## **AGM** # **Wednesday 23rd October 2024** # **Attendees: Michele Jolley, Kallie Templeton, Clare Gseir, Megan McCreedy, Riley Nice and Velichka Shapkova** Minutes of the previous meeting (17.07.2024) and previous AGM (10.10.2023) were read and agreed. Points raised from previous meetings: ## **● Dog Visits** Ralph no longer visits the setting due to personal circumstances however, Raya (also owned and trained by Hayley) continues to have regular visits roughly once per half term. The children love the opportunity to interact with her and she helps to teach vital lessons. **● Open Days** The Open Days for parents/carers of new starters continue to be successful. There were Open Days for the new January intake in December 2023, for the new September intake in August 2024. Open Days are to be arranged for the new January 2025 starters. ## **Agenda** : 1. Welcome 2. Finance Report 3. Staff Training 4. Government Funding 5. Fundraising 6. Maintenance 7. New Intake and Hours 8. Ofsted ## **New Matters:** ## **1. Welcome** Clare and Michele welcomed members to the meeting. All members were reminded that meetings are completely confidential and all matters discussed should remain private. Michele expressed that although there had been a new intake of children in September 2024, no new parents/carers had come forward to be a member of the committee. Staff members will continue to liaise with their key children’s families to encourage them to attend future meetings. ## **2. Financial Report (See attached)** Michele read the prepared Finance Report to all members. A copy has been attached. No matters arose other than the report presented. ## **3. Staff Training** Michele explained due to new guidance and legislation from the government all members of staff have completed at least Level 3 Pediatric First Aid training in the past year. Clare also started her Level 3 in Childcare in October 2023 and is continuing to work towards completing it. Kallie explained all staff have been given access to National College which is an online training programme. Staff can use it to complete courses, watch tutorials and access supportive resources to help improve their practice and knowledge. The feedback from staff about the training programme has been mainly positive. ## **4. Government Funding** Michele informed members Early Years Pupil Premium over the last year had been used not only towards resources but for large scale events all children could access and engage with. Some of the funding was used to purchase heavily discounted tickets for children and one of their parents/carers to attend the Panto at the local theatre in December 2023. The uptake for the tickets was good and many children were able to attend. Unfortunately, the show was a little long and some children became agitated during the performance with a number of families deciding to leave during the interval. EYPP funding has also been used to pay for Tiny Mites, a music company who come in and sing with the children, on a monthly basis since November 2023. These sessions are loved by the children and they always engage and enjoy the sessions. The government provided food vouchers for all families for Christmas and again over the Summer. ## **5. Fundraising** Fundraising over the past year has been extremely positive. There was Christmas fundraising, Easter Bake Off Sale and Raffle as well as two sessions of Little Urchin photographs throughout the year. Little Urchin also photographed group photos of the children who transitioned to Reception in September 2024 which parents were able to purchase for £7 each. The uptake for these was good, as it has been in the past. ## **6. Maintenance** Michele informed members during the Summer Holidays there had been a lot of maintenance carried out in the outside areas. The ramps into the building were both replaced and made safe. The walkway from the entrance gate to the building was fixed and the bark alongside replaced. A number of children like to bring scooters or bikes to the setting with them so an area was built for these to be stored safely. The bin shed was rebuilt. Michele was very happy to inform members after a long time of waiting, a new sign with the correct contact details had been fitted to the front gate. ## **7. New Intake and Hours** Michele was happy to inform members all new children have settled into Little Gem’s really well. As discussed in a previous meeting (17.07.2024), the changes to setting times have gone ahead. There is a breakfast club available from 8am to 8:30am. Morning session is 8:30am to 11:30am. Lunchtime is from 11:30am to 12noon. Afternoon session is 12noon to 3pm. A child who stays all day begins at 8:30am and is collected at 2:30pm. An after school club is then available from 3pm to 5pm. Currently, there has not been very much interest in the breakfast or after school club however, Michele is hopeful they will be more popular in January. ## **8. Ofsted** Michele and Kallie were delighted to confirm Ofsted had finally visited. There was a one day inspection, with one inspector, on Wednesday 25th September 2024. The inspector was extremely impressed with the setting and the outcome of the inspection was Good. Members all agreed this is fantastic news and very well deserved for the hard work and dedication staff show. ## **9. Member Elections** As no new members attended the meeting Clare was re-elected as Chair, Megan as Treasurer and Velichka as Secretary. Clare has agreed to remain as Chair until a new one can be appointed, hopefully in January when the new intake of children begin. ## **10. Next Meeting** It has been agreed the next meeting will be held at some time at the end of January/beginning of February 2025. The exact date and time will be agreed closer to the time. Minutes Agreed by ............................................................ Signed ........................................................... Date .............................................................. ## **LITTLE GEMS PRE - SCHOOL BASILDON** **ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023** ## **LITTLE GEMS PRE - SCHOOL BASILDON** **Registered Charity Number:** 1028673 **Chairperson:** C Gsier **Treasurer:** M McCreery **Secretary:** E Davey **Independent Examiner:** D Parker Sterlings Accountancy Solutions Ltd 131-133 Roman Road Mountnessing Brentwood Essex CM15 0UD **Bankers:** Barclays Bank Plc 2 East Walk Basildon Essex SS14 1HH **Independent Examiner's Report To The Trustees Of Little Gems Pre - School Basildon On The Accounts For The Year Ended 31 December 2023 Set Out On Pages 1 to 3** ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, - to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent - examiner’s statement My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. ## **Basis of independent examiner's statement** My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below David Parker Date: 19 June 2024 Sterlings Accountancy Solutions Ltd 131-133 Roamn Road Mountnessing Brentwood Essex CM15 0UD ## **Little Gems Pre - School Basildon Statement of Income and Expenditure Year ended 31 December 2023** |**Incoming resources from**
**generated funds**
Essex County Council
Other
**Incoming resources from**
**charitable activities**
Fees
**Total incoming resources**
Interest recieved
**Resources expended**
**Charitable activities**
Wages
Employer's pension
Rent
Water rates
Light & heat
Security
Repairs & renewals
Equipment and materials
Refreshments
Telephone
Cleaning, refuse & hygiene
Postage & stationery
Training
Independent examiners fees
Sundry
Insurance
Subscriptions
DBS
Donations
Bank charges
Travel
Licenses
Activities
Legal fees
**Total resources expended**
**Net incoming/(outgoing) resources**
**Total funds brought forward**
**Total funds carried forward**|**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
152,251
172,206
1,855
2,071
9,248
13,222
163,354
187,499
188
23
136,805
121,444
2,218
1,992
9,300
8,819
863
181
3,593
6,490
732
879
4,237
7,187
9,875
4,556
924
1,239
1,409
1,022
3,110
1,025
32
471
172
1,147
1,446
1,151
169
1,518
1,021
581
503
329
0
290
600
0
162
187
60
80
495
394
2,285
60
0
1,740
180,011
162,782
-16,469
24,740
81,383
56,643
64,914
81,383
**2023**
**2022**| |---|---| 1 Llttla Gems Pre - School Baslldon Balance Sheet At31D ember 2023 Unrostrlcted funds. 2023 2022 Currant a8sel8 Bank a¢¢ount Debtors Cash 68,838 82,831 1,879 68,838 84,710. Cr•dltors falllng due wlthln one yèar 3,924 3,327 64,914 81,383 Charlty funds Unre8trict8d funds 81,383 The flnancS8l statements have been prepared In accordance wlth FRS102 SORP. Approved and agreod seir Chalrpgrson Megan M¢Creery Troa•ur8r Date: ## **Little Gems Pre - School Basildon Notes To The Accounts** ## **For The Year Ended 31 December 2023** ## **1 Basis of accounting** The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention,and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued on 16 July 2014, and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS102). ## **2 Accounting policies** ## **Incoming resources** Grants are included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resource. Fees are included in the SOFA when the charity becomes entitled to the income. ## **Expenditure and liabilities** Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources. Governance costs include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of trustee meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters. ## **3 Staff costs** The average number of full time equivalent employees during the year was 9. All of these worked within charitable activities. 3 ## Finance Report 2024 I would like to start with going through our income and expenditure of the year 2023. Our total income for this year was £163’354, this was made up of 2yr funding, 3/4yr FEEE funding, 30 hour funding, Fee’s, fundraising, SEN payments, Early Years Pupil Premium and voluntary snack contributions. Our total income decreased by £24’145 from the previous year. This was a combination of a few less funded children on roll and funding not being paid into the account until the beginning of Spring Term rather than the end of Autumn term as the previous year. Our expenditure increased by £17’229, this was mainly due to the government minimum wage increase which was an £15’361 more than the previous year. At the start of January 2024, we had £50’024.25 in our bank account. We currently have 8 members of staff on roll. Minimum wage increased again in April of this year, taking the minimum wage up to £11.44ph, and then we increased this again slightly in October to £11.84ph which will contributed considerably to our monthly wage outgoings. We currently have 43 families enrolled. 20 children - 3/4yr funded 8 children - 30 hours 9 children - FEEE2 2 children - FEEE2W 4 children - fee paying. We have started to offer a breakfast and after school club at £6 per hour. We have only had a couple of children interested as of yet, but we are hoping this will take off in the new year. At the moment we have 6 new starters for January 2025, and our 30hr funded children will increase from 8 to 15. We continue to ask parent/carers to give us a contribution for snack of 20p each session, we will increase this to 30p per session in January 2025