2021-04-05-accounts - Little Rascals Playgroup

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Little Rascals Preschool Limited

Address :Cwm Golau Integrated Children’s Centre Duffryn Road, Pentrebach, Merthyr Tydfil. CF48 4BJ

Tel No: 07760227106 ~ Email: littlerascalspreschool@live.co.uk Facebook: Little Rascals Preschool Registered Company Number: 06750544 Registered Charity Number: 1181400

Little Rascals Preschool

Dated July 2021

Annual Report For the year September 2020 – July 2021

September 2020 saw Little Rascals Preschool children returning for the first time since March. The academic year started a little worrying with the uncertainty of Covid 19 still about. Staff were anxious, but all risk assessments were carried out, the setting was split to encourage children to play in smaller groups and a meeting to discuss hygiene, procedures and the running of the group helped to settle staff who quickly became keen to get back into something as ‘normal’ as we possibly could. Numbers of children on role were about 50% lower than previous Septembers, understandably, parents still had concerns about Covid 19. Staff remained on the Government Furlough scheme, hence supporting them financially where numbers being low, staff working hours were lower. December saw an increase in Covid 19 cases, and Little Rascals closed early for the Christmas break. As schools remained closed in January 2021, staff had childcare issues, therefore Little Rascals remained closed until February half term. Throughout the Spring and Summer terms we saw an increase in children attending, and with no cases of staff or children contracting the virus we were feeling more confident about everything returning more to normal. Unfortunately, in the penultimate week before the Summer Holiday, we had a positive case and had to close for 10 days of isolation. In the last four days of term, staff were incredible in completing transition documents to be sent to schools, end of term assessments were completed with the data being sent to the Local Authority and children’s workbooks and graduation photos were completed to ensure the children’s time in Little Rascals would be remembered fondly.

The following information includes the annual running of the setting:

Regulatory Procedures ~ Little Rascals is a Company limited by Guarantee but not for profit, with Charitable Status. Little Rascals continue to run within the CIW guidelines on ratios of 1:4 children who are 2 years old, 1:8 with 3 year olds providing children with quality care. We are CIW registered, our last inspection was in May 2018 (report online). Little Rascals are also registered with ESTYN as Early Years Education providers providing your children also with quality education (last inspection 2015 report online). Being ESTYN registered provides parents of children, in the term after their third birthday, with part funded places. Also, for eligible parents we can provide 30 hours per week of Education and Childcare if the child does not attend school. Little Rascals is also registered as a Flying Start setting, allowing children in the term after their second birthday free access of up to 12.5 hours per week.

17[th] March, 2020 would have seen us being inspected by both ESTYN and CIW in a joint inspection. Unfortunately, on 16[th] March, we were informed that this was not going to go ahead due to Covid 19. We are still awaiting information as to when our inspection will next go ahead.

Management Structure ~ Hannah Hughes is a past parent who continues to be our Chair of the Committee. Karen Roberts, again a past parent, also continues to be our Treasurer. Myself as Secretary on the Committee, Manager for the Preschool.

Staff ~ Angie (myself) continues in a managerial role (behind the scenes) but am on occasions seen within the setting.

Sarah is the Room Playleader

Lauren continues to be part time deputy, with the support of a new full time deputy, Hannah who is working towards her Level 5.

Leah moved onto a new position in another setting, which would give her opportunities to complete her Level 5 qualification. Tara, Denise, Ceri and Becca are qualified to level 3.

Anna is on extended maternity leave but is planning to return to us some time in 2022.

Kali and Ellie, level 2, working towards Level 3. Jess is qualified to Level 3 and was our Additional Learning Needs CoOrdinator, sadly she was head hunted and took up a place working within a Special Unit within a local school and will not be returning to us in September.

Weekly Topics/Planning ~ We continue to plan for children’s learning and experiences based on weekly topics. Photos of these activities are posted on the Facebook Closed Group Parent page at the end of the week. Due to Covid 19 guidelines, we have not been in a position to ask parents to come into the setting to support these topics.

Children’s Progress ~ In normal times, this is the process: All children are allocated a keyworker. Within the first six weeks of them starting in Little Rascals, the child’s keyworker will have arranged to meet with the parent to discuss assessments that have been carried out over the six weeks. After this, at the end of each term until the child leaves, parents will receive a written progress report. Also, parents more than welcome to arrange a meeting with your child’s keyworker to discuss progress or at the beginning and end of each session if parents wish to know, the keyworker will be available to inform of progress or about how the child’s day has been. All staff are happy to talk to parents so at any time parents can feel free to talk to any member of staff about their child’s day. At time of the child’s transition to school, assessments will be again carried out and the ke y worker will arrange to discuss these with the parent and a transition document completed and signed is then sent to the school the child is attending.

In the past we have completed workbooks and children’s development profiles, going forward there will be a change to this. Parents will continue to receive a workbook with the child’s work in, but we will be looking to set up an online learning journal called Seesaw, which will give weekly photographs and development information.

Links with Outside Agencies ~ This year the Leader has had some good links with the following schools: Abercanaid, Caedraw, Troedyrhiw, Trelewis, St. Illtyds, Cyfarthfa and Gwaunfarren. We also have good links with Merthyr college supporting students and work experience. Other links include Early Years Wales, Cymryd Rhan, Business Wales, EY Advisory Teacher, Health Visitors, Speech and Language, Barnardos, Educational Psychologist, Occupational Therapist and The Flying Start team. Due to Covid 19, we have only had essential visitors into the setting.

Training Undertaken ~ All staff continue to undertake mandatory training (every three years) and optional training (resulting in some closure days). Mandatory training includs: Safeguarding, Paediatric First Aid and Food Hygiene. Staff also undertake their own Continuous Professional Development attending courses. ALNCo and Leader attended regular forums and Senior staff attended marketing training. All training since March has been carried out online.

Running Costs ~ This year’s fees increased by 50p to £13.50. We continue to strive to provide affordable childcare but with increasing costs, minimum wage and rent, it was necessary to increase our session costs. Although we are based in the ICC, we pay rent and we receive no grant funding to support running costs. All incoming fees are our only source of income and all outgoings are taken from these. This year due to Covid 19 the Welsh Government supported us towards some Revenue costs.

Allergens ~ At the start of the academic year we asked parents to provide a healthy snack for each of their children. After Easter it was decided to return to Little Rascals providing snack. The child’s registration form informs us of any allergies the child may have. Regulations state that we must keep a record of all allergens in the food we provide. This is available upon request. A daily menu is displayed on the parent notice board and posted on our closed Facebook parents group page.

Fundraising/Grant Funding

This year it was decided to not take part in Operation Christmas Child – Christmas shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse due to Covid 19

Food collection and toiletries for the homeless – this we did and all donations were gratefully received by the local charity Children in Need

Red Nose Day

Photograph commission – this was not carried out by an outside agency due to not being in a position to have visitors to the setting. Instead we took our own photos, which were then sold to parents. Photos were taken at Halloween, Christmas, St. David’s Day and Graduation

Christmas Concert and Fayre, where the children’s Christmas

artwork/decorations were sold to raise funds for the Preschool – again this did not happen due to Covid 19 regulations

Little Rascals were successful in receiving capital funding from the Welsh Government towards:

Capital grant items – Outdoor equipment Gazebo Playhouse C-Touch Screen

Cleaning products Art and Craft equipment for blended learning Outdoor Wet Weather Clothing

Funding from other organisations included:

Co-Op – Outdoor gardening area

Awards for All Wales – Funding support for Additional Learning Needs CoOrdinator

Moondance Foundation – Towards rent Economic Resilience Fund – Towards running costs Educ8 – Training Incentive Scheme

Group Visits/Visitors

No visits this year took place.

Celebrations

Divali Thanksgiving Christmas A.A. Milne Birthday Chinese New Year St. Dwynwen’s Day, St. David’s Day World Book Day Mother’s Day Easter Father’s Day Independence Day

Premises ~ The premises indoors continues to be in good repair but we are looking to freshen up the paintwork in the near future. The immediate outdoor play area has been updated including chalkboard, painting easel, corner bench, book rack, sand tray and storage station. We have also installed a large covered gazebo for outdoor learning and a new playhouse with furniture. The large garden area had been developed with fixed play equipment, a water wall and a mud kitchen and kept in good repair. It is planned to remove the Willow Dome and Planter, with plans to install a small outdoor classroom.

Parking ~ This is a real difficult issue for the centre who have tried in vain to ensure the safety of children coming to and leaving the Preschool. At no time should parents park on double yellow lines, on the pavement or in the disabled bays. Parents are also asked be mindful of travelling to and from the car park at a safe speed. As we and the Centre have a duty of care, we must ask that parents do not leave children in cars unattended at any time. On arrival and collecting children at the end of the session is now at the main gate. Again, this is why we stress safe speed and adhering to parking. Previous to Covid 19, children were brought to and collected at the entrance door, but as we were not in a position to keep parents 2 metres apart, we continue to bring and collect children from the main gate.

Safeguarding ~ The external gate is locked and access is only able if a member of staff releases the lock. There is always a member of staff on the door at opening and closing of sessions. This member of staff is there for the safety of no children leaving without a parent with them. If parents would like to ask about their child’s day, we ask parents to speak to a member of staff within the room. The Centre have also stressed, that in order to safeguard other children, at no point should parents take their own children to use the toilets. We ask parents to ask a member of staff. Also, if a child enters preschool with a pre-existing injury, we ask parents to let a member of staff know. We have also asked that parents now put coats and bags on the mobile rail to avoid children following through the door to the entrance hall. The exit button and handles have been raised to enforce the safety of the children. Little Rascals continue to conform to the General Data Protection Regulations. Annually, Little Rascals review their Safeguarding Policy and complete the Local Authority Safeguarding toolkit and actions from it are carried out. Where there are concerns for a ‘child at risk’, staff have contact details for MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) for advice and/or action. Termly Risk Assessments and Fire Risk Assessments/drills are carried out, July 2021 sees Little Rascals in a position of looking forward to reopening in September where Covid 19 risk assessments are being put together to support the safe return of children to the setting.

Facebook/e-mail ~ Little Rascals are on Facebook: Little Rascals Preschool Closed Parents’ Group and also Little Rascals Preschool public group for information purposes only. This last year LR have put photos of children on Facebook (with parents’ permission) of the weekly activities the children carry out based on the topics. Should you wish to contact the Manager/Leader via e- mail the address is littlerascalspreschool@live.co.uk

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff in Little Rascals for all their care and education they continue to give to the children. I would also like to say thankyou to all parents who support the playgroup in many ways, especially our Management Committee who carry out their role unpaid and for the support of the Preschool.

Angela Samuel Manager/Secretary

Little kascals Preschool Limited Address:Cwm Golou Inte9roted Children's Cerrtre uffryn Road. Pentreboch, Alerthyr Tydfil. CF48 48J Tel No: On60227106 - Email: littlerascalspreschooieiive.co.uk Facebook: Little Rascals Presthool Little Rascals Preschool Little Rascals Preschool Income and Expenditure Account- 2020 - 2021 Income Parent Fees Flying Start F¢&Funding Early YeaTS FeeslFunding Child¢are Offer Fe¢&Fundin8 "Flying stsALN EY ALN Childcare Offer ALN Other Wages inrrrdiniDWSMP Job Rdention Scheme Fundraising Grants Milk Reimbursem¥i)I Nest Pension ReimbursemeDt 20306. 185U9 8J7116 1,447J4 12J30.58 3.(K17.67 &64108 58J51.53 o. 5621&16 23125 60.62 Totsl Income If2229.98 nditu Wages Flying Start l.. I wages & National Insurance Pensions Consumabl PhotocopyinAthnIn Rent Farly Years Wales Memttrship In5uranee Play Equipment CTaft Supplies Hygiene Mfftlk Purch&8es Phon¢ Charges (103.138.60) (1.447.84) {6.360.43) {1291.08) (300.00) (364.96) (7.042.06) (60.75) (1275.55) (18281.49) (315.59) (1285.68) (341.70) (336.80) Totyl Expenditure (141,842.53) Surplv5 Funds to Carry Fomrd 4QJ87.45 OFnin8 Balance Wf 26.146J6 Closing Balance rjf 063.81 Accountant Signature .. Company ..............