2025-07-31-accounts

SPRINGHOLM PLAYGROUP Scottish Charity No. SC009732

Accounts for the year ended

31 July 2025

Montpelier Professional (Galloway) Limited 1 Dashwood Square

Newton Stewart DG8 6EQ

==> picture [500 x 706] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
SPRINGHOLM PLAYGROUP
Reference and Administrative Information for the period ended
31 July 2025
Registered Charity No: $C009732
| -
—_ ae
Accountants: Montpelier Professional (Galloway) Limited
1 Dashwood Square
Newton Stewart
DG8 6EQ
Bankers: Bank of Scotland
38 St Andrew Square
Edinburgh
EH2 2AD
----- End of picture text -----

SPRINGHOLM PLAYGROUP

Trustees Annual Report for the year ended

31 July 2025

The trustees present their annual report together with the accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025.

Structure, Governance and Management

The charity is administered in accordance with its constitution adopted on 28 May 1985.

Springholm Playgroup Voluntary Committee/Trustees run the group Springholm Nursery; membership is automatically a parent/carer of the child attending the group. It is made clear in our parent information booklet that as a group member you are also a member of the committee/trustee. The Management Committee, elected out of the parents at the AGM, runs the day-to-day procedures with support from staff members and where necessary the Early Years Scotland team.

Objectives and Activities

Within our setting we recognise the importance and value of high-quality early education and childcare (ELC). We are committed to providing a stimulating and challenging environment which will develop and broaden children’s learning experiences both indoors and outdoors, leaving them confident, eager, highly motivated and disposed to learn more. We aim to be responsive to each child's individual needs, including any additional support needs, and to build on the child’s prior learning and natural curiosity.

Further to that aim, we encourage parents to be fully involved in their child’s learning and in other charitable activities.

Public benefit

The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing their objectives and in planning their future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the objectives they have set

Achievements and Performance and Future Plans

The Nursery continues to deliver high quality early learning and childcare within the indoor and outdoor environment, meeting the needs and interests of all the children.

We are pleased to report that, following an unannounced visit from the Care Inspectorate in December 2024, the Nursery was awarded ‘Very Good’ grades across all inspection areas: care play and learning, our leadership and our staff team. We are extremely proud of this outcome which is a testament to the commitment and professionalism, hard work and dedication of our entire team.

Following our very successful Inspection, In February 2025 the Nursery requested a variation to the number of children to be enrolled at Nursery. The variation followed due process, and it was agreed with the Cl that because we had a waiting list of several children from 2 years 6 months, that numbers would be increased from 16 children aged 3 yeas to 5 years, to 21 children aged from 2 years 6 months to 5 years (5 of whom can be aged 2 years 6 months)

Prior to the Easter Break (April 2024), Kelton Nursery in Castle Douglas announced that they were to close at short notice at the end of the Easter Break. Springholm Nursery took on F many children from Kelton and our numbers on roll increased from 14 to 28 for the Summer

l

SPRINGHOLM PLAYGROUP

Trustees Annual Report Continued for the year ended

31 July 2025

Term. The staff dealt very well with the sudden increase in numbers. Families were supported empathetically and the children settled very well.

We were asked if we could take on a member of staff from Kelton who had started her MA. This was agreed. She has become a valuable member of our staff team, and provided continuity for the families from Kelton (both parents and children).

The Depute manager has passed the management modules of the Level 9PDA and the Frobel in Childhood Practise Certificate with Edinburgh University. Our newly appointed Lead Practitioner has begun a shorter version of this qualification, focusing on Froebelian Practice in Early Learning & Childcare.

The courses focus on outdoor play which is fundamental to early childhood education and promotes the theory that outdoor learning through gardening, exploration, and play, studying nature inculcates the sense of responsibility and awareness towards living things. Froebel also valued the Childs’ role in the family and wider community, and we have developed close partnerships in the community by offering weekly Toddler Tuesday sessions for families with pre-school children, and families of Nursery children. This involves grandparents and older members of the community developing and recognising the importance of Intergenerational groups and community cohesion.

Springholm Community Hub provide tea, coffee, and refreshments as part of their community engagement. Families new to the Village have come to Toddler Tuesday sessions, a direct impact of this engagement has been that parents enrolled their children in our nursery. They also commented that this has helped them integrate within their new community. Nursery staff have also introduced STEM and PEEP sessions during the Nursery Day and PEEP sessions on a voluntary basis out with Nursery operating hours for families in the community.

The manager will be retiring from her role at the end of the summer break. She will have a phased retirement over the Autumn term in the role of Business Support to ensure a smooth transition for the newly appointed manager with the business elements of this role.

The Depute Manager has been appointed as Manager.

One of our Early Years Practitioners has been appointed as Lead Practitioner (and has begun her level 4 training)

One of our Early Years Practitioners will be returning from Maternity leave in August in a part time capacity.

One of our Early Years Practitioners will continue in her role. She is currently training in Children’s Yoga and will also be part of the Early Movers Project in August.

Our MA is working through the National Induction Programme and is progressing well through her MA course.

We have held a number of fundraisers during the 2024-2025 financial year. These have included a week of celebrations during May as it was 40 years since the Nursery was established. We held a Race Night as part of these celebrations which was attended by members of the community.

2

SPRINGHOLM PLAYGROUP

Trustees Annual Report Continued for the year ended

31 July 2025

In July we hosted an Art Exhibition with Springholm Primary School which showcased art by Nursery and Primary School Children and a number of local artists, one of whom isa local stone mason with HES. Nursery are working towards the Education Scotland STEM Nation awards, one of which is business partnerships. The HES stone mason has contributed to Nursery by working with the children. He donated two stone carvings for a secret auction which generated £120. Nursery will continue to work with Springholm Memorial Hall Committee and Springholm Primary School to host community events.

Springholm Nursery were awarded a restricted community grant by Corsock and Kirkpatrick Durham Community Council to go towards indoor sensory play resources.

We were awarded a further unrestricted grant from Foundation Scotland. This has been used towards the sourcing of extra items needed for the increased number of children on roll, including waterproof clothing, cutlery, children’s tumblers, refurbishment of lobby area to accommodate extra clothes hanging space etc

The manager made an application for Tesco Stronger Starts funding to improve indoor and outdoor resources for our community engagement sessions. These sessions welcome families from throughout the Stewartry, including families ranging from Dumfries to Kirkcudbright. We were one of three local causes selected and are guaranteed one of the following, dependent on in-store voting in Kirkcudbright: £1500 for 1st cause £1000 for 24 cause and £500 for 3°,

Future Plans

August 2025 - Numbers on roll from 2025-2026 are currently 21.

August 2025 to April 2026 — 18 children (including 10 of whom are full time, with 5 days per week and 3 with 4 days per week)

From April 2026 another 3 children will receive their ELC funding.

Accepting children from the age of 2 years 6 months means that in addition to welcoming funded 2 year olds, we can also offer private care for children before they are eligible for council funding.

We currently have on offer 2 full time places and a small number of sessions for parents who do not require full time care. We advertise regularly and often find that there is a need for childcare throughout the year.

At the end of 2026 there will be 5 pre school children, two of whom will be leaving, three of whom are very young and may benefit from a further year at Nursery. This means that there will be at least 16 children on roll for 2026-2027. This number does not include children who will be registering in February 2027. We will continue to work hard to ensure the Nursery can continue to run for many years to come for the children of Springholm, Crocketford, Kirkpatrick Durham, Corsock and surrounding areas.

We have a very strong relationship with Springholm Primary School which has contributed to an extremely successful transition experience for our preschool from Nursery to P1 in August 2025.

3

SPRINGHOLM PLAYGROUP

Trustees Annual Report Continued for the year ended

31 July 2025

Following council funding cuts for the transportation of school meals to Nursery, discussions with = HT, and school cook (NNN. it was agreed that Nursery children would walk to school daily for their funded meal entitlement. This has had many benefits ranging from daily experience in the community, to children familiarising themselves with the school environment, staff and pupils. We also enjoy a regular weekly time to use the School Gym for P.E. This years’ transition started before the Easter Break with the Principal Teacher arranging weekly sessions with P6 Buddies/ STEM sessions. This meant that the children already knew their Buddies before the transition programme began after Easter

Nursery worked in collaboration with the Primary School to host an Art Exhibition to raise funds for both Nursery and School. It is our intention to build on these strong foundations in 2025-2026

We remain fully committed to striving for sector-leading practice in all that we do. Our Depute Manager has recently delivered Learning Journal Inset training for PVI nurseries as well as LA school and nurseries, helping to share best practice more widely. Our community engagement was also highly praised, and we will continue to explore new and innovative ways to build on this success and strengthen our partnerships even further.

We continue to work in partnership with our Pre School-Officer and engage in training with the Care Inspectorate to ensure we meet all 10 criteria

Financial Review

The charity had a surplus for the period of £32,142 (2024: surplus £190).

At the end of the year the charity held cash funds of £42,275 (2024: £10,133). This exceeds the policy of holding approximately six months of expenses (£40,000), the trustees therefore consider the charity is a Going Concern.

August 2025 — July 2026 — currently 22 children on roll.

Reserves Policy

It is the Trustee’s policy to hold reserves of approximately six months expenses so that in the event of a significant drop in income, the charity can maintain its current level of activities for a reasonable period until replacement funding is obtained.

The Nursery is now settled at Springholm Memorial Hall with a rental agreement until April 2028. (This will only be reviewed if there is a significant increase in utility prices)

Following a very successful Inspection by the Care Inspectorate in December 2024 with the Nursery receiving a grading of very good across all areas, Nursery were able to request a variation to increase capacity from 16 children age 3 to 5 years to 21 children age 2years 6 months to 5 years ( 5 of whom can be 2 years 6 months) following the closure of a Nursery in Castle Douglas, Springholm Nursery roll increased from 14 children to 28 children in April 2025.

4

SPRINGHOLM PLAYGROUP

Trustees Annual Report Continued for the year ended

31 July 2025

Nursery is now able to accommodate both funded and non funded children. With regular fundraising events taking place and together with funding in partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Council, which is paid regularly at the beginning of each term, together with an increase in numbers of children attending Nursery, the Trustees are please to report that our reserve funding is now falling within the required amount in order for the charity to maintain its current level of activities for a reasonable amount of time in the event of a significant drop in income. August 2026 — July 2027 predicted numbers will be 18 children plus new registrations in February 2026.

ate. A We \Ane

5

SPRINGHOLM PLAYGROUP

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees

| report on the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 July 2025, which are set out on pages 7 to 10.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner's statement My examination is carried out in accordance with the Regulation 141 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently | do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect, the requirement - to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 41(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulation and,

2. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations.

have not been met

1. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland Montpelier Professional (Galloway) Limited 4 Dashwood Square Newton Stewart DG8 6EQ

6

SPRINGHOLM PLAYGROUP

Receipts and payments account for the year ended 31st July 2025

Receipts	Notes		Restricted		Unrestricted OO	2025 7	2024 —s
Fees			-		-	-	-
Fundraising LocalAuthority(Funding)			- -		1,867 106,959	1,867 106,959	1,285 68,093
Grants & donations			284		500	784	852
Extended hours			-		2,616	2,616	-
Total receipts			284		111,942	112,226	70,230
Payments
Charitable activities	2		284		79,588	79,872	69,752
Governance costs	3		-		212	212	288
Total payments			284		79,800	80,084	70,040
Excess/(deficit)ofreceiptsoverpayments		£	-	£	32,142£	32,142£	190

Restricted Grants received in the year were from Foundation Scotland and Corsock & KPD community Council

t

SPRINGHOLM PLAYGROUP

Statement of Balances

==> picture [524 x 273] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| |as|at|31st|July|2025| |2025|2024| |Bank|balance| |Opening|balance|- Current|account|10,133|9,943| |-|Movement|in|year|32,142|190| |42,275|10,133| |Closing|balance|- Current account|42,275|10,133| |42,275|10,133| |Other|assets| |Fixed|assets|1,342|1,678| |Total funds|43,617|11,811| |The|accounts were|approved|by the trustees|on wtb|[]|Neei|

----- End of picture text -----

For and on behalf of the trustees

8

SPRINGHOLM PLAYGROUP

Notes to the Accounts for the year 31st July 2025

1 Basis of Preparation

The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. They consist of a summary of all monies received and paid via the bank and in cash by the charity during the financial period, along with a statement of balances. No adjustments have been made for any income due but not received, or any expenses incurred but not yet paid at the period end.

2 Charitable Activities

		Restricted	Unrestricted	2025	2024
	Salaries	-	66,330	66,330	52,831
	Rent	-	6,658	6,658	11,698
	Insurance & membership	-	157	157	720
	Play equip & resources	-	2,188	2,188	1,748
	Snack	-	563	563	372
	Office costs	284	1,734	2,018	891
	Fundraising	-	81	81	-
	Phone & other	-	516	516	618
	Training courses	-	761	761	875
		284	79,588	79,872	69,753
3	Governance Costs
	Accountancy & bookkeeping fees	-	212	212	288
		-	212	212	288

4 Trustees

No remuneration was paid to any charity trustee or to a person connected with the trustess.

No expenses were paid to any trustee during the period.

The charity has Trustees Indemnity Insurance in place

5 Employees

The charity considers that its key management personnel comprise of the trustees and the nursery manager. The total employment benefits including employers National Insurance and employer pension contributions of the key personnel were £11,352.15 (2024: £10,716.30)

6 Related Party Transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year.

9

SPRINGHOLM PLAYGROUP

Notes to the Accounts continued for the year 31st July 2025

7 Movement - Bank Funds

			Opening Balance	Income	Expenditure	Transfers	Closing Balance
Generalfund Corsock & KPDCC			10,133	111,942 284	(79,800) (284)	-	42,275 -
			10,133	111,942	(79,800)	-	42,275

Unrestricted funds are available to use at the trustees discretion.

Corsock & KPD CC - Grant received for the purchase of childrens’ resources

10