## **Rainbows Nursery Plus & After School Club Annual Report 2023 -24** ## _A word from the Chair_ As Chair I am pleased to present our annual report for Rainbows Nursery Plus & After School Club. This is now our second year in our new, purpose built, childcare facility which continues to offer fantastic opportunities for our nursery aged pupils. ## _Day to Day Operations_ After School Club continues to operate from within Ysgol Y Waun Primary School – providing an extended day for our school aged pupils. Last year Rainbows Nursery Plus were able to fully resource their facility through grant funding from the local authority. This year, a grant application has paid for a new outside shelter and the astroturf area was funded from funds accrued in the account allowing pupils to work outside in all weathers. ## _Partnership Working_ Both Rainbows Nursery Plus and After School Club deliver excellent services within the community of Chirk. Both providers work closely with partner agencies including Wrexham’s Early Years team, Children’s Services, Ysgol Y Waun Primary School and Chirk Playgroup. Close working with partner agencies allows for excellent transition between providers. ## _Financial Pressures_ Despite rising running costs we have been able to balance our books this year without relying on our reserve funding. This is a very positive outcome considering the changes we have undergone including our move into the new childcare facility – along with many unknown costs at the time. ## _Support with finances/ administration_ Mrs Pearce (trustee) has provided admin & financial support for both providers and keeps payroll and financial paperwork up to date – working in partnership with AVOW. Her accurate and timely preparation of paperwork allows our lead staff and trustees to consider income/ expenditure at regular intervals across the year. ## _Opportunities for Training_ Staff are keeping up to date with training. We offer courses to benefit job roles and courses to help children's individual needs. The latest courses attended are First Aid, Safeguarding, Food Hygiene, Introduction to Curriculum Wales and Speech and Language Development. Rainbows Nursery and After School Club receive regular training directories from accredited Early Years providers, Wrexham Local Authority and recognised online platforms. ## _Our Curriculum Offer_ **Rainbows Nursery Plus** follow foundation learning experiences, supporting children's overall development and wellbeing through a structured child-centred approach. We follow the same broad education guidelines as maintained settings to ensure consistency and quality in early years education. We have a strong emphasis on play based learning so children thrive socially, emotionally, physically and cognitively. By combining both structured and free play. Our approach helps children develop essential skills that will serve them throughout their education and beyond. **Rainbows After School Club** plan and deliver a range of suitable activities both indoors and outdoors that take into consideration the interests of the children. Pupils take part in arts & crafts, outdoor physical activities, indoor games and ICT based activities. Each evening pupils also enjoy a snack time – freshly prepared by the after school club staff. ## _Acknowledgements_ Within our report we acknowledge and thank the many people who contribute to the day to day running of Rainbows Nursery & After School Club. We especially thank our staff, Rachel, Kay, Tracy, Michelle, Katie, Gill, Dianne & Sophie who provide two excellent childcare provisions for the community of Chirk. We also thank our supportive parents and volunteers and finally our trustees who support with the wider administration of both providers. _Written by J. Roberts – June 2024_ **Rainbows Nursery Plus & After School Club Accounts (26/2/24 – 31/08/24)** This is to certify that the above accounts are an accurate record of the figures in the books of account for the above organisation and are a true representation of the organisation as of the 31.08.24 Signed S. Millington_ _ Date 26/06/25 Independent Examiner. S. Millington CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGIAND ANO WALES Independent ¢xamln•rfs report on tho accounts section A Independont Examiner'5 Report R•port to tho trustW81 Chapfty m•mb•ws ot RAINeows NURSERY PLUS & AFTERSCHOOL CLUB On •c¢ourt• for th• y•ar ' WF•brnary 2024 to •nd•d J1¥ 2024 Charity no ' 1207186 S•t