Glenarm Community Preschool Orange Hall, Mark Street, Glenarm, Ballymena, Co Antrim, BT44 OAU Charity number: 106752 Trustees annual report for period I" September 2021 to 31" August 2022. Glenarm Community Preschool is established to provide play based learning environments for children aged 2 years and 10 months to statutory school age from the Glenarm and wider community, without distinction of age, gender, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic identity, political or religious opinion, by associating the statutory authorities, community and voluntary organisations and inhabitants in a common effort to advance education. Particular a) to advance the education of the beneficiaries by the provision of safe satisfying group play with the right of parent/carers to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of the group and to promote the preservation of health of the beneficiaries" and b) to encourage parents, carers and staff to avail of training, to gain a wider knowledge of the developmental, social needs and behaviours of children so that they can tailor their care and educational programme according to the unique needs of every child. The direct benefits which flow from the welcoming and safe environment provided by the preschool include preparation of each child for primary education through the development of their social skills, communication with other children and adults, problem solving and learning the key skills needed for primary education. During the year both indoor and outdoor activities were provided through which the children can learn through play. Parents and carers were also welcomed and provided with opportunities to learn about their children's education and new skills with regard to furthering their educational and social needs, both in and out of the preschool setting. The trustees are confident that these aims and objectives have been met throughout the course of the year by our experienced leader Lynn and her great team Michelle and Kerry. The staffing team completed various training courses throughout the year to maintain and improve the level of teaching and care we can offer the beneficiaries of the charity, these include the staff team updating their first aid certificates and also doing training on exploring Play
Schemas which staff have found very beneficial when trying to understand why children play the way they do. The trustees confirm that they have complied With their duty under settion 4(b) of the Charities Art (Northern Ireland) 2008 to have regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on the public benefit and that the public benefit requirement has informed regarding the activities of the charitable organisation in the year ending 31# August 2021. We have continued to build on the strong relationships the charity has with the local primary schools in the hope that this makes the transition to primary school easier for the beneficiaries. 4) Our parents and carers have been very supportive this year as always. They have engaged well with us via our Facebook page and are also engaging with each other on a parents whatsapp group where they can ask each other for help and advice on all things child related. We have enjoyed getting back to some of our pre covid attivities especially our outdoor walks and gatherings. The children were very kindly treated to a visit to the Santa experience in Glenarm Castle, which was a lovely gesture and was very much enjoyed by all that attended, this was also open for parents/carers to enjoy alongside their child. The charity makes the best use of the local surrounding and the children had numerous visits and walks around the forest, the castle grounds, the beach and harbour. Fundraising is still being imparted by covid but we were able to do some outdoor based fundraising by doing a sponsored walk where we raised £1355, we were very generously supported by a parent who organised some raflles and raised £1600. st The CharItS funds for the year ending 31 August 2022 amounted to £27 324 (£25,976 2021). The charity remains financially sound. Reserves are held in case of staff redundancy due to fluctuations in the number of children attending the preschool from year to year. The trustees believe they have sufficient funds to meet its requirements. The charity is governed by a constitution, with regular meeting held throughout the year attended by the committee members of the preschool and trustees of the charity. The committee members and trustees are elected
to posts during ourAGM. where they are proposed and seconded by members of the existing committee or parents/carers in attendance. Names of trustees during this year: Mrs Chloe Gaston Mrs Samantha Mcmullan Mrs Louise Johnston Mrs Laura Sherry Mrs Lucy Steele Mrs Clara Robinson Mrs Heather Mccormick The Trustees, annual report was approved on 29- 06- 2023 and signed on behalf of the trustees by= rtU6 Louise Johnston Heather Mccormick