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2024-08-31-accounts

Rodborough Playgroup Trustees’ Annual Report

1[st] September 2023 – 31[st] August 2024

Rodborough Playgroup Tabernacle Walk, Rodborough, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 3UJ

Phone: 01453 756141 Ofsted Reg: 101719 | Charity Reg: 1001432

Aims and Objectives

The aim of the group, as outlined in our Governing Document, is to enhance the development, care, and education of children primarily under statutory school age and of school-aged children by encouraging parents to understand and provide for their needs through community-managed groups. This includes:

Overview

Rodborough Playgroup provides early years childcare for children aged 2 years and 6 months until school age, operating from 8:45 to 15:00 on weekdays during term time. For over sixty years, this parent-run, community-based charity has served the local area. Situated near Rodborough Common, the playgroup offers children the chance to explore the outdoors, enhancing their learning experiences.

Our committee of volunteer parents employs professional staff who work with children using the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum (EYFS). We offer a safe and stimulating environment with various play-based activities. Facilities include a large playroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and two enclosed outdoor spaces with a sand pit, mud kitchen, and areas for digging and planting.

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The playgroup serves 30 to 50 families at any given time, fostering strong relationships among children, parents, and staff. Parents participate in fundraising, session assistance, and various tasks to keep the playgroup running. We are registered with and inspected by Ofsted, receiving a 'Good' rating in November 2022. We are also affiliated with PATA, which provides training and guidance.

Structure, Governance, and Management

Our Governing Document is a Group Constitution affiliated with PATA (UK). Rodborough Playgroup is managed by a committee elected at the AGM, consisting of trustees, including 3 Officers (Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer).

The Chair is the Playleader’s line manager while the Playleader manages the staff team. Playgroup also pays a part-time freelance administrator to help with the day-to-day running of the charity. Trustees must be voted on to the committee by the committee. The committee meets 6 times a year, with additional meetings for the fundraising team as needed.

Trustees for the Period:

Activities During the Year

In 2023-2024, Rodborough Playgroup focussed on consolidating the recovery and adaptation from the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic and rising inflation. It was a year where playgroup was able to thrive, with a busy cohort of children, an engaged parent group and prospects for future growth and change.

During October 2023 OFSTED undertook an inspection of Playgoup. This was the first routine inspection the playgroup has had since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Playgroup was rated ‘Good’ across all areas of the inspection, with the overall effectiveness rated as ‘good’.

Due to the continued financial impacts of Covid, rises in inflation and staffing costs, we increased fundraising efforts and organised several events such as a Spring Trail and treasure hunt open to the whole community. We are grateful to all volunteers who contribute to making these events a success.

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Rodborough Playgroup Financial Report for 2023/24

The accounts have been independently examined by Dan Tarr of SLS Accountants Ltd., whose report is attached below.

For the fiscal year 2023/24, Rodborough Playgroup (RPG) saw a significant increase in total income (up by 38%) compared to the previous year, reaching £147,967 from £107,460. Although total outgoing expenses also increased by 8%, from £114,144 to £122,988, the income growth rate outpaced the rise in expenses. Prior year we were in a critical position, so this gives us some breathing space however due to increased challenges we face with the cost of running of playgroup, new changes to tax we expect the financials to be challenging and the support from staff, parents, volunteers and the council has been instrumental for the continued high levels of care at RPG. We thank everyone involved.

Income Summary

Total Income :

 Increased by 38% , from £107,460 in 2022/23 to £147,967 in 2023/24. Key Contributors to Growth :

----- Start of picture text -----
INCOME 2023/24 2022/23 % DIFF
Glos CC Grant £95,365 £60,987 56%
Glos CC Gran pupil premium £237 £0
Fees £30,507 £30,389 0%
Fundraising £4,194 £4,156 1%
Donations £1,997 £2,285 -13%
Gift Aid £0 £280 -100%
Bank interest £5 £0
Other grants £15,641 £9,360 67%
Miscellaneous £20 £3 700%
TOTAL £147,967 £107,460 38%
----- End of picture text -----

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Outgoings Summary

Total Outgoings

Key Increases :

Significant Decreases :

----- Start of picture text -----
OUTGOING 2023/24 2022/23 % DIFF
Rent £12,085 £10,993 10%
Insurance £1,145 £858 33%
Repairs/maintenance £530 £1,212 -56%
Staff Wages (In Pension and HMRC) £95,662 £84,525 13%
Repaying holiday pay £0 £3,738 -100%
Training £159 £1,304 -88%
PATA payroll £603 £500 21%
OFSTED £50 £707 -93%
PATA membership £121 £0
Pupil premium purchases £382 £0
Resources £4,018 £3,126 29%
Consumables £1,213 £1,260 -4%
Covid supplies £92 £0
Telephone £431 £582 -26%
Subscriptions £403 £227 78%
Playgroup events £644 £756 -15%
Staff mileage £96 £53 82%
IT Support £2,172 £1,081 101%
Loan interest/repayment £2,130 £2,130 0%
Miscellaneous £999 £905 10%
Fundraising expenditure £53 £190 -72%
----- End of picture text -----

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TOTAL £122,988 £114,144 8%

Overall, RPG has managed to control expenses, with increased investments in areas that support growth (like IT, resources, and subscriptions), while also finding savings in categories like training and repairs. This balance between increased income and spend has resulted in a healthier financial position for the year.

Bank Balance, Reserves, and Cash Flow

The overall financial position in 2023/24 was a gain of £24,987 vs a loss of £6648 LY. Reserves at the end of the 2023/24 financial year were £42,045 (after deposits paid) which does meet our reserves target. (Please see the full reserves report for more details.)

The management team and committee are working on an action plan to ensure financial sustainability for the future whilst ensuring we continue offer great care and development of children within their early years

Conclusion

The officers and committee members are committed to building on this year's successes and addressing ongoing financial challenges to secure a sustainable future for the playgroup. Thank you to all contributors and community members who have supported us throughout this year.

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Ind endent Examinerf hPI I report to the charlty trustees on my examination of the accounts of Rodborough Playgroup for the year ended 31 August 2024. Responsobllltles and basls of report As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the ACV). I have examined your charl￿5 accounts as required under section 145 of the ACL In carrying out my examlnation I have followed the Directions given by the Charlty Commlssion under section 145{5)(b) of the ACL Independent examlnerfs ststement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any materlal respett: l. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act: or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the appllcable requirements concernlng the form and content of accounts set out In the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Re8ulatlons 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn In this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Dan Tarr SLS Accountants Ltd 78 Draycott Cam Dursley Glos GLII 5DH Date: 6 January 2025