## Trustees' Annual Report 24/25 Charity Name: Manthorpe Playgroup Charity Number: 1035915 Principal Address: low road, manthorpe, NG31 8NQ ## Structure, Governance and Management The charity is governed by its constitution and managed by a board of volunteer trustees. The trustees are responsible for the overall governance, financial management and strategic direction of the playgroup. Day-to-day operations are delegated to the Manager and staff team. ## Objectives and Activities The charity's objective is to provide accessible, affordable, high-quality early years education and childcare for children aged 2 to school age within the local community. The trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and are satisfied that the charity's activities further its charitable purposes for the public benefit. The playgroup provides a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment where children can learn through play, develop social skills and prepare for their transition to school. Support is provided for children with additional needs, and partnerships are maintained with families and other professionals to promote positive outcomes for all children. ## Achievements and Performance During the year, the playgroup continued to provide high-quality childcare and early years education to local families. Key achievements included: - Delivering childcare and learning opportunities for children aged 2years to school age. During the year, the number of children attending the playgroup increased steadily from 11 to 18 at the end of the summer term 2025. - Supporting children's development in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). - Promoting children's wellbeing, confidence and independence through a wide range of play-based activities. - Working closely with parents and carers to support children's learning and development. - Maintaining robust safeguarding procedures and staff training. - Supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities where required. - Fundraising activities throughout the year included raffles, Christmas and Easter fairs, a summer term open day, bags2school, SKDC lottery, Easy fundraising online, and participation in a local swimarathon event. These activities generated valuable support for the playgroup and helped strengthen links with the local community. The playgroup also supported national charities eg red nose day and children in need. - The playgroup also received significant support from Allison Homes, whose contribution helped achieve the goal of transforming one of the outdoor areas into a forest-style learning environment. This new area was officially opened in May 2025 and has been used regularly for outdoor-themed learning activities, providing enhanced opportunities for children's exploration, creativity and development. The trustees are grateful for the commitment of staff, volunteers and families who have contributed to the success of the playgroup throughout the year. ## Financial Review The charity's principal sources of income were childcare fees, government early years funding and fundraising activities. Total income for the year was £[amount]. Total expenditure for the year was £[amount]. At the end of the financial year, the charity held total funds of £[amount]. The trustees are satisfied with the charity's financial position and continue to monitor income and expenditure carefully. ## Reserves Policy The trustees aim to maintain sufficient reserves to cover essential operating costs and to ensure the continuity of services in the event of unexpected financial pressures. Reserves are reviewed regularly as part of the charity's financial management processes. ## Risk Management The trustees regularly review the risks facing the charity. Key areas considered include: - Safeguarding and child protection. - Recruitment and retention of qualified staff. - Financial sustainability. - Health and safety. - Regulatory compliance. Appropriate policies and procedures are in place to minimise these risks. ## Future Plans The charity aims to: - Continue providing high-quality childcare and early years education. - Maintain and develop staff training and professional development. - Enhance learning resources and outdoor play opportunities. - Strengthen partnerships with families and the local community. - Ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the playgroup. - In response to identified community demand, the trustees recognised the need to extend the playgroup service by reducing the minimum age of children accepted to 9 months. Measures were put in place during the year to enable this expansion, with a proposed date for this to commence in September 2025. Signed: Hayley Pearson Trustee Charity number 1035915 MANTHORPE PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP HALLACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 3110812025 INCOME Car Parking 420 Donation 60 Wayleave Interèst 75 Playgroup Income 417 976 976 EXPENSES Electritity Insurance 437 863 Maintenan 1508 Garden 675 Business rate£ 317 SKDCraffle 20 Water 321 7747 LOSS 167711 Charity number 1035915 MANTHORPE PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP YEAR ENDED 3110812025 INCOME FEES LCC FUNDING 42092 FUND RAISING 2097 VOLCONS & MISC 267 Uniforms 39 53395 EXPENSES WAGES 54751 INSURANCE TRAINING 191 POST/STATIONERY 458 FUND RAISING 704 BUILDING MTCE 405 GENERAL EXPENSES 4CP33 PG CLOTHING io BANK CHARGES 115 61675 NEf INCOME/ILOSS) {82801 HALL LOSS {6771) Indewknt Examiners Rewrt to the Tn*ees of Mantlmxpe Pre. SdKK)I Playgroup. I report on the acc(yJnts of the Playgroup for the year ended 31 August 2025 as set out on the pages endose Respective Responsibilities of Tntstees arld Exani As the charitVs tnjstees you are responsible for the preparation of the aco)unts: you C￿SIder that the audit reqU1￿ment￿f secticMI 43121 of the Charities Att 1993 does nota￿ly.It is my Yesr￿s1b1llty to state. on the basis of prctedures s￿fied in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under sedion43(7){b) of the Att.whether parti0j￿r mattets have come to my attentioJL Basis tsf Independent Examinerfs Report My examination was carried out in ar(￿dan￿ *ith the Gewal t*rections by the d*rity Commis5ioner&an examinati(¥) indudes a revi￿ of the act(xmtirw records kept separately by eath of the treasurers for the Playgroup and the hall letti￿ and a tomparison of the actounts presented with these records.lt also indudes c(w￿lderatic￿ of any unusual Items or disdosures in the accounts,and seekinE e￿anatiOr￿ frLNn yw as trustees C(¥￿irE any suth matters.The procedures undertaken do not prolide all the eviden￿ thatwcKdd be required in an audi¢and consequentty I do not express an audit orinion on the view aiven by the a(t(wJnt Independent Examinerfs Statement No matter has come to my attention 11 Whith gives reasonable cau* to bdieve that in any material respertthe requirements . To keep acc(MJntir* records in acc(Kthno with section 41 of theAct." accounting requirements of the ACL have not been met 21 To which.in myopinion ￿tten￿ SIK￿ld be thavm in to enable a proper J E PAYNE 62 Westerdale Road,Grantham Lincs NG318EI 41tK/20&