Church Preen Pre-school AGM
16th September 2020
Chair’s report
I had the pleasure of taking the Chair of the Pre-school in April 2020 following the resignation of Claire Selby. Claire held the role for many years, chairing the Pre-school through some tough times. The Committee and I would like to thank her for her commitment and service.
We ended the previous academic year (2018/19) on uncertain terms as we knew we had to register at least 3 children for their experience to be beneficial. Fortunately we succeeded and started the new academic year (2019/20) with 3 children enrolled. Subsequently this increased to 4 children with several new parents registering their interest for their child in the future. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and normal life as we knew it changed overnight. Maria and the team did a great job of keeping up to date and complying with the constantly changing advice from the Government, as well as keeping parents informed of the situation at Pre-school as the pandemic evolved. From 16th March, in line with Government guidance, Pre-school moved to the delay phase of the COVID-19 combat plan, isolating those with symptoms for 7 days. Full lockdown came into force on 23rd March, and during lockdown, Maria and the team continued to provide educational resources for our enrolled children, via email. The Pre-school was re-opened to care for key-worker children for a few weeks before the start of the summer holidays, in advance of fully reopening to all children at the start of the 2020/21 academic year, with COVID-19 precautions in place.
Over the year, we were able to advertise and fill a Deputy role as well as an Assistant role to replace Felicity Clark. We were sad to see Felicity go but would like to thank her for her contribution to the success of the Pre-school during her time with us. I would like to welcome our new Deputy, Marie Instan, and our new Assistant, Jemma Pugh, to the Pre-school, and to thank them for their continued support and enthusiasm over what has been a very unusual year. Although it does mean we have sadly lost them from the Committee, we are delighted that they are still playing an active part in developing the Pre-school. Maria, Marie and Jemma make a great team and I have every confidence they will work together well to provide the very best educational experience for the children and take the Pre-school forward into the future.
Before lockdown, the connection between Pre-school and the school was going from strength to strength. Pre-school was able to offer hot meal provision and wrap around care by utilising the school’s facilities, as well as being able to join in with school events, for example, the Olympic athlete visit. The school gained positive feedback from teachers and pupils regarding their interaction with the Pre-schoolers, and strengthening the link between the two establishments served to promote the feed-in from Pre-school to Reception. Sadly, this interaction stopped due to COVID-19, however I look forward to re-establishing this connection once it is safe to do so.
Sadly, the unexpected events of this academic year have thwarted our fundraising activities. We had a very successful “Breakfast with Santa” in December with the school which was well attended and enjoyed by both children and parents. Huge thanks go to Marie Instan and Clare Walshaw for their involvement in organising this and making it such a huge success. In this next year, we will resume our fundraising activities with renewed vigour, exploring alternative methods compliant with any COVID-19 restrictions. So all fundraising ideas are very welcome!
Previously, Neville Ward confirmed that Shropshire County Council was committed to fund the Pre-school for the 2019/20 academic year, which gave us much welcomed security. I am pleased to report that following a Zoom meeting with Neville earlier this year, the Council have committed to funding the Pre-school for 18 hours per week for the 2020/21 academic year, so that we now offer service provision from Monday-Wednesday. This was a great relief considering the substantial financial pressures that the pandemic has put upon the Government and the Councils this year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Neville and Shropshire County Council for their continued support which has been greatly appreciated by everyone involved with the Preschool. Their understanding and patience over the past year has been incredibly encouraging and has shown that they really do value the service we provide to the community.
Special thanks must go to Marie and her parents who have helped maintain the facilities at the hall over the past year, popping over to re-felt the shed roof and tidying up after storms, to name but a few. It’s thoughtful gestures like this that make you realise what a super team we have.
In closing, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Maria, Marie and Jemma who have worked so hard whilst remaining cheerful and positive during these unprecedented, unsettling and challenging times. You are all great assets to the Pre-school, adored by the children and you make this place the great setting that it is. I would also like to thank the members of the Committee (past and present) for their hard work and sacrificed time to ensure the success of the Pre-school. Many of you have tirelessly sought to promote the Pre-School wherever possible from strategic leaflet drops round the county to finding new areas to put up advertising banners. This is in addition to fulfilling your role on the Committee as well as fitting in everyday life (e.g. work, family) all whilst trying to survive a pandemic. You are all amazing.
I am sure that this year the Pre-school will go from strength to strength. We have a solid footing on which to start the new academic year, knowing we have a great team already in place along with financial support from the Council and new faces with fresh ideas joining the Committee. Thank you all and well done.
Kind Regards,
Abi Clutterbuck-James
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts ••• Section A Independent Examin•rfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of On accounts for the year ended Charity no lif any) Set out on pages Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in responsibilities of accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {"the Act"). trustees and examiner The charity's trustees cor)sider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility lo.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act. to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission (Ljnder section 14515llbl of the Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given examinerfs statement by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented wth those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the Iruslees Concerning any such matters. The prOdureS undertaken do not provide a11 the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited lo those matters set out in Ihe statement below. Independent In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my examiner's statement attention I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attenlion should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed- Date: L4 Ioei Ixozo Name: Relevant professional qualifi¢ationlsl or body (if any): IER May 2018
Address: Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief detai15 of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. E¥w sEr. IER May 2018