TRUSTEE REPORT FOR DERVOCK COMMUNITY PLAYGROUP NIC 104781 YEAR ENDING 31 JULY 2025
Committee members and trustees: Rev Campbell Mulvenny (Chairperson) Mrs Debbie McConaghie (Treasurer) Mrs Adele Henry (Secretary) Mrs Julie Philpott Mrs Kelly Hutchinson Mrs Eleanor Anderson Mrs Jamie Austin Mrs Olivia Wright Miss Laura McConaghy
Playgroup Leader - Judith Irvine Deputy Leader - Danni Patterson Playgroup Assistant - Lorraine Millar
The Annual General Meeting to conclude the year ending 31 July 2025 was held on 30% September 2025, when accounts were presented, and leaders report received,
The aims and objectives are to promote a play-based learning environment for preschool children, to promote the involvement of the parents in activities of the group and to support the values and principles of Early Years.
The trustees are confident that the Playgroup has continued to meet its aims and objectives throughout the course of the year, thanks to the knowledge of Miss Judith Irvine. Judith brings much experience with her and makes sure that her team is up to date with all training, first aid, child protection, health, and safety, new procedures and she liaises with our social worker and early years advisor. Judith is also to be commended for building up good relationships with other local Playgroups.
Dervock Community Playgroup would like to thank the principal, staff and Governors of the William Pinkerton Memorial Primary School for involving the Playgroup in the life of the school and for sharing resources.
During the academic year September 2024 - June 2025 we had 14 preschool children and 8 pre-pre children. 8 of these children went to the William Pinkerton Memorial Primary School, 2 to the Leaney, 1 to Straidbilly, 1 to Knockahollet, 2 to Kilmoyle.
We held our open day on 27" November 2024 where prospective parents and children had the opportunity to meet staff.
We were successful in receiving funding from the getting ready to learn team. This enabled us to provide a lending library and home learning activities.
We welcomed education visitors into our setting such as, Rugbugz, jump, jiggle and jive, Mini professors and wee critters.
In the setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year, the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance of public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the Charities purpose and provide a benefit to the public.
The main source of funding is from the Education Authority. The Playgroup is a nonprofit making and the trustees are aware of the need to apply to grants and to fundraise to provide more learning opportunities for our children. A good deal of time was spent by office bearers chasing up paperwork for grants. Our thanks should be expressed for the time and effort that was spent planning ahead even if no immediate benefit was forthcoming. The Playgroup has a reserves policy to maintain sufficient funds in a readily realisable form, this includes an amount for redundancy payments should the Playgroup have to close.