2025-08-31-accounts

Thurnby and Bushby Playgroup Leaders report for A.G.M. 2025

Another busy and successful year for playgroup! Previous AGM - Friday 15[th] November 2024

Autumn 2024- Summer 2025

Committee - A BIG THANK YOU to them for their hard work and their fantastic support! Our Committee remains unchanged, with Rochelle Jarrett as playgroup Chair, Karen O’Donovan as Treasurer, and Ed Johnstone remains as secretary. He now has his younger child attending playgroup. Priya Brookes remains as a general member, and last year we also welcomed Catherine Drury, who has a wealth of early years’ experience, has a foundation degree in early years, as well as many other qualifications. Helen Shepherd remains as our representative for Ofsted, and completes the committee.

Again we thank all who have joined our committee for their hard work and support and non- committee parents who also support us.

Any parent wishing to join the committee will be expected to complete an enhanced DBS and an EY2, which allows them to be checked as suitable to be involved with playgroup’s roles. Any other parents can join our forum, which allows them to support us and attend meetings but with less responsibility than a committee member.

Staff Changes

• Our permanent staff group remains, Kerri Le-Butt as leader, Nicola Catherall as Deputy, and Karla Appleton, and Meghann Hudson remain as level 3 qualified staff. Nicola continues to do her reduced hours, due to other commitments.

• We continued to welcome local child minder, and previous parent, Pinky Jadav, as support on a Friday morning throughout the year, until July 2025, where she sadly left to concentrate on her thriving childminding business, and her own family. We will miss her deeply, but still have regular contact with her bringing her mindees to playgroup, and as a valued friend of playgroup, and we wish her all the best for her future.

• We welcomed Chloe Drury in the autumn term, who began her apprenticeship in the Spring term 2025. She will be working part time as she begins her training, and will increase her hours and responsibilities as she becomes more experienced. We wish her well in her training, and hope she enjoys her time with us.

• Our general committee member Catherine Drury, also became a cover staff member in 2025. Catherine has a wealth of experience and qualifications, and will be a wonderful asset to our team, as and when needed. This will hopefully reduce the need to rearrange children’s sessions or hours, and allow us to stay open as normal and adhere to legal ratios, which has been a problem, particularly over the last year.

We are always looking to add to our bank staff, if you have experience of early years, and preferably are level 2 and above trained, please ask us about cover work. This would be part time hours, and on a nonpermanent basis, and subject to all legal DBS checks and safer recruitment processes.

Training-

• EYFS Framework- All staff continue to familiarise themselves with the new EYFS, and continue to work in a more paperless way of recording children’s developments.

• All staff complete essential training online (EduCare) throughout the year, which includes Effective Safeguarding (revised 2019), The Prevent Duty in an Early Years Environment, Understanding and Addressing behaviour, Understanding Children’s Rights, Equality and Inclusion in Early Years Settings, Food Allergy and Intolerance Training, as well as others that staff choose to do.

Visitors-

• 7/11/24 Praksha Bathia (local authority early years’ business advisor) visited and continued to support playgroup with financial issues, taking on two year olds and general business health advice.

• Kathryn Liles-Taylor our Improvement advisor and Area Send visited throughout the year, with advise and support. She continues to be approachable for any advice between visits. Several visits were cancelled this year due to illness (hers as well as staff at playgroup).

• Maggie Flude- Portage worker for a child attending playgroup, visited several times offering support with this child.

Changes to playgroup hours/routines-

• Autumn Term 2024- some changes due to leader’s operation/recovery.

• Spring Term 2025-Snow day- start to the new term/year delayed by one day. Mon 6[th] Januaryovernight snowfall led to severe flooding in rural areas, which meant most of our staff could not safely arrive for work. We also were forced to reduce sessions/ move children to alternate dates during January and February due to another staff member being in hospital for over 4 weeks.

• As requested by School during the pandemic, to avoid congestion with school children, we changed our finish times of our late club, to 3.20 instead of 3.30, we have continued to do this.

• We continue to close on a Tuesday, and offer full days (9-3) on a Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and 9-1pm on a Friday. Sessions can be 3 hours (9-12), 4 hours (9-1) or 6 hours (9-3). We also offer an early arrival from 8.30am and later collection 3.20pm, to help working parents. All these hours can be covered by 15 or 30-hour funding, and extra hours are charged at different rates for 2 year olds, to that of 3 and 4 year olds, due to higher ratios needed.

• We continue to accept 2 year olds on a daily basis, from the term after they turn 2. We had a huge response this year and had limited each day to four 2 year olds per staff member ratio, but have now extended the number to five 2 year olds in line with new government ratio rules.

Other mentionable items regarding playgroup –

• We started Autumn Term 2024 without myself, due to an essential operation which was due to be performed over the summer holiday being delayed until Sept 1[st] ! this was unfortunate timing, and due to contracting Covid at the tail end of my recovery, meant I was away for longer than expected. Due to needing a senior member of staff being on site, and my deputy only available part-time, due to her essential caring duties, it meant reducing some sessions for a few children during this time, we adjusted funding accordingly, and thanked our wonderful families for any inconvenience caused.

• Last Autumn we trialled a staggered start to the new Autumn term, for not only new starters but existing children too. We found all children definitely benefitted from this, as they have been away for such a long time, many of their friends have moved to school, and getting used to the routine of playgroup once again, starting with just mornings, and then lunch, worked well. We will continue to do this each September.

• As we are on the grounds of St. Luke’s School. We have to comply with all their rules regarding access/egress, as well as closures. If the school decide to shut for inclement weather, or training days we are also obliged to close. St. Luke’s have introduced training days on the Fridays before the end of terms, and therefore playgroup will also close on these days. All parents will be made aware of dates for each term in advance, and any unforeseen closures, such as snow days with be advertised as soon as the information is available.

• Chubb renewed our fire appliances, and replaced ones as necessary to comply with legal recommendations- 6/11/24

• PAT testing was completed on all electrical items- Thursday 31st October 2024

• Air conditioning units tested and Cleaned- Monday 4[th] November 2024.

• Area Senco and support officer Kathryn Liles-Taylor visited many times over the year, or was available to reach out for support if needed.

• David Wright- local handy man has completed various maintenance and essential repair jobs around playgroup this year- this included in April 2025 we were able to afford for the ramp to be repaired, as the wood supports had rotted. Allowing this to be back in action, which is fantastic, as it’s essential for easy access to the lower garden, but also a very popular addition to our outdoor play area.

• We invited the teachers from feeder schools to do their annual transition visits, for children who will move into school in Autumn term. All schools offered stay and play, and induction sessions for children to attend. We continue transition with stories about school, drawing pictures and circle time activities. The new EYFS encourages less paper work, however we made the decision to report on each child’s development by way of written reports this year rather than just verbally. This was mainly due to children moving to a larger number of schools this year, and we felt this was the best way to aid transitions.

• We continue to use our weekly ‘Focus’ board, for the older children, which includes a Letter (sound), Number, Shape, Song, Makaton sign, and word (s) of the week. Younger children will spend time in the quiet room doing age appropriate activities to allow the older children time to engage in their learning without distraction. Any new children will spend time completing fun activities within an ‘All about Me’ booklet which determines where they are within areas of learning, and helps their key person set

Termly ActivitiesAutumn Term 2024 Term Dates- 27/08/24 – 19/12/24 (16wks) Total number of children- 25 Number of 2yrs - 6

Numbers Mon 19 Tues Weds 20 Thurs 18 Fri 21 PM (until 1pm) 16 closed PM (until 1pm) 17 PM(until 1pm) 14 Until 1pm- 15 PM 11 PM 12 PM 10

Term details-

We began the new term with slightly reduced sessions due to staffing issues. We return after the summer break, and settle new children into playgroup, and existing children back into the routine.

We learnt about the changes during this season and about any festivals, and charity events that happen during Autumn.

On Thursday 26th October we were invited to attend the annual Macmillan coffee morning. This is run by The Thursday Café, within the village hall. Children were encouraged to bring a donation towards this good cause, and enjoyed a cake and juice. This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to not only enjoy a treat, but to learn about what we can do to help others, and be an active part in what is happening within their community. Thursday 3[rd] November saw the beginning of Navratri, (meaning 9 nights) the Hindu festival of dance. We enjoyed learning about this, and Mrs Pinky kindly brought in lots of beautiful outfits to wear, Dandiyas and helped us to celebrate. The children made their own Dandiya sticks, and we had a wonderful time dancing to lovely music.

After half term we continued the term learning about the season of Autumn, the changes to trees, animals, birds, including migration, hibernation, and the changes to our surrounding area during this time of year. During the week of Halloween (week 9), we had Pumpkin Week, and scooped out pumpkins, made many different crafts etc. and sang our pumpkin song, and ended the week celebrating Diwali (1[st] Nov) with card making, dancing and many props such as masks, wearing cultural clothing etc. for the children to learn about the festival of lights. Again Mrs Pinky very kindly shared her, and her families experience of |Diwali with us. Week 10, began with Bonfire Night activities (Tuesday 5[th] November) and this week was also Remembrance Sunday, (10[th] November) we made poppy pictures and talked about the soldiers in the war, and watched a special child’s remembrance film about a rabbit, and our children joined in with our marching song. Friday 15[th] November was BBC Children in Need and we had a Pudsey Bear day, we wore yellow, spots, bears or Pudsey bear outfits! We enjoyed lots of Pudsey themed activities, and had a donations box to raise funds.

During December we created an advent calendar with each child being chosen to open one date, learned about the Christian meaning of Christmas and the first Christmas, with child friendly Nativity toys, Nativity costumes and props and lots of books.

Christmas Party Monday 16th Dec 12- 3pm. The children enjoyed party games, bubble machine and dancing, food, and received a gift after a visit from Santa.

Spring Term 2025 Term dates 06/01/25 – 10/04/25 (13wks) Total number of children- 25 Number of 2yrs- 7 Numbers Mon 22 Tues Weds 21 Thurs 22 Fri 20 PM (until 1pm) 18 closed PM (until 1pm) 18 PM(until 1pm) 17 Until 1pm- 15 PM 13 PM 13 PM 12

Term details-

We began the year talking about winter and later, the beginnings of Spring, and changes to our environment and the weather etc.

Week 3, we took part in National Bird Watching week, and organised a bird viewing area, with sheets to note what you see, binoculars and fed the birds each day. This is always so popular! We continued to do this past the week and enjoyed spotting birds again later in the term.

Week 4 we celebrated Lunar New Year, by acting out the story of how the Chinese zodiac of naming a year after an animal came about, this year it was the year of the Snake. We had beautiful clothes to wear, playing with rice in a tuff spot, as well as role play food items, and the children made different craft items each day, such as mini dragons, or masks. We used our large dragon, which we made in previous years, and did a group dragon dance at the end of the morning.

Week 6 we also celebrated Valentine’s day, talking about the people we love, making love potions and valentine’s activities.

Week 7 Ramadan begins- we learned about what this means to Muslims all around the world, and learned a new song about the Ramadan Moon.

Week 8 we celebrated pancake day (Tuesday 4[th] March) with mini races in the garden with small frying pans and pancakes to flip! The children loved this! We also celebrated World book day (Thursday 6[th] March) this week, with a week of stories, story sacks and small world play based on well-loved children’s books. Week 9 we celebrated the Hindu festival of Holi- lots of activities based around colours of the rainbow, and watched the tradition of throwing coloured powder paints, which is part of the Holi celebrations around the world.

Week 10 we joined in with Red Nose day, by doing funny activities all day. Week 11 Mother’s Day-Sunday 30[th] March. We celebrated Mother’s Day a little differently this year with a Stay and Play session 9-10 am. As Mother’s day falls within the fasting period of Ramadan, we chose to do an alternative celebration which did not include food or drinks. During the week the children had selected a beautiful flower, and decorated a pot label, all which were kindly donated by our local Nursery Centre, Coles. The children also drew pictures of their Mums, made cards and learnt a new song “It’s Mother’s Day” to sing to their mums. It was very well attended and we all felt it went fantastically well.

Sunday 30[th] March also saw the start of the Hindu celebration of Navratri (9 nights), and Eid – al – Fitr , the wonderful Islamic celebration and the end of Ramadan, so we celebrated both of these during week 11/12. Week 13 we ended the term celebrating Easter, we learnt about Christian beliefs and what happens in church at this time of year and with lots of activities including egg and spoon races, Easter tuff spot, and making Easter treats to take home.

Summer Term 2025 Term Dates- 21/04/25 – 04/07/25 (9wks)

Total number of children- 34 Number of 2yrs- 9

Numbers

Mon 25 Tues Weds 27 Thurs 26 Fri 25 PM (until 1pm) 23 closed PM (until 1pm) 23 PM(until 1pm) 24 Until 1pm- 16 PM 16 PM 18 PM 17

Term details-

We returned to playgroup and will continue to learn about the season of Summer.

Week 2 we closed for Bank holiday Monday- May Day and then celebrated VE day 80 with activities about what it meant, and about the people who had been involved etc.

Week 5 we celebrated the second Eid (Eid- al – Adha) with colouring pictures and stories. Week 6 Father’s Day –Sunday 15[th] June- we made Father’s day cards, drew portraits of our dads. We talked about our dads and other father figures in our lives, and read stories which included dads/ male role models.

Our annual Sports day did not go ahead this year unfortunately, due to many unexpected reasons, however the children still took part in sports week with lots of different opportunities to get physical, such as the trim trail, music and movement, obstacle courses and outdoor soft play.

We also enjoyed lots of summer activities throughout the term, such as the nature area, trim trail, school field, and summer themed crafts and role play areas such as an ice cream shop, and singing our summer songs. Our leavers party was on Friday 27[th] June, 12-2pm. This year we again chose to not invite parents to stay, as often the children choose to sit with them or don’t participate the same. This was again a great success, and as hoped, the children had a fantastic time and all got thoroughly involved in the games. We added lots of photographs to the Facebook page so parents didn’t miss out.

We said good bye to 18 children, who are moving to school in September. These children attended play sessions at their various schools, and along with transition visits at school, we did walk arounds at St. Luke’s, showing the children what school will be like, invited their teachers in to visit, and read lots of stories about starting school and activities to support this important transition.

We ended the school term on Friday 4th July, which was also Mrs Pinky’s last day with us! The children had been busy drawing pictures, which were added to a lovely card, and parents and staff put towards a leaving gift for her. Thank you to all who contributed. We had a little party and it was a very emotional goodbye. We will of course be keeping in touch, but wish Pinky all the best for her future.

Lastly, a huge thank you to all parents and committee for their support and commitment to playgroup, as without this we could not run.

A particular big thank you to my wonderful staff, as I have not been in great health this past year, they have not only worked extra hours, taken on extra duties and helped with my recovery, they have eased my workload, and I am extremely grateful for all of this support.

This staff group, the parents, committee and of course the children, all contribute to making playgroup the wonderful experience and learning opportunity that it is. Thank you All.

Thurnby & Bushby Playgroup Income & Expenditure Account

1st September 2024 - 31st August 2025

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Income Expenditure
Funding 81,012.00
Furlough income 0.00
Parents Fees 6,514.00
New Starter Provisions 450.00
Termly Donations 800.00
Bank Interest 0.20
Milk Refund 407.12
Fundraising 306.50
Funding (Course) 0.00
Grant Income 0.00
Donations 65.00
Early/Late Club 57.00
Wages/Tax & NI (77,248.68)
Ofsted Renewal (50.00)
Milk (551.30)
Waste Collection (497.65)
Rent & Premises Costs (1,847.00)
PLA Renewal (124.00)
Business Rates (668.88)
Building Insurance (2,121.89)
Phone Contract (428.80)
Other Expenses (639.00)
Pupil Premium (1,543.03)
Stationery and Stamps (1,286.32)
Twinkl Membership (107.88)
Fire Safety (56.37)
YPO Office Supplies 0.00
PAT Testing (22.08)
Photography 0.00
Cleaning Products 0.00
Seasonal, Toys and Crafts (405.13)
Refreshments (12.99)
Garden Items (430.39)
Computer Equipment 0.00
ESPO 0.00
Petty Cash 0.00
Courses (156.00)
Gardener 0.00
Electricity/Water (1,770.87)
Entertainer 0.00
Lottery Licence 0.00
Book People 0.00
Air Con Service (244.20)
Photocopying 0.00
Baker Ross 0.00
DBS check (56.00)
cash transfer 0.00
89,611.82 (90,268.46)
Net Income/(Expenditure) (656.64)
----- End of picture text -----

Bank & Cash b/f 8,723.16 Bank & Cash c/f 8,066.52

AUDIT CERTIFICATE forThurnb & Bushb Pla rou I hereby certify that the accounts of Thurnby & Bushby Playgroup for the period to 31" August 2025 represents a true and falr view of the Playgroup's financial operations for the period. I confirrn that adequate financial records are maintained by the Playgroup. David Appleton ACMA CGMA 3 Coleman Road Fleckney Leicestershire LE8 8AJ 01/3/26