## **Annual Report 2023/2024 for Crossbow Preschool AGM** ## Friday 8[Th] September 2024 ## **Chair’s Report** There is a strong committee with 8 parent members and 1 staff member. Committee have focused on staff wellbeing. New admin (Robyn) and new manager (Sally) and improved facilities, supported staff, given children more opportunities. We are very fortunate to have such an experienced staff body. One staff member left but is now on bank (Karen). Committee changed staff to annualised contracts, looked to increase pay and one staff is undertaking a L3 apprenticeship (Hayley). Built relationship with FCDCA/Crossbow House (landlords) - negotiating hire agreement - improve facilities (new back gate, sand pit and employed a cleaner) It has been a successful year for fundraising- Halloween disco, Wreath making, Mother’s/Father’s Day bakes - thanks given to Sophie Johns Thanks given to current committee some of whom stepping down. Holly and Emily were especially thanked by Sophie for supporting her role as chair Sophie Day agreed to stay on the committee for this term to ensure a smooth handover. ## **Treasurer’s Report** Financial review for the period 1[st] Sept 2023 -31[st] August 2024 Thanks was given for fundraising and donations Wreath making £1008 Christmas Crafts £507.50 Summer fete and raffle £1560.73 Total for fundraising less expenses £4093.29 Used to refurb garden, sand pit, laptop, and staff meal Income £125038.92 Outgoings £124869.51 Profit £169.41 Last year has a loss of £6000 Fees and grants- higher than previous year, more fee payers, increased numbers, no debtors going into the next financial year-total income £115453.50 Fundraising income £1942.70 expenditure £269.42 total raised £1673.28 plus cash totalling £130.50, £1803.78 in total. Miscellaneous figures relate to incoming money from closure of Santander-£5578.45 was figure transferred. Previous £1300 Asda grant some still left. Expenses higher but purchased laptops Wages higher than last year as more children, minimum wage increase, and 13-month wage year. Increase 2022/23 £17324.35, average month of £7555, the real difference is £10K Rent similar to last year Staff training included 7 staff on food hygiene and 2 on advanced child protection Rhiannon and Hannah Makaton in May Play equipment -final payment for rubber floor surface outside. Committee happy to continue with cleaner Overall budget is well managed ## **Manager’s Report** Caterpillars now butterflies transitioned to school New families welcomed Current capacity 77% number of children on role 35 some increases over sept -dec 2% decrease in capacity figures slightly reduced sessions due to staffing, and adjustments made to 2 and 3 year- olds- an extra member of staff can open spaces on Mon, Tues, Thurs and Friday. Robyn will email out any leftover spaces. Current availability given. Staffing: 8 staff at start of year – 1 practitioner left now on bank. Difficult to recruit, team pulled together, Robyn covered, and core team did additional sessions. Sally covered and occasionally agency required to cover staff shortages. Rhiannon reduced her days form 4-3 in the summer term Sam promoted to Senior early years practitioner Cleaner was employed. Currently only have maximum staffing levels on Weds and are recruiting for another practitioner to increase capacity to 24 on the other days. Staff training for Hygge in the Early Years Accreditation. Sam completed Level 3 Senco and supports children with additional needs, supported transition to secondary school Staff to keep up to date with safeguarding and Sam and Rosey undertaking advanced safeguarding courses. Daily nature explorations a success we will continue the Hygge curriculum over the year with Rhiannon producing a folder of nature activities for the coming year. Also implementing planning and assessment process that reflects approach to the curriculum. Funding and resources- a side gate has been installed to limit mud in preschool, Rhiannon has organised the garden, supplied mud kitchen and organised water-based activities. The staff have developed the indoor learning environment – positive comments from parents. Emily organised the supply of a wonderful sand pit complete with lid. EYPP money for five children – purchased focused on language development system, builder’s toys, colour monster resources and training on attachment and a resource to support emotional development. Transitions successful to both FCCE and Watermore school and staff built good relationships in both settings Preschool affected by multiple changes which affected every aspect of the provision, challenging for me and trustees and staff to navigate. Sally determined further changes do not undermine all the hard work put in. Sally will provide robust plan with all involved for a clear preschool vision that is achievable, consistent for the children. Thanks was given to all staff, committee of trustees and personal thanks to Sophie Day. ## **5. Clerk’s report** The main change that happened in the last year was moving to use Tapestry for invoicing from September 2023. We also started to then invoice monthly (it had been termly before). Funding: The year started with 35 children on roll and ended with 41, with 24 children leaving us for pastures new in July. Of the 41 children, 7 were paying all fees, most were using their standard 3 year old universal 15 hour funding and we had 20 children eligible for extended hours (up to 30 hours) and 2 children eligible in April 2024 for the new 2 year olds working parent 15 hour funding. We also finished the year with 5 children eligible for EYPP (Early Years Pupil Premium). ## Fees: Our hourly rate increased slightly from the previous year, but the termly enrichment fee remained at £30 for those attending 15 hours or more and £15 for anyone attending less than 15 hours per week. This has enabled the children’s learning to be enhanced with messy play, additional art supplies, cooking sessions etc. It was agreed that the hourly rate be increased from September 2024 to £6.50 for 3 year olds and £7 for 2 year olds. Fees can be paid by bank transfer, childcare vouchers or tax-free childcare payment scheme. Checking and chasing outstanding fees remains an issue because I rely on the Treasurer checking the bank account for incoming payments and notifying me. Obviously moving to monthly invoicing, this has to happen more regularly. Thank you Emily for taking on the Treasurer role and working with me on this. ## Looking forward: • The changes to eligibility for childcare funding from the Government from September 2025 – 30 hour funding for 2 year olds of working parents. The staff to child ratio is 1:5 for 2 year old children, while the ratio is 1:8 for 3+ year olds. Therefore we are still aiming to keep the maximum number of 2 year old per session at 5. Rosey Simpkins, Crossbow Preschool CIO Clerk, 10th September 2024 **Crossbow Preschool Charity Number: 1188975** ## **Income and expenditure for the period ending 31st August 2024** ## **Income Received:** |Preschool fees|24,831.80||| |---|---|---|---| |Preschool grants|121,947.35||| |Fundraising|5,235.09||| ||||152,014.24| |**Expenditure:**|||| |Gross Wages|104,323.40||| |Rent|11,085.00||| |Purchases|3,867.07||| |Insurance|546.43||| |Membership|389.45||| |Staff training|818.55||| |Computer expenses|100.00||| |Phone|405.62||| |Repairs and Maintenance|2,473.25||| |Cleaning|828.00||| |Staff Entertaining|136.10||| |Misc|||| |Fund raising exps|1,111.80||| |Pension Contributions|7,480.11||| ||||133,564.78| |**Net Profit**|||**18,449.46**| |Balance of bank at beginning of year|||31,841.00| |Income in the year|||152,014.24| |Expenditure in the year||-|133,564.78
| |Balance of bank at the end of the year - Metro Account|||48,100.52| |Balance of bank at the end of the year - Natwest Account|||2,190.04| CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Seclion A Independent Examiner's Report Report ts th• trustees us g P IL& Sc¥iac On accounts for the year ended Charity no (rfany) zi f¥-JtsJE 101 1188q7 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my 8xamination of the accounts of the abovg charity {°th8 Trusf) for the year ended Raspon8ibilitios and basis of report As the charivs trustees, you are responsible for th8 pr8paratlon of the accounts in accordance wtth the requirements of the Charlles Act 2011 (kn8 Acr). I report wi respact of my examination of the Trusvs accounts carried out under sedion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination. I have followed all Ihe applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 1445Xb) of the Act. Independent LThe charitys gross In￿Me 8xceeded £250,000 and l am qualrfied to 6xaminerfs statement undertake the examination by being a qUalif￿d member of [ins8rt name of applutA6 listed body]]. Delete [ ] rfnot applicabl8. I have completed my examination. I confiffti that no material matters have come to my attenlion in connection with the examination {other Ihan that disclosed be￿W ') vthich give5 me cause to believe thal in, any material respect: the accounting records were not k8Pt in accordance wlth s8ction 130 of the Charitses Act,. or the accounts did not ac￿rd with the accounting records. or the accounts did nol cornpty with th8 appli(xble requirements conceming the forn and conlent of accounts set OLrt in the Charities {Accounts and R8portsl Regulations 2008 other Ihan any requir8menl that the accounts glve a Irue and falrf view whi¢h is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. Ihav ncems and have come across no olher matters in connection mination to which attention should be drawn In thls report in ble a proper understanding of the a¢￿￿ntS to b8 reached. let6 th8 words in the brack8t8 rfthey do not appty. hee erto pi Slgned: Name: Relevant prof8ssional quallfication(s) or body c* IER Oct 2018 (if any): Address: KELLER & Co. 3678 CHURCH ROAD Tel: (0454) 774?44 Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs lo hIghl￿￿t material matters of conc6rn {see CC32, Independent examination of charity acwunts: directions and guidan(* for examine￿}. Glvo harè brTef d8talls of any item5 that the examlner wlshes to dlsclose. IER Oct 2018