Whitehead Presbyterian Church, 8 Kings Road, Whitehead, Co Antrim BT38 9PU **Mobile** : 07749 623 945 **email** : bananabunchpg@gmail.com **Facebook** : BBunch Playgroup 

## Trustees Annual Report for 2021/2022 Charity No: NIC101429 

## History 

Banana Bunch playgroup is a registered charity and has been operaPng for over 33 years. We are a cross community organisaPon, with five members of staff and a Parents management commiUee, who are responsible for making decisions about the group. Banana Bunch Playgroup is governed by a consPtuPon. Our playgroup is registered to cater for 26 children aged between 2 yrs 10 months and 5 years in pre school / pre pre school for 5 mornings sessions. We are based in Whitehead Presbyterian church, which we rent for ten months during term Pme- September to June. 

During 2021 the playgroup was required to close from Pme to Pme in accordance with government lock down rules resulPng from the COVID-19 pandemic. The playgroup re-opened when it was permiUed to do so, and put appropriate measures in place to comply with health and safety protocols as set by the government as part of the wider effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. 

## Aims and Approach 

Banana Bunch Playgroup aims to advance the educaPon of young children through the provision of an appropriate, safe and saPsfying programme of play and acPviPes, which meet the requirements of the Department of EducaPon's Curriculum. Throughout the year, at each session, the playgroup provided acPviPes through which the children can learn through play : table top and floor toys; painPng , art and crab; water play; play dough; physical play ; home corner (roleplay);books and story telling; music , song and rhymes. These acPviPes improve each child's abiliPes over the course of the year- hand/eye coordinaPon, talking, listening, concentraPon, muscle development, agility and 

.Charity Commission for Northern Ireland Registration Number NIC101429 




Whitehead Presbyterian Church, 8 Kings Road, Whitehead, Co Antrim BT38 9PU **Mobile** : 07749 623 945 **email** : bananabunchpg@gmail.com **Facebook** : BBunch Playgroup 

strength. Our Admissions Policy states that Banana Bunch Playgroup welcomes every family in the community irrespecPve of social class, religion, race, culture, disabiliPes and special educaPonal needs. We provide access for all children to a broad and balanced child- led curricular experience which is tailored to the learning needs of each individual child. We believe “interacPon and play are the main channels through which children learn and develop.” 

We are supported by an early years advisor, and inspected annually by the Health and Social Care Trust to ensure we meet the requirements set out in the minimum standards. The EducaPon Authority also carry out an inspecPon which can be viewed online by the general public. 

## Financial Position 

The report covers the financial year to 31[st] August 2022. Banana Bunch Playgroup receives money from the EducaPon Authority for each Pre school child. This money is used to pay staff wages and the running of the playgroup. We also apply for Grants during the year and fundraising events are organised by the Management CommiUee. 

The Trustees are grateful to all the parents for their support and help throughout the year and to several local businesses that help also with our fundraising efforts donaPng gibs and vouchers. 

At the close of the 202102 financial year there was £20,565.31 in the current account. 

.Charity Commission for Northern Ireland Registration Number NIC101429