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2022-08-31-accounts

Parklands Playgroup Trustees’ Annual Report Sept 2021 – Aug 2022 Charity number 1169508

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Contents

Section 1: Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1 Section 2: Review of activities and achievements ............................................................................. 3 Section 3: Pupil Numbers and Fees .................................................................................................... 3 Section 4: Finances ............................................................................................................................. 3 Section 5: Policies & Procedures ........................................................................................................ 4 Section 6: Future Plans....................................................................................................................... 4 Section 7: Our Statutory Duty as a Charity ........................................................................................ 5 Section 8: Appendix ~ Names and Addresses of Advisors ................................................................. 6

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Section 1: Introduction

Parklands Playgroup is run as a charity for the public benefit of the children in the local area with the purpose of advancing their education, specifically during their preschool years, so that they are well prepared for statutory schooling.

The organisation was registered as a Charity on 6[th] October 2016. The Trustees, together with the Playgroup Committee, are responsible for the work of Parklands Playgroup.

Trustees

Parklands Playgroup trustees are as follows:--

The trustees will serve the charity until they choose to resign or the charity closes. Members are appointed for a term of two years by a resolution passed at a properly constituted meeting of charity trustees. Members are eligible for re-election. In electing trustees, the charity gives due regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. All trustees complete DBS checks in line with statutory requirements.

Aims

Parklands Playgroup aims to advance the development and education of children aged five and under in such ways as the charity’s trustees think fit, including:

For the public benefit, the charity may carry out such other charitable activities as the trustees think fit.

In accordance with the Charity Commission’s requirements, trustees have agreed to:-

Structure, Governance & Management

Parklands Playgroup is registered with Ofsted and complies with the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

The day-to-day running of Parklands Playgroup is the responsibility of the staff team, led by the Playgroup Leader, who in turn reports to the nursery school’s Deputy Headteacher. The committee oversees the running of the playgroup and makes decisions about when the Playgroup is open, the

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fees charged to parents, staffing levels and appointments. The committee oversees the quality of the provision ensuring every child and their family can access high-quality provision.

There are two management groups; the main committee on which the following people serve:-

and the Finance Committee which comprises:-

Both groups have historically met termly, every 12 weeks, a minimum of 3 times per year; however, since the pandemic, this has not been the case, though communication has been made through virtual and electronic means to ensure the committee is informed of any relevant developments.

Playgroup Team

Due to the relatively low numbers the team continues to consist of:-

These members of staff hold a relevant level 3 qualification.

The Deputy Headteacher for Parklands Nursery School oversees Playgroup and has line management responsibility for the Playgroup Leader.

The trustees ensure that staff have regular supervision and Performance Management reviews where clear targets are agreed. There are also opportunities for CPD.

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Section 2: Review of activities and achievements

The Playgroup operates from the premises of Parklands Nursery School. In the previous year, the Playgroup children had joined the nursery school children which allowed the setting to face the numerous challenges bought about by the pandemic. The advantages of this arrangement were significant and staff from both settings were able to plan activities together, share their expertise and benefit from the support of a wider team. Most importantly, the children benefited from the additional resources made available to them and the arrangement helped the children’s transition when they progressed from playgroup to nursery school. A decision was made to continue with this arrangement for September 2021.

The children’s emotional wellbeing continued to be well supported with a well-planned and robust settling in programme, and the use of the ‘Voice of the Child’ system used to capture the many aspects of each child’s life, including medical, health and any other relevant needs. Access to the nursery school’s Family Support Worker was another benefit for those children and/or their families that were identified as needing support.

Children’s development was observed and assessed, enabling early intervention where necessary. Procedures for planning and ‘next steps’ continued to be in place and worked effectively to plan for both individual children’s needs and the needs of the group as whole.

Section 3: Pupil Numbers and Fees

Numbers in September 2021 were relatively low, increasing to 15 children on roll by the end of the year.

Fees remained at the 2020-2021 rate of £17.25 per session with session times being 08:30 - 11:30 and 12:30 – 15:30. These times were in line with the session times of Parklands Nursery School.

The Nursery School continued to operate a Lunch Club to which a small number of Playgroup children attended. This provides wraparound care for parents; and for the children the opportunity to enjoy the social aspects of mealtimes with their peers and carers. Lunch Club prices remained at £7.00 per session and was supported by Playgroup staff.

Section 4: Finances

Playgroup made a loss in the 2021-2022 academic year of £7,503.51. Playgroup were able to absorb this deficit with reserves, though these reserves are now exhausted.

The financial statement for 2021-2022 shows an income of £40,090.24. This is made up of fees paid by parents for the sessions their child attends and funding received from the local authority for those children entitled to either universal/extended funding that are aged 3 and above and those 2-yearolds entitled to funded sessions. There were no children eligible for High Needs Funding during the 2021-2022 academic year.

The greatest expenditure related to staffing costs which amounted to £34,138.15.

Increases in staff salaries was implemented in April 2022 to account for the increase to the National Living Wage. The Playgroup continued to operate its pension scheme through NEST.

There was a notable downturn in income for September 2021 due to children not taking as many sessions as in previous years. This can be attributed to the hours on offer not suiting all working parents and financial pressures that have arisen post-Covid. It was agreed that longer hours and all

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year-round provision should be revisited; however, this will be taken up by Parklands Nursery School (see Section 6 - ‘Future Plans’).

Fundraising

Due to the continuation of the pandemic, and staffing constraints, no major fundraising activities took place.

Section 5: Policies & Procedures

Policies and procedures are in place for all aspects of safeguarding, child protection and health & safety. Policies are reviewed and updated regularly. Weekly staff meetings and staff training days were used to ensure staff training was kept up to date. The staff benefited from joining in with the training provided for the nursery school from the Nursery School Federation. Training included safeguarding, food hygiene, learning and development and planning. In addition, staff attend Ofsted recognised 2-day paediatric first aid training on a rota basis to ensure that at any one time, at least one staff member will have the most up to date knowledge and skills in this area. Throughout the year, staff received supervision to support them in their work.

Risk assessments are carried out for activities and trips as appropriate. Health & safety checks are made by Parklands Nursery School who commission a company to assess playground equipment annually as part of their health & safety procedures. Additionally, termly checks of the premises are made by the Deputy Headteacher or a governor and Bursar/School Business Manager. No major works were undertaken for this period, though a plan for repairs and maintenance was put in place for Autumn 2022, which included several repairs to outdoor equipment belonging to the nursery school, used by the Playgroup.

Section 6: Future Plans

In March, the Governing Board of Foundations for Children Nursery Schools Federation (FCNSF), together with the leadership team of Parklands Nursery School, notified Playgroup that they proposed to expand the existing nursery provision to provide full time and part time places for 2- year-old children. It was explained that this would enable the school to become more sustainable, as local authority-maintained nursery schools continue to face increasing constraints on funding.

This proposal was discussed with the staff and Trustees of Parklands Playgroup and options for the Playgroup were explored. Challenges faced by Playgroup were highlighted to include the following: -

The Playgroup Trustees and Committee members decided that the best option for the children and families would be for the Playgroup to cease offering its provision for 2–3-year old’s from the end of

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August 2022. Children of this age range could attend through the nursery school, thus attending the same premises, staff would be transferred across to the nursery school under TUPE, and so in essence, there would be no fundamental difference in the service provided to parents and children because of the closure.

The additional work possible due to funds received by the Charity would continue. This work includes groups operated at Parklands Nursery School for families with young children such as Stay & Play, Time for Us and Baby Massage. The Charity aims to expand on this work, to incorporate come of the geographical areas covered by the FCNFS; in addition, the Charity will incorporate funded work around action research for the benefit of the Early Years sector as a whole.

A number of resolutions were passed at a meeting of the Trustees and Committee in May 2022, to reflect the new focus of the Charity. The resolutions included agreement to:-

These changes will allow other strands of the Charity work to continue, and further develop.

Section 7: Our Statutory Duty as a Charity

As trustees, we are confident that we have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Commission.

The trustees and committee thank Parklands Nursery School who have hosted the Playgroup since its incorporation; the Playgroup staff for their hard work and commitment, and the parents who put their trust in the Playgroup for the care and education of their children.

Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustee’s Annual Report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:-

Nancy Fitzmaurice Trustee & Treasurer Date:

Contact details:Parklands Playgroup Spinney Hill Northampton Northamptonshire NN3 6DW

01604 642118 head@croyland-nur.northants-ecl.gov.uk senco@parklands-nur.northants-ecl.gov.uk

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Section 8: Appendix ~ Names and Addresses of Advisors

Bankers: Barclays
Leicester
LE87 2BB
Independent Examiners Cobley Desborough - Accountants
Artisans House
7 Queensbridge
Northampton
NN4 7BF
Insurance Brokers Pre-School Learning Alliance
50 Featherstone Street
London
EC1Y 8RT
Advisors Early Years Team
Northamptonshire County Council
One Angel Square
Angel Street
Northampton
NN1 1ED
Date Protection Officer Lyndsey Barnett
Executive Headteacher, Foundations for Children Nursery Schools
Federation (FCNSF)
Parklands Nursery School
Spinney Hill Road
Parklands
Northampton
NN3 6DE
head@croyland-nur.northants-ecl.gov.uk
01604 642118

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PARKLANDS PLAYGROUP

Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 August 2022

Income Income Expenses Expenses
£ £
Fees 19,711.38 Rent 9,333.00
NCC Headcount funding 20,378.86 Wages/PAYE 32,645.77
Grants - Pension 1,492.38
Miscellaneous - Training -
Equipment 820.22
Marketing -
Insurance 520.65
Misc 2,288.50
Projects 493.23
Deficit 7,503.51
-
40,090.24
£
Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2022
40,090.24
£
Accumlated Fund B/fwd
Surplus/(Decifit) for Year		 22,278.38
Cash at Bank
7,503.51
-
Cash in hand
14,774.87
£		 14,774.87
-
14,774.87
£

(HARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Indep6Jndent Examinèr's Roport Report to the trustees 'Cil-h.loii]{.l -) On accounts for the year ended Charity iio lif any) Set out on pages I report lo the Iruslees on my examin21ion of the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust") for the year ended Responsibilities and basi5 of report As the charity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparat￿n of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I'the Act I I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 01 the 2011 Act and in carrying out my exaniinalion, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examiner's statemen I have completed my examination I confirm that no material mallers have come to my attention In connection with the examinatroii lolher than that disclosed below ') which gives me cause lo believe that in. any material respect. the accoLinling records were not kepl in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act, Dr the accounts did not accord with the accounting records, or. the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts sel OLII in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in ¢orinection with the examination lo which allenlion should be drawn in this report In order lo enable a proper uiiderslanding of the accoLJnls to bè reached. Please delete tlie words 117 117e brackets if tl?$y do not apply. Signed.. Date.. 0£ 03 2LI Name.. Relevant professional qualificationlsl or body IER Oct 2018

{If any}: Address: Desbc) s br,. K A KJ Section B Disclosure Only complete If the examiner neea5 to h￿hLight material matters ol concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity 8ccounls'. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brfef detalls of any Items that the examlner wlshe5 to dlsclose. IER Oct 2018

Parklands Playgroup

Income and Expenditure for the year ended 31 August 2022

Income
Fees
NCC Headcount funding
Grants
Miscellaneous
Balance Sheet as at 31st August 2022
Accumulated fund B/fwd.
Surplus / (Deficit) for the year		 Expenditure
£
19,711.38
Rent
20,378.86
Wages /PAYE
Pension
Equipment
Marketing
Insurance
Misc
nursery projects
Deficit
40,090.24
22,278.38
Cash at bank
-7,503.51
14,774.87		 £
9,333.00
32,645.77
1,492.38
820.22
520.65
2,288.50
493.23
-7,503.51
40,090.24
14,774.87
14,774.87