Knodishall Pre-school Chairman's Report for 2025 2025 was the 50th Anniversary of the Knodishall & District Playgroup {re-named 2024 as Knodishall Pre-school). It was also the 50th Anniversary of Coldfair Green School. An event for the latter was planned but did not take place due to staff absence. The anniversary at playgroup has also not been celebrated for similar reasons. 2025 has seen the group continuing to thrive especially through outcomes for the children in our care. 17 children left in the summer to attend full-time school at Knodishall, Leiston. Snape and Kelsale and were all well prepared for this big step in their lives. Feedback from parents and schools was they had all settled in well. Staff must also be praised for their acceptance. with open arms, of children with special needs whose parents had been unable to enrol them into other settings. In order to facilitate their admission, staff have undertaken extra training and increased their hours so that one-to-one support could be given when necessary. This support has been extended to staff working off-site with teachers at the receiving schools to give advice and assistance. This approach has been a godsend for parents where application to main stream schooling has been refused because the school did not have the resources to provide for the child. The chairman and SENCO made this clear to the local MP, as government policy is to support pre-school settings where they are on the site and part of a state or academy school. We emphasised that as a community based charity we should not be excluded from any support being offered. The chairman and manager were invited to Coldfair Green School to view an area the school had set aside for pre-school provision enabling our setting to move there temporarily or permanently. Fearing that such a move would mean us losing our independence and compromising our standards and way of working we politely declined the offer, A lot of work {thanks mainly to the Treasurer) was undertaken to try to arrange a place for the playgroup in the event of having to move out of the Mission Room. Problems arose around all attempts to solve the issue - until we were invited by the Methodist Chapel to view their building with an option to hi, if and when, we needed to move out of our current premises. This is looking like a real possibility, but has yet to be ratified by their over-riding authority. The grant application to Sizewell C Community Fund has been forestalled. One reason has been that the council have refused planning permission as they have now deemed the Mission Hall to be an ' Undesignated Local Heritage Asset ' and therefore cannot be demolished and rebuilt. Once again our treasurer worked hard to engage surveyors to truly establish the state of the building in order to examine the possibilities of renovation. The church turned down her efforts so that they could employ their own surveyor, who has only just completed the work and has yet to submit a report. Grant applications have been made and revised but the PCC have been faced with constant obstruction by Sizewell C. However renovation rather than reconstruction may mean that we can access smaller funds from other grant providers. The problems we face with the building however, are not reflected in the provision the staff make for the children in their care. The pre-school is fortunate to have such a dedicated. experienced and professional staff, For much of its 50 years the playgroup was staffed by (not always willing l) unqualified volunteers of parents. Everything that our current staff undertake is for the direct benefit of the children and their parents and carers. Their reputation extends beyond the Knodishall community, as the setting has again been asked to provide placements for students on work experience and on degree courses for child care, and social work. All staff have welcomed this opportunity to show best practice and share experience with these youngsters who will be the future of this under-rated sector of early years education. During the year problems arose with staff pay. Through error by manager and the responsible trustees, staff were paid more than their designated amount and were asked to pay back the difference. This they all agreed to do even in one case where they were not legally obliged to do so. The chairman not only expresses his apologies for the errors but also thanks the staff for their cooperation in 'correcting the books, To obviate one error happening again, the chairman will ensure that not only will changes in rates of pay be notified in writing but also changes in hours.
During the year the playgroup enjoyed a number of successful events involving children, families and the community. Our Sports Day and Leavers Assembly were good fun and helped to raise funds. Two successful quizzes were held at the Village Hall raising approx. £1000. We know our annual trip to Peartree Lodge care home is greatly appreciated by the staff and residents. Finally, we look forward to the return of our manager in the new y8ar. Although she was still doing a splendid job working for playgroup behind the scenes. it will be great to have her back again in the old building that we call home l The trustees thank all the staff for their increased hours to keep every session well in ratio, and the extra responsibilities they undertook to maintain the smooth running of the group whilst the manager was away, Tim Haxell (chairman of managing trustees) November 2025
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/AAdvent Accounting oKk n1c Paurdl KNODISHALL AND DISTRICT PLAYGROUP INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THF ACCOIINTS Recei ts and Pa ments Accounts Report to the Trustees of Knodishall And District Plai'group On accounts for the 12 month period ended 31st March 2025 I have examined the accounts. My examination included a review of the accounting records kept and compared the accounts presented wilh those records. I also considered any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and sought explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. In connection with my examination. no matter has conie to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements io keep appropriate accounting records and to prepare accounts which aLLord wilh the accounting records have nol been met. or to which, in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed.. k Date.. Signed by". Natalie Moreb), For & On Behaifof Advent Accounting (Suffolk) Ltd .Idi'ent .Iccounting (Suffolk) Ltd Garden Cortage Sile,ell Suffolk IPI 6 4rr 01728 830060 07884073627 tilY5tlrl If2 1..nxJilnJ N.i)'. 7?1()%7