## **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