ANNUAL TRUSTEE REPORT FOR SUNSHINE PLAYGROUP AND PRE -SCHOOL
2024-2025
Introduction
Sunshine Playgroup and Pre-school is a registered charity which was originally founded in 1984. It is a non-profit organisation with a Northern Ireland Commission number of 105899-0 and it also has a Facebook page. Sunshine Playgroup and Pre-school is located in Killultagh Orange Hall, Legaterriff Road, Upper Ballinderry, Lisburn, Co Antrim.
It is a cross-community playgroup which is registered with the Sough Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, in line with statutory requirements of the Children (NI) Order 1995 and the minimum Stands of Childminding and Daycare 2012. The Pre-school is funded by the Department of Education NI and the pre-school curriculum is followed and inspected by inspectors form the Department of Education (ETI). Inspections are carried out annually for both the Pre-school and the Playgroup by the Early Years team from the South Eastern Health and Social Services. All staff at Sunshine Playgroup and Pre-school hold an NVQ Certificate in Childcare and Education. All staff are Access NI checked and are trained in Child Protection Safe-Guarding as well as holding various other appropriate qualifications.
Aims and Objectives
The Aims and Objectives of Sunshine Playgroup and Pre-School and these areas are as follows:
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To provide a warm and welcoming early years environment where young children are valued as individuals.
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Where each child's needs are taken into account arising from culture, race, religion, language and disabilities.
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Where their self-esteem, confidence and independence are promoted in a happy, stimulating and caring setting.
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To recognise that the child's needs and safety are paramount,
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To work in partnership with parents, carers and other professionals.
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To formulate and encourage equal opportunities for both adults and children.
The Trustees consist of local people who have come from a variety of backgrounds across the community and who have volunteered their time and services to Sunshine Playgroup and Pre-school (shortened to Sunshine when referring to it generally).
They have different fields of interest, including finance, education, rural affairs and business. The Trustees have operated the charity to increase the public benefit during the reporting period and have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission's statutory public benefit guidance.
The Trustees believe that the purposes of Sunshine satisfy the elements of public benefit requirements. The main benefit continues to be for the children and their families in the local area. The whole community of Ballinderry and the surrounding area is encouraged to participate in any fundraising activities that the staff of Sunshine decide to arrange, as well as being invited to Open Days and Information sessions. The local children attending the playgroup/pre-school benefit from a safe, stimulating environment and a range of educational activities and social interaction, as part of the wider Sunshine and Ballinderry community.
The year started with a change of Leader. Natalie Wright was appointed as the new Leader for Sunshine with Gwen McCrea stepping down and becoming Deputy Leader. and Margaret Cardwell and Patricia McClinton as Assistants. A temporary member of staff, Jodie Lindsay, was appointed
from September 2024 to June 2025. The Committee also had a change with Wesley Wright stepping down as Chairperson after a number of years of dedicated service, and Ross Coulter was welcomed as the new Chairperson.
The staff continued to take part in staff training and courses to update their knowledge, such as SEN training and First Aid refresher courses, and Natalie also worked at updating numerous policies.
The Education Authority is the main provider of funds for Sunshine, with various other appropriate grants applied for and received, In addition to these, money was raised by fundraising initiatives including Cas For Clobber collections, a Pumpkin day in the Forest School, a Tractor Run, a very successful Quiz night at St Clare’s Hall, (kindly granted) and a Bingo night.
In December all the children were invited to go to Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School for a visit. In January 2025 the Forest School, which a valuable and much appreciated resource, was badly damaged in the storm of 24[th] January. This meant that the Forest School had to be temporarily closed until the fallen tress were removed, other trees checked and fences repaired or replaced. Sunshine itself also had to close for a few days until dangerous power lines and fallen trees were removed safely. This took time but was finally fixed with help from the local Council, Power NI and volunteers. In June 2025 vegetables were planted in the Forest School by Sharon from Natural World.
Expenses
Equipment for both Playgroup and Pre-school was checked and maintained. A new assault course, a toilet for the Forest School and reading nook were some of the purchases as well as books and a moveable seat.
The main expenses continue to be essentials ones such as salaries, pension contributions, increased national insurance contributions, rent of the hall, electricity, heating oil, maintenance, rent of the Forest School, increased costs for snacks for the children, photocopying, water rates and insurance. At the end of June 2025 we said goodbye to Patricia who decided to retire after many years, and she will be greatly missed. The process of recruiting a new member of staff began in July 2025.
The various activities that Sunshine has undertaken over the year have helped to further its purpose in a safe and caring environment for young children to grow and learn, as well as providing a resource for the public benefit in the local community.
This report has been approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by Liz Addison.
Signed: Liz Addison
Date: 23.08.25
This report has been agreed by the Trustees
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