## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** **From: 01/09/2023 (Period start date) To: 31/08/2023 (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: ||SORP
reference|| |---|---|---| |Policy on grant making|Para 1.38|n/a| |Policy on social investment
including program related
investment|Para 1.38|n/a| |Contribution made by
volunteers|Para 1.38|Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive
no remuneration or other benefits.
Trustees carry out fundraising with the help of
preschool staff and volunteers from the local
community. Fundraising activities mainly include
organising events and selling food and drink at
other local events.| |Other||| ## **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
staff ratios to better 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.
In January 2023 the preschool was inspected by
Ofsted and once again was rated Good in all
aspects. The inspector commented that “children
are happy and settle well. They thrive on the
thoughtful and patient support that they receive
from staff. They form strong and beneficial
relationships with their key person and the whole
staff team. This helps to foster children's
confidence and well-being. Children are keen
learners and show a high level of self-esteem”.
The Covid lockdowns impacted children’s
attention spans and ability to interact socially, but
particularly their communication and language
skills. Building on the Wellcomm system and
Terrific Talkers program introduced previously,
staff also undertook training in Makatron to
address this issue.
Attendance at the weekly mother and toddler
group improved after a poor start to the year.
After the pandemic these sessions are a
valuable opportunity for parents to share
experiences and for children to gain socialisation
skills. However, the group continues to run at a
loss and is reliant on grants or financial support
from the preschool to continue operating.| ## **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|| ## **Financial Review** |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Para 1.21|Annual income from childcare was £116,738; a
significant increase on the previous year figure of
£82,193. Income rose due to higher demand and
the decision to extend open hours from 6.25 to 8
hours per day. However, costs also increased
substantially, due to inflation and the increase in
the national living wage driving up staff costs.
Despite this, the charity managed to record a
surplus of £7,231, having made a loss of £8,101
the previous year.
The financial position of the charity remains
strong. The cash balance at the year-end was
£32,685 with additional reserves held in savings
bonds.| |---|---|---| |Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para 1.22|The trustees aim to hold a minimum of £20,000
in reserves. Reserves are held to meet
unforeseen 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 £30,806 at the year end, held in
savings accounts with notice of one year or less.| |Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22|n/a| |Details of fund materially in
deficit|Para 1.24|n/a| |Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern|Para 1.23|The charity remains soundly funded, with ample
reserves to support the preschool.| ## **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 currently for 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.| |A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Para 1.46|The charity’s main activity is operating Barkway
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 and 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||| ## **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 all members of the association.
They are appointed at the AGM by the members
and form a committee. The committee appoints
the Officers (who oversee the operational
management of the preschool). The committee
can 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 trustees who manage the charity** |**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for**
**wholeyear**|**Name of person /body entitled**
**to appoint trustee(if any)**| |---|---|---|---| |Miranda Hughes|Chair until
28/02/2023||| |Sarah Katie Linard|Chair|From 28/02/2023|| |Andrew Lee|Treasurer||| |Rowena Pascal|Secretary|Until 29/11/2022|| |Hannah West||Until 29/11/2022|| |Hollie Bond|||| |Anna Nicholls||From 27/12/2022|| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| ||||| 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** |**Trustee name**|**Dates acted if not for whole year**|**Details of Property**| |---|---|---| |Alison Gower||Lease for premises at
Barkway VA First School| |Jenni McPherson||| |TraceyWood||| |Jackie Connolly||| ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** |**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|| ||26/06/2024|| ||26/06/2024|| ## **BARKWAY PRESCHOOL - Charity no: 1004083 ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR END 31 AUGUST 2023** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Summary of income and expenses Total
Income:
Paid childcare £ 50,686
Funded childcare £ 66,051
Toddler group £ 2,498
Uniform sales £ 253
Fundraising £ 6,016
Other income £ 1,468
Interest £ 650
Total Income £ 127,622
Expenditure:
Staff wages £ 102,986
Advertising £ -
Bank charges £ 62
Bookkeeping £ 1,261
Cleaning £ 80
DBS checks £ 291
Fundraising expenses £ 1,810
Insurance £ 798
Snacks £ 516
Print/Post/Stationery £ -
Subscriptions £ 560
Recruitment £ -
Rent & Service Charge - school £ 4,379
Rent - village hall £ 940
Supplies & Equipment £ 2,836
Telephone £ 278
Toddler Group expenses £ 146
Training £ 239
Uniforms £ 711
Miscellaneous £ 2,497
Total Expenses £ 120,390
Surplus for the year £ 7,231
Movement on cash:
Cash balances brought forward £ 15,645
Surplus for the year £ 7,231
Reduction in term deposits £ 9,809
Cash balances carried forward £ 32,685
Statement of assets held:
Cash at bank and on hand £ 32,685
Term deposits of less than one year £ 30,806
Total Assets £ 63,492
**----- End of picture text -----**
_Page 3 of Independent examiner's report_ CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the tru8ts051 members of Barkway Preschool On accounts for the year ?nd•d 31* August 2023 Charity no {If any 1004083 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above chanty {Ihe Trust") for the year ended 3110812023. R••pon8lbilitl•• and As the chanty truste8s of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Chartties Act 2011 ('the Acr). I report in r86pect of rny 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)Ibl of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matter8 have come to my attenlion { ') 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 accourrts do not accord with the accounting record8 Independent oxaminor'• 8tat•m•nt I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be dravm in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be ￿aChed. ' Ple8se d&lete the ￿￿rdS in the brackets rfth8y do not appty. Signad: Date: 191512L Name: Lynn Brett Relevant professional qualMcatlon(8) or body (if any): Address: 2 Cambridge Road, Batsy, Royston. Hertfordshire, SG8 8HN IER October 2018 Section B Disclosure Only complete ifthe examiner needs to highlight matters of conom (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidan￿ for examiners). Glve here brlaf detalls of any items that the examinerwishes to discloso. IER October 2018