prowlerchick Posted February 13, 2016 Posted February 13, 2016 Hi all I mainly want to have a bit of a moan really but also want to find out how anyone else in schools buys resources needed on a regular basis or for something that crops up the week before you need it. We have a fund raising pot of money which we've done quite well at accumulating and were always able to purchase things from this (after being signed off by head/deputy) and then get the money back from school. We now have a new business manager and she won't let us do this any more. Basically we have to buy things way in advance which in Early Years isn't always possible and can only buy them through school accounts with companies (so costing twice as much as they would from anywhere else!). We've just been told the budget has been closed now until May so we now can't buy anything through school - we have a tea party after half term which we can't buy any food for now, it's very annoying! I love Alistair Bryce Cleggs website and ideas but lots of things he has or shows are made using items purchased from shops not catalogues! Our head says it has to be this way so there is a paper trail for the money, our deputy, who used to work in EYFS, thinks it's daft too but can't do anything about it! I just wondered how anyone else manages or are you still allowed to purchase items? Thanks and enjoy half term!
lsp Posted February 13, 2016 Posted February 13, 2016 Does your school have a PTA or Friends that raises money for the school? If so could you ask them to raise a small pot of money specifically for EYFS, or a small percentage each time they fundraise. They would then have control and pay out on presentation of receipts, subject to authorisation of named person, and control the paper trail. 2
Guest Posted February 17, 2016 Posted February 17, 2016 Hi We are the same as you. The best thing I can come up with is Cosy Catalogue for those items that ABC recommends. If your school can set an account up with them that will help you get some of the items you need. They are still a little more expensive than the shops but they have things that educational suppliers dont. Your school should then have the paper trail they need. I spend a fortune myself when I am shopping and I really do now have to stop myself from buying things otherwise I would be so out of pocket.
prowlerchick Posted February 18, 2016 Author Posted February 18, 2016 Thanks for your replies! We've been told we're not allowed to buy things ourselves that are second hand, it's daft it's not like the items we'd purchase are broken or not designed to be used by children!! We've bought bits from cosy catalogue before, it is good. We'll just have to make sure we're thinking as far in advance as we can!! We don't have a PTA, it was disbanded!!
catma Posted February 18, 2016 Posted February 18, 2016 Unfortunately school budgets are so tight that every penny needs to be managed these days. All those incidentals add up I'm afraid. (Speaking as someone who managed ALL the stock ordering in my last school as DHT) Cx
Guest Posted February 20, 2016 Posted February 20, 2016 I put together a proposal for EYFS last summer where I costed everything that I wanted (it took me ages and was £1000) and got my head to approve it. for the bigger things I ordered through consortium and cosy (brilliant calalogue) but I ordered about £200 worth of stuff from ebay or bought from ikea over the summer holiday which I bought myself and claimed back money in September (my school reimburses straight into your bank account) Day to day stuff though, I'm afraid i do spend a fair bit of my own money on resources-especially on picture books! deb
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