2024-03-31-accounts

Rainbow Preschool (1027312)

Barrington Road, Southgate, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 6DG Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

Rainbow Pre-School ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Minutes DATE: 31[st] March 2025 @ 7:30pm

Venue – Rainbow Preschool, Barrington Road, Crawley

Present: Kenny Parker, Lowri Parrish, Kirstin Parrish, Zak Woodstaff, Chloe Jupp, Katie Kett, Marc Whitmarsh, Amy Musgrove, Leanne Ford, Cory Wicker, Kira Wilson, Shane Riggs, Lamin Touray, Luke Fountain, Georgia Francis

Online attendees: Amy Constable, Shannon Boud, Georgina Campbellwood, Chris Webber, Steffany Tucker, Sara Hobbs

Item	Minutes
1	Welcomefrom Debbie Tippett (Chair / Manager) Debbie thanked everyone for coming and the reason we had to call this meeting. It is because we have been advised by the Charity Commission that we will be going into review if we do not submit our figures and reports. The reason it has not happened is because we have not had the parental support needed. Rainbow has continued because the amazing staff step up and give their free time to support events and provide raffle prizes etc. We have outsourced wages so that things are not a conflict of interest. Debbie stressed that we have nearly 100 families registered with Rainbow and to give people an idea there were not 100 people attending tonight. She continued to stress the need of parental support. Debbie explained that to bring us in line with the Charity Commission requirements we would be discussing 2023-2024 and also 2024-2025.
2	Apologiesreceived from: Parents
3	Chairperson Reportgiven by Debbie Tippett Including 2023-2024 update Including 2024-2025 update Staff & Training Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly recognise the wonderful staff. Rainbow Preschool is a caring and nurturing preschool and that’s all down to the staff who come to work each day and give 110% when looking after our children. We continue to ensure that all staff are developing children through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and setting them up to successfully transition to school. The nurturing and caring environment is testament to all the

Registered Charity: 1020613

EYA No: 30289

Rainbow Preschool (1027312)

Barrington Road, Southgate, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 6DG Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

staff and their passion for developing children, for this we are all incredibly grateful.

Our preschool is passionate about developing staff via training and variation of role & responsibilities. This year we have seen Abi, Georgia & Kelsey all completing their Level 2 qualification. Lisa took over the role of Deputy SENCo in Rising 2’s. Georgia has started her training to take on the role of Deputy SENCo in 3-4’s. Between myself as SENCo and them we will be doing our upmost to support our children and families to ensure that we are meeting children’s needs and getting the right support funding, particularly before they start school.

The staff have been completing various courses to expand their knowledge, enabling them to support all our children’s needs and learning.

Finance

During 2023-2024 The Pre-school continued to struggle financially, numbers were high which was hugely encouraging for our staff. To know that the future viability of Rainbow Preschool is strong allows us to feel very confident going into another year. We finished this year with high numbers of children within the setting and good numbers going into the year ahead.

We have continued to invest in equipment and in the fabric of the setting. We have been able to buy new sensory equipment for the children such as wobble boards, these have been helping all our children to regulate and have fun while ensuring we are meeting their needs throughout the sessions.

Fundraising

Fundraising is always difficult as we have limited support and any extra activities are organised by the staff in their own time. The Smarties fundraiser, Nature Detective and the Summer fair are always a success. In particular we love the summer fair as we get to meet the whole family. All the money we raise goes towards the preschool and allows us to buy new resources, the support across the year is greatly appreciated, it is hugely important to help pay for new equipment and upgrades to the preschool each year.

Committee

My final thanks would normally go to the committee but this year has been particularly bad as we haven’t actually been supported by a committee. So I will say an extra Thank you to the staff who all been integral to the smooth running of Rainbow. The tenacity and support you have all provided has been essential to the strong position we are now in. If only staff could form a committee because without a

Registered Charity: 1020613

EYA No: 30289

Rainbow Preschool (1027312)

Barrington Road, Southgate, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 6DG Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

Committee the Pre-school couldn’t exist. This is where I ask if any of you would be prepared to join the committee. Contrary to believe it does not take up loads of time, our constitution states we need to hold a minimum of 2 meetings per year. These can be held via Zoom or Microsoft teams. The main role of the committee is to support us in the running of Rainbow. Helping with fundraising events etc. 2024-2025

Following on from the information regarding 2023-2024, 2024-2025 has not been so positive. With the increase to national minimum wage, increase to National insurance, and the changes to the funding from West Sussex due to take effect in April 2025 we have found ourselves in a position where we are struggling to remain open. The funding has made it difficult to charge for additional consumables and has left us relying heavily on the support of our parents and voluntary donations to cover these costs to remain open. We will continue to work closely with our advisors from West Sussex and to look for resolutions. As soon as we know what is happening we will update you. 4 Treasurer's Report given by Sharon Vygus I would like to introduce myself, I’m Sharon. I am actually Debbie’s sister, I joined Rainbow committee when Debbie expressed her concerns that she was unable to find someone to do the accounts. I have an accountant background so have been able to support Debbie and Julie, getting the accounts up to date and having conversations with the Charity Commission to get us where we are today. As much as I want to help Debbie, it is not an ideal situation as we are family and unfortunately this makes it difficult to apply for grants etc as many stipulate there must be no two related members. Rainbow need the grants as the fundraising and grants bring money into the setting and allow them to buy additional resources. 2024-2025 continues to bring even more concern, the funding had gone up but equally so has the cost of living and costs of essential services that the Preschool has to pay for. Sharon explained that due to changes in the minimum wage, NI contribution, rent and utility increases 20252026 will be an even more challenging year.

Registered Charity: 1020613

EYA No: 30289

Rainbow Preschool (1027312)

Barrington Road, Southgate, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 6DG Telephone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

5 Staff Report given by Julie Roffey

5	Staff Reportgiven by Julie Roffey Iknow I speak on behalf of all staff when I say that at this time of year, it’s a privilege to reflect on how far our children have developed and progressed during their time with us. This group of children experienced the isolation of lockdown and lack of social interaction with the wider community in their early lives; but wow! They have really blossomed into an amazing bunch. They had a slow start as they learnt to engage, communicate and trust in each other and the staff, but we’ve got there. The children have thoroughly enjoyed all the activities and events that have happened over the year, it has been such a pleasure watching them grow and seeing them develop. We would like to thank you all for allowing us and putting your trust in Rainbow to give your children the best head start before they start their school journey.
6	Election of Officers, Trustees and New Committee: Chair:Debbie Tippett has agreed to stay on. Proposed by Kirstin Parrish, Seconded by Luke Fountain Secretary:Kenny Parker. Proposed by Katie Kett, Seconded by Luke Fountain Treasurer:Georgia Francis. Proposed by Marc Whitmarsh, Seconded by Kenny Parker
7	AOB Debbie explained that the Preschool were currently using the 2008 Learning alliance Preschool Constitution but it had since been changed. She explained that the Charity Commission and Learning Alliance had accepted that it was difficult to recruit committee members and Trustees so the updated constitution Adopted Pre School Constitution 2011 Proposed by Clare Ion Seconded by Luke Fountain
8	Meeting closed @ 8:20pm

Registered Charity: 1020613

EYA No: 30289

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