ATTICALL PLAYGROUP Trustees, Report for the year ended 30 June 2023 The trustees present their report and unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 June 2023. Reference and administrative details Registered charity name Atticall Playgroup Charity registration number NIC102470 Registered office Atticall Community Centre 140 Tullyframe Road Kilkeel BT34 4RI The trustees Jenni Trainor- Chairperson Sinead Quin- Treasurer Lisa Cunningham- Secretary Professional advisor5 Bankers First Trust Bank 42- 44 Hill Street Newry Co. Down BT344AU Reportin9 Accountsnts Mrs Jennifer Murphy 150 Tullyfiame Road Kilkeel BT344SA
Objertives and activities The object of the group as stated in the constitution is 'to promote play based learning environments for all children under statutory school age (the beneficiaries) of the Atticall and its surrounding environs in County Down (the are3 of benefit} without the distinction of age, gender, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic identity, political or religious opinion. by associating the statutory authoritie5, community and voluntary organisations and the inhabitants in a common effort to advance education. and in particular. A) To advance the education of the beneficiaries by the provision of safe and satisfying group play, with the right of the parents/carers to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of the group,. and to promote the preseatIOn of health of the beneficiaries,. and Bl To support the values and principles of the Early Years. Structure. governance and management During the process of registration with the Charities Commission Northern Ireland, Atticall Playgroup issued a formal Constitution document which was formally adopted on the 71h November 2013. The Constitution is readapted and revised yearly. Atticall Playgroup is managed by a committee comprising of the Trustees, with the help and support of the employees and parents of the children attending. The day to day running of the charity rests with Mary Sloan, the playschool leader. Election of the committee takes place at the AGM. The committee is made up of parents and Associate membefs, Wlth their nomination put forward for approval by the committee. The maximum term of office is three years. Induction and training of trustees s provided in house and via Early Years. Trustees responsibilities in relation to the financial statement The charity trustees are responsible for prepaiing a trustee ieport and statement of accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time. the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charites Act (Northen Ireland) 2008 and the Charites (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the cha(ity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Public Benefit Statement In setting objective and planning activities for the year, the Trustees have given careful consideration of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit and are confident that the activities have helped to achieve the charity's purpose and provide benefit to the beneficiaries. Achievements and performance and results for the year Atticall Playgroup is a long-established care and education provider for children aged 3 years to 5 years for 3 hours per week day. We have four Fully Qualified Dedicated Staff with years of Experience working with children. Atticall Pre School have received and retained Accreditation Status as a Centre of Excellence since 2003 under Early Years Organisation for young children. We obtained "Outstanding" in our last ETI Inspection. We deliver Education through Fun based Play. Learning through Play following a curriculum is fundamental to young children's Personal Social Emotional Development, their Physical, Language Early Maths, Arts and World Around Us Development. We also provide Outdoor Learning in our Fully Enclosed Safe, Stimulating Outdoor Play Area. All children develop at different rates, to ensure all children reach their full potential we operate a Key Worker system= each child has their own Key worker who observes and plans around the child's individual needs to help each child become confident, eager enthusiastic, learners having lots of fun along their journey and preparation for transition to Primary School with friends they have made in pre-school. We also provide additional activities which includes working with Small Talk Nl a Fully Qualified Speech therapist who visits monthly to assist with speech therapy. Under EA Getting Ready to Learn Programme we work closely to involve the parents in their Childs learning and send home weekly Books for Bedtime Reading together and Resources home to assist each child's learning together with the parent. We have a Health Visitor who works closely with the playgroup and the parents. Our staff have regular meetings with parents to provide updates. Parents are encouraged to speak to staff if they have any concerns and all aspects of the playgroup are reviewed yearly in an anonymous manor with our evaluation forms. We are a Registered Charity run by an excellent Parents Committee which parents are encouraged to join to become more involved with the group and contribute towards their Childs education. We offer equal access of all children in our community. We ensure that children who are from all backgrounds develop confidence and self- esteem through a variety of play activities such as art and craft. physical play. construction, storytelling, basic science activities and much more to enhance their overall holistic development. Each year we aim to 9ive each child who attends our Playgroup a
high-quality pre-school education in line with the Northern Ireland Pre-school curriculum. We are registered with Social SeNices who annually inspect our premises to ensure we are providing a high standard of care for children in their Early Years. Funding additional to EA came from Pathway £6,250, the Education Authority Getting Ready to Learn funding of £800, Engage111 £1,664, Fees £5,652 sundry fund raisers of £1,201 and trip £101. Resenres Policy The is the policy of Atticall Playgroup to hold bank reserves of £11,400 to sustain the Playgroup through unforeseen circumstances. Atticall Playgroup accounts for the year ending 30th June 2023 show cash at the bank and in hand of £51,72312022 £49,829). This is an increase from 30th June 2022 of £1,894. Risk Review The trustees continue to assess the major risks to which the charity is exposed. in particular those related to the operation and finances of the playgroup including the challenges around the current funding climate and ending of Pathway funding. The trustees are satisfied that the correct systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. The trustees consider that an audit is not required under the requirements of the Charities Act {Nl) 2008 and Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 and that an independent examination is needed. The trustees, annual report was approved on 08.04.2024 board of trustees by. Jenni Trainor Chairperson