Castlederg Childcare Services Trading as Around the Corner Family Centre ## TRUSTEES REPORT For the Period Ending 31st March 2024 ## **Governing Document** Castlederg Childcare Services which trades as Around the Corner Family Centre is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum & Articles of Association dated 16 March 2007. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission NI. ## **Reference & Administration Details** Charity No: NIC105884 Company No: NI063653 Registered Address: 48 Lurganbuoy Road CASTLEDERG Co Tyrone BT81 7HT ## **Purpose of the Charity** Castlederg Childcare Services objects as per its governing document “are to enhance the development and education of children aged 11 weeks to 11 years by encouraging parents/guardians to understand and provide for the needs of their children. - Offering appropriate play facilities, with the right of parents/carers take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of the company, ensuring opportunities for all children, regardless of religion, culture, race or means. - Encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs of children and their families in the local area. ## **Review Period** ## **Registration** Childcare places offered are in line with the centre`s registration occupancy levels as guided by the Western Health & Social Care Trust (Registering Authority), as detailed below: 0-2 years – 16 places 2-3 years – 24 places 3-4 years – 20 places 4+ years – 20 places As at 31[st] March 2024 a total of 85 families were registered with the centre, representing 97 children. These figure represent an increase from 2023 which were 64 families and 72 children. This increase in usage has been attributed to the following factors: - Closure of a local daycare facility - Parents requiring daycare due to changes in working patterns (eg reduced remote/hybrid working) - Increase in birth rate ## **Registering Authority Inspection** WHSCT completed their annual inspection on 2[nd] November 2023. The full report is available on the Parents Notice Board, with the electronic copy available on request. The inspection was overall favourable. ## **Main Activities** Throughout the review period Castlederg Childcare Services undertook a number of activities to promote the purpose of the organisation. These activities included: DayCare Provision Out of School Activities Summer Programme Supported Training for parents Supporting local community events Transport to and from 2 local schools and 4 nurseries In addition to core activity of offering daycare, the centre offered several additional supporting and developmental activities for the children and their families Children’s Creative Mindfulness Sessions Creative Writing Makaton Sessions Diversity/Respecting Differences Workshops Eager & Able to Learn Programme The Diversity/Respecting Differences Workshops & the “Eager & Able to Learn” Programme _(funded by: The Pathway Fund – Dept of Education),_ these programmes aim to improve the potential outcomes for local children and their parents. With the training targeting low-income families providing free training and resources and aims to achieve the following targets: - Improve opportunities for socially disadvantaged children - Provide improved Early Years support for 20 children with additional needs - Increase access to services in a rural area with low provision - Promote a culture of Respect for Differences ## **Staff & Trainees** The centre employed 12 members of staff (2022-2023) in both part time and full-time capacity, this has now increased to 15 staff members with an additional 2 relief staff and 3 volunteers. The Board of Directors envisage further staff recruitment due to the ongoing demand for childcare places and this increasing demand resulted in an opening an additional playroom, increasing from 3 to 4, with potential to increase to a total of 5 playrooms by November 2024. Staff development continues to be central to the centre activities training completed includes: 1 employees working towards Level 5 Qualification 2 employees working towards Level 3 Qualification - 3 employees working towards Level 2 Qualification 1 employees completed Eager and Able to Learn Framework - 1 employees completed Respecting Differences Programme ## **Training** Staff training and the delivery of a quality childcare service is the central ethos, and staff have continued their professional development in the review period by completing training in the following areas. Global Development Delay UNICEF Rights of the Child Handling Complaints Autism Awareness Dyslexia Awareness Managing Challenging Behaviour Outdoor Play Mandatory Training – Safeguarding, Paediatric First Aid & Food Safety ## **Community Events** During the year Castlederg Childcare Services worked in partnership with Churchtown Community Association to deliver 2 community events namely, the “Halloween Hoolie” and “Spring Event”. These events were well received within the community attracting approximately 400 attendees at each event. ## **Future Developments** The board of directors envisage the incoming year 2024/2025 as one of consolidation in order to manage to increasing number of families and children accessing the services on offer. Actions anticipated include: - Training and Implement “Family App” which will assist with administration function, eg streamline invoicing, improve partnership with partners through increased communication, improved booking system and staff rotas. - Re-purpose out of school room to 3–4-year-old room and relocate out of school potentially to Unit 1. - Recruit new staff members and ensure completion of mandatory training - Review staffing and hierarchy, appointing Deputy Manager and Room Leaders as required - Replace flooring throughout main building - Replace sinks in playrooms - Improve exterior lighting - Painting interior of play rooms ## **Directors & Trustees** The directors of the charitable company are its trustees for the purposes of charity law. The trustees and officers serving during the year were as follows: Chairperson: Marie Reid Treasurer: Jane Harvey Secretary: Cathereen Wells Doherty Alicia O`Donnell Reena McHugh Annie Killoran Lynch Signed: Dated: