First Steps Pre-school AGM
Wednesday December 1st 2021
Trustees Report
September 2020 arrived with a return to more normal arrangements for everyone. Covid still dominated our thoughts but we worked hard to ensure that the children settled well. They were back in full numbers with fewer restrictions on the organisation of the setting. We held welcome sessions for the children and parents but were careful to ensure that the visits were carefully managed. Small groups attended to meet the keyworkers, see the environment and ask any questions.
We made the decision to keep the same arrival and departure arrangements for the children as feedback from parents let us know that they preferred this. Children still have staggered arrival and departure slots and parents do not enter the building unless they have a specific need to do so.
We decided that it was important to give parents the opportunity to talk to their child’s keyworker however, so organised face to face parent’s evenings with strict appointment times. This worked well and was much appreciated. Telephone appointments were offered to those who preferred them and written reports distributed.
Meetings with the local authority began to take place via teams and all training offered to staff is now accessed through the same platform – remote learning has its place but the opportunity to network with other organisations has been lost. Committee meetings now take place via zoom but have been constructive and supportive nonetheless.
Fundraising events have taken a back seat throughout the pandemic but we managed to hold a sponsored obstacle course for the children in the Autumn term which raised a significant amount of money. Parents have acknowledged that our funds are strained and do their best to support us. Additionally, the children had fun during the event. We were unable to hold our usual Christmas fair but managed to raise money through a raffle instead. We were very fortunate to be nominated for a grant through one of our parents and were
delighted to receive £900 of matched funding which we used to provide lots of outdoor equipment for the children.
Christmas posed additional problems as things began to change with increased covid cases. We held our usual Nativity play but sadly made the decision to have no audience. We videoed the event and ensured that every child was fully represented in it. Christmas parties took place with a remote visit from Father Christmas but were still happy events.
We were unable to have our usual open day for new starters in the Spring term but offered individual visits for parents as needed. Communication takes place now primarily by email and telephone conversations but parents are very accepting of this. Our waiting list has not been affected significantly and we remain a popular setting within the area.
Lateral flow tests were introduced for staff in March and all staff follow guidelines to test twice weekly as recommended by the government.
In these changing times however, we need to remind people that we are a group for the local community, we are a registered charity and we are a non profit making organisation. We are very different to other organisations which are run privately and as a business. We obviously employ staff but they are accountable and ultimately managed by an elected committee of volunteers who give lots of their time and energy to the successful running of the group. This meeting tonight aims to highlight the work done and encourage others to become involved.
Above all, we are a team and we try our very best to provide a welcoming, inclusive and caring environment for all the children in our setting.
FIRST STEPS PRE-SCHOOL
INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021
| INCOME Fees Funding Donations EXPENSES Rent Wages and NIC Insurance & Licences Staff Training Printing and Stationery Provisions Paper & Paint Rates and Water Electricity Outdoor Area & Lighting New Building Telephone, Internet & Website General Expenses General Repairs and Renewals Accountancy Fees Equipment Fruit Hire of Equipment Depreciation of Computer Equipment |
£ £ 23567 79600 5 103172 5250 113169 1031 - 235 774 1155 748 2916 - - 789 2326 1891 240 402 678 564 315 2021 |
£ £ 11182 155708 - 166890 5390 104845 1208 660 95 694 1567 683 2368 4020 6851 875 1186 1341 240 231 571 582 299 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE | 132483 (29311) |
133706 33184 |
|---|---|---|
FIRST STEPS PRE-SCHOOL
FUNDRAISING AND EVENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021
| INCOME Sponsored Obstacle Photographs Pavers Christmas Fayre/Nativity Race Night Sponsor Money & General Fundraising Raffle Bags to School Interest Bingo Night EXPENDITURE Coach Trips Equipment Magician Hall Hire Living Eggs Raffle & Race Night Supplies Website domain Sundry Expenses Sweatshirts Summer Fayre EXCESS OF EXPENDITURE OVER INCOME |
£ £ 1471 - 900 1487 - - 953 - 7 - 4818 1918 125 32 294 75 639 3082 1735 2021 |
£ £ - 202 - 1740 799 240 - - 2 683 3667 - 324 - 57 - 75 233 - - 32 - 721 2946 2020 |
|---|---|---|
FIRST STEPS PRE-SCHOOL
SUMMARY OF ASSETS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021
| BALANCES AS AT 1 SEPTEMBER 2020 Bank Current Account Fundraising Account Cash in Hand - General - Fundraising Computer Equipment Creditors Excess of Income over Expenditure General Expenses Fundraising and Events BALANCES AS AT 31 AUGUST 2021 Bank Current Account Fundraising Account Cash in Hand - General - Fundraising Computer Equipment Creditors |
£ £ 68240 4142 35 23 72440 688 - - 73128 (29311) 1735 (27576) 45552 39415 5871 36 - 45321 224 - 45545 2021 |
£ £ 31496 5023 40 117 36676 322 - - 36998 33184 2946 36130 73128 68240 4142 35 23 72440 688 - 73128 2020 |
|---|---|---|
These accounts have been prepared from the books and records prepared to us by First Steps Pre-School.
Jackson Robson Licence Chartered Accountants Date: 19/11/2021
Report of the Independent Examiners of First Steps Pre-School Driffield
We report on the accounts of First Steps Pre-School Driffield for the year ended 31st August 2021.
Respective responsibilities of trustees 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 and that an independent examination is needed.
It is our responsibility to:
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(a) examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011;
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(b) follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission ( under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011) and
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(c) state whether any particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of the independent examiner's report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In the course of our examination no matter has come to our attention:
- (1) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that:
(a) proper accounting records are kept ( in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011 ); and
(b) accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 2011; or
(2) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed by: Jackson Robson Licence
Chartered Accountants 33-35 Exchange Street Driffield YO25 6LL
on 19th November 2021.
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