Preschool).
•  Provide ad hoc support and guidance to the Preschool Manager as neededincluding assisting with recruitment where required and supervision asappropriate.
•  Induct and support parent trustees, many of whom are new to charitygovernance.
•  Oversee compliance with charity and education regulations; this includesbeing the Designated Safeguarding Person and Nominated Person for Ofstedpurposes, and working with the management and board to ensure alloperations are carried out in accordance with the governing document and thecharity isappropriatelyinsured for any risks or liabilities.
•  Contribute to the timely filing of all statutory forms and documents for thecharity, including supporting with annual filings at the Charity Commission.
•  Ensure robust financial oversight and risk management (working closely withthe Preschool’s Treasurer, Bookkeeper and Manager).
•  Ensure effective procedures are in place to safeguard and protect the welfareof the children in the charity’s care (EYFS training provided as needed).
•  Champion the Preschool within the local community, including at the annualwelcome evening for prospective new parents (typically held in June).
•  Foster a positive and collaborative Board culture.
• What We’re Looking For
•  Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
•  Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of trustees, supporting thosenew to governance.
•  Eligible to act as a charity trustee and satisfactory Ofsted suitability checks,including an enhanced DBS check.
•  Commitment to the Preschool’s aims and values, fostering it’s continuedstrong reputation within the local community.
•  Commitment to undertaking training relevant to the role as needed, andmaintaining high standards of confidentiality and integrity.
•  Understanding of charity governance is helpful but not essential. Previous board-level or senior management experience (any sector) and/orexperience of budget management would also be helpful but is not essential.
•  Commitment to remaining in the role for a number of years, to ensure stabilityfor the setting going forwards.

Why Join Us?

•  Make a real impact on the lives of local children and families.
•  Use your skills and experience to support a valued community organisation.
•  Flexible commitment: in-person Board meetings once per term, plus ad hocsupport for the Preschool Manager; expected time commitment is 5-10 hoursa month, term-time only.

This is a voluntary role, subject to an enhanced DBS check.
To apply or find out more, please contact Lucy Grimwood (Acting Chair) at
lucy.grimwood@thpsn.org.uk