2021-07-31-accounts - Bridge Village Playgroup

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Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date 01 August 2020 31 July 2021 From To

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) Charity's principal address	Bridge Village Playgroup

	-
	1029286
	Bridge Village Hall
	High Street
	Bridge
	Postcode CT4 5JZ

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

----- Start of picture text -----
Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
year to appoint trustee (if any)
Mary Daw Manager Mary was in place for the
full year but left the
1
position at the end of this
period (31 July 2021)
Simone Lipson Treasurer Simone was in place for
Green the full year but left the
2
position at the end of this
period (31 July 2021)
Kayleigh Chair
3
Woodward
4 Odette Johnson
Eppa Treasurer Eppa took over as
5 Hummerstone Treasurer on 01 August
2021
Zoe Anderson Zoe left the Committee
6
on 31 July 2021
7 Sarah Pinnington Manager Started 01 August 2021
Holly Broadley Joined in September
8
2021
Carla Devereaux Secretary Carla joined the
9 Committee in September
2021
Helen Bridger Member Helen joined the
committee informally in
10
September
2021
11
12
13
14
----- End of picture text -----

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Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees) Name Dates acted if not for whole year

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Constitution (Pre-School Learning Alliance) Type of governing document 1 May 2018 (eg. trust deed, constitution)

Unincorporated Organisation How the charity is constituted

(eg. trust, association, company)

We ask parents if they would like to join, and then we nominate them to Trustee selection methods become trustees in a Committee Meeting (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;
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

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Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)	The aims of the Pre-school are to enhance the development and education of children primarily under statutory school age by encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups and by: (a) offering appropriate play, education and care facilities, family learning and extended hours groups, together with the right of parents to take responsibility for and to become involve in the activities of such groups, ensuring that such groups offer opportunities for all children whatever their race, culture, religion, means or ability; (b) encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs in the local areas; (c) instigating and adhering to and furthering the aims and objects of the Pre- school Learning Alliance.
	Bridge Village Playgroup is a charity-run pre-school that operates out of the Village Hall in Bridge. We employ 6 members of staff who have all been with the Pre-school for many years, and are very experienced and well-regarded in the community. Our primary activity is to provide early-years education for children aged 2 to 4. As a charity-run pre-school we actively encourage parents to get involved in the running of the pre-school through the Committee, which includes current and ex-parents of children at the pres-school. The pre-school Manager keeps in close contact with the Early Years specialist team at Kent County Council to ensure that we are compliant with all requirements from Ofsted and are meeting the needs of all children attending the setting. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and use the local authority tracking system to track and follow the childrens’ progress. Monitoring/ tracking kids An indication of some of the activities undertaken at the pre-school are as follows: - walks around the village and trips to the local recreation ground for outdoor play activities. These are aimed at allowing the children to develop their gross motor skills and give them an opportunity to run, climb and explore their natural environment. - trips to the local allotment to grow vegetables, observe growth and changes and to develop their Understanding of the World; one of the areas of the curriculum. - sensory play activities to encourage discussion around the child’s experience of engaging in these activities, to help develop their verbal skills - role-play activities including dressing up, and setting up different themed areas such as a travel agent, shop, etc. - numeracy activities to aid early development of counting and general understanding of number as well as shape and space. Many of these activities are also explored in our outdoor environment where we have access to sand and water play; activities which also extend their scientific understanding. - early phonics activities with stories which also focus on developing all aspects of Phase one phonics ie alliteration, voice sounds, rhythm and rhyme. - those children who will be attending Primary School the following September, also have a focused morning carpet session which are planned because of observations carried out over the week and target their specific needs. These sessions are also aimed at providing them with small challenges and extend their learning, as well as preparing them for school readiness. During this academic year we have continued with certain measures to

Summary of the objects of the
charity set out in its
governing document
Summary of the main
activities undertaken for the
public benefit in relation to
these objects (include within
this section the statutory
declaration that trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit)

The aims of the Pre-school are to enhance the development and education
of children primarily under statutory school age by encouraging parents to
understand and provide for the needs of their children through community
groups and by:
(a) offering appropriate play, education and care facilities, family learning
and extended hours groups, together with the right of parents to take
responsibility for and to become involve in the activities of such groups,
ensuring that such groups offer opportunities for all children whatever their
race, culture, religion, means or ability;
(b) encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families
and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs in the local
areas;
(c) instigating and adhering to and furthering the aims and objects of the Pre-
school Learning Alliance.

Bridge Village Playgroup is a charity-run pre-school that operates out of the
Village Hall in Bridge. We employ 6 members of staff who have all been with
the Pre-school for many years, and are very experienced and well-regarded
in the community. Our primary activity is to provide early-years education for
children aged 2 to 4.
As a charity-run pre-school we actively encourage parents to get involved in
the running of the pre-school through the Committee, which includes current
and ex-parents of children at the pres-school.
The pre-school Manager keeps in close contact with the Early Years
specialist team at Kent County Council to ensure that we are compliant with
all requirements from Ofsted and are meeting the needs of all children
attending the setting.
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and use the local
authority tracking system to track and follow the childrens’ progress.
Monitoring/ tracking kids
An indication of some of the activities undertaken at the pre-school are as
follows:
- walks around the village and trips to the local recreation ground for outdoor
play activities. These are aimed at allowing the children to develop their
gross motor skills and give them an opportunity to run, climb and explore
their natural environment.
- trips to the local allotment to grow vegetables, observe growth and changes
and to develop their Understanding of the World; one of the areas of the
curriculum.
- sensory play activities to encourage discussion around the child’s
experience of engaging in these activities, to help develop their verbal skills
- role-play activities including dressing up, and setting up different themed
areas such as a travel agent, shop, etc.
- numeracy activities to aid early development of counting and general
understanding of number as well as shape and space. Many of these
activities are also explored in our outdoor environment where we have
access to sand and water play; activities which also extend their scientific
understanding.
- early phonics activities with stories which also focus on developing all
aspects of Phase one phonics ie alliteration, voice sounds, rhythm and
rhyme.
- those children who will be attending Primary School the following
September, also have a focused morning carpet session which are planned
because of observations carried out over the week and target their specific
needs. These sessions are also aimed at providing them with small
challenges and extend their learning, as well as preparing them for school
readiness.
During this academic year we have continued with certain measures to

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ensure the safety of staff and children in relation to Covid-19, such as :

parents are not allowed within the village hall premises; if they do come in to sooth their child then parents/carers and staff will use facemasks for that period.
Windows and doors remain open during sessions
We make greater use of our small outdoor area and have recently been granted funding to buy more resources to support the learning outside
The premises are cleaned at the end of each session by staff
Children all have their hands sanitised at the start and end of each session, as well as throughout the day when they have been touching their mouths or faces or if they have been outside.
- Staff carry out twice weekly lateral flow tests and report it to the manager as well as on the Government website. Although mandatory testing was ended as of 24[th] February 2021, as a staff we have continued to test at least once a week.
- The setting’s Covid policy is updated regularly and is available to parents when there has been a case of Covid or if it has been requested. All parents/carers have received a copy of the Covid policy.

Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when planning the charity’s activities

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

The Charity relies heavily on a team of volunteers that make up the Committee. Due to the difficulties involved with fundraising during lockdowns and with Covid-19 restrictions in place, the Committee initiated a GoFundMe fundraiser to support the pre-school through this difficult period. The volunteers raised over £5,000 in early 2021.

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.

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Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

The pre-school has been in significant financial difficulty due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and due to a historic shortfall in cashflow. Furthermore, the Manager of the pre-school who had been in place for 25years announced that she would be retiring in July 2021. The Committee therefore set about to urgently fundraise to enable the pre-school to continue operating, and to recruit a new Manager. We were successful with both of these endeavours. We raised over £5,000 to keep the pre-school open, and we hired a new Managed to start in August 2021.

The pre-school managed to continue providing a safe and caring environment for the small number of children that did attend during the 2020-2021 academic year.

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Section E Financial review

The pre-school is currently operating with very little money and would like Brief statement of the to build up a financial reserve to ensure that there are sufficient funds charity’s policy on reserves available if the charity was to be dissolved.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);

The new Treasurer and Manager are concerned by the historic financial performance of the Charity, and are putting in to place a number of key measures for the Academic Year 2021-2022 to improve the situation. It has been noted that the charity has made a loss in 4 of the last 6 years, and that this is partly due to low numbers of children attending, and a generous staffing provision.

how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Section F Other optional information

The charity faces much uncertainty going forward in the 2021-22 period, with financial viability, low child numbers, and staff retention all identified as principal risks.

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Kayleigh Woodward Full name(s) Eppa Hummerstone Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Treasurer Chair etc) Date

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BRIDGE VILLAGE PLAYGROUP

INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2021

Ackland Webb Chartered Certified Accountants Canterbury Innovation Centre University Road Canterbury Kent CT2 7FG

BRIDGE VILLAGE PLAYGROUP

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2021

Accountant's approval certificate

In accordance with instructions given to us, we have prepared without carrying out an audit, the attached Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet for the year ended 31 July 2021 from the accounting records of Bridge Village Playgroup and from information and explanations given to us.

…………………………………………………

Ackland Webb Chartered Certified Accountants Canterbury Innovation Centre University Road Canterbury Kent CT2 7FG

Client approval certificate

I approve the attached Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet for the year ended 31 July 2021 and confirm that I have made available all relevant records and information for their preparation.

…………………………………………………

Simone Lipson-Green Treasurer Bridge Village Playgroup

BRIDGE VILLAGE PLAYGROUP INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2021

Income Fees Raffles Interest Other income Training and equipment grants Coffee mornings Cards/clothing Bags to School Easter event Other events Donations Milk rebates Expenditure Supervisors Employer pension contributions Hire of Hall Equipment, materials & resources Parties & outings Refreshments Sundries Donations & gifts Printing, postage & stationery Ofsted fees, PSLA subscription & insurance Advertising Training Cleaning & PPE Telephone & computer Repairs, renewals & garden maintenance Surplus/(deficit) for the year	31-Jul-21 £ 35,361 - - 4,967 - - - - - 463 3,579 36 44,406 42,075 320 1,719 342 - 232 89 500 46 802 - - 138 136 - 46,399 (1,993)	31-Jul-20 £ 33,727 849 5 5,339 120 - 18 - - 1,728 - 124
		41,910
		39,556 338 3,299 93 158 355 134 254 507 - - 261 177 -
		45,132
		(3,222)

BRIDGE VILLAGE PLAYGROUP BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 JULY 2021

Assets Other debtors Prepayments Bank current account Bank deposit account Cash in hand Liabilities Trade creditors Pension creditor Net assets Represented by: Surplus brought forward Surplus/(deficit) for the year Surplus carried forward	£ £ £ £ - - - - 2,505 1,567 - 3,038 57 - 2,562 4,605 - 50 - - - (50) 2,562 4,555 4,555 7,777 (1,993) (3,222) 2,562 4,555 31-Jul-20 31-Jul-21	£ £ £ £ - - - - 2,505 1,567 - 3,038 57 - 2,562 4,605 - 50 - - - (50) 2,562 4,555 4,555 7,777 (1,993) (3,222) 2,562 4,555 31-Jul-20 31-Jul-21
	- -

		4,555
		7,777 (3,222)
		4,555

Bridge Village Playgroup

Chairpersons Annual Report 2020-2021

Playgroup has had a very challenging year due to COVID-19. The staff all remain the same and continue to be dynamic, innovative and a nurturing team. We ended the year with a small number of children. All members of staff have completed all relevant levels of their child protection training. First aid training has been completed.

The end of this year we will say good bye to Mary as she will be retiring and we wish her all the best. Simone will also leave playgroup as our treasurer. Thank you to your both for your continued commitment.

We will welcome Sarah as the new playgroup manager and Eppa as the new treasurer at the beginning of the school year. I’m sure you will all join me in giving them a massive welcome.

Mary and the team continue to liaise with Tracy Butterfill, the setting improvement partner from KCC to ensure all necessary requirements for the setting are met. The level of training which our staff complete is a true reflection of their committed professionalism.

The staff are currently still complying with all of the COVID-19 changes and the children continue to adapt and accept these in their stride. The children are doing amazing and that’s all thanks to the amazing team that we have at playgroup. The children have not been able to explore many of the opportunities that would have been previously explored such as a trips to the park or allotment and using the walking bus. These will slowly filter back in with the easing of lockdown during the summer.

Due to falling on financial hardship we launched a GoFundMe campaign to allow us to open our doors from April-July. We raised a massive £5000 with support from the local community, family and friends. Fundraising has had a massive dip this year as we have not been able to raise half as much as we would usually raise. This academic year we have managed to have a sponsored bounce, handprint keepsakes, cake sale, donation from Chads company, GoFundMe via PayPal and direct donations which totalled £7098.23.

Due to slight lifting of restrictions we were able to visit the allotment and plant potatoes and we managed some trips to the park and walks around Bridge Village. We still have access to our resident stick insects, this year we had the pleasure of some little border collie puppies – truly heart melting.

The children have been able to enhance their baking skills this year as we have had lots of baking coming home, this has included chocolate chip cookies, pizzas and home made cakes!

I would like to give a huge massive thanks to the Parish Council who have been so helpful and supportive during COVID-19. We have found ourselves in a somewhat tight spot with regards to finances and they have allowed us a reprieve until Christmas on paying hall fees. They also donated a massive £500 to the GoFundMe campaign.

Finally, the biggest thank you is to Mary and her amazing team, Jane, Judith, Julia, Roz, and Francina. You are all truly marvellous in helping our children to grow, believe in themselves and become the children they are today. You all really do give them the best start to their education and allow them to shine as individuals.

Myself and the committee would like to wish all of the children that moved on to school this year all the very best of luck and we will miss you all.