2021-08-31-accounts

Dwylo Bach Preschool Charity

Market Street, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 3HW

Tel: [phone] – Email: [e-mail] CIW Registration: W150000236/O001/0002

Registered Charity number: 1184017

The Trustees present this annual report together with the financial statement of the charity for the period 1[st] September 2020 to 31[st] August 2021.

Dwylo Bach Preschool was granted charitable status on 20[th] June 2019 and is governed by its constitution as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The object of the CIO is to enhance the development and education of children in Wales, for the public benefit, by encouraging parents to understand and provide for their needs through high quality childcare provision.

Membership of the CIO: Membership of the CIO is divided into two kinds: (a) Family membership - Family membership is available to the parents or guardians of all children who attend any group run by the CIO wishing to support the aims of the CIO. (b) Affiliate membership - Affiliate membership of the CIO is open to anyone who is interested in furthering its purposes and who, by applying for membership, has indicated his, her or its agreement to become a member and acceptance of the duty of members.

The method of appointment of trustees is set out in the constitution dated 2[nd] October 2018. There are currently three trustees involved in the organisation: Alison Jones continues to be Chair of the Committee, with Suzanne Foley and Declan Salmon the other Trustees. For some time

there have been attempts to recruit additional Trustees, if there is no success it is likely that an alternative management committee will be sought i.e. a merger or takeover by another charity with a similar objective.

The Trustees are aware that the Charity has a responsibility under the Charities Act to demonstrate that it has charitable aims that meet the public benefit requirement and are therefore charitable. The Trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit and comply with S17 Charities Act 2011 when considering, planning and implementing the activities of the charity. As Trustees, we believe that the aims of our organisation are charitable and for the public benefit. This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (issued in January 2015).

Signed on behalf of the Trustees: …A.T. Jones ………. Date 6 December 2021……

Annual Report

September 2020 – August 2021

Despite the restrictions and uncertainties associated with the Covid pandemic, including lockdowns, the preschool has continued to provide high class childcare and remains a successful provider. This is due in no small way to the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff.

Negotiations continued throughout the year with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council to put in place a formal lease for the premises; this was achieved in July. Plans to move to a new purpose-built building, in the grounds of Dowlais Primary School following a successful application for Welsh Government funding, have continued with site meetings and discussions.

Regulatory Procedures –

Dwylo Bach Preschool is a registered charity and is registered with CIW to provide full day care for children aged two – four years old, we follow the CIW guidelines on ratios of 1:4 for two year olds and 1:8 for three and four year olds, our last inspection took place in November 2017, available to view on line. Dwylo Bach is registered as a Flying Start preschool, allowing children from selected post codes to access free childcare for 12.5 hours per week from the term after their second birthday. We are also registered to provide the Child Care Offer for eligible families, Dwylo Bach is able to provide wrap around care for children who have a part-time nursery space.

Management Structure –

Alison Jones continues to be our Chair of the Committee, with Suzanne Foley and Declan Salmon the other Trustees. Day to day running of the Preschool is the responsibility of Natalie and Kathryn.

Staff –

For the period September 2020 – August 2021, staff continued to provide excellent care and early education to the children attending Dwylo Bach Preschool. We are:

Natalie – preschool leader, managerial role, room leader, key worker for a group of children. CCLD Level 5 with leadership and management.

Kathryn – preschool leader, managerial role, room leader, 1:1 worker for children who require enhanced support. CCLD Level 5 with leadership and management.

Savannah – preschool assistant, deputy in training, key worker for a group of children and 1:1 worker for children who require enhanced support. CCLD Level 5 with leadership and management.

Kelly – preschool assistant, key worker for a group of children and 1:1 worker for children who require enhanced support. Qualified to Level 3, working towards Level 5.

Rachael – preschool assistant, key worker for a group of children and 1:1 worker for children who require enhanced support. Qualified to Level 3.

Beth – Apprentice preschool assistant, key worker for a group of children. Working towards Level 3. Rachael joined the team in May 2021.

From January 2021 – February 2021, the preschool partially closed in line with lockdowns due to Covid-19, two full time staff, Savannah and Kelly, remained in active employment as the setting continued to open for children with additional needs, receiving enhanced support. All other staff were placed on the governments Furlough scheme, either part time or full time. Natalie and Kathryn kept in touch with all families on a weekly basis via text messages and phone calls to support their well-being and offer help or advice if needed. As well as contacting families, social media was updated daily with ideas to keep children entertained while at home, as well as strategies to continue supporting their development. Story and song time videos were also uploaded weekly since we have closed; feedback from parents around this has been very positive as children enjoy taking part in preschool routines at home. The preschool reopened for all children, in line with local schools, after February 2021 and continued to provide care and early education for children without further disruptions until August 2021.

Topics/Weekly Planning -

Staff at Dwylo Bach continue to plan for children’s learning and development based on termly topics and celebrations broken down into weekly planning. The whole team contributes to planning and are always enthusiastic to put new topics and ideas forward. Topics explored since September include; All About Me, Fun Filled Autumn, Winter Wonderland and Classic Fairytales.

Children’s progress -

All children are allocated a key worker and within their first few weeks of being at the setting, staff use the Foundation Phase Profile and WellComm screening to assess children’s development. Staff would usually then meet with parents to discuss the findings, share next steps and, if needed, offer support either in house or from other agencies, such as the Speech and Language team. These assessments take place at the end of each term and every time staff meet with parents to keep track of progress, this has still taken place throughout the year, the only difference due to Covid procedures is that parents now meet with staff outside in the preschool garden At the end of a child’s time at Dwylo Bach, transition documents are gathered and shared with parents before being given to the nursery teacher where the child is going to attend. This helps the teacher know a little more about each child that is going to attend and highlights any areas of need for each child.

When children leave the setting, they are always given a scrap book with photos, paintings, and work that they have completed during their time with us. These were given out at the end of term. These are always a huge hit with parents and are a lovely keepsake of their child’s time at preschool

Links with Outside Agencies -

As Dwylo Bach accepts children from all areas of Merthyr, we have been lucky enough to build good relationships with the following Primary Schools: Dowlais, Pant, St Illtyds Roman Catholic, Gellifaelog and Gwaunfarren. Other links include: Early Years Wales, Cymryd Rhan, Flying Start, Early Years Additional Needs Coordinator, Health Visitors, Speech and Language team, Early Language support team, Educational Psychologists, Bernados support worker, Parenting Support team and Dowlais Library. While working alongside other agencies has changed dramatically over the last year, our relationships are still strong and together we have continued to work closely to support the children and families that use our service.

Training Undertaken -

All staff continue to undertake mandatory training, including safeguarding, paediatric first aid and food hygiene. We also take pride in the enthusiasm staff show for continuing their professional development by taking part in additional training and courses, such as disability awareness, ACE training, Autism Awareness training etc. Almost all training has now been undertaken online or vis virtual meetings, this is welcomed by the staff and everyone has adapted well to this new way of learning.

Running costs -

This year the fees increased slightly to £11 per 2.5 session, £24 per full day session, £14 per Flying Start top up to full day, £3 per Childcare Offer top up.

Grant Funding –

During this year we have received a £300 grant from MTBCC to be used for resources for children to take home so that they can continue learning and taking part in creative activities when there are disruptions to them attending the settling, caused by lockdowns or having to self-isolate. Also an IT grant from the Childcare Offer, to purchase a new laptop for the setting.

Celebrations/Charity Awareness –

At Dwylo Bach children are able to learn and celebrate several special occasions throughout the year, including; Halloween, Bonfire Night, Children in Need, Remembrance Day, Christmas, New Year, Valentine’s Day, St Dwynwen’s Day, St David’s Day, World Book Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, VE Day, Father’s Day and World Ocean Day.

Premises -

The preschool includes one large classroom, separate cloak room area, children’s toilets with sinks and nappy changing table, disabled/staff toilet, and outdoor play area. The premises indoor is in good repair and looks warm and inviting with children’s work displayed on the walls, parents notice board and achievement board to celebrate children’s work and achievements.

Negotiations continued throughout the year with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council to put in place a formal lease for the premises; this was achieved in July. Plans to move to a new purpose-built building, in the grounds of Dowlais Primary School following a successful application for Welsh Government funding, have continued with site meetings and discussions.

Safeguarding -

There is always a member of staff at the door at the beginning and end of sessions, this is to ensure children’s safety when arriving and leaving. Until February 2020, parents would accompany their children through the classroom to the cloak room to hang up their coats and bags, but as the rates of Covid 19 within the community were rising we asked parents to allow staff to support the children to do this. This was to keep the number of people entering the building to a minimum. At this time extra hygiene routines were also introduced, including more frequent handwashing for staff and children. This was welcomed by all parents who appreciated that we were doing what we could to keep staff, children, and their families as safe as possible during this time.

This year these restrictions have remained in place to try and keep everyone at the setting as safe as possible. Parents have reacted positively to this as Covid cases in the local community continue to fluctuate.

Facebook/e-mail

Dwylo Bach has a Facebook page for parents where photos of children are shared, with parental permission, taking part in activities etc while at preschool, news about upcoming events or celebrations. Parents can use this page to send messages to the preschool leaders. There is also a Dwylo Bach Preschool Business page that is open to the public and has general information about the preschool, spaces available, family days etc. Throughout the pandemic, when the preschool closed, March 2020 – September 2020, and January 2021 – February 2021, daily ideas and useful information has also been shared on this page for families that do not have children registered with us but might still be interested in activities to keep little ones busy, or are looking to support their children’s development while at home.

The Dwylo Bach email address is; [e-mail] This is available for parents or members of the public to get in touch.

Thank you

Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at Dwylo Bach Preschool for all of their care and support that they give to the children who attend our setting. We would also like to say thank you to all the parents who have supported the preschool throughout this very challenging year. And of course, our committee, who carry out their roles unpaid and provide the preschool with invaluable support and guidance.

Natalie Ritchie and Kathryn Evans

Preschool Leaders/Managers

DWYLO BACH PRESCHOOL SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS SEPT 2020 - AUGUST 2021

INCOME
Cash income fromparents	10243.00
Snacks	421.00
MTCBC	40036.97
RCT	15904.52
GRANTS	861.00
HMRC JRS	2864.43
Income from Parents to Bank Account	309.00

INCOME		EXPENDITURE
Cash income fromparents	10243.00	Pettycash	1584.77
Snacks	421.00	Snacks	451.18
MTCBC	40036.97	Accountant	360.00
RCT	15904.52	EarlyYears Wales	0.00
GRANTS	861.00	Insurance	897.94
HMRC JRS	2864.43	Misc	3213.68
Income from Parents to Bank Account	309.00	Salaries	56819.77
		HMRC	5349.31
		NEST	2518.38
		Grant resources	1020.63
TOTAL	70639.92	TOTAL	72215.66
OPENING BALANCES		CLOSING BALANCES
BANK ACCOUNT	35690.86	BANK ACCOUNT	34145.85
CASH BOX	200.55	CASH BOX	200.00
SNACKS	48.53	SNACKS	18.35
	35939.94
ADD INCOME	70639.92
SUB TOTAL	106579.86
LESS EXPENDITURE	72215.66
TOTAL	34364.20		34364.20

1p adjustment from previous year

NOTES

INCOME:

Income from Parents: cash and direct to Bank Snacks: daily snack provided MTCBC: Flying Start, Flying Start ALN and Early Years ALN RCT: Childcare Offer Government Grant - HMRC JRS: furlough payments Grants: Blended Learning and Fine Motor Skills

EXPENDITURE:

Petty Cash: day to day expenditure Snacks: as above Accountant: Payroll Miscellaneous: invoices paid through Bank Salaries HMRC: PAYE and NI NEST: Pension contributions

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF DWYLO BACH PRESCHOOL

I report to the charity’s trustees on my examination of the accounts of Dwylo Bach Preschool for the period ended 31 August 2021.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act), as amended by s.145 of the Charities Act 2011) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under the company law and is eligible for independent examination; it is my responsibility to:

• Examine the accounts (under section 145 of the 2011 Act),

• To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) Act), and

• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required by audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair view” and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

• (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:

• the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or

• 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 set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

• (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Michael Grant

Linden Accountants, Scrapstore House, 21 Sevier Street, St Werburghs, Bristol, BS2 9LB

Michael Grant

Date ..........21 March 2022…………………