FORKHILL PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP LIMITED
Trustees' Report
The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 July 2025.
Objectives and activities
As per the Articles of Association, the company's objectives and activities are specifically restricted to the following: to promote play based learning environments for all children under statutory school age (hereinafter referred to as the beneficiaries) of Forkhill and its surrounding greater ward area (hereinafter called the "area of benefit") 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 the inhabitants in a common effort to advance education, and in particular;
(a) to advance the education of the beneficiaries by the provision of safe and satisfying group play, with the right of parents/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;
(b) to support the vision and values of the Early Years sector.
(c) to advance any other exclusively charitable purpose as the directors may, from time to time, decide in accordance with the law of charity.
The playgroup is open Monday to Friday - 9.00 to 12.00 and employs 6 qualified staff, it provides a facility where the children can learn in a safe and stimulating environment at their own pace. The playgroup works to provide the pre-school curriculum and is proud to have been recognised by Investors in People in the past and currently have been awarded a Gold Category Award from Curriculum and Planning Specialist (C.A.P.S). In 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 on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity's purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.
Objectives, strategies and activities
2024/25 was a straightforward year for the school financially with grant and other income, resulting in net surplus for the year of £20,676 (2024 deficit £7,011). With sufficient reserves in place and continued drive towards maximising income and minimising expenditure the school remains in a solid financial position.
Going concern
Management have considered a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements as part of their assessment of the appropriateness of the going concern assumption, and have concluded that the going concern basis is appropriate.
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FORKHILL PRESCHOOL PLAYGROUP LIMITED
Trustees' Report
Structure, governance and management
Organisational structure
Forkhill Preschool Playgroup is a company limited by guarantee and accepted as charitable by HMRC. The. company is also a registered charity with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under charity number 107697. The company was incorporated on 10th July 2019. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the company, and is governed by its Articles of Association. The liability of the members is limited in that every member of the company undertakes to contribute and amount not exceeding £1 in the event of the company being would up.
Recruitment and Appointment of Directors
The charity trustees are also directors of the company.
Organisation Structure
The Board consists of two Trustees who administer the playgroup and meet monthly. The Board has appointed a Playgroup Leader to manage the day-to-day operations of the Playgroup. The Playgroup leader has delegated authority, within terms of delegated approval, for operational matters including staff supervision, delivery of Playgroup activities and budgetary management. The Playgroup is affiliated to the C.A.P.S organisation and works very closely with their independent Early Years Specialist to ensure that staff are up-to-date with policy and practice within the sector. Staff also undertake regular training.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 26 May 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Fidelma McNeill Trustee
Kevin Woods Trustee
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