Acton Playgroup C/O Acton Primary School Lambert Drive, Acton Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 0US
01787 464270
01787 464888
(Chairperson)
Registered Charity # 1027943 Email: a cto n p l aygro UP@ho tma i l .co . UK
Establishing the Trustees:
Chair: Sabrina Elsden Secretary: Eleanor Clark Treasurer: Soley Latif
Committee Members:
Duncan Lang Lisa White
Bank:
HSBC 46 Market Hill Sudbury Suffolk CO10 6ES
Establishing the committee:
Emily Mortimer stepped down as chair and Sabrina Elsden was elected into post. Deb McLaren stepped down as treasurer and Soley Latif was elected into post.
Danielle McSherry stepped down as secretary and Eleanor Clark was elected into post. Duncan Lang and Lisa White have joined the committee.
“Our setting is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at all times and expects everybody working within
Chair’s Report
Thank you to all the staff who have worked tirelessly through what has been the most extraordinary year – a big well done from the committee.
Thank you to all members of the committee who have supported playgroup over the last year. Deb McLaren, Laura Perry, Natasha Faiers and Becky Judd will be stepping down from their posts and we thank them for all they have contributed to Acton Playgroup. Becky has now joined us as a member of staff and we are understanding of the training she needs to complete. Becky feels at this time that stepping down from the committee will allow her more time for her studies. We all wish her every success in her new role with us.
Thank you to all parents who are in attendance and willing to join our committee for the academic year 2021/2022, we welcome you whole heartedly and look forward to working alongside you over the coming year.
Practice Manager’s Report
Accounts
Accounts are being finalised ready to go off to the accountant for year 2020/2021.
Reserves remain at £14,000 as last reported. We are awaiting payment from WSC of £3,000 as this is part of the Apprentice agreement. This will go directly into reserves as funding and parent fees are on par with projected staff wage payments.
As agreed by the committee previously, our fees will increase from January 2022 to enable staffing levels to be maintained and necessary resources to be purchased. Parents have all been made aware of the new rates, via Parentmail.
Fundraising
Our C.I.L Application has now been submitted and we are awaiting the outcome. Funding for the outside area has been requested and quotes submitted. Victoria will report to the committee as soon as we have received a reply from SCC.
We are also awaiting a cheque for £1500.00, directly from Bloor Homes which the committee agreed should be used against the cost of having our fencing replaced – Sabrina will supply Victoria with contact details of a known local tradesman.
Halloween Disco has been organised by Sabrina and all tickets sold quickly. Reduced numbers have been sold this year to encourage as much distancing as possible. Sabrina will use committee Whatsapp group to organise help needed on the day.
Calendars are being organised by Kim at a profit of approx. £2.00 each. 43 calendars have been ordered already although only 12 out of 35 children have ordered. Victoria suggested a Parentmail be sent out to remind parents of the opportunity to purchase. Victoria will send Parentmail tomorrow.
Festive Fayre has been booked for Sunday 14[th] November from 11am – 2pm at the village hall. Only 6 stalls booked so far so we do need heavy advertising for this please. Victoria will send “Our setting is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at all times and expects everybody working within
details via Parentmail and Kim will set up an events page on Facebook which committee will share.
Victoria to organise production of flyers which can be displayed in the local community, shops, places of work etc.
Christmas Celebration will be discussed during staff meeting and Kim will report to the committee on what has been decided – taking into account the safety of proceedings for this year.
Victoria will contact existing sponsors, before half term, to check if they would like to continue sponsorship. We will then ask for further sponsors to come forward. This will be discussed further via committee Whatsapp.
Stafing
New staff members Becky and Louise have settled well and have already proven to be a great support to existing staff, children and their families – welcome to you both.
Attendance
We are in a very strong and happy position regarding attendance of children and are now full, every morning, after Easter. We have a waiting list with both new children and extra sessions for existing children required.
Covid Update
All guidelines continue to be adhered to and cleaning regimes are still as strict as ever. We now have the use of the school cleaners again which has helped to alleviate some of the pressure felt by staff.
Support from parents has been excellent.
We will continue to follow any further official guidance and while cases are rising in our local area, the committee have agreed that all children must be lateral flow tested, twice a week, on a Wednesday and Sunday, until further notice.
Playgroup Leader Report
It’s been another challenging year where we went into lockdown again but throughout we have still offered and provided home schooling opportunities. Staff went above and beyond to keep in contact with their families; delivering resources and food parcels.
Christmas was still enjoyed with a Nativity filmed at Playgroup but unfortunately we did have to end the term early due to a Covid case.
The Christmas Raffle was a great fundraiser and thank you to Gemma for her support running this on Facebook.
We have made sure that throughout Covid, staff have had time for wellbeing and mental health support, which has been vital.
“Our setting is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at all times and expects everybody working within
The summer term saw restrictions being eased but not enough for us to be ‘normal’. I’m sure parents will agree the children’s sports day, picnic and end of term sing-a-longs were a celebration of the children’s resilience.
During the summer holidays policies have been reviewed with some new ones written.
I would like to say a big welcome and thank you to our staff. They have worked tirelessly; cleaning and teaching. They have all been outstanding and made sure the children were all happy and safe.
Thank you to Victoria for all her help and support and to the committee for their role in supporting the Playgroup. A massive thank you, also, to Becvky and Eleanor, who were there when we needed support with cleaning which enabled us to continue the level of focus that the children needed.
We look forward to getting back to normal over the following months, although at the moment, with rising Covid cases, it does feel a long way off. Having said that, we are delighted to have restarted out forest schools programme and have our Harvest Walk to the church to look forward to.
This term sees the new EYFS framework come into play, with a big focus on children’s oral health. We have therefore begun working with the children on this and obtained resources to support their learning.
All staff have read through the framework and familiarised themselves with key points and changes.
“Our setting is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at all times and expects everybody working within
Governance
The Charity is governed by the Constitution adopted 15 October 1992, as amended on 20 November 2006.
Aims and Objectives
Acton Playgroup provides an excellent standard of Care and Education for children aged 2 years to 5 years. We accept that every child is a unique individual and we will provide opportunities and experiences, which will help them reach their full potential.
Our Aims:
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To provide a secure, loving and stimulating environment, in which children can develop their confidence and independence.
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To provide a quality provision and a balanced curriculum to enable children to develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, physically and morally.
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To develop and encourage parental partnership and involvement, recognising the parents are the first and most influential educators of children.
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To emanate a warm, caring approach to all children and arrange interesting, stimulating activities to inspire children on all levels.
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To take the time to talk and listen to every child as well as acting as a positive role model.
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To operate and equal opportunities policy to ensure that children will feel accepted regardless of sex, race, religion or family circumstances. We will endeavour to accommodate any child with special educational needs.
Through a play-based approach we:
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Create opportunities for children to explore, appreciate and respect their environment.
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Provide opportunities to stimulate interest and imagination.
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Encourage children to communicate ideas and feelings in a variety of ways.
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Give children appropriate responsibility to make decisions, choices, express judgements and be respected as active independent learners.
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Value the rights of the child to realise and expand his/her potential.
A high-quality early years experience provides a firm foundation on which to build future academic, social and emotional skills.
Acto n Playgrou p
Acton Playgroup C/O Acton Primary School Lambert Drive, Acton Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 0US
01787 464270
07833 052366 (Chairperson) Registered Charity #1027943 Email: actonplaygroup@hotmail.co.uk
Annual Account Summary 1st September 2021 - 31st August 2022
Balance brought forward from 31st August 2020 £ 19,205.62 Income £ 140,812.83 Expenditure £ 129,368.07
End Balance £ 30,650.38
Bank Balance as at 31st August 2022
Current account £ 23,425.86 Saving Accounts £ 6,953.50 Total £ 30,379.36 Cash in hand £ 271.02
End Balance £ 30,650.38
Checked by_________
Date ________
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Acton Playgroup On accounts for the year 31[st] August 2022 ended Set out on pages 1 & 2
Charity no 1027943 (if any) (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/08/2021.
Responsibilities As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the and basis of preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements report of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material examiner's matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed statement below ) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. * Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: 30/10/2022 Name: Helen Morphew Relevant Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians. (MAAT) professional qualification(s) or body (if any):*
Address: Units 4 & 5 Brightwell Barns, Waldringfield Road, Ipswich, IP10 0BJ
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
“Sections 386 to 389: Accounting records
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These sections set out the general duty to keep accounting records and specify where and for how long records are to be kept. They replace equivalent provisions in sections 221 and 222 of the 1985 Act. Their purpose is to ensure that businesses record transactions to enable them to show the company’s financial position and to prepare accounts which comply with the Companies Act and, where relevant, with International Accounting Standards. “Accounting records” is a broad term and there is no specific definition as the records may differ depending on the nature and complexity of the business. For a simple business these may include, for example, bank statements, purchase orders, sales and purchase invoices, whilst a more sophisticated business may have integrated records, which it holds electronically.
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Section 387 creates a criminal offence for every officer of a company who is in default, where the company has failed to keep adequate accounting records under section 386. The section replicates the existing penalties under section 221(5) and (6) of the 1985 Act (imprisonment or a fine).
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Section 389 makes similar provision in relation to failure to comply with section 388, replacing section 222(4) and (6) of the 1985 Act.”
I do not believe there are any material errors in the bookwork.
I note you keep prime documents such as bank statements and record transactions on an excel spreadsheet as required under Sec 386 of Co House and have consolidated the details of the income and expenditure into one record.