COMBERTON PLAYGROUP CIO ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDING 31 AUGUST 2020
Registered Charity no: 1175029 Registered address: Green End, Comberton, Cambridge, CB23 7DY
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Comberton Playgroup
Trustees Annual Report
Comberton Playgroup is a registered charity with Trustees elected in accordance with our Constitution. The Trustees are legally responsible for the overall management and decision making, along with the direction and performance of Comberton Playgroup. On a day to day basis the Playgroup is run by the senior staff Management Team, supported by all staff members. We are required to ensure that the Playgroup runs in accordance with our Constitution, within the law and to make major decisions jointly. We are required to provide the Charity Commission with an Annual Report which is available to all parents/guardians attending the Charity’s Annual General Meeting and on request.
Trustees and Volunteers 1[st] September 2019 – 31 August 2020
Chair of Trustees: Gareth Lane Trustee: Kate Elliott Trustee: Emma Amupitan Parent Support: Lois Dixon, Clare Waller David Newton, Miranda Horvath Jo Lewis
– Playgroup Management Team Sept 2019 August 2020
(Reporting directly to the Management Committee)
Playgroup Leader: Rachel Lowing Deputy Playgroup Leader: Hilary Kingshott Senior Room Leader: Julia Chandler
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Objects of Comberton Playgroup
The aim of the Playgroup is to enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age by encouraging parents/guardians to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups and by:
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PROVISION – offering play facilities for the development and education through different activities/education for different age groups, including Fun for Ones and Twos, and Playgroup for age 2 years to 5 years, with advanced activities for children in their last year before attending primary school.
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CHILDREN & COMMUNITY – encouraging the study of needs of the individual children in their development and education, and to give additional support to the children and parents, when required. This includes the promotion of public interest in, and the recognition of such needs in the local areas, with the aim to be accessible to children and families from the local community, regardless of race, culture, religion or means.
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POLICIES & ENVIRONMENT – creating an environment in which children are safe from abuse, and in which suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to according to the Playgroup’s Child Protection Policy.
These objectives are in line with the constitutional objectives of the CIO:
The charity works for the public benefit having as its objects the development and education of children and young people in particular by:
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promoting their care and safety;
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promoting their education and promoting parental involvement;
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promoting their health and wellbeing;
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providing services to support them and their families and carers;
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providing services to individuals holding membership of the CIO; and
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furthering the aims of the Pre-school Learning Alliance.
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The last 12 months
The 2019-20 academic year started much like many others and following changes in recent years there was a hope that this would be a relatively uneventful year. As we are all now aware a global pandemic was looming and the year was to prove to be a hugely challenging one. I am pleased to be able to reflect on how well Playgroup adapted to the situation and continued to play a valuable role in the local community throughout lockdown and beyond. There can be no doubt that this is in no small part to thanks to the leadership of Rachel and the support and commitment of all the other staff. I would like to record here the thanks of the trustees for their hard work and commitment during a very difficult period.
Covid-19
As the seriousness of the Covid-19 situation became apparent in March it was necessary to cancel the annual Easter fundraising morning. Shortly afterward, the government announced closures to all schools and childcare settings, with the last “normal” day on Friday March 20th. However, Playgroup stayed open for children of keyworkers throughout lockdown and we are delighted to have been able to support our parents and community in this way. Staff kept in touch with all children through online learning journals and phone calls, and made a scrapbook of pictures of what children had been up to at home, to share with them on their return to playgroup.
We were able to reopen for all children on June 8th, dividing into two “bubbles” and implementing new routines to reduce the risk of transmission. To do this safely required a large amount of planning and risk assessment, alongside keeping up to date with ever evolving guidance from the government. Unfortunately Fun for 1s and 2s has been unable to restart as parents are not allowed to enter the building.
Fundraising
A very successful Christmas Fayre was held in 2019, with a very festive atmosphere and several stalls selling Christmas themed items. An impressive figure of nearly £900 was raised, to which was added £185 from the Nativity hamper raffle and DVD sales.
Covid-19 prevented all the usual fundraising events which we would normally have undertaken later on the year from taking place. So we would especially like to thank Sally Newton who raised over £400 with an online Easter themed yoga session, and Charlotta and her family who raised over £1,100 by completing a 14-mile sponsored bike ride. The village Friendship Club also kindly donated proceeds of their charity coffee morning in January. The support and generosity of parents and the wider community is key to enabling Playgroup to fulfil its charitable aims.
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Finances
Hilary continues to manage the day to day finances, supported by our accountant, Arun Davda. The trustees carefully monitor the income and main expenditure in order to make sure that playgroup is affordable and sustainable. The trustees have set the objective of paying at or as close to the Living Wage (as set by the Living Wage Foundation) as possible.
Due to the proportion of income which comes from funded hours the trustees’ ability to influence the amount of income through the level at which fees are set is limited. The trustees continue to monitor the impact of this.
Premises
A kind donation of a playhouse was made, which has been made into an outdoor book nook. The building of a sensory walk through the garden and additions to the existing mud kitchen have also improved the outdoor facilities.
No major works to the buildings were undertaken during the year.
Currently the Diocese is unable to issue a new lease as the EPC rating of the building is not high enough. The Diocese is putting in place plans to undertake improvements to the building with the intention of being able to issue a new lease.
Change to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Comberton Playgroup CIO became the Ofsted registered operator of Comberton Playgroup on 1[st] September 2018, taking over the assets and liabilities of the previous unincorporated charity and registered company. All staff employment was transferred to the CIO using the TUPE regulations. The previous company has now been wound up. Winding up the previous unincorporated charity has proven to be more troublesome, but is still being progressed.
We welcome any suggestions from parents, grandparents, carers and others if there are ways in which you feel we can improve our service in the future. Any parent or carer or community member interested in becoming a trustee or playgroup supporter should approach Rachel at Playgroup or one of the trustees.
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Comberton Playgroup Finance Summary
As would be expected there were initial concerns about a lack of funds due to lockdown reducing attendance. However the government recognised the importance of early years settings and grant funded places continued to be paid throughout. Further assistance was sought by furloughing staff. As grant funding continued we were only able to furlough a proportion of staff, which had to be at or below the proportion of our total income which was lost due to no longer having that fee income. As at that stage it was not possible to partfurlough staff careful analysis of finances and staffing rotas was undertaken to ensure we could maximise the support we could obtain and also continue to provide a service for children of key workers. Finally South Cambridgeshire Council suggested we apply for a discretionary support grant, which we were successful in obtaining and which contributed to paying for adjustments required for reopening and to ensuring the ongoing viability of Playgroup.
Final accounts for trustee approval were received on 17 November 2020. These indicate a surplus of £16,394 for 2019/20. This surplus will be retained at present as there is still significant uncertainty as to when completely normal operations will resume.
The full accounts are appended to this report.
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Registered number 1175029 COMBERTON PLAYGROUP CIO Report and Accounts 31 August 2020
COMBERTON PLAYGROUP CIO Report and accounts Contents èbpd Page Company Information Directoes report Profit and loss account Balance Sheet Notes to the 8C¢OUnts Raport ol Accountant The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts Detailed trading and profrt and loss account Appendixl Independent Examinèr's Report to the Trustees Appendix 2
COMBERTON PLAYGROUP CIO Company Infom)ation as at 31 August 2020 Comberton Playgroup 18 a charitable Incorporated olganisation. The company helps Childrenlyoung People by providing Educationrrraining Charitable status Comberton Play Group is a Registered Charity, Number 1175029 Trustees Mr Gareth L8ne Mrs Emma Amupitan Mrs Kate Elliott Regist•r•d offlc• '. COMBERTON PLAYGROUP CIO Gréén End Comberton C823 7DY Bankers . Santander Santander UK PLC Bootle Mérseysidè L30 4GB Accountant .. DAVDA & CO IACCOUNTANTSI LTD 18 FENDON ROAD CAMBRIDGE CB1 7RT
COMBERTON PLAYGROUP CIO Report of Trustees for the year ended 31 August 2020 The trustees present their report gnd accounts for the year ended 31 August 2020 INCORPORATION The Charity was incorptsrated on 9th October 2017 and tookover the operation of Comberton Play Group LTD on 29th August 2018 PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES The Ch8rity was Incorporated with the object to 8equire and take over all or any part of the assets and liabilities of the long established uninGorpoiated body known as Comberton Playgroup Ltd The aims and objects of the Playgroup 8re to enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age by encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs ol their children through community groups. The trustees who have held Offi durin9 the finar+cial year ended 31 st August 2020 wÈrè".- Mr G Lane Mrs E Amypitan. Mis K A Elliott ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES Mrs K A Elliott Secretary 10 November 2020
COMBERTON PLAYGROUP CIO Profit and Loss Account forthe year ended 31 August 2020 2020 2019 Turnover 125.783 130340 Direct Costs 94.389 95,207 Gross profrt Administrative expenses 31,394 15,023 35,133 18401 Operating profrt 16,371 18.732 Interest Receivable 23 Profit before taxation 16,394 16,739 Tax on profit Prorrt for the financial year 16,394 16,739
COMBERTON PLAYGROUP CIO Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2020 Notes 2020 2019 Current assots Debtors & Prepayments Cash al bank and irk hand 5,951 51,434 57.385 5.730 46.705 52.435 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 15,746) {3,178) Net assets 51,639 49,257 RESERVES Specific Reserves Profil & loss Account 7.767 7,767 41,490 43,872 Total Resee5 51.639 49.257 As a Charity Trustees of the trust, you are responsible for Ihe preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 I report in respect of my examination of the trust 8c¢ounts Carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5) {Bl of the Act The financial slAlemenis were approved by the trustees on 10111120 and were signed by Mr G Lane Chair of trustees
COMBERTON PLAYGROUP CIO Notes to the Accounts forthe year ended 31 August 2020 1 A0tIng policies 8asis ofprwration The accounts have been prepared under the histori¢al cost convention and In accordance with FRS 102, The Financial Reporting Standard applic8ble in the UK and Republic of Ireland la5 applied to small entities by section 1A ol the stand8rdl Turnover Turnover represents the income receivable by the society In the form of f885, grants and donations. 2 Taxation The company Is a mutual trading entity for Corpor8tion Tax purposes. No Corpor8tion tax Is chargable on the surplus of income lexcluding interest) over expenditure. No tax will bè payabla on building society inteiest in the currènt ye8r as th8 amoLint reeèiv6d f811s balow the minimus amount. 2 Debtors 2020 2019 Trade debtors & Prepayment5 5,951 5,730 3 Creditors= amounts falling due within one year 2020 2019 Trade creditors 5.746 3,178 5 Specific Reserves Reserves taken over on incorporation 7,767 7,767 6 Profit And Loss Account At Biginning of Financial year Ret£ined Profit lor the year Adjustment lo Previous year profits 41.490 18,394 26,100 16,739 1 349 41 490
COMBERTON PLAYGROUP CS0 Report of the accountants to the trustees forthe year ended 31 August 2020 As described on the balance sheet you are responsible for th8 pr8paration of th8 Iinancial statements for the year ended 31st August 2020 set out on pages threa to five and you con51der that the company is exempt from audit. In 8ccord3nc8 Wlth your Instructions we have compiled these u4audited financial statements in order lo assist you to fulfil your statutory respnsibilities, Irotn the accountlng recoids and informations supplied to us. Arun Davda DAVDA 8 CO IACCOUNTANTSI LTD 18 FENDON ROAD CAMBRIDGE CB1 7R T 10 Novembef 2020
COMBERTON PLAYGROUP CIO Detailed profit and loss account for the year ended 31 August 2020 This Schedule does not form part ofih8 statutory accoun18 Appendix 1 2020 2019 Turnover Fees Gr8nts Water Contribution 38.142 87.360 281 38,185 91,985 170 125.783 130,340 Admlnlstratlve expenses Employee costs. W8ges and salariès Teaching Materials 93,629 760 94.389 94,443 7fj4 95,207 Premises costs. Rent Insurance Water Rate5 Light and heat Gleaning 1.938 1.705 501 3.782 1.997 9.923 1,938 1,609 531 3,896 2,1eo 10,134 Gener818dministrative expenses". Telèphone and fax Staff Training stationery and printing Milk & Food Payroll Services Due5 & Subscriptions Staff Hospitality Equipment expensed Soft4vare Repairs and maintenance Sundry expenses 1,196 407 45 15 375 585 198 162 444 e53 1,010 881 45 47 360 441 123 100 4,215 56 7,278 4,080 Legal and professional costs". Accountancy fees 1.020 1.020 989 989 109,412 113.608
COMBERTON PLAYGROUP CIO Appendix 2 Financial accounts for the year ended 31 August 2020 Indepgndent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of the Cornberton Playgroup CIO I report on the accounts of Ihè Trustfor the year ended 31 August 2020 which are set out on pages pages 3 to 5. Respective responsibilities of the trustees and examiner The charitls trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charty's trustees consider that an audit v3 not requiTed for this year under section 43121 of the Charrties Act 1993 as amended by 8 28 of the Charibe$ Act 2006 and that an independent examination is needed. is my responsibility lo examine the accounts (under sedion 431311al ot the 1993 Act)., to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charrty Commissioners (under sech.on 4317}Ibl ol the 1993 Act as amendedl and to state whether parbcular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examinerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directs'ons given by the Charty Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accourt'ng records kepl by the chaiity and a comparison of the accounts presented wth those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seekino explanats'ons from you as trustees conceining any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the ewdence that would be required in an audit, and consequenlly I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent examiner'5 Statement In connection wrth my examinab'on, no matter has come to my attention.. 111 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that.. proper accourTrb'ng records are kept in accordance wth secb'on 41 of the Act.. and accounts are prepared which agree wlh the accounting records and comply wrth the accounling requirements of the Act. (21 to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. DAVDA & CO IACCOUNTANTSI LTD 18 FENDON ROAD CAMBRIDGE CB1 7RT 10 Novembei 2020