UPLYME PRE-SCHOOL AGM MINUTES
Held on Monday 24[th] November 2025, 7:00PM In the Village Hall
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1. Present
Alison Waters, Charlotte Daubney, Jess Coombe, Kate Pitfield, Rachel Wason, Emily Ditchfield
2. Apologies
Sara Pearce, Janice Fowler, Ellie Saunders
3. Minutes of last AGM
The minutes were read and agreed as a true record of the meeting.
4. Matters Arising from last AGM
No matters arising
5. Treasurer’s Report
Please see the attached report.
-We were budgeted to finish the 24/25 financial year at -£4.4k, in the end we finished in a much more positive position at -£509.99. Several factors improved our position during the course of the year; -funding rates from Devon CC increased in April 25 and significantly the rate for 2y olds increased by 36p/hour. As we are currently enrolling eight 2y olds per session, double our usual amount, that had a significant impact on the bottom line bring in an extra £3k.
-In the summer term we also stopped providing the baby and toddler group on a Tuesday afternoon and switched to a full pre-school session which brought in an extra £4k.
-Despite another minimum wage increase in April 25 the above income increases helped to cover the extra costs.
-Employers NI contributions also increased in April 25 but fortunately, as we are a charity, we qualify for Employment Allowance which credits back all of our Employers NI contributions.
-Pension payments came in higher than expected, a detailed pension budget was completed for 25/26 to ensure we had the correct figures; especially as we now have less staff doing more hours – therefore more qualifying earnings - which will result in higher pension contributions again for 25/26.
-Consumables also came in over budget due to the general increase in the cost of living.
-Costs per hour per child finished at £6.07/hour which meant we made the right decision to raise parent fees to £6.00 & £6.50 /hour and to raise the consumables charge to £2/session from September 25.
6. Manager’s Report
At the end of the 24/25 academic year we had 45 children on roll versus 43 last year, so pretty stable numbers but our ratio oy 2y olds has changed. We’ve historically always taken 24 x 3-4y olds and 4 x 2y olds, because of birth rate changes post covid for all of last year we doubled the number of 2y olds we enrolled to 8 and reduced the 3-4y olds to 18. This has had an effect on the dynamic of the room and the needs of the children. The numbers are set to reverse to normal ratios in Spring 26.
With the introduction of the new working parent funding for all age groups approximately 80% of our funding now comes from DCC. Finances have been challenging as the funding hasn’t kept up with increases in costs but our parents have been really understanding and the majority haven’t questioned the increases.
The start of 24/25 was a challenging time for all staff with the introduction of a new deputy, who didn’t settle well and left us in November. All staff members learnt some important lessons about teamwork and management style.
Louise & Jade joined us in the spring term and they have both settled really well and have become invaluable members of the team. Emily has settled incredibly well into her role as Playleader & SENDCo, she just goes from strength to strength.
Janice & Jane retired at the end of July 25, after a grand combined total of 79 years service. They are still available to help us with outings and trips and emergency cover if needed which is a great help.
We launched a new website at the end of the year, thanks to funding from the Norman Family Trust, it now really reflects what we do and is more informative and user friendly.
Playleader’s Report
24/25 was the first full year with Emily in the role as Playleader. A detailed 2 year child led curriculum has been put into place, this is regularly reviewed with input from all of the team in a new Friday weekly meeting.
New starters Louise and Jade have been a great support and the consistency of staff each day has really helped the team dynamic. Louise started on part time hours but from Sept 25 joined us for all sessions so she will now start her Level 3 training.
We were involved in some detailed transitions up to Mrs Ethelston’s and those children with extra needs have settled well.
We have secured an area in the school’s forest school site and some funding from Candles on the Cobb for equipment so we will start developing our outdoor learning area in Spring 26.
7. Election of new Committee members
All members agreed to stay on the committee, no new parents attended the meeting.
8. A.O.B
None
9. Date of next Committee Meeting
This will be arranged via email in the new year.
UPLYME PRE SCHOOL INCOME AND EXPENDrnJRE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 INCOME Extern41 Government Parent Fees Tod(Uer Fee5 78.912 74397 413 L012 88in )tNn8Sale5 Fundrabin8 Interest 1377 797 4510 20 746 95618 Staff Wa8e5 NEST Pl1( 67J)51 3n &945 624 742 9.123 241 Consum•bl•s OFSTED EYA knsuTrrKel Munber5h 92x1 79358 D&S Ch Ph)biFe Phone Adrntstr FundraLslng Expthses 128 164 926 S910 3.112 1225 Advarttsln 651 Clothln Mls¢ l¢redit eardf••s 22&7 14 9A61 £.32150 £1i50.X) Op. fvjndralsknl Less PAYE iiabiKtles £817.94
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UPLYME PRE SCHOOL INCOME AND EXPENDrnJRE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 INCOME Extern41 Government Parent Fees Tod(Uer Fee5 78.912 74397 413 L012 88in )tNn8Sale5 Fundrabin8 Interest 1377 797 4510 20 746 95618 Staff Wa8e5 NEST Pl1( 67J)51 3n &945 624 742 9.123 241 Consum•bl•s OFSTED EYA knsuTrrKel Munber5h 92x1 79358 D&S Ch Ph)biFe Phone Adrntstr FundraLslng Expthses 128 164 926 S910 3.112 1225 Advarttsln 651 Clothln Mls¢ l¢redit eardf••s 22&7 14 9A61 £.32150 £1i50.X) Op. fvjndralsknl Less PAYE iiabiKtles £817.94
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