## Magpie Pre-school AGM – Chair Report 

Registered Charity # 1153328 

## AGM Date: 29th March 2021 

I always thank the staff for all their hard work, support and flexibility over the year but I have to make it an extra big thank you this year. We are very proud of the way Jo and her team have adapted, worked together, and carried out chores outside of their role to ensure Magpie has been able to open (when restrictions have allowed) and provide its usual nurturing environment for your children following all the safety guidance.  We are really pleased to have been able to continue to offer employment to all staff throughout this pandemic, though unfortunately other outside factors have meant some of these team members have recently decided to leave Magpie. 

I also have to thank my co-committee members for their support making various key decisions as government guidance has changed over the year. And, of course all our Magpie families for your continued support. 

To say it has been a strange and unexpected year is an understatement.  We haven’t been able to do many of the activities that we usually would such as trips to visit the lovely residents of Bridge Haven Care home, or get together for fundraising events, however I know that the staff have continued to offer a smile and warm welcome to our Magpie children and families and hopefully those children who have been able to attend have continued to have fun with their friends. 

## **Staffing** 

- Congratulations to Jo on successfully completing her Level 5 qualification. 

- Michelle has now been with us as Deputy Manger a year and providing great support to Jo and the team. 

- Jade and Kristina returned from Maternity leave at the end of last year and have returned full of ideas and enthusiasm. 

- Catherine, who joined us as Maternity cover for Kristina, extended her employment with us following Kristina’s return but has now decided to move on to a new setting. Unfortunately, we have also had to say goodbye to Clare and Trudi who have been with us for a number of years and have always been a valued part of the pre-school family.  In particular, Clare who has been a dedicated part of the team for over 10 years and has taken on the role of Senior Practitioner and Deputy Manager within that time. 

All three have been a great asset to Magpie and will be missed. 

- However, this has opened up the opportunity for two new members of staff to join us. Robyn and Michelle started at the end of February 2021 and we offer them a big welcome. Both, are qualified to level 3 and are experienced in Early Years. 

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## **Fundraising** 

Unfortunately, no fundraising events were able to take place during 2020 and our spring fair will also need to be cancelled this year again. Hopefully we can organize something for later in the year if the circumstances allow. 

However, we continue to have the following options for people to support Magpie: 

- Easyfundraising.co.uk, a cash back referral site who pass on donations to us when making purchases online. 

- Smile.amazon.co.uk who pass on donations when purchases are made through Amazon. 

- Recycle4Charity.co.uk who pass £1 for every (acceptable) ink cartridge we send for recycling. 

If you would like more information about how you can support us through any of these sites please let me know. 

## **Maintenance** 

The following maintenance and repairs have been undertaken: 

- Routine Asbestos survey undertaken on the pre-school cabin which has returned negative in all areas. This was undertaken as a pre-requisite of our insurance policy only and not due to any concerns of Asbestos being present. 

- Boughton school have passed on guidance regarding the regular water temperature testing requirements by KCC. 

- Boughton school kindly included our tree maintenance within the scope of works for their grounds. 

- Replacement of the outside sheds. 

- Replacement of the side steps for access to the garden and fire exit. 

Maintenance/purchases still required include: 

- Fencing repairs, replacement panels, and redecoration. 

- Recommended replacement of the foul water pump. 

- Overall building survey and any subsequent repairs. 

## **Finance & Overheads** 

Please refer to the attached annual accounts for income and expenditure for the past financial year. 

Thankfully, the continued Early Years funding for children already registered has allowed us to continue paying staff during lockdown. We were also successful in our application for a support grant to cover rent and overheads.  Any money remaining from the grant has been set aside for further planned maintenance of the building and grounds. 

Address: Magpie Pre-school School Lane, Boughton-Under-Blean Faversham, Kent ME13 9AW 

Phone: 01227 751 404 Email: magpiepreschool@outlook.com magpiepreschoolcommittee@outlook.com 

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At the beginning of 2020 we were notified that our site lease from Kent County Council was under review. Our lease is now in the process of being renewed for the next ten years. Our lease will now be £2400 a year paid quarterly. 

## **Fees** 

Where fees are applicable, we have to announce that there will be an increase in our hourly rates from September 2021. We have been able to keep fees at the same rate for a number of years but unfortunately due to the increased rent, wages, and overheads, fees will need to increase by the minimal amount needed to cover costs. 

New rates will be £5.00 per hour for 2 year olds and £4.30 for 3 and 4 year olds. 

## **Management Committee** 

You may be aware from previous requests for committee volunteers that we are looking for a new treasurer to take over from Annette. 

Annette has been with us for many years but really would like to step down at the end of the next financial year.  We will miss her support and guidance but understand that it is time for her to hand over to someone new. We therefore urgently need to find someone she can handover the books to. Annette will of course be available to guide and support her replacement through a handover period. 

Please consider again whether you or any person in your family or the local community that you know may be willing to take over this important voluntary role.  For more details on the role email magpiepreschoolcommittee@outlook.com. 

New general committee members are also very welcome.  And as restrictions ease, volunteers to lead on fundraising events will be required also. 

We will nominate and accept new members as part of this AGM though new members can join up at any time. 

## **Closing** 

Thank you again to all staff, committee members, and of course you all as members of our Magpie family for the continued support that Magpie receives. 

Address: Magpie Pre-school School Lane, Boughton-Under-Blean Faversham, Kent ME13 9AW 

Phone: 01227 751 404 Email: magpiepreschool@outlook.com magpiepreschoolcommittee@outlook.com 

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## **MAGPIE PRE-SCHOOL** 

## **Financial Statements for the period 01/09/2019-31/08/2020** 

|**Income**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Fees paid in Cash|1595.00|||
|Fees/Vouchers|73260.23|||
|Fundraising + Donations + Grant|10295.43|||
|RingFenced|519.33|||
|Uniform and Misc|25.00|||
|Interest on Savings Account|19.35|||
|||85714.34||
|**Expenses**||||
|Wages,Tax,NI|57374.88|||
|Electricity|1041.95|||
|Water & Drainage|360.00|||
|Telephone & Website|788.96|||
|Insurance|944.11|||
|Rent|2000.00|||
|Refreshments|445.64|||
|Cleaning & Waste Removal|1312.26|||
|Resources|986.70|||
|Stationary|505.55|||
|Art Supplies|287.19|||
|Services|2105.39|||
|Repairs|3214.46|||
|Courses|371.50|||
|||71738.59||
|**Surplus Income over Expenditure**||13975.75||
|Balance at Bank as at 1st Sept 2019||44037.41||
|Balance at Bank as at 31st Aug 2020||50211.65||
|Change in Balance at Bank||6174.24||
|Plus Income received in 2018/19 that relates to 2019/20||8014.13||
|Net items(Expense) in 2019/20 processed by Bank in 2020/21.||-212.62||
|Change in Balance at Bank for year 2019/20||13975.75||
|**Statement of Assets as at 31st Aug. 2020**||||
|HSBC Community Account|||37642.01|
|HSBC Savings|||12569.64|
|Cash|||150.00|





## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Magpie PreschoolTrust** 

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the ABY Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 August 2020. 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). 

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. 

## **Independent examiner’s statement** 

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; 

or 

2. 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. 

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. 

Signed: 

Name: Benjamin C Lockwood 

Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy 

Address: 3 Chestnut Court, Boughton Under Blean, Faversham, Kent, ME13 9SJ 

Date: 28/04/2021