2022-07-31-accounts

	Trustee name	Office (ifany)		Dates acted ifnot for whole year	Name ofperson (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if an )	Name ofperson (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if an )
	Mark Lickess	Chairperson
	Rachael Caiman	Secretary		to O'" March 2022
	Christine Hayes	Secretary		from 6s April 2022
	Philip Hayes	Treasurer	,,~	from 6'" April 2022
	Ashleigh Chapman
	Emma Taylor
	Alicia Hunt			from 17 February 2022
	Joanna West			from 6'" April 2022
	Patricia Mahon	Treasurer		to 1"March 2022
10	Alison Blackery	Manager		to 31"October 2021
	Names ofthe trustees for the charity,		ifany, {forexample, any custodian			trustees)
	Name			Dates acted ifnot for whole	year

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Summary ofthe main achievements ofthe charity during the year			This was another unusual year which saw First Steps, like so many charities and businesses, significantly impacted by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
			COVID-19 —After restrictions had been eased during summer 2021,a
			new variant (Omicron) appeared, which gave rise to the reintroduction	of
			measures in December 2021, including the requirement to wear face
			masks. We adapted with the implementation of procedures which
			included parents waiting outside the setting and children being collected
			and returned by staff.
			Lateral flow tests were made available to staff and twice weekly testing
			was encouraged.
			The setting was unfortunately forced to close for one week during
			February 2022 and operated with reduced child numbers for a further
			week due to severe staff shortages caused by a combination ofCovid-19
			and other illness Iabsences.
			The government's Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate scheme was
			used where possible to recover some salary costs for staff members whc
			were obliged to isolate.
			Our Covid-19 policy, contingency plan and risk assessments were
			updated regularly throughout the year.
			Staffing and Training —Itwas another busy and unusual year at First
			Steps. We experienced high levels ofstaff sickness, including Covid-19
			related absences.
			One member ofstaff was on long term sickness absence from November
			2021, but began a phased return to work in April 2022.
			Alison Blackery resigned from her post as Playgroup Manager and left	in
			October 2021. Elaine Belcher acted as temporary manager until January
			2022, when she resumed her position as.Deputy Manager and existing
			staff member Emma Gadsby (nee Peeve) was promoted to the
			Manager's role.
			We welcomed two new apprentices to the team, one ofthem studying	for
			a Level 3 qualification and the other for Level 2. We also recruited a
			newly qualified practitioner who had previously worked within the setting
			as a trainee during her college course.
			This year training was received via a combination of in person and
			remote methods. Paediatric First Aid training was delivered to the
			majority ofstaff members in November 2021. One ofour practitioners
			successfully undertook training to become a SENCO (Special
			Educational Needs Co-ordinator) for the setting.
			Other core training was kept up-to-date and weekly staff meetings were
			used to provide in-house training as appropriate. Any areas ofweakness
			identified were followed up through additional sharing of information from
			the management team, arranging external training, or supervision
			meetings.

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		Outings —Visits were curtailed during the early part ofthe academic		year
		due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions. However, we were pleased to	be
		able to resume some ofour usual outings as the year progressed,
		including a visit to a local farm, walks around the village and a picnic	at
		the park for children and families. These were greatly appreciated by		all
		involved and provided valuable learning opportunities for the children.
		The Setting —We had 20 children transfer to local schools in July 2021
		and began the Autumn Term 2021 with 47 children on roll.
		We held parents evenings in June to keep families informed oftheir
		children's progress, which generated positive feedback.
		Over the past year, the children have made good progress in their
		learning through play opportunities and adult-led activities. Those
		children with an additional need have also shown steady progress,
		thanks to a key person working closely with the children and families
		using strategies from their targeted plan.
		Ofsted —A reportable incident occurred at the setting on 3February
		2022, in which a child was injured and received hospital treatment.	An
		investigation was conducted by our Chairperson and a detailed report
		was prepared. Some improvements and. learning points were identified
		and implemented. A complaint was made to Ofsted by the child's parent,
		but after receipt ofthe investigation report, Ofsted were satisfied that		no
		further action was required. A copy ofthe response from Ofsted is
		available from their website.
		We arranged for an improvement adviser from the Local Authority to
		conduct a mock Ofsted inspection in May 2022. The following report		and
		feedback given to the management team was extremely positive.
		The Finances —Our main source of income is session fees received		via
		the Free Early Education Entitlement (FEEE)scheme from Leicestershire
		County Council (for funded sessions)and from parents lcarers (for
		unfunded sessions).
		In addition, we usually carry out a number offundraising activities
		throughout the year to boost our income.
		This year's fundraising was somewhat curtailed due tothe Covid-19
		pandemic. Fortunately early years settings were permitted to remain
		open throughout the year, which meant that our government funding		was
		unaffected and helped to keep our overall financial position stable.
		Staff salaries form the majority ofour outgoings, as might be expected for
		a childcare setting, and this expenditure continues to rise each year	with
		statutory increases to minimum wage rates.
		We were able to recover a small amount of money for Covid-related
		sickness absences via the government's Coronavirus Statutory-Sick		Pay
		Rebate scheme.
		Most other expenses are directly related tothe number ofsessions
		provided, including rent, snack costs, session resources and toiletffies.

~ ~ ~
Rent continued to be paid on a monthly basis, in line with our rental
agreement with The Old School Hall, and saw only a minimal increase
during this financial year.
Fundraising —We were unable to carry out all ofour usual fundraising
activities due tothe impact ofCovid-19. However, the events that went
ahead were very profitable, particularly the Christmas Fayre, Halloween
and Easter discos, and our Summer BBQ.
We are grateful to all the staff and Committee members who helped with
the organisation and manning ofthese events, arid to the parents and
local community who supported them.
Our event income was supplemented by other fundraising initiatives,
which included the sale of uniform items embroidered with our First Steps
logo, car boot sales, selling Christmas baubles and donated toys, and the
introduction ofa large collecting bottle in the setting.
During the year we also received donations from a number ofsupporters.
including Market Bosworth Rotary Club, which were greatly appreciated.
Nloving forward —Looking ahead to the next year, we hope to continue
to build our charity.
We aim to keep enhancing the setting by implementing new ideas and
activities, to include learning walks around the village, along with stay
and play sessions to involve parents and carers.
We intend to evaluate how we can improve our service in line with Ofsted
requirements and set up a revised improvement plan.
We will continue to support staff in their professional development by
using peer and paired observations and regular supervision meetings.
We hope this will further enhance the quality of provision at First Steps so
that we can offer the best possible learning environment for all the
children.
We will continue with our fuhdraising activities throughout the year, as
they are vital to the success of First Steps and enjoyed by all who attend,
and we also hope to raise some additional funds by applying for grants.
We will continue to publicise First Steps in the immediate and
surrounding areas and focus on keeping staffing levels as low as
possible, without compromising the quality ofcare, to help minimise our
outgoings.

											F	irst Steps	Playgroup					1167009
												Receipts		and	payments		accounts					CC18a
												Forthe period from		01/06/2021		To		31/07/2022
		'
				-	-
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												Unrestricted funds		Restricted funds		Endowment funds		Total	funds			Last year
												to nesnmt6		to nearest	5	to nearest 2		to nearest		8		to nearest 5
A1 Receipts
Donsfions													136							'l36
Parents / Csrers'		Fees											26,055						26,055			29,362
Government	Funded Fees											107,712						.I	167712			77,473
Fundrsising													2,776						2,776			2,530
Grants																						13,924
Event income
Other receipts													27
	Slfb(Gross					income			for	AR)									137,545			123,635
P Asset	and		investment					sales, (see table)
										Sub
								7otai	receipts			137,544				1		-	237A45			123,635
A3 Payments
Fundraising	Costs												461									337
Salaries &NIC												115,342										110,097
Premises Costs													8,855,						87855			3,770
Consumshlss	&	Equipment											1,759						'/,	759		1,912
Catering													1,449									1,532
Oflice Expenses													5,398						5,398			3,590
Event Costs													215							215		135
Staff Training	etc																		1,863
Insurance													731									723
Other Expenses													926							926		636
										Sub		136,799							136.799			128,281
Asset	and		investment					purchases,		(see		table)
						I'		I ip	7	Stfb I	~136789~~~138;7I										~12/PS
	Net ofreceiptsl(payments)																			745	-	4,645
A5Transfers			between			funds
ABCash funds last year							end						40,526		1,142				412668			46,314
		Cash		funds				this year		end			41,27'I						42/41'4			41,668

			~		~	~		~	~				~ ~
									Unrestricted				Restricted			Endowment
		Categories			Details					funds			funds				funds
									to	ooamct 6			to nearest 6			to	nearest 6
B1Cash funds					Bank									1,143
					Cash							66
					Miscellaneous	debtors Icreditors						21
							Total cash funds				41,269			$,143
									Unrestricted				Restricted			Endowment
										funds			funds				funds
					Details				to	nearest 6			to nearest 6			to	nearest 6
B2Other monetary assets
					Details				Fund asset		to which boloo 6			. W	9	Currontvalue o lioual
B3Investment		assets
									Fund		towhich
					Details				asset		helen	6
B4Assets retained forthe			charity's
r	n use
									Fund		towhich		Amount due			When due
					Details				aabili		relates		o	onal		o lional
B5Liabilities
Signed by one or the trustees		lwo trustees on	behalf	of all		Si	nature				Print		Name			Date of a reval
				Chair							M	S	Lickess			l0	/K 2''