Rathfriland Pre-school Playgroup Trustee Annual Report
202312024
Charity name: Rathfriland Pre-school Playgroup
Charity No: 101066
PRE SCFK)OL
This report relates to the financial year: 1st September 2023 to 31" August
2024
Principal Address: 21 John Street, Rathfriland. Co Down, BT34 SQH
The following individuals served as charity trustees on the date this report was approved:
Gr3ce Lynch {Chairperson), Keri Lynch (Vice Chairperson), Clara Monaghan (Treasurer), Victoria
Costello (Secretary), Committee members: Natasha Corbett, Aisling Devlin, Melissa Gawley, Suzanne
McAlinden, Michelle Mcclean, Danielle Mcconville, Thérèse McQuaid, Tracy Nicholls, Chantal
Parsons.
The following individuals served as charity trustees during the year:
Grace Lynch {Chairperson), Keri Lynch (Vice Chairperson), Clara Monaghan (Treasurer), Victoria
Costello Isecretaryl, Committee members: Aisling Devlin, Melissa Gawley. Leona Lynch, Michelle
Mcclean, Danielle Mcconville, Therèse McQuaid, Tracy Nicholls, Chantal Parsons.
Charitable
ur
oses
Rathfriland Pre-school was established in 1983 to promote and provide access to high quality Pre-
School education to children and families 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-e5teem along with the ability to
relate to others before their transition to Primary School.
The Pre-school is registered to accept a maximum of 24 children. In the school year 2023/24 we
placed 23 children in funded places. We also placed 2 children in pre Pre-school places over the
year. The sessions run 3 hours each day; from 9am to 12pm.
We have three highly qualified staff who continuously update their training and professional
development to benefit the children. We also employ two relief staff members to cover in cases of
absence etc.
The Pre-school is governed by its 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 adtnissions criteria and to ensure the Pre-school is meeting its
benelit aims to the children and their families.

Throughoutthe year the Trustees 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 benefited the beneficiaries.
Parental parhcipation is extremely valued in the importance of their children's learning. Staff and
parents meet at least twice a year to discuss their child's progress. The settling in meetings took
place as a school report to discuss the children's development. Parent5 also received a transition
form in June to pass on to their child's Primary One teacher. Feedback is gained from parent via a
questionnaire to help us ensure the benefits are being met in the Pre-school's provision and service.
The Pre-school is a tnember of Early Years- the organization for young children, who provide advice
and support throughout the year e.g. Online PSEP Forums, Leader's Days and staff training sessions.
Online and onsite monitoring visits from a designated Early Years Specialist also take place to give
support and advice.
The Pre-school is also under the Early Years Team (Southern Area Social Services Trust). Thi5 body is
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 inspecknon was held on 30th April,
the report showed a continued high standard of service and positive feedback from the parents and
children.
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 award 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 for improved practice from all
our inspecting bodies are taken on board and amendments made to ensure the best Possible
learning outcomes for the children. All staff participate in self-evaluation assessment processes e.g.
ISEF, PQA documents which ensure staff continue to be reflective of their practice and the setknng as
a whole to allow us to identify areas of improvement and make these changes for the benefit of the
children.
Main activities and achievements durin
the
ear
Throughout the year the children are provided with activities and resource5 to allow learning
through play both indoors and outdoors. while followingthe Pre-school curriculum. We offer a wide
range of play activities: arts/crafts, sand/water play. writingtable. table top and floor activities, home
corner, role play. construction area. book corner, ICT area, songs/rhymes. mud kitchen, nature areas,
gardening, cookery activitie5. Staff continuously observe the children and evaluate their use of the
activities 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 Primary School. The areas of learning are divided in to 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, hand/eye coordination, 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 activities/re50urces provided.
This year through successful Regional Childcare Partnership Small Grants Scheme funding
application we were very pleased to be able to cover costs of restructuring our playframe to create
a separate climbing frame and playhouse which allowed for greater play and learning opportunities
for the children.
During the year we enhance the children's learning and development through visitors and outings.
We had visit5 from Primary I teachers 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 variou5 fundraising activities were organized. 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 pub quiz, shopping trip to Blanchardstown, Christmas raffle, sale of Christmas
cards, Easter raffle and bucket collections in the Milestone and Eurospar in Rathfriland and in Tesco
Banbridge. We also had two Cash for Clobber collections during the year. Our successful fundraisers
has enabled us help cover running costs and provide new equipment and activities for the children.
Our annual Graduation Day to celebrate the children'5 year in Pre-school was held in the Pre-school
with parents in attendance. The children all received an individual learning journey which
documented their year filled with photo£raphs, 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 their journey of
learning and development during their time in Pre-school.
The trustees really appreciate the help and support from the parents throughout the year and are
very grateful to the staff for their commitment to the children throughout their Pre-school
experience.
Financial Position 2023
24
The Pre-school is governed by the Education Authority as a PSEO seth'ng. 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 2 pre Pre-school aged children. Cost
per session was £10.00 per day.
Our P5EP funding and the fee-paying income is further subsidized by fundraising activities
throughout the year e.g. Cash for Clobber collections, Bucket Collections, Raffles, etc. The Trustees
are grateful to the parent 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 resource5 forthe
children when there is opportunity for such funding. We have been successful in receiving Extended
Services Funding which was used to purchase items to extend our provision with the introduction of
a sensory room. We also used fundingform the Regional Childcare Partnership Small Grants Scheme
to cover costs of restructuring our playfiame to create a separate climbing frame and playhouse.
We were also very kindly donated some lovely art and craft items by Tesco Banbridge.
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 I" September 2023 to 3151 August 2024 show receipts totaling £65,034,
payments totaling £66,683, showing a net deficit of -£1,649.
The Current Account bank balance at 315t August 2024 shows we have £3,910. Total Reserves
£16,071.
There are no funds held by the charity that are materially in deficit.
All payments in the account were for the beneftt of the Pre-school.
Signature:
Print name-
Date:
Ill IrtLI L
On behalf of Rathfriland Pre-school Playgroup Committee