First Steps Pre-school AGM
Thursday November 23[rd] 2023
Trustee’s Report
At long last, life returned to normal again for the start of term in September 2022 and the changes implemented over the past couple of years because of Covid became a thing of the past.
The year began with the sad news of the Queen’s death and we quickly changed our initial plans for the children to try and incorporate activities which were part of the national feeling. We visited the memorial set up in the middle of town and took flowers and a special Corgi decoration made specially for her. We spent time talking about the Royal family and what they do for us all. We returned to the Royal theme later in the year when we had lots of celebrations to mark the King’s Coronation – the street party we held in May was much easier to explain to the children!
The staff team have to complete a variety of training courses and November marked the time to renew our First Aid Qualification which has to be updated every three years. This was delivered by FAB training over 12 hours here at First Steps and thankfully, everyone passed. Safeguarding and Food Hygiene Courses are other examples of training that needs to be regularly updated. The staff also attend regular special educational needs updates as well as legislation briefings from the local authority. We have annual visits from our Development Advisor and also are in regular contact with our Area Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator who gives invaluable support to the group and to Gem Broadhead who is our Senco here.
As outlined in last year’s report, the rising costs of providing childcare have been a challenge but we have had fantastic support from our parents who have supported a slight increase in our fees and have willingly agreed to pay a small voluntary contribution raised to cover any additional provisions or activities that we provide. This is a voluntary contribution to the group but most parents have supported us and have understood the reasons behind it.
Fundraising activities continue to take place and are always well supported. In October we held a sponsored obstacle course for the children to take part in and we were absolutely delighted by the total amount raised from something which is lots of
fun for the children too. We held our Christmas Fair once again after it’s long break from Covid and the children loved Santa and the grotto created in the Pod for them. We even managed to have an audience for our Nativity Play at Christmas too. Visitors from the Limes Residential Care Home joined us and loved every minute of it. We held a quiz night for parents and friends in February and took part in the annual Tractor Run in April which raises a phenomenal amount of money for ourselves and the Firefighters Charity. In June we held our usual Summer Fair with lots of games and outdoor activities for families to participate in. Above all, events like these not only raise money for the group but provide an opportunity for families to see the setting, meet the staff team and meet up with other families who attend.
We used a significant amount of money to replace the children’s toilet cubicles over the Summer. The old ones had been in place for over 20 years and had definitely seen better days. The new ones are child friendly, bright, colourful and easy to maintain. Massive thanks must go to Sam Jeffrey from the fundraising group who organised the installation and approached local businesses to donate time or resources to help us, Calvert’s Carpets donated the floor covering, Stuart Newlove’s Joinery team did the work at cost as did the decorator, Alan Hawkins, who only charged for the paint he used.
Fundraising money also goes towards buying new resources. We bought lots of physical play equipment this year – balance steps, tunnel, parachute as well as construction toys and equipment more suited to our younger children such as Playmobil 123. The money also helps with experiences for the children such as Living Eggs and Zoolab. We hoped to take the children out on a trip this year but found that the cost of transport was prohibitive and would result in the cost for parents to pay becoming too high. We consequently put our plans on hold.
Our Deputy, Becky Moffat, set up a fund to help disadvantaged parents this year. She approached a number of businesses in the area who were happy to donate money to help families in need. We have purchased uniform which we will give to those who need it and have recently used the money to provide wellies for children and toys at Christmas time. This is in addition to our second-hand uniform exchange which is always in operation. We are aware of families who need our support and can use the money to support lunchtime costs and trips out if they should ever be able to take place again! Our thanks go out to those who have helped us.
As we were unable to use coaches for visits, we arranged to visit the fire station instead. The firefighters welcomed us, showed the children around the station, helped them dress up in their uniform and sit in the engines. Best of all though was
using the hose outside and firing water at the buildings! Massive thanks to the team at Driffield Fire Station. We also welcomed the Police to First Steps. PC Fotheringham brought his car here along with lots of hats, helmets, handcuffs and information. The children of course, loved the siren on the car the best…
We have been in discussions for the past three years with East Yorkshire Council, to acquire some of the land behind our building as outlined in last year’s report. We are delighted to announce that we have now signed the lease for the land adjoining our garden and are now able to move forward with our plans to extend the children’s play area. We are now in discussions with representatives from the adjoining Rifle Club to organise a fence to divide the land and ensure the safety of the children. We will then be in a position to create access to the field from our current garden and level and prepare the land. Much of our current fundraising money is to be set aside for this project. We hope to encourage parents to become involved too. More information will follow in the coming months.
In July we said goodbye to one of our much-loved members of staff as June retired after working for us for over 30 years. We held a surprise party for her and the children had lots of lovely things to give her. The staff team miss working with her and miss her experience and kindness but wish her well in her new ventures - we are sure that she’s loving everything she is able to do now.
We are also saying goodbye to two members of our management team as they also move on. Amanda has been our chair here for many years but is finally stepping down due to work and family commitments. Tricia has also been our secretary for many years and feels the time is now right to let someone else take over. We would like to say a massive thank you for all the help and support they’ve given to First Steps over the years.
Kate has kindly agreed to become our new Secretary and Fran our new Chairperson.
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 our staff but they are accountable to, and ultimately managed by, an elected committee of volunteers who give lots of their time and energy to the successful running of our group. This meeting tonight aims to highlight the work done and encourage others to become involved and help lead the group forwards.
Last of all, we must thank the staff team for all their hard work here at First Steps. They all work incredibly hard to provide the care and time that all our children need and deserve. Without them, the group could not function and would certainly not be the successful and well-respected place it is today.
FIRST STEPS PRE-SCHOOL
INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
| INCOME Fees Funding Other EXPENSES Rent Wages and NIC Insurance & Licences Cleaning Printing and Stationery Provisions Paper & Paint Rates and Water Electricity Telephone, Internet & Website General Expenses Training General Repairs and Renewals Accountancy Fees Equipment Teachers 2 Parents Tractor Run Fruit / Food Hire of Equipment Bank Charges Depreciation of Computer Equipment |
£ £ 25,001 135,320 583 160,904 5,280 127,379 1,383 479 517 537 22 1,043 6,530 887 1,694 954 1,898 264 1,830 320 - 603 720 78 50 2023 |
£ £ 25,297 111,113 3,756 139,663 5,854 121,639 722 428 212 685 - 1,040 2,083 925 2,090 - 1,736 240 1,208 282 650 882 - 57 174 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE | 152,468 8,436 |
140,907 |
|---|---|---|
| 741 - |
FIRST STEPS PRE-SCHOOL
FUNDRAISING AND EVENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
| INCOME Sponsored Obstacle Tractor Run Tesco Grants Co-op Christmas Fayre/Nativity Toy Sale General Fundraising Other Bags to School Quiz night Teatowels Summer fair EXPENDITURE Tractor run insurance Tesco bid Toys Living Eggs Raffle Supplies Music Charges TTS Books Teatowels Zoolab Event payment |
£ £ 951 1,652 1,500 380 1,058 - - 262 81 483 420 1,371 8,158 - 40 1,119 294 75 439 133 106 352 165 270 394 165 2023 |
£ £ 1,404 2,774 - - 1,255 149 500 295 203 - - 1,544 8,124 414 - 1,309 294 150 664 490 79 641 95 - 233 - 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| EXCESS OF EXPENDITURE OVER INCOME | 3,552 4,606 |
4,368 |
|---|---|---|
| 3,755 |
FIRST STEPS PRE-SCHOOL
SUMMARY OF ASSETS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023
| BALANCES AS AT 1 SEPTEMBER 2022 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 2023 Bank Current Account Fundraising Account Cash in Hand - General Improvements to Property Computer Equipment Creditors |
£ - 8,436 4,606 - 2023 |
£ 38,882 9,626 2 - 48,510 50 48,560 13,042 61,602 47,512 6,892 23 54,427 7,176 - - 61,602 |
£ £ 39,415 5,871 36 - 45,321 224 - 45,545 741 - 3,755 3,015 48,560 38,882 9,626 2 48,510 - 50 - - 48,560 2022 |
£ £ 39,415 5,871 36 - 45,321 224 - 45,545 741 - 3,755 3,015 48,560 38,882 9,626 2 48,510 - 50 - - 48,560 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45,321 224 |
||||
| 45,545 3,015 |
||||
| 48,560 | ||||
| 38,882 9,626 2 |
||||
| 48,510 - 50 |
||||
| - | ||||
| 48,560 |
These accounts have been prepared from the books and records presented to us by First Steps Pre-School.
Jackson Robson Licence Chartered Accountants Date: 21st November 2023
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:
(a) examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011;
(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
- (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 Year Ended 31st August 2023
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 21st November 2023.
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