Acorn Under Fives (Birstall) Reg charity No 103095
Highcliffe Primary School Community Centre, Greengate Lane, Birstall, Leicester LE4 3DL Telephone: 0116 2672795
www.acornunderfives.co.uk
Minutes of the Acorn Under Fives AGM held on 12[th] April 2024 at 1pm - in person meeting Venue: Acorn Under Fives
Present : Jackie, Tania, Debbie, Christine, Becky, Emma and Sarah Graham
Apologies: Miriam, Janet, Sarah, Hayley, Mary.
Minutes of the previous meeting
Minutes from previous meeting on the 9[th] February were circulated prior to the meeting, reviewed and approved. Approved by Christine, 2[nd] by Tania
Chairperson report
Would like to give a big thank you to the staff and committee for their hard work over the past year. Would also like to thank Katie and Emma for their contributions.
Treasurers Report
No matters arising re funds generally. JK – still outstanding, claim has been sent in post with judgement to be issued. HS – end of March payment per payment plan was missed, therefore Becky will ring following the meeting to chase up.
Easter Bonnet parade made £77.38.
Accounts have been prepared for the year. Prior year Acorn made a loss, this year they have made a £38k profit.
Pre-School Manager’s report
It has been a busy year with the 40[th] anniversary celebration, Halloween party, Christmas concert and party and Easter bonnet parade. All of which went very well.
Hayley has completed food hygiene during the year. Training needs coming up – Jackie and Debbie to complete safeguarding, Christine and Debbie to complete designated person. Manual handling training was last completed in 2021 and First aid in 2022.
Currently have 42 children on roll, 28 leaving for school in September (14 returners) 3 children with SENS (speech and language) and possibly one other. 5 two year olds who attend the preschool. Ratios: 1 to 5 for two year olds, 1 to 8 for three and four year olds, 1 to 13 for Jackie.
There have been a couple of safeguarding incidents during the year which were dealt with appropriately.
Placement students – going forwards Acorn won’t be accepting any placements from schools unknown to them. Have two placements lined up for next week – Evie and Isabella. Grace is on long term placement and has passed her level 1.
Expecting rent cost to go up next year in line with inflation. A list of snag issues has been sent to Jas, Jackie to follow up.
Finally, a thank you to the committee for helping at events. And a big thank you to the staff at Acorn, they are a brilliant team who make it what it is; a happy, inclusive environment where children are encouraged to be happy and confident learners. And an inclusive place for parents, as recently demonstrated by the turn out for the Easter bonnet parade.
Toddlers Leaders Report
Toddler leader not present.
With some of the toddlers moving up to preschool there were only 3 who attended this week. This is currently not enough to cover the costs of running the session. Suggestion of moving to pay per week (rather than full / half term up front) and reducing price to £3 per session to encourage more attendees. Advertising of the group and new fees to be shared – Katie to post on Spotted Birstall Facebook page and Jackie to send something to be placed in the Birstall Post.
Voting
Chair – Christine; voted by Tania, 2[nd] by Emma Treasurer – Becky; voted by Christine, 2[nd] by Debbie Secretary – Sarah Graham; voted by Jackie, 2[nd] by Becky
AOB
The School Summer Fair is moving from Sat 18[th] May to Fri 7[th] June after school. Will be in Greengate Hall, outside swimming pool and back door. Christine has offered to bring cakes.
Summer term finishes on Friday 5[th] July (week before the schools), with the annual Sports day likely to be held on Thursday 4[th] July (TBC).
Jackie has been liaising with an individual at county hall who specialises in winding down charities, to understand what is involved when the time comes to dissolve, and any areas we may need to act on in the near future. Need to consider funds left in the bank at point of closure. Possibility that Highcliffe School may take over the preschool once Acorn is dissolved.
Next meeting
TBC – should only be planning of sports day to discuss before end of term.
Meeting closed.
ACORN UNDER 5's HIGHCLIFFE PRIMARY SCHOOL GREENGATE LANE, BIRSTALL, LEICESTER, LE4 3DL INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH 2024 2024 2023 INCOME LCC Grants Fees Fundraising Donations Gift Aid Interest Received 63761 39707 3559 118972 23200 5795 50 264 110 607 TOTAL RECEIPTS 107634 148391 Salaries Employer Pension Contributions Rent Equipment Consumables Telephone Repairs & Renewals Equipment Rentals Cleaning Website & IT Activities Subscriptions Advertising Small Claim Fees Accountancy Printing, Postage & Stationery Miscellaneous Expenses 83174 2973 8077 6685 1530 50 494 193 18 586 695 85 39 35 3600 78 40 78708 2787 11882 9650 2182 30 193 117 360 152 70 3250 67 TOTAL EXPENSES 108352 109448 EXCESS OF EXPENDITURE OVER INCOME (718) 38943
ACORN UNDER 5's HIGHCLIFFE PRIMARY SCHOOL GREENGATE LANE, BIRSTALL, LEICESTER, LE4 3DL BALANCE SHEET as at 31st MARCH 2024 2024 2023 CURRENT ASSETS Debtor- Vat Refund Community Bank Account Business Premium Bank Account 175 127853 50984 376 128977 50377 TOTAL ASSETS 179012 179730 Represented by :_ ACCUMULATED FUND Opening Balance Excess of Expenditure over Income 179730 (718) 140787 38943 179012 179730 ACCOUNTANTS REPORT In accordance with instructions received, I have prepared, without carrying out an audit, the attached Accounts from the accounting records, and from information and explanations supplied. A F TOMLINSON Accountant 9 February 2025