2021-08-31-accounts - Charlton And District Playgroup

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Trustees Report Sept 2020 – Aug 2021

We are a small preschool based in a village church and are known as a pack away setting meaning, we have to set up and clear away at the beginning and end of each session. We are open part time and term time only, providing quality care and education for up to 38 children per session aged between 2yrs 6mths and upto 5 years.

We regularly support up to 60 families from the surrounding area. We are very proud of our setting with its friendly home from home atmosphere and regularly receive positive comments from parents, visitors and other professional attending the playgroup.

The 12 month financial period from Sept 2022 – Aug 2021 was affected by the Coronavirus pandemic with various positive cases for both staff and children. We remained open for the full year with the exception of a two week period in Feb 2021 where we were forced to close due to seven members of staff contracting the virus meaning we needed to close due to insufficient staffing levels.

We actively seek support for our children with additional needs by working closely with other professionals i.e. Paediatricians, Speech & Language Therapists, Portage, local schools and our local inclusion department at Services for Young Children.

The playgroup employs 10 permanent members of staff, all in a teaching capacity, who work various patterns to ensure we have a higher than required ratio of staff to children. One member of the team left in December 2021 however due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic we chose not to replace the staff member and instead reduce our contractual staffing costs. We are seeing an increasing number of children starting at the playgroup needing support with their language and behavioural development which we believe is partly due to the Covid19 pandemic which affected socialising for many young children.

In response to the additional learning needs of some children we continuously review our working practice on a daily basis to enable one

designated member of staff to devote their time to supporting these children. This support is carried out during small group, adult lead activities carefully planned to support each child’s needs. We have a designated member of staff whose role is to extend the knowledge of those children (our ‘Little Blossoms’ group) who are exceeding expected levels of development in key areas of learning i.e. numeracy and literacy through carefully planned adult supported activities that once again make learning fun. We also have a member of staff dedicated to developing speech for those children who may be struggling to communicate to a level we would expect for their age.

These sessions also support those children in receipt of additional funding to help nurture and bring on their development. Both of these members of staff work closely with the child’s key carer and parents and other professionals involved in supporting the child.

Our daily routine also facilitates time for other small group activities to support children’s’ emotional understanding and one to one work with children to meet their individual needs. Although there is allot going on groups are on a rota basis and are short in duration allowing plenty of opportunity for child led learning through our well-resourced play areas both inside and outside all supported by our key carers.

The Coronavirus pandemic has made it more challenging to build strong relationships with parents and we rely on communications with parents at drop off as well as in the children’s diaries. We are gradually re introducing parents into our setting for stay and play sessions ensuring we are not increasing the risk of sickness within the setting. We encourage parents to put themselves forward as committee members, this has been more challenging than previous years and we are struggling to attract interest for parents to join the committee from Sept 2022

We have been unable to hold our normal playgroup plays at Easter and Christmas and this has meant our opportunity to fund raise for the playgroup has reduced. Other smaller events which we have done previously which we are looking to reintroduce include dress up days, craft competitions and fund raising for another local charity with connections to a child in our setting. The committee are looking at ways of re starting fundraising however as the current committee are due to step down in Sept 2022 we are currently focusing in having all documentation and policies up to date ready to hand over to a new committee.

Monies raised from fund raising are used to help fund activities like egg hatching experience for the children, where the sight of a chick coming out of an egg is a wonder the children will hopefully never forget. We arrange for a farm to visit the preschool with a selection of their animals, we also arrange for the local fire brigade to visit, both have been impacted due to the pandemic but we are looking to reintroduce this soon. The children really enjoy these event learning from the hands on experience and the knowledge shared with them by the farmer whilst within the

comfort and security of an environment they are familiar with. We also have regular visit from a local story teller and a music teacher.

We had our last routine OFSTED inspection in July 2019 where sadly our rating changed from Outstanding to Good following this visit. The main area for improvement in order for the setting to return to outstanding at the next inspection was to ensure all members of the committee have suitable understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Also listed as an area for continued improvement was to review the organisation of routines to ensure children are able to engage more quickly in activities of their choosing and ensure staff recognise all opportunities to challenge and extend children's learning to the highest level.

We are expecting a new OFTED inspection soon however this has been delayed due to the pandemic and there is currently now indication when this would be.

In September 2022 the current committee are all due to step down due to their children moving on to school. We have struggled to attract new interest however will be holding two committee meetings in the Summer term where we invite potential new members to join us and we would coopt them on to the committee. We are required to have minimum number of committee members and of these members the majority need to have children linked to the setting.

The last 2 years have been tough for all the staff at the setting having to adopt new ways of working and becoming comfortable with how we call all learn to live with Covid. Our parents of playgroup children have been very supportive of the challenges we face and the general feedback is parents are happy with our setting and the care we offer.

One area of concern for the committee to monitor is the financial situation facing us currently as a result of reduced numbers of children in the setting over the last few years and the increase costs of payroll, rent and general expenses. We have had to increase our reserves to ensure we are able to cover redundancy costs for staff in the event of a future closure and this has reduced the funds in our current account quite significantly, we will continue to monitor the financial situation closely to ensure the continued success of our playgroup.

I hope this report gives you a good insight into the operation of our charity over the past year and how we use our income to support the functions of providing early years education and childcare for the children and their families using our preschool.

Report prepared by Dan Preston Chair Playgroup Committee/ board of trustees 23[rd] May 2022

CHARLTON AND DISTRICT PLAYGROUP

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31ST AUGUST 2021

These accounts have been Prepared by:-

38 Bridge Street Andover SP10 1BW

T: (01264) 324103 E: info@oaktreebm.co.uk www.oaktreebm.co.uk

CHARLTON AND DISTRICT PLAYGROUP

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF CHARLTON AND DISTRICT PLAYGROUP FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2021

I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31st August 2021 which are set out on pages 2-4.

Respective Responsibilities of Trustee 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(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act);
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Comission under section 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent Examiner's Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 you as 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 nad fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent Examiner's Statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
to keep accounting records in accordance with section130 of the 2011 Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act

have not ben met; or

(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

A Miles MAAT 09/12/2021 Oaktree Accountants Ltd 38 Bridge St Andover Hampshire SP10 1BW

CHARLTON AND DISTRICT PLAYGROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2021

Activities relating to the work of the PLAYGROUP:

RECEIPTS Notes Fees for Playgroup Sessions Childcare Vouchers Early Years Education Funding SEN Fundraising and Clothing Other income INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS Bank interest received TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS Other Direct Costs Staff Wages Pension costs Training Rent for hall Insurance and Registration fees Consumables and milk Administration Fund Raising (inc clothing costs) Equipment (incl staff clothnig) Other (Parties, Coach trips, Xmas, leaving gifts) Cleaning General expenses Donations Travel and subsistence Professional and Accountancy Depreciation Entertainment TOTAL PAYMENTS EXCESS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS	2021 2020 12878 13878 1994 2313 82190 90375 1240 1616 931 10961 1687
	100920 119143 3 47
	3 47
	100923 119190
	205 205 94310 86958 733 687 389 164 4416 3773 1151 1151 2838 2766 1117 963 851 641 1982 1645 950 3066 1515 1377 114 176 37 15 26 1330 1168 211 257 75 120
	112225 105159
	-11302 14031

CHARLTON AND DISTRICT PLAYGROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2021

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31ST AUGUST 2021

FIXED ASSETS Fixture and fittings CURRENT ASSETS Bank Current Account Bonus Saver Petty cash TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES Trade Ceditors Deposits held Pension Other taxes NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS REPRESENTED BY FUNDS Funds at 1/09/2020 Excess of Receipts over Payments Funds at 31/08/2021	2021 2020 960 1171
	960 1171
	56050 67330 30758 30755 0 0
	86808 98085 302 327 2182 2328 197 170 289 331
	2970 3156 83838 94929
	84798 96100
	2021 2020 96100 82069 -11302 14031
	84798 96100

CHARLTON AND DISTRICT PLAYGROUP NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounts have been prepared under the Receipts and Payments method of Accounting. Amounts are included as received by the charity or as cheques drawn or cash paid.

The receipts and payments account and the statement of assets and liabilities have been prepared following the guidance for accounting for smaller charities issued by the Charity Commission.

Depreciation

Depreciation has been provided on the reducing balance basis in order to write off the cost of depreciable fixed assets over their expected useful lives. The annual rates applied are:-

Office equipment 18% reducing balance

2. Fixed Assets

Cost Cost 1/9/2020 Additions in year Cost 31/8/2021 Depreciation Bfwd 1/9/2020 Charge in year Cfwd 31/8/2021 Net Book Value 31/08/2021 31/08/2020	Fixtures & Fittings 2328 0
	2328
	1157 211
	1368
	£960
	£1,171