## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period** Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Day Month Year **From** 1st August 2023 **To** 31st July 2024 Section A Reference and administration details **Charity name** Margaret Lloyd Playgroup **Other names charity is known by** NONE **Registered charity number (if any)** 1026270 **Charity's principal address** Grove Hill Playing Fields, Washington Avenue, Hemel Hempstead Herts **Postcode HP26NG** ~~——~~ **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled Trustee name Office (if any) year to appoint trustee (if any)** 1 Loretta Anderson Chair 2 Jean Nagle Vice Chair 3 Karina Larsen 4 5 ~~==~~ **Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees) Name Dates acted if not for whole year** NA ~~——————<—<——~~ **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address NA Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)** Helen Hendery - Manager Jacqueline Thomas-deputy manager ~~—~~ **Section B Structure, governance and management Description of the charity’s trusts** Pre school learning alliance constitution Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) Unincorporated charity How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) ~~oe~~ **TAR** March **2012** 1 By member vote at the AGM Trustee selection methods (eg. appointed by, elected by) ## **Additional governance issues (Optional information)** You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant, about: - policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees; - the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works; - relationship with any related parties; - Ofsted Registered as an under 5’s pre-school service. Our last Ofsted inspection took place on 7[th] December 2022 and the report was published on 16[th] Jan 2023. Playgroup was judged GOOD on all levels which is a great achievement. - Charities policies are in line with OFSTED early years procedures • Charity are members of the pre-school Early Years Alliance and have their insurance and guidelines in place - Charity works closely with Herts social services to support children at risk • Charity works closely with Herts County Council with the children mostly funded individually by them to attend the playgroup - trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system • Charity has a small but experienced trustee board who work closely with and procedures to manage the senior staff to manage risk. them. ## **Section C Objectives and activities** **Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document** TO ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION OF CHILDREN UNDER STATUTORY SCHOOL AGE BY ENCOURAGING PARENTS TO UNDERSTAND AND PROVIDE FOR THE NEEDS OF THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH COMMUNITY GROUPS The playgroup operates from a purpose-built centre in the heart of Grove Hill in Hemel Hempstead offering Early Years Foundation stage education to children from 2 years old to 5 years old. **Summary of the main activities undertaken for the** The playgroup is open on Monday to Thursday from 9am to 3pm and on **public benefit in relation to** Friday from 9am to 12.00pm – This equates to 9 session options plus 4 **these objects (include within** lunch clubs. Parents/carers have flexible options so they can choose **this section the statutory** sessions that help them work and/or care for their other children and **declaration that trustees have** wider family commitments. Most sessions are funded through the **had regard to the guidance** government funding for pre-school children, but extended sessions are **issued by the Charity** offered at way below the local market rate to support families. The **Commission on public** playgroup has very many families on low income or benefits. Many **benefit)** children within the area are on pupil premium due to their low-income status. The playgroup has been a true community resource for over 40 years adapting to and supporting the needs of local families. **TAR** March **2012** 2 ## **Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)** You **may choose** to include further statements, where relevant, about: - policy on grantmaking; - policy programme related investment; The playgroup has always been a supporter of local young people offering volunteering and work experience for students from our local schools and colleges. The playgroup also has regular volunteers who themselves have learning difficulties, which offers them experiences in helping others and being part of their community. This can also offer respite to their Carers. - contribution made by volunteers. ## Section D Achievements and performance **Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year** The academic year 2023-2024 was a good year for the playgroup giving local pre-school children, many from low income families the benefit of a safe place to enjoy their day and learn from highly trained early years foundation stage practitioners. It also gives parents/carers some much needed respite, or time to work. The playgroup is well resourced with experienced staff and has an extensive well-equipped playroom and garden, which gives children the space and freedom to explore and enjoy the full early years outdoor play/education experience as defined in the Early Years Foundation Stage by Ofsted, and is a crucial part of their start in education and preparation for school. _**Our board of trustees are very proud of the way our staff and volunteers manage the day to day running of the playgroup. Their support and care for the children and their families is outstanding.**_ **TAR** March **2012** 3 ## **Section E Financial review** The charity is now settled with Metro bank holding a current and deposit **Brief statement of the** account holding around £150,000 and has reserves of £100,000 with a **charity’s policy on reserves** good interest rate with the Nationwide. The policy of the charity is to hold one academic year of costs in reserve and to invest all other income as required in resources and improvements to the facilities, inside and out. This academic year our _**income was just over £100,000**_ and our expenditure was around £136,000. We invested funds of: £24,000 on a brick built outside storage facility in our garden. £5000 on new doors and window shutters £1500 on upgrading our electrics and alarms. Our next building project is to clear and re-furbish and resource the wet play area adjacent to the building with a budget of up to £50,000 We would also like to re-new and repair our main roadway around the garden as the soft surface is cracking in places with a budget of up to £25,000. **Details of any funds materially** NA **in deficit** ## **Further financial review details (Optional information)** - You **may choose** to include The playgroup receives funding from Herts County Council under the - additional information, where governments Early Years Funding for pre-school children. Children over - relevant about: 2 are funded if they are in certain benefit groups. All children over 3 are - • the charity’s principal funded for a minimum of 15 hours and payments are made to the sources of funds (including playgroup termly on proof of these children’s attendance and their any fundraising); benefits. Extra sessions attended by the children or those under 3 who - • how expenditure has don’t qualify pay a minimal session fee which we keep way below the normal fees at playgroups to make is accessible to all. - supported the key objectives Our expenditure on resources is totally in line with our ethos to offer the - of the charity; best early years provision possible to support families in our community - • investment policy and and we particularly focus on funding aimed at children who are on pupil objectives including any premium. ethical investment policy From April 2024 funding for preschool children will cover a wide age adopted. range and for more hours. ## **Section F Other optional information** **TAR** March **2012** 4 Our staff retention and training records are exemplary, as is our trustee dedication and support. We are a small but dedicated team working hard in our community to support others. We thank all our staff and volunteers for all their hard work in the care of the children placed in our care. ## **Section G Declaration** ~~ee~~ **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** **Signature(s)** **Full name(s)** Loretta Anderson ~~ee~~ **Position (eg Secretary, Chair,** Chair of Trustees **etc)** ~~ee~~ **Date** 18/5/2025 ~~|~~ **TAR** March **2012** 5 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS THE MARGARET LLOYD PLAYGROUP 1ST AUGUST 2023_ 31ST AUGUST 2024 CURRENT ACCOUNT Income Expenditure Balance @ 1.8.23 Fees Herts CC Lunch clubs. Misc DVSICAD Transfers 0.00 6893.00 81058.41 0.00 723.00 10000.00 262636.32 Yoga CAD Expenses and gifts County Supplies Shutters Misc Pest control Ark Fanns Electrics Early Years Insurance Shopping BT Alarm Castle Water SS Sports Nest 02 Music Shendish Rent British Gas Transfers Balance @ 31.8.24 850.00 86683.97 1200.00 326.49 4785.21 2375.83 325.00 678.00 841.00 682.80 528.47 2834.05 988.26 569.10 450.19 1641.60 2038.50 184.12 47.88 445.30 250.00 1498.08 224489.77 26597.91 Total 361310.73 Total 361310.73 Note - there isn't an amount for lunch clubs as the figures do not include the day sheets due to the banking date, these will be included on next yearfs statement of account. I certify thls to be a true and accurate statement of account Teresa Canning 17.4.2025 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS THE MARGARET LLOYD PLAYGROUP 1ST AUGUST 2023_ 31ST AUGUST 2024 DEPOSIT ACCOUNT Income Expenditure Balance @ 1.8.23 276596.55 Interest 1408.56 Transfer in from current 224489.77 Totsl 502494.88 R G Parrott Misc Transfer to current Balan￿ @ 31.8.24 Total 23851.80 2456.02 227122.40 249064.66 502494.88 Notes The balance of £249064.66 @ 31.8.24 consists of £100000.00 in Nationwide and £149064.66 in Metro. I certify this to be a true and accurate statement of account Teresa Canning 17.4.2025 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS THE MARGARET LLOYD PLAYGROUP 1ST AUGUST 2023_ 31ST AUGUST 2024 CURRENT ACCOUNT Income Expenditure Balance @ 1.8.23 Fees Herts CC Lunch clubs. Misc DVSICAD Transfers 0.00 6893.00 81058.41 0.00 723.00 10000.00 262636.32 Yoga CAD Expenses and gifts County Supplies Shutters Misc Pest control Ark Fanns Electrics Early Years Insurance Shopping BT Alarm Castle Water SS Sports Nest 02 Music Shendish Rent British Gas Transfers Balance @ 31.8.24 850.00 86683.97 1200.00 326.49 4785.21 2375.83 325.00 678.00 841.00 682.80 528.47 2834.05 988.26 569.10 450.19 1641.60 2038.50 184.12 47.88 445.30 250.00 1498.08 224489.77 26597.91 Total 361310.73 Total 361310.73 Note - there isn't an amount for lunch clubs as the figures do not include the day sheets due to the banking date, these will be included on next yearfs statement of account. I certify thls to be a true and accurate statement of account Teresa Canning 17.4.2025 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS THE MARGARET LLOYD PLAYGROUP 1ST AUGUST 2023_ 31ST AUGUST 2024 DEPOSIT ACCOUNT Income Expenditure Balance @ 1.8.23 276596.55 Interest 1408.56 Transfer in from current 224489.77 Totsl 502494.88 R G Parrott Misc Transfer to current Balan￿ @ 31.8.24 Total 23851.80 2456.02 227122.40 249064.66 502494.88 Notes The balance of £249064.66 @ 31.8.24 consists of £100000.00 in Nationwide and £149064.66 in Metro. I certify this to be a true and accurate statement of account Teresa Canning 17.4.2025