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Rathfriland Pre-school Playgroup Trustee Annual Report 2022/2023
Charlty name: Rathfriland Pre-school Playgroup
Charity No.: 101066
st
Thls report relate5 to the financial year: I, September 2022 to 31 August 2023
Princlpal Address: 21 John Street, Rathfriland, Co Down, BT34 5QH
The followlng Individuals served as charlty trustees durlng the year:
Grace Lynch {Chairpersonl
Clara Monaghan (Treasurer)
Louise Crory {Vice Treasurer)
Victoria Costello {Secretaryl
Committee Member5:
Danielle Mcconville, Bernice Hodgen, Michelle Mcclean, Keri Fitzpatrick, Therese McQuaid, Leona Lynch, Melissa
Gawley.
Charitable
ses
Rathfriland Pre-school was established in 1983 to promote and provide access to high quality Pre-school education
to children and fam ilies in the Rathfriland area regardless of religion, culture, race or disability. The children in our
care are provided with the opportunity to develop their skills of communication, problem solving while developing
confidence, self-esteem along with the ability to relate to others before thelr transition to Primary School.
The Pre-school is registered to accept a maximum of 24 children. In the school year 2022123 we placed 17 children
in funded places, with this dropping to 16 in October as a child moved out of the area. We also placed 13 children in
pre-Pre-School places overthe year. The sessions run for 3 hours each day; from 9am to 12pm.
We have three highly qualified staff who continuously update theirtraining and professional development to benefit
the children. We also employed a I:1 assistant as special needs 5UPPOrt and two Relief staff member5.
The Pre-school 15 governed by it5 constitution and governance documents as an unincorporated association. The
constitution sets out the aims and powers of the Committee. Each year members, who are also trustees, are elected
at an annual AGM. Monthly meeting5 are held to discuss Pre-school business and activity, to set admissions criteria
and to ensure the Pre-school is meeting its benefit aims to the children and their families.
Throughout the year the Trustee5 have given careful consideration to the Charity Commissions Public Benefit
requirement statutory guidance to ensure the activity of the setting has achieved the Charity's purpose and has
benefitted the beneficiaries.
The parent's participation is extremely valued in importance to their children's learning. Staff and parents meet at
least twice a year to discuss their child's progress; this year we had a return to face to face meetings with Covid 19
regulation5 no longer in place. The Settling in meetings took place as a school report to discus5 the children's

development. Parents also received a Transition form in June to pass on to the their child's Primary One teacher.
Feedback is gained from parents via a questionnaire to help ensure the benefits are being met in the Pre-school's
provision and service.
The Pre-school is a member of Early Years-the organisation for young children, who provide advice and support
throughout the year eg. staff training sessions, monitoring visits from a designated Early Years Specialist. Support
was also provided by virtual means-microsoft Teams support meetings and trainings.
The Pre-school is also under the Early Years Team (Southern Area Social Services Trust). This body are responsible for
Inspections ensuring that the Pre-school is providing a care and educational setting in line with Minimum Standards.
The report we receive including parents comments is used to improve our service and further benefit the children.
Our annual Inspection was held on 5th April, the report showed a continued high standard of service .
Pre-school is also subject to Department of Education, Education Training Inspectorate Inspections. Our last
Inspection was in 2016 in which we received the Every School A Good School in recognition of the Pre-school having
being evaluated as having a high level of capacity for sustained improvement in the interest of all the learners.
Recommendations ft)r improved practice from all our Inspecting Bodies are taken on board and amendments made
to ensure the best possible learning outcomes forthe children. All staff participate in Self-Evaluation assessment
processes eg. ISEF,PQA documents which ensure staff continue to be reflective of their practice and the setting as a
whole to allow us to identify areas of improvement and make these changes for the benefit of the children.
Main Actlvlties and Achlevements durln
the
ar
Throughout the year the children are provided with activities and resources to allow learning through play both
indoors and outdoors, while following the Pre-school Curriculum. We offer a wide range of play activities:
arts/crafts. sand/water play, writing table, table top and floor activities, Home Corner, role play, construction area,
book corner, Icr area, songs/rhymes, mud kitchen, nature areas, gardening, cookery activities. Staff continuously
observe the children and evaluate their use of the activlties to ensure the opportunities given are developing and
progressing the children's learning and skills.
The activities are planned to develop all areas of the children's development to help in their preparation for Priniary
School. The areas of learning are divided into 6 areas: Personal, social and emotional Development, Language
Development, Physical Development, The Arts, Mathematical Development and The World Around Us. The activities
are implemented to progress the children's personal value, confidence, communication skills. handleye co-
ordination, fine/gross motor skills, concentration along with having a fun filled positive Pre-school experience. To
benefit the children's learning and development staff ensure the activities provided are relevant to their interests.
This then determines the topics covered and the activitieslresources provided.
This year through successful Regional Childcare Partnership Small Grants Scheme funding application we were very
pleased to be able to add large outdoor eouipmentto our provision to promote wellbeing and physical activlty. The
Engage Funding we received has enabled us to extend our provision through purchasing resources to encourage and
extend the children'5 communication and social interaction skills.
During the year we enhance the children's learning and development through visitors and outings, We had visits
from the Primary I teacher5 of the schools the children will be transitioning to. For our annual School Trip we visited
Fort Evergreen, Warrenpoint; this was a great day thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Throughout the year various Fundraising activities were organised. We held a 'Wear your favourite colour day and
Picnic with Pudsey to raise money for Children in Need. We fundraised for Pre-school funds with a Christmas Raffle,
a Sponsored Sports Day which was thoroughly enjoyed by all the children and a Collection in the Milestone; our local
shop.

Our annual Graduation Day to celebrate the children's year in Pre-school was held In the Pre-school with parents in
attendance followed by a Bouncy Castle party in the adjoining Community Centre. The children all received an
individual Learning Journey which documented theiryear filled with photographs, the children's thoughts and art
work as a keepsake of their time in Pre-school. The day was enjoyed by all and was very special for the children, their
parents and staff to have this opportunity to celebrate each of the children and theirjourney of development and
learning through Pre-school.
The Trustees really appreciate the help and support from the parents throughout the year and are very grateful to
the staff fortheir commitment to the children throughout their Pre-school experience.

Flnancial Position 2022
2023
The Pre-school is governed by the Education Authority as a PSEP setting. The Education Authority Funding is our
main source of income. They provide funding for the children of Pre-school age over the course of 10 Months. This
payment is received on a monthly basis,. it is calculated on a flat rate per place in accordance with the attendance
per month.
As we did not fill all the funded places we were able to place 13 pre-Pre-School aged children. Cost per session was
£10.00 per day.
Our PSEP funding and fee-paying income is further subsidised by Fundraising activities throughout the year e.g. Non-
uniform days, Sponsored events etc. The Trustees are grateful to the parents for the help and support throughout
the year and to those local businesses that helped our fundraising efforts through events and donations.
The Pre-school seek to apply for eligible funding each year to help with the cost of resources forthe chlldren when
there is opportunity for such funding. We have been successful in receiving the Regional Childcare Partnership Small
Grants Scheme Funding to purchase Outdoor Equipment. Education Authority Engage Funding was also received
which enabled us to purchase resources to further Independence, communication and social interactions.
The Pre-school holds two Bank accounts; a Current Account and a Savings Account.
The Pre-school has various running expenses including staff wages, rent, resources etc. The Committee recognise
that a Reserve must be held to ensure a contingency for unforeseen circumstances and expenses. The Committee
can report that the Reserve remains in a healthy position for this financial year.
Accounts for the year 1st September 2022 to 31"August 2023 show receipts totalling £57,808, payments totalling
£68,420, showing a deficit of £10,612 income over expenditure.
The Current Account bank balance at 31 August 2023 shows we have £833. Total Reserves £20,794
There a￿ no fund5 held by the charity that are materially in deficit.
All payments in the account were for the benefit of the Pre-school.
Signature:
ICE- CHAIQPEESOrQ)
Print name:
¥eoi
Date:
On behalf of Rathfriland Pre-school Playgroup Committee