## First Steps Pre-School AGM
## Wednesday November 20[th] 2024
## Trustees Report
## Fundraising
Fundraising activities have continued to take place across the year. In October 2023, we held a sponsored obstacle course, this is always a fun activity for the children, and we were delighted with the amount raised. Our Christmas Fair took place in December and the Santa’s grotto was exceptionally popular, there was quite a queue to visit Father Christmas. It was a delight to see how much care and consideration he took to spend the time talking to each child. Without a doubt a very memorable experience for them. We held an Easter Bingo in March at the Community Centre, which helped to raise funds to support the development of the field. In June, our usual Summer Fair was a success with lots of games and outdoor activities for the children and their families to participate in. Above all, the fundraising events not only raise money for the pre-school but also provide an opportunity for families to come into the setting, meet the staff team and socialise with other families too. As a group we are thankful to our generous fundraising committee who give up their time to help organise these events. Without a doubt we would not raise the amount we do without their support.
We have used some of the money raised from the Autumn and Spring fundraising events to fund much needed developments on the field. A huge thanks must go to John Roberts who has given a significant amount of his own time to order and erect a substantial fence around the outer perimeter. He has also done some significant work to prepare the ground, bringing in a digger to move and level the soil, create a base for a shed and lay new grass seed. The field now has a designated mud kitchen area and a digging pit. Wildflower seeds have been sown and daffodils and lilies have been planted in beds and borders. The field continues to require maintenance and additional resources before we can use the field with the children in the Springtime.
Funding generated from the Summer Fair allowed us to purchase and resource a maths area within the setting. This has been a very popular addition to our continuous provision and already we have heard and witnessed some rich mathematical thinking and language from the children using it.
The money has also helped to pay for experiences for the children such as Living Eggs and The Purple Pig Company.
## Events
The annual Nativity was a success at the community centre. A small group of children have enjoyed weekly visits to Waterview Lodge to spend time with some of the visitors there. Overtime the children (and adults) built wonderful bonds and enjoyed playing games and making craft items together. We visited the fire station in May. The firefighters welcomed us, showed us around the station and helped the children dress up in their uniform. The children loved sitting in the engines but without a doubt the highlight of the visit was using the hose outside! Massive thanks to the team at Driffield Fire station. The
Rising Five children began their transition to school activities in May, being visited by staff from local schools and going to stay and play sessions in their EYFS settings. Parents evenings have taken place across the year, and we held an open day in April to invite prospective children and their parents into the setting to have a look at what we have to offer and to meet the staff.
## Training
Staff have participated in a range of training over the year. Including Deaf Awareness, Signing, Safeguarding, Paediatric First Aid and Food Hygiene. We implemented a new phonics scheme called Little Wandle Foundations in January and staff took part in the training required to deliver the programme. We have been fortunate to be on a pilot scheme for this, giving us free access to all resources and regular zoom support meetings. Due to the successful completion of the pilot scheme, we have been granted another year’s free membership for this. We continue to see the positive impact Little Wandle is having on the children’s early phonics and language skills.
## Funding changes
As part of the government’s plan to increase free childcare places, in April eligible twoyear-old children began accessing fifteen hours funding per week. From September this was extended to children from nine months old. We expect to see an increase in required hours for two-year-olds from September 2025 when this funding increases from fifteen to thirty hours for those eligible.
## Support
We continue to use the fund set up by our Deputy, Becky Moffat to help disadvantaged children. The fund helps with the purchase of uniform and support to cover lunchtime costs for those who need it.
## Staffing
At the end of February Pip Mountain retired from her role as Manager. She had led the setting for over thirty years and seen many changes and developments over this time. She has remained on the management committee to support the setting. First Steps PreSchool would not be the wonderful and amazing place that it is today without her hard work and dedication, and we send a huge thank you to her for this. Her support to the new manager has been invaluable, and we thank her for her patience and support as she guided her through the role throughout January and February.
We also said goodbye to Sarah Boyes in June, who left First Steps to take up a new role in another early years setting. She has certainly been very much missed but we continue to wish her well in her new role.
We would like 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 managed by an elected committee of volunteers who give up lots of their time and energy to the successful running of our group. This meeting tonight aims to highlight the work done over the past year and encourage others to become involved and help lead the group forwards.
Lastly, we would like to say a massive thank you to the staff team. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated and supportive group of people working at First Steps. Their hard work, perseverance and commitment to the setting and the children within it, is astounding and the very reason why First Steps Pre-School is such a wonderful place for any child to be.
**FIRST STEPS PRE-SCHOOL**
## **INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**
|**INCOME**
Fees
Funding
Other
**EXPENSES**
Rent
Wages and NIC
Insurance & Licences
Cleaning
Stationery, Paper & Paints
Provisions
Rates and Water
Electricity
Telephone, Internet & Website
General Expenses incl. vouchers
Training
General Repairs and Renewals
Accountancy Fees
Professional Fees
Equipment
Teachers 2 Parents
Fruit / Food
Hire of Equipment
Bank Charges
Transfer to fundraising account
Depreciation of Computer Equipment
**EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE**|**£**
23,538
161,004
838
5,272
146,751
1,475
481
563
506
1,348
8,862
1,470
2,108
209
671
276
50
1,952
200
769
720
63
595
212
**2024**|**£**
185,380
174,553
10,827|**£**
**£**
25,001
135,320
583
160,904
5,280
127,379
1,383
479
539
537
1,043
6,530
887
1,694
954
1,898
264
-
1,830
320
603
720
78
-
50
152,468
8,436
**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|
**FIRST STEPS PRE-SCHOOL**
**FUNDRAISING AND EVENTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**
|**INCOME**
Sponsored Obstacle
Tractor Run
Tesco Grants
Co-op
Christmas Fayre/Nativity
Venesta Refund
Bingo
Other
Bags to School
Quiz night
Teatowels
Donations
Summer fair
**EXPENDITURE**
Lottery Licence
Tesco bid
Toys
Living Eggs
Raffle
Supplies
Music
Charges
TTS
Books
Teatowels
Kitchen fitting
Field Expenses
Other
Farm Visit
New maths area
Zoolab
Depreciation of shed & lawnmower
Event payments
**EXCESS OF EXPENDITURE OVER INCOME**|**£**
1,153
-
-
-
1,131
515
383
190
30
341
575
1,686
931
20
-
300
294
75
738
131
85
-
69
270
600
1,990
144
250
619
-
230
298
**2024**|**£**
6,933
6,112
822|**£**
**£**
951
1,652
1,500
380
1,058
-
-
262
81
483
420
-
1,371
8,157
-
40
1,119
294
75
439
133
106
352
165
270
-
-
-
-
-
394
-
165
3,550
4,606
**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|
## **FIRST STEPS PRE-SCHOOL**
## **SUMMARY OF ASSETS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024**
|**BALANCES AS AT 1 SEPTEMBER 2023**
Bank Current Account
Fundraising Account
Cash in Hand - General
- Fundraising
Improvements to Property
Computer Equipment
Excess of Income over Expenditure
General Expenses
Fundraising and Events
**BALANCES AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024**
Bank Current Account
Fundraising Account
Cash in Hand - General
Lawmower
Improvements to Property
Shed
Computer Equipment|**£**
10,827
822
**2024**|**£**
47,513
6,892
23
-
54,428
7,176
-
61,604
11,649
73,252
57,891
6,184
46
64,121
270
7,176
1,260
425
73,252|**£**
**£**
38,883
9,626
2
-
48,511
50
48,561
8,436
4,606
13,042
61,603
47,512
6,892
23
54,427
7,176
-
61,603
**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|
These accounts have been prepared from the books and records presented to us by First Steps Pre-School.
Jackson Robson Licence Chartered Accountants Date: 20th November 2024
## **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 2024**
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 20th November 2024.
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