Managers’ Report 2023-2024
Welcome to the Annual General Meeting of Catsfield Preschool. We appreciate your presence and support as we reflect on the past year and look ahead to our future. This report provides an overview of our achievements, challenges, and plans for the upcoming year.
Demographics
Children
As of the 2023-2024 academic year, we have enrolled 22 children, aged between age 2 and 4. Our cohort last year reflects the local community. With lower diverse cultures and rising numbers of special educational needs. This diversity enriches our learning environment and fosters an inclusive culture.
Funding
We continue to receive funding through various sources, including:
Government Funding:
In summer term we had:
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4 children on two-year-old funding for working parents 15hrs
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6 children on 3-4-year-old funding extended offer of 30hrs
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6 children on 3-4-year-old funding for 15 hrs
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1 child on 3-4-year-old early years pupil premium 15hrs
Fee paying Parents
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2 parents paying fees with children at other settings
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5 parents paying fees for additional hours.
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These funds have been crucial in maintaining our high-quality educational standards and providing additional resources.
This September we are already equalling the numbers of children with us compared to this time last year, however we have 5 new children due to start with us over the next year 2 of which are sibling and 3 that have been on our waiting list.
This will bring our Total to 22. I’m mindful that a lot more of these children will be eligible for the stretched 30hrs funding and that we must leave space to accommodate this.
Staffing Numbers and Wage Rise
This year, we employed a total of 4 staff members, consisting of 4 part-time educators. This has been increased to employ Jess Gower who has worked at the preschool for over 15 years, who was previous deputy manager, and bank staff.
This has been funded by taking on more two year-olds and opening on a Wednesday 9-1 for a small rising 5s group who all receive stretched offer funding. All staff took a small equal cut in hours this September to help accommodate Jess, with a view to these increasing gradually throughout the year. We are delighted to have her valued experience and kind nature with us.
We are proud to announce a wage rise for all our staff, effective from April 23, This was in line with and slightly above the minimum wage increase, reflecting our commitment to fair compensation and recognizing their hard work. This increase will help retain our skilled workforce, at a time when a lot of early years teams are struggling to keep and find experienced staff.
Training
We believe in continuous professional development for our staff. Over the past year, staff members participated in training programs focusing on:
Early Years Education: Maths mastery training Sensory Circuits Training
Child Development. Speech and language link training.
Safeguarding and Welfare: Designated Safeguarding lead Training (Toni) First aid Training (Toni)
This investment in training has improved our educational practices and enhanced the quality of care we provide.
Plans for the Future.
Looking ahead, we aim to:
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Have better connections between observations and next steps, clearly outlining to parents the ranges from Birth to Five matters in their child’s next steps. Giving clearer assessments and better planning. This will help us achieve a consistent outstanding level of teaching across the board as advised by Ofsted.
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Increase Community Engagement: Organize events and outings and learning that involve families and the wider community, fostering stronger connections.
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Update first aid training for 3 staff members.
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Enrol Jess in a level three Forest school qualification with a view to taking the school up on being able to use their Forest school facilities.
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Continue to invest in staff training around Music, literacy, and Makaton.
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Continue to raise funds with the committee around special events to support our generated income.
Income Generated
In the past year, we have doubled the generated income of £32,000 to £62.000, primarily through increased children, better management of fees and funding. Clearer projections for each term.
I’m proud to have invested just over £4000 into the preschool over the summer to renovate our new cupboard and refresh and overhaul our resources. This has transformed our daily running efficiency, impacted our curriculum and learning opportunities.
Yet still provided us with a healthy £7363.00 profit for the year.
Fundraising Events: We thank our brilliant committee for their support to raise an amazing…. £1609.40
These funds have been vital in maintaining the opportunities we can offer the children. Like the trip to Sharnfold farm, having chicks, Christmas and end of term parties, new nativity props and costumes, and so much more.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart you are making the preschool a better place not only for your own but for all the children present and future who will join us.
Additional Relevant Information
Health and Safety: We have conducted regular audits to ensure compliance with safety standards, ensuring a safe environment for our children.
All Policies have been reviewed with a few being renewed.
Ofsted inspection has been completed and passed with good in all areas which we were pleased with.
A full Management and two-year-old audit was completed.
Parent Engagement:
We value parent feedback and have sent out questionnaires and had regular meetings throughout the year to discuss child progress and create next steps.
We would like parents to comment and give more feed back regarding their child’s learning on the family app, and also share their child’s learning at home.
All the children we sent to School last year have settled well and are continuing their journeys confidently.
Conclusion
We are grateful for the support of our parents, staff, and community. Together, we can continue to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment for our children. We look forward to another successful year and invite new parents to come on board and help us be able to run the Preschool. And thank our amazing committee for your continued involvement and support and feedback.
Kerry Ball Preschool Manager.
Chair report:
2023-2024 Has been a profitable and well run year. We have seen in depth support from our local community and pre school families and have raised a phenomenal amount of money.
The staff were pleased to receive pay rises above the expected minimum wage rise and we hope to continue to support them to expand their knowledge with investment into further training.
Katherine Reed Pre School Committee Chair
| CHARITY NUMBER : 1036464 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME AND EXPENDITURE REPORT | |||||||
| YEAR ENDING 31st AUGUST 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| INCOME | |||||||
| EAST SUSSEX GENERAL PAYMENTS | 45,127.57 | 22,816 | 31,928 | 28,275 | 37,242 | 16,838 | 26,663 |
| SCHOOL CHILD FEES | 15,308.40 | 9,395 | 2,421 | 1,831 | 6,436 | 7,752 | 2,499 |
| FUNDRAISING | 1,609.40 | 202.00 | 81 | 163 | 379 | 1,133 | 4,024 |
| MICELLANEOUS | 210.25 | ||||||
| INTEREST | 0.00 | 4.00 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 62,255.62 | 32,418 | 34,430 | 30,269 | 44,063 | 25,723 | 33,186 | |
| EXPENDITURE | |||||||
| STAFF WAGES | -39,134.69 | -30,439 | -34,928 | -25,160 | -26,181 | -25,014 | -24,423 |
| NEW RESOURCES | -4,234.85 | -30,439 | 31,928 | -25,160 | -26,181 | ||
| RENTAL OF PREMISES | -4,947.00 | -4,245 | -2,421 | -3,631 | -5,075 | -3,628 | -4,714 |
| INSURANCE | -311.14 | ||||||
| GROCERIES | -964.48 | ||||||
| VARIOUS EXPENCES & PURCHASES | -3,487.46 | -1,473 | -459 | -274 | -1,579 | -955 | -1,288 |
| HMRC | -1,596.80 | ||||||
| FEES | -120.12 | ||||||
| -54,796.54 | -36,737 | -37,647 | (30,573} | -33,143 | -29,697 | -30,891 | |
| SURPLUS/DEFICIT | 7,459.08 | -4,319 | -3,217 | -303 | -10,920 | -3,974 | 2,296 |
COMPILED by ALEC GALLOWAY. I DO CONFIRM THESE ACCOUNTS REPRESENT A TRUE REFLECTION OF THE ASSOCIATION'S FINANCIAL POSITION. Checked by LAURENCE TAYLOR MIAB ~~=~~
I DO CONFIRM THESE ACCOUNTS REPRESENT A TRUE REFLECTION OF THE ASSOCIATION'S FINANCIAL POSITION.
| CHARITY NUMBER : 1036464 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME AND EXPENDITURE REPORT | |||||||
| YEAR ENDING 31st AUGUST 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| INCOME | |||||||
| EAST SUSSEX GENERAL PAYMENTS | 45,127.57 | 22,816 | 31,928 | 28,275 | 37,242 | 16,838 | 26,663 |
| SCHOOL CHILD FEES | 15,308.40 | 9,395 | 2,421 | 1,831 | 6,436 | 7,752 | 2,499 |
| FUNDRAISING | 1,609.40 | 202.00 | 81 | 163 | 379 | 1,133 | 4,024 |
| MICELLANEOUS | 210.25 | ||||||
| INTEREST | 0.00 | 4.00 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 62,255.62 | 32,418 | 34,430 | 30,269 | 44,063 | 25,723 | 33,186 | |
| EXPENDITURE | |||||||
| STAFF WAGES | -39,134.69 | -30,439 | -34,928 | -25,160 | -26,181 | -25,014 | -24,423 |
| NEW RESOURCES | -4,234.85 | -30,439 | 31,928 | -25,160 | -26,181 | ||
| RENTAL OF PREMISES | -4,947.00 | -4,245 | -2,421 | -3,631 | -5,075 | -3,628 | -4,714 |
| INSURANCE | -311.14 | ||||||
| GROCERIES | -964.48 | ||||||
| VARIOUS EXPENCES & PURCHASES | -3,487.46 | -1,473 | -459 | -274 | -1,579 | -955 | -1,288 |
| HMRC | -1,596.80 | ||||||
| FEES | -120.12 | ||||||
| -54,796.54 | -36,737 | -37,647 | (30,573} | -33,143 | -29,697 | -30,891 | |
| SURPLUS/DEFICIT | 7,459.08 | -4,319 | -3,217 | -303 | -10,920 | -3,974 | 2,296 |
COMPILED by ALEC GALLOWAY. I DO CONFIRM THESE ACCOUNTS REPRESENT A TRUE REFLECTION OF THE ASSOCIATION'S FINANCIAL POSITION. Checked by LAURENCE TAYLOR MIAB ~~=~~
I DO CONFIRM THESE ACCOUNTS REPRESENT A TRUE REFLECTION OF THE ASSOCIATION'S FINANCIAL POSITION.