The Purpose and Aims of the Pre-School
To enhance the development and education of children primarily under statutory school age by encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups and by:
a. offering appropriate play, education and care facilities, family learning and extended hours groups, together with the right of parents to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of such groups, ensuring that such groups offer opportunities for all children whatever their race, culture, religion, means or ability
b. encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs in the local areas
c. instigating and adhering to and furthering the aims and objects of the pre-school learning alliance
Background:
Bright Start Pre-School has a strong reputation within the community and has been running since 1974. The pre-school is an independent registered charity run by a voluntary management committee made up of parents and local people dedicated to the positive development of the pre-school. It is governed by a PSLA constitution and the trustees are elected by members of the pre-school. Of the members elected, a minimum of 60% of the committee should be parent members of the pre-school.
Bright Start Pre-School provides a facility to enhance the development and education for children between the ages of 2 and 4. This includes funded places for children from the age of 3 upwards and funded places for eligible 2 year olds. Children are able to stay at Bright Start until they reach school age. As an OFSTED registered pre-school Bright Start strives to achieve the highest possible educational and social standards. In the most recent Ofsted Report on the setting (July 2021), Bright Start Pre-school was rated as good and this report is available for reading via the Ofsted web site.
The Pre-School
The pre-school operates for 5 days a week, offering the flexibility of morning sessions running from 9:00 till 12:00, and afternoon sessions from 12:00-3:00. A Breakfast and after school club is also open for pre-school children. Government funded children, which comes into operation the term after the child’s 3[rd] birthday, may take their 15 hours entitlement within these times. Bright Start also provides 30 hours of care for children of working parents. The pre-school is open:
Monday - Friday 0900 – 1500
Bright Start now also runs a wrap around care service for Gateway School which is on site, as well as for the pre-school. Breakfast club runs from 7:45 - 8:45 and after school sessions run from 3:00 – 5:30
In the year September 2021– August 2022 the pre-school ran a total of 341 sessions, for a membership in excess of 60 families. Brightstart operates in a purpose built premises on the same site as Gateway School in Carterton.
The Pre-School in the Community
Bright Start is one of 2 pre-schools in Carterton and four of the local schools have nursery units attached to them. There is a Families Centre based in the Town providing extra support for families, the pre school manager has good links with the Families Centre and often works with the same families supported there.
Due to the proximity of RAF Brize Norton, Carterton’s population is a mix of civilian and service personnel. Due to the nature of the Forces posting schedules there is a frequent turnover of service families, and many other service families depend on a sole carer whilst a second parent completes an overseas tour of duty. The proportion of children with a service family background tends to vary each term but is about 50%, this has increased from previous years as we are now situated on a predominantly RAF school.
The Pre-School Staff make good use of the local library and shops, making regular visits with the children. They are supporting local business and have forged good links with the local Police Station.
Pre-School Staff
Bright Start employs 8 members of staff, the Manager holds an Early Years Foundation Degree, 6 staff members are qualified to level 3, and one has completed a relevant Teaching Degree. In-house training continues for all staff throughout the year and there is a comprehensive induction program for new staff to follow, as well as training updates through the Step into Training program.
Financial Review
In the past twelve months the pre-school has maintained a positive reserve fund to cover running costs for a minimum of 6 calendar months, in addition to this there is a redundancy fund held in reserve for staff security. Income from funded children has remained consistent and despite an initial concern that this may fall away as children move to school-based provision, numbers have remained stable and again this secures income for the group.
In the short term the financial case for the pre-school remains good.
Conclusion
Bright Start has had a good financial year, and the current business plan predicts a profit in the future, there are ample reserves to absorb any losses should this occur. With care and budgeting, there is no reason why Bright Start Pre-School should continue to prosper as new families move into the area with new housing estates already planned for the local area.
- Bright Start Pre School Treasurers Report
For the year ended 31st Aug-22
Presented by
Lee Fell
Bank Balances Account 91140418 31st August 2022 £48,876.07 Account 11373412 31st August 2022 £70,018.17 Account 11373404 31st August 2022 £6,493.63
Bank balance check
£125,387.87
PAYMENTS
Expenditure
Salaries £148,862.33 Rent/Rates £0.00 Utilities £1,613.01 Food & Drink £749.17 Consumables £1,664.49 Equipment £31,662.16 Office Costs £1,524.46 Meeting Costs £0.00 Other £5,967.51
Total
£192,043.13
| RECEIPTS | Income |
|---|---|
| Parent Fees | £51,472.80 |
| NEF 3/4 Yr | £121,682.34 |
| NEF 2 Yr | £14,006.76 |
| EYPP | £0.00 |
| Vouchers | £63,847.40 |
| Milk refund | £167.88 |
| Fundraising/ donations | £458.62 |
| Bank interest | £18.98 |
| Other/grants | £10,807.00 |
| Total | £262,461.78 |
| Net income for year 2021/2022 |
£70,418.65
- Bright Start Pre School Treasurers Report
For the year ended 31st August 2021
Presented by Lee Fell Bank Balances Account 91140418 31st August 2021 £34,510.88 Account 11373412 31st August 2021 £20,001.22 Account 11373404 31st August 2021 £457.12
Bank balance check
£54,969.22
PAYMENTS
Expenditure
Salaries £133,311.77 Payroll Rent £3,089.25 Utilities £1,527.41 Food & Drink £407.00 Consumables £1,172.87 Office costs £1,696.95 Equipment £32,080.73 Meeting costs £223.40 Other £49,158.49
£222,667.87
| RECEIPTS Vouchers NEF Fees Milk Fundraising Bank Interest Grants/Other Total |
Income £18,916.27 £93,749.70 £22,315.49 £122.31 £455.00 £5.96 £62,080.66 £197,645.39 |
|---|---|
Net income for year 2020/2021
- £25,022.48
Hi both
I have now completed my independent examination and I can confirm I am content that everything is in order.
I will send everything back in the post. Please can you confirm the address where you would like me to send this?
Many thanks
Emma Steward Business 1[st] 07803 163908