Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/09/21 Period start date To 31/03/22 Period end date
Charity name: Earlybirds Playgroup
Charity registration number: 1165010
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
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| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The object of the CIO is to promote and facilitate the care, education, and wellbeing of young children under compulsory school age within the Gloucestershire Local Authority and surrounding areas. Our objective is that through play, preschool children will be able to reach their maximum potential and achieve their early learning goals as set out in the government’s Early Years Foundation Stages framework. Earlybirds embrace imagination, creativity, independent decision-making and child-led learning. The focus is very much on providing a safe, caring and welcoming environment in order to allow the development of self-confidence, independence, and social skills and being good communicators so that each child can thrive and be prepared for the transitionto primary school. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Earlybirds currently operates during school hours of 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday during term time and is the only playgroup operating in the Ruspidge/Buckshaft area. The lack of local transport means that it is the only setting accessible to many parents and carers in the vicinity. Earlybirds receive funding from the Local Authority for up to a maximum of 30 hours per week for 3-year-olds. Funding is also available for 2-year-old children who meet certain criteria. For those children not eligible for funding or who require additional hours, the fees are kept in line with GCC funding rates, usually just below. Trustees recognise that Cinderford is an economically |
| deprived area and we try to keep fees as low as possible so that it can remain accessible. In order for Earlybirds to cover running costs trustees and staff also arrange fundraising activities. Activities provided are led by the children's interest which include, but are not limited to, outdoor play, cooking and arts & crafts. The setting is currently working towards its Curiosity Approach accreditation. By following The Curiosity Approach we are creating a culture of curiosity, awe and wonder into the heart of our setting. |
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| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Trustees are aware of the guidance issued by the charity commission on public benefit and have had due regard in relation to this. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
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| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Earlybirds playgroup is lucky to have been supported throughout the year by a number of parents, carers, and volunteers who have given their time and expertise free of charge. Earlybirds welcomes volunteers and students into the setting. A local resident within the community has been very generous and has carried out the PAT testing free of charge again. The trustees meet every half term formally and as required informally to help support the setting. |
| Other | ||
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The setting continues to thrive post-pandemic. Numbers are rising and were above the level prior to the pandemic. With a return to normality this has allowed us to help children reach their full potential prior to starting their next step of primary school. We have continued to be a hub for the community for parents, including our increasingly successful stay and play tots sessions. This has provided a space for parents and their children to safely engage with others. We recruited a new manager in January 2022. She has qualified teacher status and was keen to lead the group through their curiosity approach accreditation, bringing much experience to the setting. Further support she has been able to provide has been guiding staff who are currently completing their apprenticeship, as she is a qualified assessor. In addition to fundraising for the setting we have also supported a number of charities, for example, children in need and more. In December we were able to take part in the localchurch's christmas treefestival. |
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| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Earlybirds continue to be in a strong financial position. This is because the treasurer has continued to work hard on monitoring income and expenditure closely, so that Earlybirds stays financially sustainable. She has also continued to set budgets and reports on the finances at each trustee meeting. As a the result we have been able to further enhance our reserves fund as set out in our Reserves Policy. A separate Fundraising account remains open so that all monies that have been fundraised from parents, carers and the the general public can be separated and used purely for resources that will benefit the children will enjoy. We can then demonstrate to parents and carers how their generosity is being enjoyed by the children at Earlybirds. |
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| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | A reserves policy is in place. This will cover the cost of any unforeseen major works to the building as well enable us to fulfil our redundancy obligations to staff if the setting ever had to close. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £33,602.64 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The primary source of funds is the funding for childcare from the Local Authority. Funds are also raised through fundraising activities such as raffles. These events are run both online and inperson at the setting. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The principal risk facing Earlybirds financially would be that children do not join the setting. This is a risk every year but due to the positive reputation, communication, and good advertising, luckily this has not been an issue as yet. |
Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed,royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association,CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | The setting has an application form for trustees. Potential trustees are invited to attend a meeting to see if they would be willing to commit and to meet the trustees. Trustees are normally elected at an AGM, However, if the need arises, trustees can be elected as part of a meeting, and the potential trustee is elected by the board of trustees for a period of one year. Key roles - Chair, Vice-Chair etc are agreed at each AGM unless a vacancy arises. |
Additional information (optional)
| Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) |
|---|---|---|
| You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: | ||
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Earlybirds Playgroup |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1165010 |
| Charity’s principal address | Earlybirds Playgroup Buckshaft Road Cinderford GL14 3DL |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year Nam e of pers on (or bod y) entit led to app oint trust ee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhiannon Trillo | Chair | Early birds |
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| Hannah Tufnell | Treasurer | Early birds |
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| Sarah Jones | Early birds |
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| Matt Bishop | Early birds |
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| Jodie Bishop | Acting manager until Jan 2022, deputy manager from this point |
Early birds |
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| Margaret Hewis | Manager | Started Jan 2022 Early birds |
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16 17 18 19 20
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in N/A this capacity Name and objects of the charity N/A on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe N/A custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
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| Type of adviser Name Address |
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| Accountant | SA Accountancy | 5 Victoria Street, Cinderford, GL14 2ET |
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Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) HM Tufnell Full name(s) Hannah Tufnell Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Treasurer etc) Date 12/01/23
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