2021-08-31-accounts - Lindale Pre-School Playgroup

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Annual General Meeting

Lindale Muddy Boots Nursery

Thursday 27[th] January 2022

Welcome and apologies for absence Atendance

Ian George (Chair) Kim Law, Lydia Kirkwood (Treasurer), Lucy Warren (Deputy Manager), Morgan Allen (Nursery Assistant).

Apologies

Kristal Nikolaou (secretary), Claire Dawson (Manager)

Leaders Report

Annual General Meeting Thursday 27[th] January 2022

1 September 2020 – 31[st] August 2021

After having to close in March 2020 due to COVID restrictions and lock down we were all very happy to open again in September 2020.

After completing risk assessments, giving nursery a full deep clean, carrying out all safety checks and having meetings with staff to confirm they were all happy to come back to work we made one or two changes to how we run the setting to keep staff, children and parents as safe as possible.

Following the Government Guidance which at the time said we had to limit the amount of adults in the setting, we greeted children and parents at the gate, checked everyone was fit and well and then took the children off the parents, carried out the session outside whatever the weather. Child and staff were all well wrapped up and it worked well as we didn’t have any COVID cases at all over the year. Parents where happy and confident that their children were being well cared for at a very low risk of contracting COVID. The only time we were in the setting was lunch time and the room was well ventilated at all times.

What did we do?

We had lots of wonderful activities, utilising the mud kitchen lots, creating all sorts of wonderful recipes and imaginary play, socialising and working together. Every Monday we had our walk into the woods, whatever the weather encouraging the children to manage risk, explore, look at changes in the environment and build confidence. We also had some great walks in the village.

As County had told us to focus on the children’s Personal, Social and Emotional development we used the story ‘The Colour Monster’ who had lots of different feelings and emotions.

In October Lucy and Graham added welly boots with flowers in to nursery fence, this has had lots of positive feedback from parents and passers-by.

Fundraiser – we put a photo of water trays on facebook to show parents/carers what we would like to raise money for - we had an amazing response from parents/carers making donations so we were able to order the unit in November 2020.

Although we haven’t gone on any trips further afield this nursery year we have had lots of fantastic activities, growing potatoes and beans, using the park, village and woods and following the children’s interests.

During the year staff have been amazing working together and ensure everyone kept safe, following all Government Guidance.

July 2021, Lucy and Claire received a wage increase in line with the living wage increase of 2.2% and all Lucy’s hours went to Deputy Pay. This was put in place from September 2021.

Breakfast club is going well with a regular cohort of children each day.

We finished off our nursery year with a visit from an ice cream van 99’s all round.

Chair’s Report

With the shutdown of Preschool, finances have been a key concern. However, the focus placed on getting the right mix of kids and days has paid dividends resulting in a strong performance and healthy balance sheet. This has enabled us to fulfil a key commitment to support the wellbeing of staff by offering a pay rise of 5%. This is above the previous rise given in September and will start in February 2022. Overall this mitigates the effects of inflation over the past two years and means staff can spend time focused on supporting the kids, rather than worrying about how to pay their bills. To ensure that this is viable over the long-term, the current approach of prioritising local kids who want full week attendance will continue. Linked to an early focus recruitment means next year becomes financially secure at the earliest possible point. In terms of numbers, 12 is still considered the optimum number, but this could be enlarged to 16 with an extra member of staff and reorganisation of how things are run. Expansion will only be considered if the numbers justify it and the solution remains financially viable.

In terms of development, the outdoor approach is working very well and will continue. Claire Dawson is going to expand the offering further by completing a carpentry course and we will be investing in equipment to follow this up during morning sessions. The intent is that Claire will conduct one-on-one sessions to ensure safety and maximise the learning opportunity for those children that show an interest and will gain most from the experience.

Overall, the staff have done a great job in welcoming back both children and parents. Preschool is seen as different and welcoming by parents and visitors alike. This is clearly down to the professionalism and positive outlook of the staff. As such, staff wellbeing remains a priority for both Manager and Chair and will be reviewed on a regular basis.

Ian George Chairperson

Treasurer’s Report September 2020 - August 2021 Lydia Kirkwood

Starting September 2020 Lindale Muddy Boots Nursery account balance was: £21,652.17 End of August 2021: £29,842.57 Starting this School Year at Sept 2021 balance was: £29,833.80 £8000 has been donated by the Lindale Church to be used for building work and maintenance on the premises.

Electon of Commitee Members Dr Ian George – re-elected as Chair Mrs Lydia Kirkwood – re-elected as Treasurer Mrs Kristal Nikolaou has emailed to say she wishes to resign. Currently recruiting a secretary. Mrs Karen Austin-Walsh – elected as Secretary

2022 Dates and Actvites Ideas for trips out.

Boat trip on Coniston
Castle Head
Fell Foot

Finances

5% increase on pay for all employees when money is there. Very positive financial year (£40,000)

We need to inform the church of what we spend £8,000 on, (currently forward emails of invoices.)

New Starters

To comply with our admissions policy we will put those on the list first who are going to use Lindale CE Primary School.

September 2022

Monday – Thursday we have 8 children and Friday 7

Discuss avenue on expanding when numbers go over 13, we can take a maximum of 16.

New Ideas and current learning.

Claire is going to do a carpentry course which covers Health & Safety, Risk Assessments and all aspects of carpentry with children, carpentry will be done on a one to one basis to ensure safety. Child led and outdoor learning is going well, the children are very happy and accessing all the resources, woodland walks, trips to the park and walks around the village and proving to be of real benefit to the children’s learning.

Move 2 Write – a session run by Children’s Occupational Therapy and Local Authority Early Years. All activities help to underpin the development of children’s writing skills. Improves readiness for writing at a developmentally appropriate level

· Improve ability to carry out practical activities in the classroom such as getting changed for PE

Improve ability to regulate their sensory systems in order to support their participation in activities.

Maintenance & Improvements

The shed roof is being repaired, pane of glass fitted back in.

An extended flu is being fitted on the side of nursery so all fumes don’t go where the children play. Flat root over bathroom – need to get quotes to get this replace as soon as possible. Lean To - Get quotes and funding to complete this on the back of nursery.

Fundraising

Our next fundraiser will be a sponsored slide, climb, run, balance at Lindale Park to raise money for some outdoor traffic signs for the playground.

Health & Safety

Kim to give Claire all risk assessments for the building.  Feb 22 New plug covers to be purchased.Feb 22

Links with School

Jodie to set new date for stay and play. Encourage nursery to go to school on occasions. Date of next meetng Thursday 26[th] January 2023

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Lindale Preschool Accounts Sept 2020- August 2021
Month 09/20 10/20 11/20 12/20 01/21 02/21 03/21 04/21 05/21 06/21 07/21 08/21 Totals
Income
Fees 813.90 1,027.25 1,777.15 809.90 1,004.80 703.00 1,824.30 596.30 915.80 524.10 820.20 1,140.60 £ 10,116.15
Free Entitlement 5,701.92 2,636.83 443.52 4,716.10 3,256.91 6,151.72 3,911.44 151.11 £ 21,267.63
Grants
Fund Raising 60 250.00 24.71 28.01 £ 302.72
JRS Grant 2,174.45
£ -
£ -
£ -
£ -
Total Receipts £ 8,690.27 £ 1,087.25 £ 4,663.98 £ 1,253.42 £ 5,720.90 £ 3,959.91 £ 1,849.01 £ 6,748.02 £ 943.81 £ 4,435.54 £ 971.31 £ 1,140.60 £ 31,686.50
Expenditure
Salaries and wages 2,842.18 2,549.22 2472.69 1,851.53 1,977.89 4,031.72 2,072.56 508.34 3,118.56 2,930.87 2,072.15 £ 26,427.71
HMRC
Rent 1,252.16 1,872.00 £ 3,124.16
Nest 42.30 25.43 27.04 62.72 25.43 25.43 25.43 25.43 39.08 25.43 25.43 £ 349.15
Insurance/Ofsted 483.95 £ 483.95
Resources 307.76 136.90 83.93 338.70 19.45 32.99 121.15 15.44 64.50 21.60 £ 1,142.42
Equipment 503.72 £ 503.72
Hot dinners 154.10 110.40 82.80 112.70 250.70 82.80 154.10 82.80 £ 1,030.40
Training 39.00 £ 39.00
Admin
phone 39.41 44.69 40.40 41.04 39.55 43.15 41.81 41.23 37.01 31.36 33.04 32.09 £ 464.78
Clarke Jefferies 60.00 60.00 60.00 60.00 £ 240.00
Garden 190.97 £ 190.97
ICO 35.00 £ 35.00
Tapestry Learning Journal 96.00 £ 96.00
Maintenance 190.00 £ 190.00
MPLC Licence
£ -
£ -
£ -
£ -
£ -
£ -
£ -
£ -
£ -
£ -
£ -
£2,923.89 £4,682.98 £2,891.13 £2,184.62 £2,235.24 £769.98 £4,118.41 £2,422.91 £834.73 £5,230.54 £3,537.79 £2,485.04 £34,317.26
Opening Balance £22,695.77 £22,695.77 £28,462.15 £24,866.42 £26,639.27 £25,708.07 £29,193.73 £32,383.66 £30,114.26 £34,439.37 £34,548.45 £33,753.45 £31,186.97 £29,842.53
Closing Balance £28,462.15 £24,866.42 £26,639.27 £25,708.07 £29,193.73 £32,383.66 £30,114.26 £34,439.37 £34,548.45 £33,753.45 £31,186.97 £29,842.53
Closing Balance on bank statement
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