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← St Colums Pre-School Centre

2025-08-31-annual-report

St. Colum's Pre-School Centre

St Colum’s Portstewart AGM 2025

Wednesday 1st October 2025, 7:30pm

Attendees: Natasha Davidson, Sarah McAuley, Clare McManus, Michele Long, Angela McGoldrick, Aine McIntrye, Kelly Allen, Angela Hislop, Clara Goodwin, Matthew Goodwin, Darren Quigley, Jessy Lenehan, Jignesha Patel, Emma Cheema, Meabh Duffy, Sinead Mullan, Lisa Hemphill

Apologies: Oísin Duffy, Emily Armstrong, Eilish McManus

Chairperson’s Report: Natasha Davidson

Charity number: 102674

Background

St. Colum’s pre-school has been serving pre-school children and their families in the Portstewart and surrounding communities since 1992. We are extremely proud of the work that we do and the links that we have with the local community. In 2011 our Pre- School Centre became a Cross – Community Playgroup, drawing children from all religious backgrounds and ethnicities

Structure, Governance and Management

St. Colum’s Pre-School Centre is governed by a constitution that was originally adopted on 6[th] October 2011. This document was developed in alignment with the guidelines from Early Years and the Education Authority. Our dedicated committee members manage the centre in accordance with this constitution, ensuring we uphold principles and provide the best possible environment for our children.

Purpose and Public Benefit

At St. Colum’s Pre-School Centre, our mission is to promote play-based learning for all children under statutory school age in Portstewart and the surrounding area. The primary benefits of our service include increasing awareness of age-appropriate playbased learning among parents and caregivers, as well as providing early education for children prior to entering primary school. These benefits are evidenced through

feedback from parents, insights from Early Years Advisers, and regular evaluations conducted by Social Services and the Education and Training Inspectorate. Our services are designed to be beneficial and do not lead to any harm.The key beneficiaries of our mission are the children under statutory school age and their parents or caregivers within the Portstewart area. Trustees believe that our purpose fully meets the public benefit requirement.

2024/25 Achievements

St. Colum's Pre-School Centre, a registered charity and community pre-school, is dedicated to fostering children's social, emotional, and early developmental growth. Despite the financial challenges faced, the charity closed the year in a stable financial position, thanks to successful grant applications and ongoing fundraising initiatives.

The June 2025 inspection of St Colum’s Preschool was very positive, with no urgent actions required. The process was based on direct observation of practice, discussions with staV, parental feedback, and a review of both indoor and outdoor learning environments. Inspectors highlighted the warm, welcoming and child-centred atmosphere, the caring and engaging approach of staV, the positive feedback from parents, and the quality of resources, including the excellent outdoor area and calming indoor spaces. This outcome provides assurance that the preschool is delivering a high-quality experience for children and families, and gives trustees confidence in the direction of the setting.

Trustee Report

Report of the Trustees for the year ending 31 August 2025.

The Trustees of St Colum’s Pre School Centre, Portstewart present their annual report

for the year ended 31 August 2025.

Aims And Objectives :

The main aim of St. Colum's Pre-School Centre is to promote the social, emotional and early educational development of each child. Our Pre-School Centre offers a safe and secure environment where children have the opportunity to achieve these goals. Our

Mission Statement is focused on “encouraging our children to think for themselves

and to feel their work is valued”.

Review of activities:

Through the implementation of a planned Pre-School Curriculum, we offer children a

broad range of learning opportunities, through both play and other experiences. Our

qualified and experienced staff are committed to the needs of the pre-school child and encourage and build upon the experience and range of skills which the child has already developed.

In 2024/25 activities of note included

Providing a nurturing inclusive and safe environment where children feel valued and respected. Encouraging each child to think for themselves, become independent and reach their full potential. Celebrating each child’s uniqueness and honouring every achievement.

Pupil Numbers & Fees :

For the academic year September 2024 - June 2025:

St Colum’s Pre School Centre had 21 fully funded Department of Education places in

year ending June 2025

Funding subsidised by offering pre-pre- school age children places for 3 afternoon sessions a week. Supported funding by Pathway and with parental contribution of £5.00 per child per week . All spaces availed of by Feb 2025. (In take commences after the child turns 3 years old for three afternoons a week)

2025/26 Numbers and Projections

St Colum’s PAN was reduced to 21 spaces for the morning session in January 2025. (From 24 in January 2024). PAN (Pupil Allocation Number) is the maximum number of funded places a setting could admit, based on capacity, ratios, and number of spaces taken up in October the previous year

As of this September (Academic year: 2025- 2026:)

17 children attend the morning sessions

5 days per week 9-12pm, supported by 3 staff. Ratios 1:8 in AM session.

16 registered for places for the Pre Pre Afternoons

(Monday-Wednesday: 1:30-3pm)

Two staff members. Ratios 1:8.

We have also sought to create a register of bank staff to cover sickness/training and will seek to continue to do this throughout the year.

Financial Review: Accounts y/e 31 August 2025

Income: £79,494.27 (2024 y/e: £87, 692.11)

Expenditure: £79,068.05 (2024 y/e £80,569.32)

This year saw a slight increase in funding from the education authority to just over 57k (2024: £51,600) which was supplemented by voluntary parental donations totalling.

However, trustees not the parental contributions were down from approximately £7,100 in 2024, to just over 3.1k in 2025.

Net Income/(Expenditure) 2025: profit of £426.22

Context of previous years:

Key expenses were salaries of approx. £51.1k and rent of £4,000.

Both operating overheads and financial expenses remained high in 2024/25 with

running costs (including HMRC, pension costs , insurance, supplies, utilities, EYS, & bank charges) totalling approximately £23k.

One area of unexpected expenditure was a major heating failure in November 2024, which necessitated a temporary closure. Senior management acted promptly: we

communicated clearly with parents, liaised with Social Services regarding alternative locations and support, and issued at-home learning packs to minimise disruption. The

fault was resolved sooner than anticipated, limiting the closure period. Emergency

repairs and an essential upgrade cost £3,200 . The setting also sustained storm damage in January 2025

As of the end of August 2025 the total bank balance of the pre-school sits

Fundraising:

The trustees are pleased to report a successful fundraising year, with events raising

approximately £1,800. The committee organised several successful events, including coffee mornings, raffles and door collections, all of which contributed to this

achievement. A planned wine and gin night was cancelled by the provider but can be arranged for Autumn 2025.

2025/26 plans and performance

The Trustees remain positive about the future of the Centre. The setting tried to offset spending where possible throughout the year. The recruitment of a third permanent staff has been paused and will be reviewed as soon as financially viable. This approach reflects the lower-than-expected applications and intake for 2025/26 and the current uncertainty surrounding the introduction of the standardised day. Trustees are

confident that this measured approach ensures high-quality provision is

maintained, while also allowing flexibility to adapt as circumstances become

clearer.

Admission/Registrations 2025/26

Morning: 17: Plan to advertise on social media spaces for the morning session. Afternoon: Capacity: The afternoon sessions received healthy interest both last year and, in the year, ahead, with the additional area of income expected to continue until June 2026.

January Applications for 26/27

With pre-pre places expected to be filled by early in Term 2, we are expecting a similar

reflection in applications for Pre School places for 2026-2027, with confidence the

setting will achieve a healthy intake. This will require review and marketing if standardisation day is implemented.

Standardisation

The Minister of Education announced plans to standardise the Pre-school Education Programme to full-time (22.5 hours per week) for all children aged 3-4, as part of the Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy. The Department, along with the Education Authority, is working on a Pre-School Standardisation programme to gradually implement this change. St Colum’s was unsuccessful in its application to be included in the first cohort of standardised day settings (commencing Sept 2025). The senior committee engaged with the Department of Education regarding this decision. In response, the Department confirmed that decisions were made according to the following criteria: amalgamation settings (identified by DE), integrated/Irish medium provision, balance of statutory and non-statutory settings, and geographical balance across Local District Councils.

However, as of September 2025, St Colum’s has been shortlisted for inclusion in

the standardised day model for intake from September 2026. Confirmation is expected before the criteria for applications are set in November. An initial review suggests that the setting and staff are well placed to implement the change, with meals to be sourced from St Colum’s Primary School. The full logistics can be finalised by the future committee, but trustees are confident that the transition can be achieved with minimal investment. This shift will bring a substantially higher level of funding per place (approximately £4,300 per funded place). This funding model is intended to facilitate the approved session length for each setting, plus paid release time for activities such

as planning, administration, training and Early Years Specialist support as well as overheads such as rent/mortgage, utilities and consumables. Trustees recognise that securing the standard day will return the preschool to a stronger position for recruitment, as it is both more attractive to families and in line with Department of

Education priorities to enhance children’s learning opportunities, allow staff more interaction time, and deliver richer play-based educational experiences.

ASPIRE- Shared Education

We are now entering Year 2 of our ASPIRE partnership with Portstewart Nursery.

ASPIRE aims to foster sustained collaboration between pre-schools, schools, and youth settings, bringing children together across different backgrounds through shared learning experiences. For early years participants, settings commit to delivering 30 hours of shared education sessions per child per year.

SEN commitment

Staff are committed to ensuring that staff are trained to the highest standard to support children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). This will remain a key focus in 2025/26, with ongoing investment in training, practice development and resource provision. Trustees and staff will also continue to research and adopt inclusive approaches to ensure the pre-school and its resources remain fully accessible to all children. Staff have identified the development of a sensory room as an important long-term project, recognising the benefits it would bring for inclusion, wellbeing, and the overall quality of provision. Trustees fully endorse this vision and have agreed to align it with fundraising priorities for 2025/26.

Sustainability

We are dedicated to supporting our families through initiatives such as our preloved uniform scheme, helping to reduce waste and promote sustainability. We also promote healthy eating with snack time and aim to reduce waste by planning buying accordingly.

Summary

The Trustees of St. Colum’s Pre-School Centre express confidence in the centre’s current standing and future prospects, despite challenges posed by increased costs and reduced numbers. Thanks to grants, fundraising and effective management of resources, the centre remains financially stable. The Trustees commend the staff for their dedication, as also evidenced in the positive feedback from the June inspection. As outgoing Chair, I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to the staff — CMcM, AMcG, AMcI, KA and ML — for their dedication to our children. They consistently go above and beyond in their care and commitment, ensuring that St Colum’s remains a nurturing, high-quality environment where every child is supported to thrive. I personally wish to thank the committee — and in particular the senior management team OD, SMcA, PS— without whom I could not have carried out this role. Their hard work have been vital in guiding St Colum’s through a period of significant change and challenges over the last 3 years. It has been a real privilege to serve as Chair of St Colum’s Preschool and I wish incoming members every success.

Natasha Davidson

Signed on behalf of all Trustees:

Date: 1[st] October 2025

Financial Accounts (audited)

Nomination of 2025/26 Committee

Position 2025 2024
Chairperson Emma Cheema Natasha Davidson (Not seeking nomination
for 2025)
Secretary Jessica Lenehan Sarah McAuley (Not seeking nomination for
2025)
Treasurer Oísin Duffy Oísin Duffy
Committee Members Darren Quigley Andrew McGlenn
Lisa Hemphill Emily Armstrong
Gemma O'Neill Jessica Lenehan
Mary McGoldrick Darren Quigley
Natasha Davidson Emma Cheema
Sinead Mullan Sinead Mullan
Eilish McManus
Lisa Hemphill

AOB:

The Trustees wish to record their sincere thanks to outgoing Chair, Natasha Davidson, and outgoing Secretary, Sarah McAuley, for their dedication, hard work and significant contribution to the Preschool Committee