Fountains Playgroup and Pre School Trustee Annual Report 2023 - 2024 ## **Our Aims** The aims of the Pre-school are to enhance the development and education of children primarily under statutory school age in a safe, secure and stimulating environment. We aim to • Support and help children to feel safe and content in our care. As we care for each individual we develop warm and secure relationships with adults and peers. • Encourage children to explore, experiment, observe and discover, take risks and challenges. • To begin to value the culture, religion, race and language of "self" and "others" through sharing and talking about our differences. • To give children the opportunity to enter into the world of imagination, fantasies, and role-play. ## **Economic Climate and Fundraising** This year has seen a huge effort from the committee members, staff and parents to ease the financial pressure the preschool is under with an increase in fundraising and a focus on raising the profile of the playgroup locally to increase numbers. Both have been successful; numbers have increased significantly and the yearly income exceeded the expenditure for the first time since 2021. Wages continued to increase reflecting the National minimum wage and those above this were also given a pay rise. We have also faced the challenge of all running costs continuing to rise. The fees for nonfunded hours were increased in January to reflect these increases in expenditure. The slight increase in funding for the 3/4 year old funded hours from NYCC has been helpful, as too has the addition of 15 funded hours for 2 year olds of working parents. We have continued to run the extended opening hours (8.15am - 5.00pm) and recently increased this offer from 3 days per week to 4 days per week. The number of children taking up the extended hours has been relatively small but the overall number of children attending the setting has increased significantly and a large part of this is as a result of offering these hours. With the financial viability of the setting coming under question at the previous AGM alongside difficulty recruiting committee members meant the future of the preschool is uncertain. As a result we entered into discussions this year with Leeds Diocesan Learning Trust (LDLT) who run Fountains CE Primary School, situated next door to the preschool. We agreed that transitioning the preschool to come under the umbrella of the primary school would be a positive way forward for the preschool. A consultation and due diligence process by LDLT has now started and the committee are hopeful that this will go ahead. The committee members have agreed to stay on the committee while this process is undertaken. Thanks to a donation from the Welbury Norton Trust we have been able to offer a 6 week block of weekly forest school session at a reduced cost which have been greatly enjoyed by the children. We continue to hold reserve in a savings account to protect trustees and the Charity. ## **Policies** These are regularly reviewed and updated in line with the Pre-School Learning Alliance. As policies have become more complex documents we have continued to use the PLA policy model. We maintain our commitment to and ongoing review of safeguarding policy and procedures and ask that these are observed at all times. Regular training for all staff takes place to ensure knowledge is abreast of changes. The policies are held in the setting are available to read on request. ## **Community Links** Our group is committed to working with the community. Strong links with Fountains School are being made as are links with the village through the Village Hall and our use of the playing field for outdoor learning and forest school sessions. Fountalns Maygroup & Pre-sthool Income and Expendlture Account Year Ended 31 July 2024 Fountains Playgroup & Pre-sthool Contents Pa8e Income and Expenditure Account Balance Sheet Cllent Approval Certificate/Accountants Report Fountains Playgroup & Pre-school Income and Expendlture Account Year Ended 31 July 2024 INCOME 2024 2023 INCOME Fees Recelved Resource Fee Playgroup 3 Year Old Fundlng Meals Unlform After School 1,375.00 24,035.68 40,219.00 0.00 209.50 2,724.00 719.58 21,069.29 31,204.00 94.47 154.00 Fund Ralsing Xmas Fundraiser Fashiorl Show Bags 2 School Pub Qulz Scavenger Hunt Easy Fundralsln8 Trips Welton Trust Jumble Sale Amazon Europe Core Coronation Tea Ice-cream Nldderdale Walk 941.22 1,554.27 417.00 123.00 167.30 274.31 135.00 500.00 315.00 0.00 0.00 29.00 514.56 581.90 0.00 438.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 43.02 309.01 56.00 0.00 Donations 3,000.00 0.00 Bank Compensation 0.00 Stock Change -27.50 -47,50 Gross Bank Interest 120.30 35.29 TOTAL INCOME 76,626.67 54,657.06 TOTAL EXPENDITURE -71,794.91 -69,682.73 PROFITIDEFICIT FOR YEAR 4..8.3L6 fiz Page I Fountalns Playgroup & Pre-school Income and Expenditure Account Year Ended 31 July 2024 2024 2023 EXPENDITURE Salarles, Nl and Pensions Insurance and Subs Premises- Rent and Rates Electrlc Water, Sewerage & Cleanlng Repairs and Renewals Meals Consumable5 UnlfoTms Staff Children 52,707.43 46,886.09 613.36 417.65 930.75 733.33 1,196.87 6,837.06 6,642.97 7,526.49 2,446.79 448,17 1,669.18 2,370.50 289.53 336,98 230.31 20.94 0.00 838,84 546.22 50.00 Trainln8 Equipment Purchased Otsted Trips Telephone & Broadband stationary ar)d Copying Accountancy Miscellaneous Advertislng Fundraising 885.52 209.20 63.00 699.00 873.03 937.72 513.03 303,80 1,264.80 1.084.40 236.74 225.00 248.40 75.00 119.54 TOTAL EXPENDrruRE Page 2 Fountains Playgroup & Pre-school Balance Sheet As At 31 July 2024 2024 2023 ASSErs New Building 93,977.96 93,977.96 Outdoor Play Equipment 10,015.22 10,015.22 Equlpment 5,389.79 5,389.79 Computer Equipment 4,377.94 4,377.94 Cash at Bank Current Account Savings Account 59,652.14 0.00 14,492.33 35,321.96 Cash in Hand- Petty Cash 0.00 Stock 121.00 148.50 Debtors 1,008.44 4,311.97 Creditt)rs -8,081.08 -6,406.02 YOTAL ASSETS 166 461.41 161629.65 Accumulated at start of year 161,629.65 176,655.32 Surplus for year 4,831.76 -15,025.67 ACCUMULATED SURPLUS AT END OF YEAR Page 3 Fountsins Playgroup & Pre-school Accounts Report to Fountalns Play8roup & Pre•School We have approved the Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 July 2024. In accordance with your instructions, V4* have prepared this unaudited Income and Expendlture Account from the accounting records and explanations supplled to us. Brlan Elsworth ACCA 31.dthj goLY Cllent Approval Certificate We approve the Income and Expenditure Atcount for the year ended 31 July 2024 and confirm that we have made available relevant record5 and Information for Its preparation. OK UV..trlfl.(.................................... .[c)11.20 1 Page 4