Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 01 September 2023 to 31 August 2024
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name: Fleetville Community Playgroup Other names charity is known by Playgroup Registered Charity Number 1112599 Charity’s principal address Fleetville Community Centre Royal Road St Albans AL1 4LQ Name of the charity trustees who Jennifer Langstaffe, Chair manage the charity Caroline Hudd, Secretary Catherine Stemple, Treasurer Debbie Stallan, Acting Playgroup Manager and Leader Julie McKinley
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of charity’s trusts
Type of governing document The Playgroup’s governing document is the Charity Commission Model constitution adopted by the members of the Pre-school Learning Allowance – 1096526, on 29 February 2016.
How the Charity is constituted Association consisting of all parents or guardians of children who attend the Playgroup, with a managing committee consisting of a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, and no less than two nor more than nine other elected members.
Trustee selection methods Trustees are elected or re-elected annually at the Annual General Meeting, held in November
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or other benefits for their Committee service.
Section C Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
To advance 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.
Summary of the main Activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance Commission on public benefit)
The Playgroup’s main activities in relation to these objectives are to organise and run a community-based preschool for children aged two to four years old, to engage in activities that support the development and education of the children, and to develop more extended relationships between parents, staff and other associates of the Playgroup, keeping in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit at our committee meetings issued by the Charity.
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
The Playgroup employs six regular members of staff, including a Leader and Deputy Leader, as well as occasional supply staff. Fundraising and social events are run by parents, staff and other volunteers who generously donate many hours of their time to make these events a success.
Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main Playgroup Highlights achievements of the charity during the year Due to low uptake of afternoon sessions, Playgroup returned to offering Monday through Thursday morning sessions only, with the option of an extended session (“lunch club”) until 1pm.
Fundraising Highlights
The Playgroup ran another successful Quiz Night this year, which raised £1,276. The Sponsored Jump in the Summer Term raised over £350.
Donations and children’s crafts, such as Christmas cards and tea towels, also contributed to fundraising.
Section E Financial review
Brief statement of the The Playgroup held cash at bank of £48,778 at the end of the charity’s policy on reserves 2023/2024 financial year, of which £25,000 was budgeted to cover to running costs of the Autumn term. We aim to hold at least one full term’s operating expenses in reserves at the end of the year.
Details of any funds materially There are no funds materially in deficit. In deficit
Section F Other Optional Information
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full names(s) Jennifer Langstaffe Catherine Stemple Position Chair Treasurer Date 01/11/24 01/11/24
Fleetville Community Playgroup
Statement of Financial Activities for the period 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024
| £ | £ | £ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted Funds | Restricted Funds | Total | ||
| Income | ||||
| Fees for Playgroup Services | 27,064 | 27,064 | ||
| Grants | ||||
| Early Years Funding | 41,297 | 41,297 | ||
| Other Grants | - | - | ||
| Fundraising | 2,546 | 2,546 | ||
| Donations | 284 | 284 | ||
| Bank Interest | 665 | 665 | ||
| Total Income | 71,856 | 71,856 | ||
| Expenses | ||||
| Charitable Activities | ||||
| Running and Management of Playgroup | (73,467) | |||
| Net Income / (Loss) | (1,611) |
Fleetville Community Centre, Royal Road, St Albans, Herts AL1 4LQ Ofsted registration number: EY316171 Registered charity number: 1112599
Fleetville Community Playgroup
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31st August 2024
£ £ Fixed Assets - Current Assets Current Account 2,244 Deposit Account 46,484 - Undeposted Funds Petty Cash 50
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Total Assets 48,778
Liabilities
None -
Total Liabilities 0
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Net Assets
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48,778
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Fleetville Community Centre, Royal Road, St Albans, Herts AL1 4LQ Ofsted registration number: EY316171 Registered charity number: 1112599
Fleetville Community Playgroup
Treasurer's Report
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Period under review is the year ended 31st August 2024
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Summary of Financial results:
| Total Income Total Expenses Net Gain (Loss) |
71,856 (73,467) |
|---|---|
| 1,611 - |
3. Finances:
Playgroup made a loss for the year, largely due to declining numbers, fewer fee-paying children and more relying on Childcare Support and increasing staff costs.
Balance at bank as at 31st August 2024 was £2,224, with a reserve (deposit) account balance of £46,484.
- Forthcoming year 2024-25:
Enrollment numbers are expected to decline further due to low birth numbers and cost of living increases.
More families are electing to wait to enrol their child until they become eligible for Childcare Support, but this level of funding does not cover our costs.
Fleetville Community Centre, Royal Road, St Albans, Herts AL1 4LQ Ofsted registration number: EY316171 Registered charity number: 1112599
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteos On accounts for tho year ended 31 Lazy Charity no (If any) IILS99 Set out on pagès I report to the Irustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for th8 year ended 3 11•, f Llé& As the charltys Irustees, you are responslble for the preparatlon of the accounts in accordance wlth the requirements of Ihe Charlties Act 2011 {°the Act"). Ro8ponslblllt108 and basls of report I report In respect of my examinatlon of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Acl and In carrylng out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directlons given by the Charity Commission under sectlon 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independont trhe charlty's come exceeded £250,000 a m qualified to oxamlnerfs statomont undertak examinatlon by being a quali ember of [Insert name of ap le listed bodyJ]. Delete [ ] if n plicable. I have completed my examlnation. I confimi that no materlal matter8 have come to my attention in connectlon wlth the examlnation (other than that dlsclosed below ') whlch glves rne cause to belleve that In, any malerial r8SP8Ct.' the accountlng records were not kept In accordance wlth sectlon 130 of the Charities Act. or the accounts did not accord wlth the accountlng records; or the accounts did not Comply with the applicable requirements concerning the fomi and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and falr, vlew which Is not a matter consldered as part of an independent examinatlon. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examinatlon to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper undgrstsnding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets If they do not apply. Signed: Dato: Name: Relevant professlonal qualificatlon(s) or body &•fA rf•N IER Oct 2018
(if any): Address: Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight Material matters of concern (see CC32. Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brlef d•talls of any Items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018