Chairperson’s Report 2024-2025 AGM dated 14[th] October 2025
This year we started the year in a much stronger financial position, having had a positive end to 2024-2025 year, this last year was not so strong as the previous but fairly positive.
Fundraising was successful this year with events raising a total of £1053.14. We started off the year the bonfire night event (£113.75), this was followed by the wreath making workshop (£185), Christmas events including cards, gift packages and tombola (£209.39), Mother’s Day event (50), Easter Egg event (£75), the sponsored scoot (£330), Father’s Day (60) and we also had a stall at the Barnack Village Dog Show (£30). This money was used primarily to book interactive animal experiences for the children such as Tinkerbell the Pony, the Ark animals, and hatching ducklings. We also purchased some new equipment for the garden, and aim to carry some forward towards a new wendy house.
We supported the staff Christmas party financially and we raised staff pay for some members to be in line with previous rate above national minimum wage (+25p). We intend to review pay again this year, monitoring finances to hopefully give a raise.
Brittani started at the beginning of the academic year and has successfully completed her level 2 childcare qualification with a view to achieving level 3 this year. Staffing levels were sufficient but Sadly, Helen decided to move on towards the end of the year. Helen had been with the pre-school for 12 years and will be very missed. To replace Helen we offered the position of deputy manager to both Krystyna and Becky as long serving employees. Happily Krystyna was successful in getting the position and has started off the year very positively with lots of good ideas. We were also able to backfill Krystyna’s role with Robyn who has started this academic year and is a great addition to the team.
Current numbers in the preschool are higher than those expected at this time of year and there have already been a number of visits for show arounds, with quite a few children already on the books to start in January. There is a hope that these will further increase as the year progresses. With this in mind, there is an aspiration to recruit a sixth member of staff to support the preschool as numbers increase.
The committee have agreed that the staff should receive money towards their Christmas party again this year as a recognition of their loyalty to the preschool and the current committee should revisit the staff pay this year if numbers continue to remain higher and the financial position allows for it.
We ended the year making a loss, which prompted us to try to come up with some new ways to increase money coming into preschool. We are trialling an extra curricular scheme to give the children opportunities to try new things whilst also bringing in additional money necessary to bridge the gap between the funding available from the government and cost to care for the children. The success of this will be monitored throughout the year through the accounts.
So far this year we intend to put on the bonfire night fundraising event as well as a Christmas event. Last year we used a professional all included service for wreath making which, whilst it enabled us to raise ticket prices, we didn’t sell as many tickets. Whether this is because it was more expensive or
because the market is now saturated we need to look into and decide whether wreath making is the right event going forward. Further events will follow in 2025.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank the committee and the staff, everyone has worked hard to improve the preschool’s position. Kirsty, Krystyna, Becky and Brittani had a great year and worked so hard to provide the children with a fantastic year of enjoyment and fun and many new experiences.
Actions for 2025:
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Organise a Christmas fundraising event
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Fundraise for new wendy house
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Look for further grants or financial support
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Focus on staff pay stemming from the cost of living crisis
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Recruit new member of staff
This independent examiners report relates to the accounts of
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BARNACK PRESCHOOL
Charity Commission Registered No: 1002797
Accounts are prepared for the year ended 31° July 2025
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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® examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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e to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act;
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e to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's statement
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 seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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e to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act;
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e to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met;
Or
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- (2) 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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Mark Bedford MJB Financial Services 11 Belton Road Stanground Peterborough PE2 8UU
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