## **Annual Report 2024/25** Registered charity NO: 1020794/ Ofsted Registration No: 127772 Address: C/O Downsview Community Primary School Beech Avenue, Swanley, Kent, BR8 8AU Telephone: 07799218129 Email: Info@westviewplaygroup.org.uk www.westviewplaygroup.org.uk ## **About us** Westview Playgroup is a cherished community playgroup located in Swanley, open during term time. We operate a free flow environment and our emphasis is on learning through play. We offer a well-equipped, safe, and comfortable environment for children from the age of 2 and have a large outdoor space, used year-round. We are ofsted registered and received a Good rating at our most recent visit in May 2024. We are a charity, led by a Committee. For more information about Westview Playgroup visit our website ## **Our values** Our main aim is to provide a friendly, fun-filled, and stimulating environment where the children feel both safe and valued. We aim to: - Encourage the emotional, social, physical, and intellectual development of children. - Promote the welfare of children. - Encourage the children’s positive at ude to themselves and others, and develop confidence, and self-esteem. - Create opportunities to play and learn through play, to have fun and make friends with other children and adults. - Plan activities and experiences based on the early years foundation stage. - Encourage children to explore, appreciate and respect their environment and other people. - Provide opportunities to stimulate interest and develop their imagination. - Extend children’s abilities to communicate ideas and feelings in a variety of ways. - Provide equal opportunities for all staff and children irrespective of gender, creed, race, colour or ethnic origin/abilities. - Work in partnership with parents and the community to enhance the quality of the children’s learning welfare. - Support the continued professional development of all staff. - Provide a smooth and confident transition into school through close links with our local community primary schools. ## **Learning at Westview Playgroup.** At Westview Playgroup the children learn through play. We are a free flow setting where children have the opportunity to explore both indoor and outdoor activities. We have a big garden with a sensory corner, mud kitchen and a sandpit where children can learn through first hand experience. We take children to the school field where they can run freely and safely. We follow the child's interests by encouraging in the moment planning. Children are at the centre of our focus and staff recognise children’s interests and plan activities around them. Staff guide the children to progress towards the early learning goals of the early year’s foundation stage. The curriculum recognises that all children are individuals and develop at different rates. There are seven areas of learning which are interconnected; Personal, Social and Emotional, Communication and Language, Physical Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Knowledge and Understanding The World, Expressive Arts and Design. This has been shown to be the most beneficial way for a child to learn and develop. Staff at Westview Playgroup provide children with opportunities to explore,try new things and experience the world around them. At Westview Playgroup we are committed to promoting sustainability and helping children develop an understanding of how their actions impact the world around them. We embed sustainable practices into daily routines, learning experiences and our setting culture. Staff at Westview Playgroup undertake a variety of courses throughout the year to deepen their knowledge and develop their skills. These include; The Prime Importance of Communication and Language, The Prime Importance of Physical Education, The prime importance of personal, Social and Emotional Development, Singing with Makaton, Making Sense of Autism in the Early Years and Essential support to meet environmental sustainability responsibilities in the early years. Staff use Makaton sign language to help children develop their communication skills. We use visuals (indoor and outside) which help provide structure, improve understanding, help with daily routine and offer opportunities to interact with others. Staff observe the children and plan their next steps to ensure that they are achieving and making progress during their time with us. ## **Structure, Governance & Management** While day-to-day running of the playgroup is carried out by the staff, overall responsibility for the management of the team and the playgroup rests with the Committee. Our current committee is made up for parents, past parents, and playgroup staff. We hold regular committee meetings throughout the year and our AGM in the summer term. There are many national policy changes that are impacting the way Early Year’s setting operate. In April 2024 the new funding for working parents of 2yrs started, this resulted in us being able to attract more 2yr olds to the setting, filling all our spaces for younger children. In 2024/25 we were also able to continue stabilising our finances and were successful in being awarded two grants from the Kent Community Fund and Kent County Council. These grants supported us to purchase sensory items and essential equipment for staff. They also enabled us to offer termly stay and plays to our children and their families. We continue to support the professional development of the team. The new skills and knowledge they develop have an immediate impact in the setting. This year, staff have received training in; Autism awareness, First aid, Makaton w/singing + Makaton level 1, Safeguarding/safer recruitment Trustees at 31 March 2025 Hannah Bird (Chair) Michael O’Dwyer (Secretary) Sophie Hills-Dos Santos (Treasurer) Ashley Bryne Trustee Tracey O’Dwyer Trustee Jenna Manning Trustee Nicola Freeman Trustee ## **Actvites /Learning during the year (April 2024 - March 2025)** At the start of April 2024 at Westview Playgroup there were 36 children on the register, 14 children graduated in July 2024 and we had 24 on the register to start the academic school year in September 2024. We enjoy creating opportunities for connection with the playgroup and our local community. In May 2024 we had help from Swanley Council to tidy up our garden. We completed repairs to the climbing area, trimmed the bushes and cut the grass ready for the children to enjoy in the warmer weather. We also held events in conjunction with Swanley Town Council at their St George’s Day parade and Armed Forces Day. In the summer term, the children completed a sponsored obstacle course to raise money for the playgroup. We also held a leavers party in July 2024 and paid for Mr Fantastic who entertained children. In September 2024, the focus was on re-settling all the children post the summer holidays and introducing the new children to WVPG. In 2024, the collaboration that WVPG are a part of with other local nurseries paid for a Speech and Language therapist,music with Grace sessions. We received money for outdoor chalk boards, and a Widget app which we use for visual timetable. At Christmas time we held a Christmas Concert, we organised a chocolate tombola and raffle. We sold Christmas baubles and calendars which were made by children. In the Spring term we hosted an Easter Stay & Play and Mother’s Day Stay & Play which are a great way to invite families to the setting to see what we do and how we do it. It’s important that parents are able to see how WVPG supports their children to learn and develop. The children have enjoyed visits from ZooLab (where children interact with different animals such as giant snails, spiders etc). Signed Hannah Bird, Chair Date 1 November 2025 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Westview Playgroup On accounts for the year ended 31" March 2025 Charity no (if any) 1020794 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended li O:s J 1025. Responsibilities and basis 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 Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){b) of the Act. Independent IThe charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualified to examiner's ststement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed body]l. Delete [ ] if not applicable. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination {other than that disclosed below ') which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 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. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: or/o(r120? Name: tyJfrrftsHA 6kY AWT Relevant professional qualification{s) or body IER Oct 2018 (if any): Address: Price Green & Co Accountants Lynnein I Iou5e. I Victoria Tel.. 01444 257047 - Fax 01444 254303 Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES No lif any) Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For Ihe perlod from Period start date Period end dale 31.03.2025 To 01.04.2024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted nds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest to th• nearest£ to th8 nearèst E to the nearest £ to thè n¢arest £ A1 Receipts DONATIONS GRANTS SUNDRIES FEES FUNDRAISING ROUNDING DIFFERENCE HMRC INTEREST 2.23t 7.SOO 9t1 113,324 3,407 2,231 7,600 911 113.324 3.407 534 5,000 516 88,018 6,154 11 11 Sub total (Gross income for AR) 127.367 127,387 100,222 A2 Asset and Investmont salo8, (see tsble). Sub total 127,387 127,387 100,222 A3Pa ments RENT RECRUITMENT INSURANCE SUNDRIES WAGES TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS FURNITURE & FITTINGS EQUIPMENT HIRE 2,058 315 770 7,123 BI,36T 1,063 2,0S8 31S 770 7,123 1,367 1,063 2,016 6.329 86,389 48 170 93.9S2 Sub totsl 93,142 93,142 A4 Asset and inve3tmgnt purchases, {8ee tablè) Sub total 93,142 93.142 93,952 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 34,245 34,245 6,270 15,976 50,221 15,976 50,221 9,706 15.976 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds to ￿a￿$t £ Restricted funds Endowment funds to nearest £ Categories Details to nearest£ B1 Cash funds PETff CASH 19 BARCLAYS BANK 50,203 Total cash funds 50,221 18gree tKlances with re¢•pts 8thd wdyment9 accoun￿51) OK Unrestricted funds OK OK Endowment funds to nearest £ R8$tricted funds to nearest£ Details to nearest £ Fund to whleh set belon Details Co$t loptlonall Currènt valug tlonal Fundto whlch asset belon Detslls Current value tlonal Cost loptlonall B4 Assets retained for the charity's own use ni- Fund ¢0 whlch relale8 Detalls Amount due onal When du• onal BS Liabilities Signed by one or Iruslees on behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Namè Date of roval