## **Trustees Annual Report for the period 1 April 2020 — 31 March 2021**
## **Charity Name: Marlow Opportunity Playgroup**
Registered Charity number: 1177581
Charity's principal address : Scout HQ Watery Lane Woburn Green HP10 ONE
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity:
- Paul Finch, Chair
- John Prout, Vice-Chair
- Sherida Atherton, Treasurer
- Catherine Austin, Governance
- Susan Smith, Secretary
- Jane Gibbons
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
In 2018 Marlow Opportunity Playgroup successfully applied to the Charity Commission to set up a new charity under CIO status. Marlow Opportunity Playgroup has existed as an unincorporated charity for many years but was advised that a CIO was a more suitable charitable framework. The CIO has the same name and charitable aims as the unincorporated charity and has finally taken over the operation of the playgroup from January 1[st] 2021. All assets moved to the CIO effective January 1[st] 2021 – this can been seen as operational income within the accounts. All income, expenditure and operations since January 1[st] 2021 are reflected in the CIO and within this set of accounts.
The CIO operates under a Foundation Model Constitution.
## **Objectives and Activities**
Our objectives and activities remain the same as under unincorporated status. To provide a safe, caring and stimulating environment where children, primarily with special needs can learn through play. To operate under charitable status managed by a voluntary committee and run by qualified staff.
1
The main activities undertaken for the public benefit are:
1. To advance the education of children, in particular but not exclusively, those with special needs through the provision of nursery and pre-school care.
2. To advance the education and training of persons in the provision of such pre-school care.
## **Achievements and Performance**
Coronavirus had a devastating effect for the Marlow Opportunity Playgroup (MOP) and the families that rely on our services. During the Summer and Autumn terms MOP ran at reduced capacity for Covid-safety reasons and also due to the limited number of available staff and volunteers. The decision was made to remain closed after the Christmas break due to the second full lockdown, reopening after the February half term and building up to full opening early in March.
Our register was restricted to 15 children per session throughout this financial year to ensure that the children were all supported 1:1 and we had an additional member of staff each session to cover all additional cleaning duties. Unfortunately, this impacted on the number of children we could admit from our waiting list. We made the decision to adjust our Admissions Policy to prioritise those children on the waiting list who were due to start school in September 2021. Consequently, we were only able to offer places to 4 children and the number of children on our waiting list remained high for the remainder of the academic year (2020/21).
A strict procedures/risk assessment was in place to limit the spread of infection and as a result of the staff team adhering to these procedures, we managed to stay open with a very full register most days. These procedures remain in place today with staff wearing face masks throughout the playgroup sessions and taking twice weekly lateral flow tests. We also ask all visitors to the setting to adhere to this protocol.
The amazing staff and volunteer team have been wonderfully supportive of playgroup throughout this challenging time, pulling out all the stops to ensure the children continued to enjoy stimulating and varied sessions. Key workers kept in regular contact with their children during lockdown posting songs and stories on social media and by email. A staff production of ‘With a little help from my friends’ attracted a lot of attention to our Facebook page and brought in donations.
As a new charity we are currently waiting for our first Ofsted inspection. The intention is to re-gain the ‘Excellent’ rating awarded to the unincorporated charity.
2
## **Financial Performance**
As a result of the pandemic, the charity was unable to hold the usual Fairs or the Dinner Dance. Income from fundraising was therefore dramatically reduced. MOP was, however, able to access the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which helped to meet some of our costs over the most difficult period.
The Trustees are grateful for a number of grants that have improved our financial position over the short to medium term. As we transition to the CIO our viability looks stronger than since the charity began.
## **Reserves**
It is the intention of the trustees to build a reserve equal to nine month's operating costs. This would equate to £180,000. Our ambition is to ensure that MOP can remain open if one of one or more of our funding sources is discontinued. We would want to provide playgroup places to children until alternative provision could be found.
All reserves have been transferred to the CIO Marlow Opportunity Playgroup within the financial year.
## **Declaration**
The Trustees declare that they have approved the trustee's report above. Signed on behalf on the charity's trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Paul Finch Position CHAIRMAN TRUSTEE
3
## MARLOW OPPORTUNITY PLAYGROUP
Registered Charity number 1177518
Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2021
4
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITES
## FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
|Notes
Unrestricted
funds
INCOMING RESOURCES
Voluntary income
3[a]
42,715
Activities for generating funds
3[b]
35
Investment income
3[c]
3
Funds trsansferred from unincorpora3[d]
186,118
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
228,872
RESOURCES USED
Charitable activities
4
54,433
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED
54,433
NET INCOMING RESOURCES /
[EXPENDITURE]
174,439
TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS
-
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
174,439
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD AT
1 APRIL
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT
31 MARCH|Restricted
funds
19,131
19,131
-
-
-
19,131|**Total funds**
**2021**
**61,846**
**35**
**3**
**186,118**
**248,002**
**54,433**
**54,433**
**193,570**
**-**
**193,570**
**-**
**193,570**|Total funds
2020
-
-
-
-
-
-|
|---|---|---|---|
||||0
-
0
-|
||||-|
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## BALANCE SHEET
## AS AT 31 MARCH 2021
|Notes
FIXED ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Short term deposits
Cash in bank and in hand
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Sundry creditors and accruals
5
Deferred income
6
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL NET ASSETS|-
56,376
137,730
194,106
536
193,570
193,570
**2020-21**|-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**2019-20**|
|---|---|---|
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## **Notes to the accounts**
## **Note 1 Basis of preparation**
## **1.1 Basis of accounting**
These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost (except that investments are shown at market value) in accordance with:
- Accounting and Reporting by Charities – Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2005);
• and with* Accounting Standards; or Financial Reporting Standards for Smaller Enterprises (FRSSE);
- and with the Charities Act.
## **1.2 Change in basis of accounting**
There has been no change to the accounting policies (valuation rules and methods of accounting) since last year
## **1.3 Changes to previous accounts**
No changes have been made to accounts for previous years
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**Notes to the Accounts (continued)**
## **3. INCOMING RESOURCES**
## **Restricted Funds**
Unrestricted funds represent the funds of Marlow Opportunity Playgroup that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use, and are available for application on the general purpose of the paygroup.
Restricted funds represent donations and grants received for a specific objective, and may only be expended on the specific objective for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund. Restricted funds recognised in these accounts relate to:
[1] a grant received from Youth Music. The total grant received was for £12,658 for expenditure over two years.
[2] the Big Lottery fund. We received £6,473 between Jan - March 2020 to fund the role of Playgroup Supervisor.
|**INCOMING RESOURCES**
Unrestricted
[1] Restricted
Youth Music
[2] Restricted
Big Lottery
3[a] Voluntary income
Funding
7,435
Support Assistance
13,547
Grants
6,911
12,658
6,473
Fees
-
Donations
5,293
Coronavirus Job Retension Sc
9,529
Other
-
**42,715**
**12,658**
**6,473**
3[b] Activities for generating funds
Fundraising
**35**
**-**
3[c] Investment Income
Bank deposit interest
**3**
**-**||**2021**
**2020**
7,435
13,547
26,042
-
5,293
9,529
-
**61,846**
**-**
**35**
**3**
**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|
3[d] Funds transfer from Marlow Opportunity Playgroup (unincorporated charity) **186,118 -**
|**4. RESOURCES USED**
Unrestricted
Charitable activities
Staff Costs
38,252.80
Transport
Rent
Services
Training
Equipment & materials
1,461.95
Expenses
Other
**39,715**
**5. CURRENT LIABILITIES (Creditors and Accruals)**
[a] Sundry creditors and accruals
National Insurance
Transport
Services & equipment
Expenses & Training
Cash expenses|[1] Restricted
Youth Music
2,926
**2,926**|[2] Restricted
Big Lottery
6,473
**6,473**||**2021**
**2020**
44,726
-
825
2,824
585
4,388
12
1,072
**54,433**
**-**
**2021**
**2020**
-
-
536
**536**
**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
## **6. RESERVES**
It is the intention of Marlow Opportunity Playgroup to operate with a reserve equal to nine month's operating costs in order to build financial resilience. Our income varies depending on a number of factors and we need to be able to cover costs and sustain playgroup places for children in the event of a funding shortfall for at least nine months.
8
## **Notes to the accounts (cont)**
## **Note 7 Details of certain items of expenditure**
## **7.1 Trustee expenses**
Number of trustees who were paid expenses Nature of the expenses Total amount paid
**----- Start of picture text -----**
This year Last year
None None
£0 £0
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **7.2 Fees for examination or audit of the accounts**
Independent examiner’s or auditors' fees for reporting on the accounts
Other fees (for example: advice, consultancy, accountancy services) paid to the independent examiner or auditor
||**This year £**
None|**Last year £**
None|
|---|---|---|
||None|None|
## **Note 8 Paid employees**
## **8.1 Staff Costs**
|Gross Wages, Salaries and Benefits in Kind
Employer's National Insurance costs
Pension costs|**This year £**
**Last year £**
40,778
-
1,592
-
2,356
-|
|---|---|
||44,726
-|
## **8.2 Average numberof full-time equivalent employees in the year**
All paid employees at Marlow Opportunity Playgroup work in the playgroup setting.
|Fundraising
Charitable activities
Governance
Other|**This year**
**Last year**
0
0
10
10
0
0
0
0|
|---|---|
||10
10|
## **9.3 Defined contribution pension scheme**
A defined contribution scheme is operated (using Nest Pensions), in accordance with employment law.If an employees earns £10,000 per year they are automatically enrolled, but all employees have the option to join. Playgroup contributes 3%, employee pays 5%.
|The costs of the scheme to the charity in the year
The amount of any contributions outstanding at the end of the year
The amount of any contributions prepaid at the end of the year|**This year**
**Last Year**
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A|
|---|---|
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CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND ANO IIIALES
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