Chairperson’s Report 2022-2023 AGM dated 29[th] September 2023
Going into the year in a relatively weak financial position and contending with the low birth rate from 2019, the last year has primarily been focused on fundraising and making the necessary changes to remain open.
Key actions from last year’s AGM:
-
Aspiration to improve the kitchen area and have a new oven fitted
-
Organise the wreath workshop
-
Fundraise for new garden equipment
-
Look for further grants or financial support
-
Focus on staff pay stemming from the cost of living crisis
A new oven was fitted with money left over from the Lottery grant. The current committee successfully organised the wreath workshop for 2022 with over 20 people attending. We hope to build on that this year for 2023. Several other fundraising events were held including bonfire night, sponsored scoot. The garden was improved upon with tyres fixed into the ground, a mud kitchen and new sandpit. We will endeavour to raise more money this coming year to further improve the garden, firstly focusing on raising money for a new climbing frame.
Unfortunately, the focus on staff pay was unable to progress due to the crisis felt in the spring and summer term with unusually low numbers. Tabitha left for a new role in the spring and all other staff were asked to reduce their hours to try to minimise outgoing spend as much as possible. In May 2023, a meeting with the council was requested, attended by the preschool, the accountant, the chairperson, and the Ofsted representative. The aim of the meeting was to identify a way forward and prevent the preschool from having to close due to financial reasons. The highest outgoing cost is staff pay so the very difficult decision was made to have to make a redundancy. Sadly Cindy, as the only unqualified member of staff was made redundant at the end of the academic year, and we will all miss her.
At the same meeting we discussed ways to promote and market the preschool and therefore boost the numbers for the following academic year as, at the time, the number of children enrolled was very low. Kirsty set up an Instagram page that we hope will reach a wider audience. We also contacted the manager from Ryhall preschool that were closing and asked to be recommended to the parents there. A discussion was had around creating a new USP for the preschool and a suggestion was made around starting a forest school group, accessible to toddlers outside of the preschool which would simultaneously raise money for preschool whilst also promoting the preschool. Another conversation centred on the school’s home-from-home wraparound care provider and whether a partnership could be formed to extend the hours of the offering from preschoolers, thereby becoming more attractive to working parents.
The 2023-2024 committee should follow up on the above ideas to see if they can be developed / realised.
Current numbers in the preschool have greatly exceeded the predictions at the time of the abovementioned meeting and, happily, the staff’s hours have returned to their previous quantity. There is a hope that these will further increase as the year progresses with a view to increasing hours again. The committee have agreed that the staff should receive money towards their Christmas party this year as a recognition of their loyalty to the preschool during the very difficult period since COVID and the current committee should revisit the staff pay this year if numbers continue to remain higher and the financial position allows for it.
So far this year we have four fundraising events planned in. We started the year off with a paediatric first aid course which we ran for two nights and raised £120. This will be followed by the bonfire night event on 2[nd] November which we are already selling tickets for, the wreathmaking workshop on 29[th] November and a children’s Christmas Party on 14[th] December. Further events will follow in 2024.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank the committee and the staff, everyone has worked hard to improve the preschool’s position. Kirsty, Helen, Krystyna and Becky have worked so hard and remained loyal to the preschool through very uncertain times and the children are very lucky to have such kind and caring individuals.
BARNACK PRESCHOO Re81Stered Charlty No.. 1002797 RECEIPTSAND PAYMENTS FOR ThE FINANCIAL PERIOD Ef401NG >ISTJULY 2023 UFIRESTIIThD FUNDS RESTrKfEU FVNDS TOTAL WNOS Year-endina Year-endini Year-endiTr8 31107123 YeaF.endln8 31107123 31107123 31107122 REC NEF Fundir Other Fundl 49,919 49.919 55,314 718 30,169 17,247 17,247 ios 105 258 Grants Fund Rlwand iknnati0Th5 3.025 3.025 2.427 TOT AECaPTS 71244 7L144 94.679 Waxes inc InTry fte¥enuE Trwniw Total 154.1631 154,1631 I65,1> Resource5 forthildren Rewrces forSen6 11,4771 11,4771 12.2791 13,a981 13651 14851 F£#)d ènd Drir Consum•Nes Premises Fees and Subscriptyon5 Admintstration Bank Char8es Other Costs 12,5361 12.5361 13.5311 11.2771 17,1241 16.4831 11,8811 13,8951 15,4331 11.8891 17261 14,6211 11.8891 12051 12051 14411 Fundrai$ing 14121 14121 11891 TOTAL PAYMEP4TS 171JxI 1.259 In,5891 193.1881 Net d Recelpt511Paymentsl 1861 11.2591 11,3451 1.491 OalanEe bllwd 24,743 L735 26,478 24987 24,657 476 25.133
gARNACK PRESCHOOL Registered Charity No.. 1002797 STATEMENTOF ASSETS AND L1A8ILITIES4 AT YISTJUIY 2023 FUNDS JVfy7113 FUNDS
W7123 TOTAL FUM05 TQTALFUI FUNDS V•rrlaysCurrentAc<ouDr i BarclaysCurreDtAccount2 B4rday5 s4n85 5BC CurTEnt HSBC Savin 12,337 476 12,813 13,571 36 12,124 IZ.124 12.419 FÈÈS Float Pettycash Aryount I 193 193 49) 24.657 476 26A78 Utilty Invol5 Pre Sthttol Mea15 78 78 147 12B 210 Es Mini FirstAid Indepetht EXamInaOn 120 120 2&) 685 13ppro¥ethe Rece•ptsaDd PaymentsAccounts set9 Ort Pa8e l andabove and confirm ihat all relevan1 recordsand Inlormotiin has been madE availableforthelr preparatlon. ned on behawof theTru#ees'. B.my.... wJA.QJJ...........-....................... Name l. One trustee rec*ved a relmbur5ementslor£30 In respectof hdraIsIn6 COS
Thls Independent examiners report relates to the accounts of BARNACK PRESCHOOL Charity Commission Registered No.. 1002797 Accounts are prepared for the year ended 31st July 2023 Res ective res onsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit Is not required for this year under section 144121 of the Charities Act 2011 Ithe 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of inde endentexaminerfs statement An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or di5c105ures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Inde endent examlnerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention.. 111 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act,. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met,. 121 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed Date Mark Bedford MJB Financial Services 11 Belton Road Stanground Peterborough PE2 8UU