WOODBURN PLAYGROUP
TRUSTEES REPORT
Year ended 31 August 2023
The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity forthe year
ended 31 August 2023
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered charity name
Woodburn Playgroup
Charity registration number
102554
Principal office
Oakfield Community Centre
Oakfield Drive
Carrickfergus
Co Antrim
BT38 7SP
The trustees
Mrs Tanya Kirkland (Chairperson)
Mrs Catherine Baldwin (Treasurer) - Appointed Sept 2023
Miss Jade Corr- Appointed Sept 2023
Mrs Olivia McComish- Resigned June 2023
Mrs Jenny Mcmurty - Resigned June 2023
Mrs Janice Logue - Resigned June 2023
Independent examiner
Simon Hopper F.C.A.
Hopper & Co
6 Doagh Road
Ballyclare
BT39 9BG
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Woodburn Playgroup exists to promote play based learning for children under statutory school age.
It is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. It is run by a Board of
Trustees and operates under the rules of its constitution.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Woodburn Playgroup provides education and care for children aged 2 years and 10 months to statutory
school age in a safe and secure learning environment. Staff are highly trained using Nl pre school

WOODBURN PLAYGROUP
TRUSTEES REPORT {conVd)
Year ended 31 August 2023
curriculum and have specific training and knowledge working with children who have Special
Educational Needs to enable all children to reach theirfull potential.
We are an Inclusive Playgroup, promoted through our Equal Opportunities Policy for children, parents,
carers and volunteers. We employ three part time members of staff as well as providing opportunities
for volunteering both with the children as well as the governing body. (We have a safeguarding policy,
and all volunteers have Access Nl Check51. We provide training e.g. safeguarding, positive parenting and
curriculum development to support parents and families and to promote parental participation. The
playgroup brings people together in a range of ways, these include; inter-generational activities,
education and social. Children are able to bring their parents and families to interact and learn in a safe
environment. We encourage a wide range of ages and abilities to learn together and socialise.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The Playgroup meets the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland public benefit requirements by
promoting a play based learning environment for children under statutory school age. The direct
benefits that flow from this purpose include:
Preparation of each child for primary education;
Mastering the basic skills of expression, communication, problem solving, early mathematics,
creativity, knowledge of the world around us, experimentation and exploration. Physical
development;
The ability to relate to other children and adults.
We have 17 D.E.N.I place5 in place and the playgroup will have reached its full quota of children by April
2024, subject to their dates of birth.
A total of £705.25 was raised through our 'Christmas Concert,. £701 wa5 raised from our Easter Egg fund
raiser and £173.50 was raised through a tea party held for parents and children. The money was spent
on equipment to promote further development of curiosity, investigation and problem solving within
the world around us. We also purchased outdoor waterproof clothing and two Storage sheds for the
garden. A unit to be used for a dish washing station was purchased for indoor use. £52 was raised
through the sale of previously used sweat and polo shirts which enabled us to purchase a battery
charger with the remaining money going towards a portable greenhouse.
We received £4,160 funding from Engage 111 Programme through the Education Board to 5UPPOrt
children's attention and listening skills and physical emotional development. We also received £400

WOODBURN PLAYGROUP
TRUSTEES REPORT {conVd)
Year ended 31 August 2023
from the Getting ready to Learn programme to purchase resources for the themes Education Works, Big
Bedtime Read and Happy Healthy Kids.
Outings held in the school year 2022/23 were to Streamvale Farm and taking the children on a train trip
to Larne. Visitors invited into the playgroup included Jump, Jingle and Jive, Dizzy Kids, Fun with Drums,
Kids Yoga, Wee Critters, Performing Stories, Rangers Soccer Academy, Debutots, Rugby, Science Starz, a
police officer, and members of the Ambulance Service. Visitors organised to come into the playgroup
thi5 year include 3 representative from the Fire and Ambulance Service, a mother and her baby, Wee
Critters, African Drumming, a Liberian, a representative from Inver Garden Centre, A midwife and a
nurse. Outings arranged for children this year include a visit to Carrickfergus Castle and the Transport
Museum.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The playgroup aims to have retained unrestricted reserves of 3 - 6 months outgoings to allow for income
fluctuations. Unrestricted reserves at the year end amounted to £28,104.12022 - £31,252). These
reserves are comfortably within the above limits.
Net income for the year amounted to a deficit of {£3,147).12022 surplus- £3,933).
The trustee5' annual report was approved on 26 June 2024 and signed on behalf of the board of
trustees by
1]4iuA
Mr5 Tanya Kirkland
Trustee