- Annual Report for Little Explorers Pre School (Year ending 31/8/2022)
The Pre-School accepts funded and non-funded children, aged 2-4, from the Greenstead Estate and the surrounding area. The majority of the income that the Pre-School obtains is from Essex County council based on an annual contract where children are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week. Depending on an individual child’s needs further pupil funding can be applied for through a Special Education Needs grant, again from the local Council. Extra income is also raised through the committee organising small fundraising events, like raffles which help to pay towards trips and new play equipment for the children. Grants can also be applied for from other agencies as the Pre-School is a registered charity.
In September 2021 there were 18 children starting but by the end of the academic year there were 27. The Pre-School supported one child with special educational needs with one-to-one support for part of her learning day. Extra paperwork was completed to support this, and grant payments were received from Essex County Council.
Ring fenced funding was obtained for new outdoor play area flooring and new fencing. Both were installed in September 2021 and a total of £4,000 was paid over to the Community centre, where the Pre=school is based, for the work during this reporting period. (Nov 2021).
In February 2022 a £500 grant was obtained from Colchester Borough Homes to enable the Pre-School to purchased new outdoor equipment to enhance the new outside area. Gardening pots, Gazebo, climbing frame and slide and a Trampoline were all purchased.
Then in May 2022 another grant was awarded from Colchester Borough Homes to fund £350 towards the cost of a coach for the end of year outing to Walton beach.
Later in the year, June 2022, Arnold Clark awarded a grant of £500 for enhancing the outside shed for better use as a sensory/quite area.
Expenditure is focused on the Pre-School’s day-to-day business. Expenses include staff wages, payroll via third party accountancy firm (Beaumont Seymour), Ofsted registration, ongoing staff training, rent, food, cleaning materials, Early Years Alliance registration and insurance, telephone, office equipment and resources/equipment for the children.
Five members of staff are employed in total, all working directly with the children and working a 20 hour week over 4 days. On top of this staff are paid one hour for the monthly staff meeting. Staff are paid between £9 - £10.55 depending on extra duties. Two members of staff took on the role of joint leaders and did NOT take a pay increase this reporting period for the extra duties that they took on. (Staff are paid in line with the minimum wage guidelines set by the government) A staff member also collects food donations via the Food Fare scheme to help the Pre-School with keeping its snack costs low.
All staff receive polo shirts as uniform free of charge and a Christmas meal is paid for as recognition of their hard work throughout the year.
The Pre-Schools committee held a raffle at Christmas to raise funds for the end of year trip to the beach. This trip well attended by families and a great time was had by all.
May 2022 Jubilee celebrations were held, and the children were joined by their families to a tea party and games event. All children received a commemorative jubilee medal along with their party bag to mark the special occasion. Staff also helped the children design their special Jubilee tea towel and a card was sent to the Queen.
The year end funds held by the Pre-School continue to remain healthy and this will enable the Pre-School to continue providing a valuable childcare service to its community.
Little Explorers Cash Flow {£s) Year 21912021- 311812022 2021122 2020121 Essex County Funding Fundraising & Donations Preschool Fees Uniform/Bags/Scrap Books SEN Grant Other Grants Sundry 63,598,80 516.50 2,880.90 115.68 1,725,00 2,850.00 517.85 71,267.25 0.00 1,293.65 519.03 1,490.40 3,070.00 14,003.92 Income 72,204.73 91,644.25 Wages Inland Revenue Beaumont Seymour Fees Staff Training Preschool Uniform Rent Office/Postage/Stationary Phone Cleaning Materials PPE Costs EYA Membership & Insurance Ofsted Fee & DBS Snacks/Refreshments Outings Art & Craft Materials Play Equipment Sundry Expendiiure 45,282.14 254.83 390.00 71,260.29 1,891.05 518.40 205.20 210,12 8,250.00 222.59 1,285.20 310,30 8,250.00 765.09 131,89 312.14 27.24 536.95 43.10 111.24 450.00 207,58 464.03 133.26 336.97 0.00 590.67 115.00 162.48 335.00 2,137,89 0.00 4,585.08 I6,5.00 Expenditur8 61,684.13 104,591.60 Net Cashflow 10,520.60 (12,947.35) Opening Balance Bank + Cash 38,309.27 51,231.58 Net Cashflow Petty Cash Balance 2020-21 Closing Balance Bank + Cash 10,520.60 {12,947.35) 25.04 48,829.87 38,309.27