Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From: 01/09/2021 (Period start date) To: 31/08/2022 (Period end date)
Charity name: Barkway Preschool
Charity registration number: 1004083
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The charity’s aims are to advance the development and education of children under statutory school age by; offering appropriate play, education and care facilities, allowing for parental involvement and responsibility. offering opportunities for all children whatever their race, culture, religion, means or ability. encouraging other charitable activities through which parents may help the children. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The charity’s main activity is to run Barkway Preschool which provides high quality education and childcare for children aged between 2 and 5. The charity also runs a weekly mother and toddler group in the village hall, providing a structured play session for babies to 4-year-olds with their parents or carers. The trustees carry out various local fundraising activities to supplement income from the charity’s core activities. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | In planning our activities, we have kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit at our trustee meetings. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
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SORP
reference
Policy on grant making Para 1.38 n/a
Policy on social investment Para 1.38 n/a
including program related
investment
Contribution made by Para 1.38 All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive
volunteers no remuneration or other benefits.
Trustees carry out fundraising activities, with the
help of preschool staff and volunteers from the
local community. These activities include selling
drink and food at village events and refreshments
at the local cinema club.
Other
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Achievements and Performance
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SORP
reference
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| Achievements and Performance | Achievements and Performance | Achievements and Performance |
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference |
||
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The preschool is staffed by an experienced and well-qualified team. We operate with enhanced ratios of staff to children to focus on individual child development within the EYFS framework. Children with developmental needs are identified and supported at an early stage. We offer a safe, fun and stimulating environment in which children can learn through play. Children have opportunities to grow emotionally as well as physically, to develop their communication and language skills, and to increase their self- confidence and self-awareness. Changes to the EYFS from September 2021 allowed staff more time to get to know the children better and extend their learning. During the year the team focussed on developing children’s communication and language skills using the Terrific Talkers program, also using the Wellcomm system to identify children struggling with these important skills. New strategies were also developed to support children struggling with social interaction and attention. Over the year we further developed our outdoor play provision with new wooden blocks and an extension to the climbing frame. Indoors we purchased a new role-play kitchen for the ‘home corner’. The mother and toddler group reopened in April 2021 following Covid restrictions. Attendance grew quickly thereafter and remained high during this period. The weekly sessions were a valuable opportunity for parents to share experiences and for children to gain missed socialisation skills. We received a grant of £600 from Herts Family Services to help re-establish the group and cover the increasing cost of running this local service. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
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Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 Annual income from childcare increased to
financial position at the end £82,193 against comparable income of £74,945
of the period the previous year (excluding SEN payments).
Income rose due to higher demand rather than
funding rate increases. Once again however, costs
increased disproportionately to income, due to
inflation and the national living wage increase
driving up staff costs. This resulted in a loss of
£8,101 compared to a surplus of £5,444 the
previous year. The Trustees therefore decided to
increase fees for paying parents by 10% from
September 2022.
Nonetheless, the overall financial position of the
charity remains strong. Cash balances at the year-
end were £15,645, with further reserves held in
one-year savings bonds.
Statement explaining the Para 1.22 The trustees aim to hold a minimum of £20,000 in
policy for holding reserves reserves. Reserves are held to meet unforeseen
stating why they are held expenditure, losses due to unexpected closures,
to cover sudden reductions in fee income due to
changing childcare requirements and to cover
terminal obligations if the preschool were to close
permanently.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Reserves were £40,615 at the year end, held in
savings accounts with notice of one year or less.
Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22 n/a
reserves
Details of fund materially in Para 1.24 n/a
deficit
Explanation of any Para 1.23 The charity remains well funded with ample
uncertainties about the reserves to support the preschool.
charity continuing as a going
concern
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Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The principal source of funds is from providing childcare, paid for either by parents or local authority funded early education schemes. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | Surplus funds not required for immediate running costs are placed in interest-bearing savings accounts with notice periods of one year or less. Maturity dates are staggered through the year to enable more immediate access to funds if required. |
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A description of the principal Para 1.46 The charity’s main activity is operating Barkway
risks facing the charity Preschool. The principal associated risks are:
Loss of the current premises at Barkway VA
First School; there are no suitable alternatives
nearby for permanent occupation.
If the preschool were to lose its ‘good’ rating
from Ofsted, it would no longer have access to
the free childcare schemes, causing a
significant and sudden loss of revenue.
Large increases in staff costs due to increases
in the National Living Wage, not matched by
increases in childcare funding and fees.
Loss of income due to fewer children
attending; preschool has a limited catchment
area but relies on younger children continually
replacing those leaving for school.
A sudden and lengthy closure of preschool,
due to damage to premises, health and safety
issues, a pandemic, or other factors.
Other
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | Description of charity’s trusts: | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated association |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are selected from members of the association. They are appointed by members at the AGM and form a committee. The committee appoints the Officers (who oversee the operational management of the preschool) and has powers to co-opt up to 3 new trustees between general meetings. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The charity is a member of the Early Years Alliance, which provides information, advice and training to childcare providers and campaigns to influence early years policy and practice. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | The preschool operates closely with Barley and Barkway (VA) Church of England First Schools Federation. The preschool setting shares a building with Barkway First School and many children make a very successful transition to the school’s nursery or reception classes, benefiting from our joint transition program. |
Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Barkway Preschool |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1004083 |
| Charity’s principal address | 84 High Street Barkway Hertfordshire SG8 8EF |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
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Name of person /body
Dates acted if not for whole
Trustee name Office (if any) entitled to appoint
year
trustee (if any)
1 Miranda Hughes Chair
2 Andrew Lee Treasurer
3 Erin Ferguson Secretary Resigned 08/02/2022
4 Rowena Pascal Secretary From 08/02/2022
5 Hollie Bond
Shoshana Resigned 21/06/2022
6
Whybrow
7 Alice Robertson Resigned 21/06/2022
8 Sharon Smedley Resigned 08/03/2022
9 Hannah West
10
11
12
13
14
15
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Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
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Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year Details of Property
Alison Gower
Jenni McPherson Lease for premises at
Tracey Wood Barkway VA First School
Jackie Connolly
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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
None |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
N/A |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
N/A |
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position Date |
|
|---|---|
| Andrew Julian Lee | |
| Treasurer | |
| 28/06/2023 | |
| 28/06/2023 |
BARKWAY PRESCHOOL - Charity no: 1004083
ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR END 31 AUGUST 2022
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Summary of income and expenses Total
Income:
Paid childcare £ 28,702
Funded childcare £ 53,491
Toddler group £ 2,932
Uniform sales £ 196
Fundraising £ 2,458
Other income £ 750
Interest £ 362
Total Income £ 88,892
Expenditure:
Staff wages £ 83,772
Advertising £ -
Bank charges £ 41
Bookkeeping £ 1,433
Cleaning £ -
DBS checks £ 74
Fundraising expenses £ 1,040
Insurance £ 666
Snacks £ 408
Print/Post/Stationery £ -
Subscriptions £ 555
Recruitment £ -
Rent & Service Charge - school £ 3,379
Rent - village hall £ 1,092
Supplies & Equipment £ 2,861
Telephone £ 139
Toddler Group expenses £ 298
Training £ 644
Uniforms £ 297
Miscellaneous £ 292
Total Expenses £ 96,992
Loss for the year -£ 8,101
Movement on cash:
Cash balances brought forward £ 15,915
Loss for the year -£ 8,101
Reduction in term deposits £ 7,831
Cash balances carried forward £ 15,645
Statement of assets held:
Cash at bank and on hand £ 15,645
Term deposits of less than one year £ 40,615
Total Assets £ 56,260
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Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Barkway Preschool On accounts for the year 31/08/2022 Charity no 1004083 ended (if any) Set out on pages 3 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/08/2022.
- Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”) .
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed: Date: 26/06/2023 Name: Jeremy Smith Relevant professional Qualified ACA (No longer a member of the ICAEW) qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: The Mount, 7 Irnham Road Corby Glen, LINCOLNSHIRE NG33 4NB
1
October 2018
IER
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
N/A
2
October 2018
IER
BARKWAY PRESCHOOL - Charity no: 1004083
ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR END 31 AUGUST 2022
| Summary of income and expenses | Total |
|---|---|
| Income: Paid childcare Funded childcare Toddler group Uniform sales Fundraising Other income Interest |
£ 28,702 £ 53,491 £ 2,932 £ 196 £ 2,458 £ 750 £ 362 |
| Total Income | £ 88,892 |
| Expenditure: Staff wages Advertising Bank charges Bookkeeping Cleaning DBS checks Fundraising expenses Insurance Snacks Print/Post/Stationery Subscriptions Recruitment Rent & Service Charge - school Rent - village hall Supplies & Equipment Telephone Toddler Group expenses Training Uniforms Miscellaneous |
£ 83,772 £ - £ 41 £ 1,433 £ - £ 74 £ 1,040 £ 666 £ 408 £ - £ 555 £ - £ 3,379 £ 1,092 £ 2,861 £ 139 £ 298 £ 644 £ 297 £ 292 |
| Total Expenses | £ 96,992 |
| Loss for theyear | -£ 8,101 |
| Movement on cash: Cash balances brought forward £ 15,915 Loss for the year -£ 8,101 Reduction in term deposits £ 7,831 |
|
| Cash balances carried forward £ 15,645 |
|
| Statement of assets held: Cash at bank and on hand £ 15,645 Term deposits of less than oneyear £ 40,615 |
|
| Total Assets £ 56,260 |
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October 2018
IER