My boys attended a Head Start run by the Ho-Chunk Nation (Native Americans). We had a "parent group", not a PTO or PTA. We did not have any by-laws and were very informal. Both of the teachers were at each meeting and were instrumental in keeping the group going. They were not allowed (by the Nation) to help with fundraisers as it would have been a conflict of interest.

We started out each year with seed money from the Nation and then had a raffle in the Fall and a Spaghetti Supper/Bingo Night in the Spring. We did not make buckets of money, but it was enough to pay for gas for two or three field trips, supplies for the school, a holiday craft "make-and-take" and staff appreciation gifts.

To me, the point of the group was to get parents involved and to prepare them for future PTO and PTA activities.

I think the preschool needs a parent group and, of course, teachers should be involved. How else would you know that you're working towards the same goals? At least one teacher liason should attend the meetings.

My now 12 year old son went to a Catholic preschool for two years. The parent group was already formed. It was informal and we didn't have official bylaws. We operated under the umbrella of the preschool director who, in turn, answered to the school principal. We merely saw ourselves as a support team to raise funds and provide the extras. Since it was Big Apple preschool we called ourselves the Apple Corp.

Our only fundraiser was a direct donation solicitation. We provided our budget/costs, averaged the amount each family could provide to meet those costs and asked each of them to donate that much. Everyone gave at least the minimum and often even more.

We met once a month and the director and two asst teachers attended every meeting. We were a team, were mutually respectful and kept our focus on the kids needs. If your group can find a way to work within the parameters set for you, you can still do tons of great work and show the school that you have the best interest of the students in mind.

Maybe a preschool doesn't need an offical PTO/PTA with parliamentary procedures but some sort of informal parent group is great. A president/vp or co-presidents can provide leadership and structure. This gives parents a chance to meet each other, get involved in the school and start getting their feet wet in the parent group arena. It's a win-win for everyone.

p.s. We hired two high school girls at $5 each to 'babysit' during the 1 hour meeting since we were all parents of very young kids. This meant both parents could attend and not have to take turns.

Don't give up on the preschool! My son, who is 11 went to a preschool that has a PTO, of which I was president for 2 years. My daughter, who is 2, now goes to the same school and I'm secretary this year, and president next year. The PTO is SO important to this program. It raises money for teacher appreciation, we are able to support the teachers with their continuing education requirements, we host an annual family picnic, we pay for a "music in motion" program that the kids LOVE, and other odds and ends along the way. Don't give up!!

[ 04-26-2006, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: WECP ]

I really don't think a PTO at Pre-school level is necessary. Unless it would be the same PTO board for whereever they are going to be in Elementary School.

I am the PTO President for a newly formed PTO at a Jewish Community Center. I've been at this now since the beginning of the school year. My main question is this, do any of you think a pre-school needs a PTO and if so, shouldn't the teachers be involved? At the beginning of the year, I was basically put in my place and told that it would be a conflict of interest for the teachers to be involved and oh yes, by the way, you aren't allowed to have any by-laws because you are a sub-committee or a sub committee and whatever by-laws you would have would conflict with the whole organization. Whenever I quoted information from this website to support my arguments, I was told that it was irrelvant because this wesbite only supported public elementary schools and not preschools, and definetly not preschools run by non-profit organizations. I've tried playing by their rules but essentially it's gotten us nowhere. Parent involvement is way low and it's definetly a parent vs. teacher vs. adminstrator vs. parent atmosphere. If there is anybody outthere who has a PTO for a preschool I would love to hear from you. Any advice anyone can give would be great! Thanks!