## **Chair of Trustees Report – 24/25** As Chair of the Trustees, I am delighted to present this Annual Report for the year 2024/25. It has been a year of challenges, resilience, and ultimately great success. Tonight is about celebrating the journey we’ve taken together and acknowledging the dedication of our staff, trustees, and volunteers who make Northway Playgroup and Kidz Club the thriving community it is. ## **A Challenging Start** The year began with a major setback: a computer crash that wiped out our administrative systems. Rebuilding from the ground up was no small task, and it took most of the first two terms to reinstate everything. A special thanks must go to **Selwyn** , whose knowledge and commitment ensured we came through this difficult period stronger than before. ## **Growth and New Programmes** Despite the rocky start, from the outset our rooms were full — a testament to the demand for and quality of our provision. - We launched the **ELSEC programme** , overseen by **Dawn** , focusing on early language and communication. - Alongside this, **Lesley** led the **Maths Champion initiative** , improving outcomes for children in mathematics. - Planning for our new **SEND and additional space building** was in full swing, with monthly meetings continuing throughout the year. - New Building – The funding for the new building came from section 106 money from the Fiddington and Pamington new builds to enable more spaces to take additional children. Within this staff had recognised that a SEND room would be a welcome addition – no more need to have a pack away facility. So together with the designers the foot print was created. It has been a back and forth exercise from choosing colours for the toilet cubicles, to blinds, to floor choices. The internal walls are up, the roof is water proof and the screed is being laid this week. We are almost there. ## **Recognition and Partnerships** We received a glowing report from Northway infant School (NIS), praising how well-prepared our children were for school compared to other groups. This feedback validates the hard work we put into ensuring children are truly ready to learn. In September, the GLA took over NIS, later appointing **Danielle Morley** as head across the two schools by Easter. We said farewell to **Maria Budd** , sending her off with a small gift and our best wishes. Importantly, we have established and maintained a professional relationship with the GLA, which will serve us well going forward. Joyce continues to build rapport with the GLA leadership and has earnt their respect, they know she will have the good of the community as her motivation. ## **Staff Changes and Team Spirit** - **Louise** joined Kidz Club briefly but had to step down due to ill health. - **Katie Long** moved on to new opportunities, we wished her well and are delighted to hear things have gone well in her new setting. We welcomed **Courtney** and **Jenna** , who have settled in brilliantly and are great additions to the team. - **Emma FP** announced her pregnancy and will soon begin maternity leave — we are working hard to find a suitable replacement. We wish Emma lots of luck and hope she enjoys her maternity leave. Throughout these changes, the team has remained strong and supportive, ensuring continuity for the children. ## **Children’s Progress and Groups** All groups performed well this year. Our new **Little Cubs group** made steady progress, with integration into peer groups attempted where possible — sometimes successful, sometimes more challenging. We did lose one child to Mitton, who offered more hours, but overall, I am delighted to report that the children thrived with us. ## **Fundraising and Grants** We were successful in our fundraising efforts, raising money through two fantastic bingo nights and a sponsored walk. Additionally, **Joyce** secured a grant for wraparound care, which we have yet to spend — though I’m assured there is already a “spend list” prepared! **Joyce, Dawn and Lesley** have put a lot of effort into ensuring the funding and design for the new building fully utilises the GCC budget allocated. ## **Learning and Safety** We faced a challenge with the safety gate incident flagged to Ofsted. We acted swiftly, learned from it, and ensured measures were put in place to prevent reocurrence. We conducted our first lockdown practice, with staff reflecting on lessons learned and making improvements. These experiences have strengthened our commitment to safety and preparedness. ## **Celebrations and Community Spirit** The year ended on a high with a beach party — complete with donkeys, chips, party games, and a bouncy castle. The children had a wonderful time, and it was a fitting celebration of their achievements. ## **Financial Overview** We recorded a profit at year-end, which will be reinvested into the group to ensure we continue the success story that is Northway Playgroup and Kidz Club. ## **Gratitude and Resilience** On behalf of the Trustees, I would like to say several thank you’s; To Joyce for her continued leadership, drive and determination to deliver the best possible services to our children, parents and community. Your unwavering dedication and commitment to the Play Group is inspiring and deeply appreciated. To all the staff for your professionalism and your commitment to making the Playgroup a place where the children can feel safe, be themselves and can explore and develop to meet their potential, ultimately being ready for school and able to access the next stage of their education. You also make the Kidz Club exciting, interesting and fun which is why so many are eager to attend sessions (even if parents don’t really need them to!) Our heartfelt thanks are also given to all staff for the support you gave Joyce during her diagnosis and recovery earlier this year. Ensuring life here continued smoothly during her absence was no easy task, especially given the everchanging landscape of Early Years. Special thanks go to Dawn and Lesley for keeping everything running — often spinning several plates at once — which allowed Joyce the stress-free recovery time she needed. She is now cancer-free, continuing her recovery, and deeply grateful for the way you all had her back. To my fellow trustees for all your hard work, time, support and commitment to the Play Group, it is much valued and appreciated. Without you we wouldn’t be able to function, which would severely impact our community and be greatly missed. This year has shown us that even in the face of setbacks, our strength lies in our people — trustees, staff, volunteers, and families. Together, we have built resilience, celebrated achievements, and laid foundations for an even brighter future. Finally, thank you all for being part of this story. Let’s celebrate tonight and look forward to another successful year ahead. ## **Allison** Chair of Trustees ## **Financial report Academic year 2024/2025** Presented to the AGM of Northway pre-school playgroup and kidz club ## **Charity number 1003986** Charity Trustees for fnancial year 2024/2025 Chairperson – Mrs Allison Booth Treasurer Mrs Sam Morgan Secretary - Mrs Carly Cooke Ms Juliet Sherwood Mrs Kirsty Pritchard Mrs Joanne Chew ………………………………………………………………. ## **Details of fees** Pre school £5.09 Nursery £5.09 Springboard £5.09 Kidz club £5.09 We are a registered charity with the Charities commission for England and Wales. It is a requirement of all charities with an income over £10k per annum that their accounts are subjected to an independent audit once a year. The appointed examiner for this financial period was Mr Gary Crump and company and his signed examination statement is enclosed with this report. The report is copied to the Charity commission and Gloucestershire PATA. ……………………………………………………………… ## **General overview of the year** We set a positive budget at the beginning of the year in the knowledge that the Government would be extending the delivery of the 2 year old funding for working parents and wrap around care. Our forecast was based on actual numbers at the beginning of the year but we knew these numbers would rise throughout the year. This is monitored very closely and at the midway point we gauge where we are to make any adjustments we feel is necessary. We were successful in achieving a wrap around grant of £40+k. This has been used to support staff wages in Kidz club as well as a list of changes we wish to make once the new build is established. By the end of the year we had made a profit of about 5.5k which was amazing. On the basis of the above information I am happy to submit this report to the AGM ## Name **SAMANTHA MORGAN** ## Official position **TREASURER** Signature…………………………………………………………………………….. CHARITY j COMMISSION Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts Section A Independent Examinei's Report Re￿rI 10 the tru5lees/rneTT￿eIs 01 N￿r￿￿￿* eoE- On account5 tor the yeai ended Sei oul Orb pages Reswtive iesponslb11511es ol liuste¢s d examlner The charity's Iru51ees are iesponsible lor the piepaiation ol the accounts. The charlty's tiustees consider that an au¢Jit Is nol required loi this year under section 144 01 the charities Act 2011 (the Chèrltles A(1} and that aTh Indepelldenl exarnknatloTr is needed. It 15 my ie5p0115ibilily lo= examlne the èc(oun15 undei 5ectlon 145 olthe Charllle5 Act, lo follow the proceduits laid down in the geneial Dliectlons glven by the Charlty Comm1551on {undef seclion 145(5)(bl ol ihe Ihbrllles Acl), and to state wheihei paillculai malters have (ome to my altentlon. B4515 01 indepeftdenl eumin¢r's st￿¢ment My examlnatlon was caiiled ￿ In accortJan(e wlth general Direitlon5 gfven by the charity Commlsslon. An examlnatFon In(￿IdeS a review of the accounling [￿OrdS kept by the charily and a fornparlson of the ac(ounts piesenled wlth those records. It olso InilvLles ionslderatlon ol any unusual items oi discloswes in Ihe aciounls. and seeking explènatlons Irom Ihe Iruslees (ofi(eiDlng any gjch fflatteJ5. Ihe procedures undewtaken do not provlde all the evidence Ihat would be iequlied in an audlt. and COn5equenily no oplnion Is given as to whethw the accounts pwesent o'trut ènd laii. view and the ieporl1s1Smlled io those matters sei oui In the staièmeni below. Independeni exarnlnu's statement In ionneillon wlth my examlnatlon, no maltei has come io my aiienllon loihei than that below.).. {1) whlch gives me fea50nable (èuse io believe that In. èny rnèierlal iespect. the iequiremenls.. to keep accountlng iecoids In accordan￿ with 5ecllon 130 ol the (haiilies A(i,. to prepare accovnls whlih actoid wilh ihe ac£ountln9 iecords and comp with the aicountln9 requirements ol the charllles Aci have Dot been met,. {21 to whlch. In my opknlon, attenlion should be drawn in OTdtr lo enable a proper ndeistanding ol ihe account5 to be leached. 'pleose delete the wolds in thebrockels if ihey do not opply. Signed Date Name Relevant profess10￿1 ¢walilicotionlsl body111 any) FCCA Addiess Holberton Ury House Tpwkes Tel". 01 holbertonandco.co.uk IER March 2012 Charity namo: Charity number: Recelpts an payments accounts OT the period Period start date.. PeTK)d end dale......... RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS rrènÉ.'.yeat.' Nufsery Education Funding (Free for 3&41 Nursery EduGatK)n Funding (New for 2) Children's fees Milk refund Grants {specify) GCG Granl................... Grant................... Fundraising Donations Intere51 Other receipts Sub total Income from the sale of ￿]￿lE￿nent 20S1 i)J 289 . 33SI 2141 io 271189 0.00 1+2 33￿3 l 0.00 btAL RECEIFrs'.." AYMENTS . Employment costs (gross pay + employer's NIC) ts IS) Training costs bso Premis8s (rent, heal etc) Subscriptions Insurance Administration Refreshmer)ts Consumables (paint. paper elc) Fundraising costs Other Sub lotal Purchases of of equipment and oth8r assets 190&1 2+b4 328b Iq3 125q7 S3SO 2SIg Il603 19111 43 NEt OF RECEIPT$ ANDPAYMENT8 ." Cash funds. incl. deposit 81c last yèar end (D) 610tsW - Cash fund8. Incl. deposit ajc thls ￿ar end (C+D)ka: STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 'Notè: cash funds Include reservelcontigencyldeposlt accounts. Cvrrert valu•. Cash fuTrJs lagreo th the balance oflhe recelpts arKI payments alc) Debtors (money owed lo the charity on the period end dale) Valu& of buildings and equipment (current or depreciaied value) Liabilities {loans and any other money owed on the ￿rIOd end date) (H) WIL Net assets (E-F+G41) Itios - (EI (Gl Signed on behalf of the trustees (commitlee)- Signed.. ..Name.......... Date..... .Role. Section B Disclosure Only complete il the examinei needs lo highlight fflaterial pioblerns Give here brief defai15 of any items that the examlner wishes to &isclose Alaith 2012