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Strichen Playgroup Trustees Annual Report 2024 - 2025
Charity Contact Information
Scottish Charity Number — $C015719
Telephone Number — 07375082005
vie a Social Media Profile Name — Strichen Playgroup
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Charity Trustees
August 2024 — July 2025
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Our Aims
We believe at Strichen Playgroup that every day is a learning day and that learning is all around us. As well as being a place of learning, we pride ourselves on ensuring that all children are coming in to a loving, caring environment where they are valued and listened to. We also involve the children and parents in trying to continually improve.
At Strichen Playgroup we aim:
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e To provide a safe, happy, caring, stimulating and secure environment for our children.
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e To engage our children in the highest quality teaching and learning and to maximise success for all.
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e To develop a shared vision for the future of Strichen Playgroup.
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e To foster high quality leadership to all levels.
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e To work in partnership with other agencies and our community to promote the welfare of our children.
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e To work together with parents as partners to improve learning and care.
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e To reflect on our work and fulfil out learning potential.
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e To value and empower our children and staff.
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e To promote well-being and respect.
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e To develop a culture of ambition and achievement.
Our Visions
Positive, caring relationships based on trust and respect are at the heart of our philosophy.
We havea clear vision of what we want to achieve at Strichen Playgroup:
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e To provide a safe, happy, caring and stimulating environment for your child.
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e To enable all children to develop their capabilities as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens, and effective contributors to society.
Strichen Playgroup — A place to learn, develop and grow ‘happy and healthy children’.
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Our Values
We have aclear understanding of our values at Strichen Playgroup:
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e Happiness and wellbeing.
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e Engaged — being involved, responsive, interested and interesting.
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e Respect — promoting a culture of tolerance, inclusion, diversity, equality, fairness and opportunity.
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e Communication — being genuine, open, honest and sincere.
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e Achievement — highest quality, high expectations.
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e Partnerships and care — being reflective and learning from parents as partners. Developing strong, nurturing relationships.
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e Commitment to excellence.
Structure, Governance and Management
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Type of governing document:
Strichen Playgroup follow the Early Years Group constitution as set out by Early Years Scotland which has been approved by the office of the Scottish Charities Register (OSCR) as acceptable for charitable status.
Trustee recruitment and appointment:
During the Annual General Meeting held in June 2024, the office bearers were elected and formed a committee. The charity trustees consist of all office bearers with Lisa Reed being the main principal contact.
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Achievements and Performance
Improvements
The playgroup is now open on a Friday afternoon, this started after the October holidays 2024 this means the playgroup is now providing five full days of playgroup sessions Monday to Friday. This has been a successful addition to the playgroup sessions as Friday afternoons are fully booked!
One of the main purchases for the playgroup this year was a new dishwasher for the playgroup kitchen.
New garden planters were also purchased for the outdoor area at the playgroup, the children enjoyed taking part in planting some fruit and vegetables in the containers and watching them grow.
The playgroup also benefitted from further new additions such as a set of scales for the children to explore weights of various items, a toy crane with a wrecking ball, number trays, colour matching nuts and bolts set and firemen figures.
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Fundraising & Donations
The Strichen Playgroup committee, along with the parents and families involved with the playgroup, did an amazing job fundraising this year. The income from fundraising and donations was around £9809.67.
Our fundraising for the year began in October with Buchan Photography doing a Christmas photo shoot for the playgroup at the Strichen Community Park. The event was fully booked and Buchan Photography very kindly donated £255 to the playgroup following the event. Also during October the playgroup ran a Halloween ‘Strichen Sorcerer's Trail’ which was an excellent scavenger hunt that ran over the October holidays, followed by the Tumshie Lantern Carving competition (paired with the town town hall). snataie
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During November we held a Christmas Wreath Making Workshop at the Boyndlie Hall, this was an enjoyable event for those who attended and a percentage of the ticket sales was kindly donated to the playgroup.
A couple of lucky squares to win advent calendars were created with the winners receiving a Harry Potter Lego advent calendar and an Elf Sweet Spinners calendar, which achieved funds of £250 for the playgroup.
Local pie business Pie Aroma kindly created a special ‘Strichen Playgroup Pie’ for a period of time with the view to donate a percentage of the sales to the playgroup.
Following previous years success, we decided to hold another Breakfast with Santa. Tickets sold really fast, around 120 in total and the kids all really enjoyed themselves. Local companies were very generous and donated most of the breakfast items once again, which really helped with our fundraising total. We had some excellent raffles donated from local businesses for this event also, thanks to some committee members efforts.
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Also in December we had a Portrait Painting raffle which was kindly donated bya local artist it the winner winning a free commissioned oil painting portrait by the artist During March, a Strichen resident ae over 200km to raise funds for various charities including the Strichen Playgroup which resulted in the playgroup receiving a fabulous some of £415!
The Playgroup held a very successful quiz night in the Ritchie Hall at Strichen which along with raffle sales took in a figure of around £700.
The Fraserburgh Fire Station held a car wash day to raise funds for the Strichen Playgroup, some playgroup parents and kids helped out with the car washing too, there were home bake sales on the day also, kindly donated by the playgroup parents, which contributed to the days SUCCESS.
The children completed their annual sponsored walk in May, walking a total of 14.05 miles which wasa brilliant effort and raised a fantastic amount around £1500for the playgroup.
The fundraising for the year finished with the Playgroup hosting a stall at the Strichen Town House open day.
All in all, fabulous efforts throughout the year once again for fundraising
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Special Events & Trips
In December, the annual Christmas Party was held at playgroup where the children enjoyed playing games, wearing their party outfits and receiving a gift from Santa. He brought them all a gift which was very well received!
The children all took part in a little Christmas concert where parents and carers were invited in to see them. They performed some songs and all did a great job. It put everyone in the Christmas spirit!
Throughout the year the playgroup children have been busy visiting several local businesses within the village including a visit to Pawsome Pets (dog groomer), Cuteickle Me (nail artist), along with a few visits to the farm to see big combines and cute lambs! They have also been watching our duck eggs hatch in the incubator and caterpillars turn into butterflies!
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The playgroup had a trip to the Fraserburgh Fire Station during July which was very much enjoyed by the children as the firemen gave them a tour around the fire station and the fire engines.
The year ended with our summer picnic which was held in the Ritchie Hall on the 3 July. There were bouncy castles, face painting, ice cream and a picnic! Parents were invited along and everyone had a great day Each child also received a summer gift from the Playgroup
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Community
Strichen is great village and we are very lucky to have such a supportive community. This can be from people donating to our group or people attending the events we have organised. The children visit our local community park for one morning every week where they can explore, learn and play, but every so often they are asked to assist in the park. An example of this is helping the volunteers to plant new trees. The staff also take the children out litter picking every so often. This keeps the village clean but also teaches the children about responsibility and the dangers of litter.
The children often go out on short walks around the village. This can be down to the local play park to play, up the ‘brae’ to explore some nature, to the local library, or along to the village shop. Going for walks teaches the children about road safety. They visit the shop as often as they can to purchase items for their snacks. The children help with this by picking an item to buy, taking it to the till and handing over the money to pay for it. The outings around the village are beneficial for the children and the people on the village love seeing them out and about in their hi-vis vests. They learn to respect others and their surroundings.
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Financial Review
Statement of the charity’s policy reserves
Strichen Playgroup holds a combined figure of around £35,000 between our current and savings accounts which allows us to cover several months of running costs at any given point in time. This includes staff wages.
The playgroup also has a reserve account which currently holds £11,615. This money is kept in case of an emergency. (eg. Staff redundancies, etc.) The account continues to accrue money monthly, by the way of £85 monthly payment. This account is continually monitored and will be recalculated if required.
Details of any deficit
At present we do not havea deficit and work extremely hard to ensure that the playgroup is financially stable whilst providing the very best for the children who attend.
Donated facilities and services
At present we do not have any donated facilities, however we are grateful to the Strichen Episcopal Church community committee who allow us to rent the church hall and continue to support us with our hall improvements.
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2024/25 Annual Report Approved by trustees
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Page 14
STRICHEN PLAYGROUP $C015719
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT) FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
| FOR YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Total | |||||||
| Restricted | Unrestricted | Funds | Funds | |||||
| Funds | Funds | 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| RECEIPTS Grants |
Notes | £ | s | £ = |
= a |
£ - |
||
| Donations | 1 | - | 1,415 | 1,415 | 3,877 | |||
| Receipts from Fundraising Activities | - | 8,395 | 8,395 | 5,556 | ||||
| Receipts from Charitable Activities | - | 69,988 | 69,988 | 67,831 | ||||
| Investment Income | = | 143 | 14300 | |||||
| Total Incoming Resources | 2 | - | 79,941 | 79,941 | 77,264 | |||
| PAYMENTS | ||||||||
| Donations | - | - | - | - | ||||
| Payments relating directly to Fundraising Activities | - | 894 | 894 | 161 | ||||
| Payments relating directly to Charitable Activities | ‘ | - | 70,242 | 70,242 | 73,546 | |||
| Governance Costs - Independent Examination | - | 360 | 360 | 360 | ||||
| Total Resources Expended | 3 | - | 71,496 | 71,496 | 74,067 | |||
| Purchase of Tangible Assets | . | 497 | 497 | - | ||||
| Net Incoming /(Outgoing) resources forYear | - | 7,948 | 7,948 | 3,197 | ||||
| Total Funds at 1 June 2024 | - | 38,347 | 38,347 | 35,150 | ||||
| TotalFundsat31May2025 | - | 46,294 | 46,294 | 38,347 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. The above receipts and payments are all unrestricted funds.
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STRICHEN PLAYGROUP STATEMENT OF BALANCES AS AT 31 MAY 2025
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Balance|at|Bank|and|Cash|in|Hand|at|1|June|2024|
|Surplus/(deficit)|for|the|year|
|Balance|at|Bank|at|31|May|2025|
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|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Total|Total|
|Restricted|Unrestricted|Funds|Funds|
|Funds|Funds|2025|2024|
|£|£|£|£|
|-|38,347|38,347|35,150|
|-|7,948|7,948|3,197|
|.|46,294|46,294|38,347|
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Bank|Balances|as|at 31|May|2025:|
|Account|1|9,523.09|
|Account|2|(EA)|11,615.00|
|Savings|Account|25,143.49|
|Cash|in|hand|12.89|
|EAE 20447|
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Tangible Assets|
|Computer|Equipment|(opening|value)|£1,062|
|Fixtures|&|Fittings|(opening|value)|£5,602|
|Fixtures|&|Fittings|-|Fridge|&|Dishwasher|
|(purchased|04/03/2025)|£497|
|less|Accumulated|Depreciation|on|Computer|
|Equipment|(228)|
|less|Accumulated|Depreciation|on|Fixtures|&|
|Fittings|(1,109)|
|Total|Tangible|Assets|£5,824|
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The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees oncele| 1/20. and were signed on its behalf by:
Page 16
STRICHEN PLAYGROUP NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR TO 31 MAY 2025
$C015719
Nature & Purpose of Funds
Unrestricted funds are those that may be used at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. Restricted funds received through grant funding are used in accordance with the terms and conditions set by the funder.
Trustee Remuneration & Expenses
No remuneration or expenses were paid to any charity trustee or person connected to a trustee in this period. Direct reimbursement of purchases on behalf of the organisation was paid to 2 trustee on submission of receipts. These payments amounted to £225.12.
| Notes | £ | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donations | |
| Groundwork UK | 500 | |
| Co-op | 500 | |
| Jake Morgan | 415 | |
| 1,415 | ||
| Receipts | ||
| 2 | Aberdeenshire Council - Fees | 64,048.13 |
| Fees | 5,939.49 | |
| Fundraising | 8,394.67 | |
| Donations | 1,415.00 | |
| Interest Income | 143.49 | |
| 79,940.78 | ||
| 3 | Payments | |
| Salaries/Wages | 57,700.02 | |
| Pension Costs | 1,165.51 | |
| Fundraising Costs | 893.96 | |
| Independent Examination ofAccounts | 360.00 | |
| Accountancy Fees | 1,298.50 | |
| Cleaning | 494.14 | |
| Computer Equipment | - | |
| Materials & Resources | 2,363.84 | |
| Payments relating to Charitable Activities | 691.25 | |
| Printing & Stationery | 120.97 | |
| Rent | 3,720.00 | |
| Repairs & Maintenance | 405.60 | |
| Insurance | 302.95 | |
| Subscriptions | 876.79 | |
| Telephone/Internet | 880.15 | |
| Bank Fees | 136.02 | |
| General Expenses | 86.47 | |
| 71,496.17 |
Strichen Playgroup
Registered Charity Number: SC015719
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2025 which are set out on pages 14-16.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the 2006 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.
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 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 I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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Designation: Aberdeenshire Voluntary Action Finance & Admin Manager
Address: PO Box 18706, Peterhead AB42 9BA
Date: 02 February 2026