Chairpersons report April 2020 March 2021
Welcome to everyone who has joined us today, we have had another year full of changes and uncertainties due to a global pandemic and multiple lockdowns but over the past year staff have rallied, worked together, supported each other and got through it as a team. As we end another financial year, our numbers have remained good and our staff sane.
The wide range of usual activities, trips out and visitors to playgroup have all had to be cancelled, scaled back or adjusted this year to abide by the rules of the pandemic and the Government guidance regarding early years settings. We closed our doors to all children on the 23[rd of] March 2020, hoping it would be just an extended easter break and looking back naively thought we would be back to normal not long after Easter. A whole year later, while we are no longer in a lockdown and the country is stable the running from playgroup has had to make maybe some permanent changes to accommodate a “new normal”.
At the end of March Amy joined the team as a Level 3 apprentice. As playgroup relies of local authority funded places, we were unable to apply for furlough for the staff when we closed in March. Staff were continued to be paid during the closure and regular meetings were held. Staff also undertook many online courses in this time to keep their childcare knowledge up to date ad relevant and to learn new skills.
When we reopened in June, parents were no longer allowed in the setting. The children adapted amazingly to this major change, every child took it in their stride and excepted very quickly at being dropped off at the door or gate.
Playgroup had to introduce a new sanitation routine which included an intense and routine cleaning rotation of toys and the setting. The dressing up, water play, playdough, sand and soft toys were all packed away as per government guidance. Staff worked hard and creatively to keep playgroup stimulating and exciting for all the children.
By the time the summer term ended the “new normal” was just normal. All our children were back attending playgroup.
Seven of our children graduated in the summer term for school. This was a very low number compared to the year before.
Graduation was held outside in the play area and parents stood socially distanced as per guidelines. Though a different graduation to previous years it enjoyed by the children and the staff as we wished them well at the progressed to the next stage of starting school.
We returned in September with 22 children, this included a few new starters. All covid policies and procedures remained in place.
In November the government announced another lockdown, this did not include early years settings and all children were still invited to attend. Most children carried on attending during this time and staff supported the children who chose not to and their parents.
December – After 9 months of the pandemic the Christmas party was a great distraction for the children and the staff. There was a disco, treats, party games and a covid compliant Santa brought gifts for all the children. The children and the staff all had a great time.
At the beginning of January, the government announced again that the country would go back into lockdown as the numbers of covid cases were rising, while schools closed to all but key worker children this did not include early years settings. Playgroup remained open to all and supported the children who did not attend with weekly home learning packs and phone contact to parents.
Our website was revamped, and all home learning activities were included as well as useful links and websites to support parents through this time.
In March the lockdown ended, and all children returned to playgroup for the end of the spring term. In this time Rebecca decided that she wanted to pursue a career in a different sector and handed in her resignation to leave at the end of term and was missed by both the children and the staff.
I would like to end in again thanking all staff, committee members, Volunteers, Parents and Children for making Noah’s Ark a great playgroup and look forward to it continuing Successfully now, fingers crossed, we are starting to see the end of the pandemic.
AGM Report 2020
Financial Year 20/21 for Playgroup has been good. When the pandemic started in March 2020, we closed as required by the Government. Our funding remained in place because as a childcare setting we were not eligible for the Government furlough scheme. We opened again in June 2020 and have remained open to all children. Seven children Left in July for school which was very low this year. We started September 2020 with 26 children attending. By the end of March 2021 numbers had risen to 29. Because of the low drop in children in July and steady numbers remaining at playgroup despite the pandemic, income has decreased and we are declaring a profit of £8329.00. Our income from fees and funding is up from £74818.00 to £88640.00. This profit has accrued due to our funding increasing by £20586.00. We also received additional inclusion support funding for 2 children with SEND From September 2020.
Our rent continues to be a large expense reaching £9214 this year.
Interest earned on our savings has increased very slightly this year, although with interest rates being low, it wasn’t significant. Our savings have increased from £36420.00 to £44749.00 which was due to the pandemic and either being closed to all or most children and not being able to use expenses for trips/outings or companies such as rockabillies coming in to the setting.
We are still not accruing any bank charges due to the fact we invest the contingency fund.
We have seen a slight crease in pension contributions this year being £4025.00 compared to last year of £4253.00 and the year before, £4603.00.
The biggest expense as usual is the wages bill which has increased this year to £62292.00 compared to £58856.00. This increase is due taking on an apprentice in March 2020. All staff were given a pay rise in April to coincide with percent increase of minimum wage.
We are still paying for the mobile phone on a contract at £7.50 per month and also having the internet. The phone is still proving a valuable asset with many parents’ texting questions and queries.
We have cut back the amount we spend on advertising this year due to the pandemic and invested time on a new website. We spent £432.00 on subscriptions for our website and services.
Financially 20/21 has been better than expected; the pandemic in March did not impact playgroup badly financially.
Bethanie Chester,
Treasurer
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NOAHS ARK PLAYGROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE ST YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 REGISTERED CHARITY 1024151
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT I have examined the accounts for Noah's Ark Playgroup for the year ended 31" March 2021. A set of accounts has been produced. The accounts properly present the receipts and payments for the Charity for the Financial Year. There are no significant findings to report to the Committee. Claire Flinton ACMA 9/05/2021
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST MARCH 2021 2021 2020 Current A ts Bank Account Petty Cash Inve5tmentl Invslmeni 2 Savin85 accouni Savin85 accoiint 12740 12419 44749 36420 Curyent Li•ts"h"ts Trade Crediiors Net Curreni Asseis 44749 36420
PROFIT AND LOSS AS AT 31ST MARCH 2021 2021 2020 INCOME Fees 4957 11721 63097 Fyndi Fundraisw Donations Sundr5 Inieresi on invesiments tsrants 83683 155 126 Total irKome 88795 74944 Less Expenditure 8d293 SUrplu0f•cI1 8329 -9349 36420 4S769 Balance Cl 44749 36420
EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT AS AT 31ST MARCH 2021 2021 2020 EXPENDITURE Wages f¢ent 62292 9214 4035 1214 1132 160 167 923 125 -18 58856 9214 Nest Pension To¥5lE4uipm?nt Consumable5lMaierials Stalionary Sundiies In54Jrance counian(y liaining Move Costs Telephone PAT Tesitng Pupil premium Ad¥ert15inyJSub¥riiion5 Payroll Furniture lenovo tableis 4253 450 2027 167 510 1014 125 557 6079 132 55 297 397 160 132 65 432 173 232 198 84393