2024-08-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From: 01/09/2023 (Period start date) To: 31/08/2024 (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 Barkway 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)

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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 Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no
volunteers 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
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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 a highly experienced and well-qualified team. We operate with enhanced staff ratios to better focus on a child’s individual progress within the EYFS framework. Children with developmental needs are identified and supported from an early stage. We offer a safe, fun and stimulating environment in which children learn mainly through play, with a strong emphasis on outdoor activities. Children are encouraged to grow emotionally as well as physically, to increase their self-confidence and self-awareness, while developing their language and communication skills. The preschool was rated Good in all aspects by Ofsted in January 2023. The inspector wrote 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”. In October 2023, Building Life Chances awarded preschool a grant to provide PE lessons, to encourage outdoor and healthy activity for children following the Covid lockdowns. A further grant from North Herts. Council enabled preschool to purchase extra sports equipment. In August 2024 the preschool room was completely refurnished and redecorated with substantial help from volunteers. The refurbishment was designed to create a colourful but harmonious environment, the results of which can be seen on our website. The weekly mother and toddler group continues to run at a loss and is reliant financial support from the preschool and other grants to continue operating. Attendance is sometimes low, however the committee believes it provides a valuable resource for local parents to share experiences and for young children to socialise.

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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

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Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 Annual income from childcare was £174,188; a
financial position at the end significant increase on £116,738 the previous
of the period year. Income rose mainly due to higher demand,
but also due to special needs funding for certain
children. However, costs also increased
substantially due to inflation and higher staff costs,
which rose by 28%. However, the charity
recorded an overall surplus of £26,804 for the
year, compared to £7,231 the previous year.
The financial position of the charity remains very
strong. Total assets at the year-end were £90,296,
mostly held in savings accounts which now
generate an extra income from interest.
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 staff and other costs where income falls
due to a short-term reduction in demand for
childcare and to cover terminal obligations if the
preschool were to close permanently.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Reserves were £86,345 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 soundly funded, with ample
uncertainties about the reserves to support the preschool.
charity continuing as a going
concern
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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 early education schemes. Net fundraising generated an additional £5,278.
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.

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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; alternative premises nearby for
permanent occupation are less suitable.
 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 rises in
the National Living Wage, which are not
matched by increases in local authority funding
for childcare.
 Loss of income due to a reduction in demand;
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
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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 all members of the association. They are appointed annually at the AGM by the members, to 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)

Additional information (optional)	Additional information (optional)	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	All trustees are DBS checked and approved by OFSTED before officially joining the committee for the first time.
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.

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Relationship with any related Para 1.51 The preschool has operated closely with Barley
parties and Barkway (VA) Church of England First
Schools Federation. The preschool setting shares
a building with Barkway First School and many
children have made a very successful transition to
the school’s nursery or reception classes,
benefiting from our joint transition program.
Other
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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

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Dates acted if not for Name of person /body entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
whole year to appoint trustee (if any)
Sarah Katie Linard Chair
Andrew Lee Treasurer
Jessica Williams Secretary From 11/09/2023
Hollie Bond
Amy Collicott From 11/01/2024
Natalie Francis From 26/07/2024
Anna Nicholls Until 04/12/2023
Miranda Hughes Until 04/12/2023
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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

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year	Details of Property
Alison Gower
Jenni McPherson		Lease for premises at
TraceyWood		Barkway VA First School
Jackie Connolly

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

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

~~pT~~ Other optional information

~~Pt~~

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)		Andrew Julian Lee ~~a~~
Position		Treasurer ~~po~~
Date	16/06/2025 ~~	~~

BARKWAY PRESCHOOL - Charity no: 1004083 ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR END 31 AUGUST 2024

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Summary of income and expenses Total
Income:
Paid childcare £ 55,591
Funded childcare £ 118,597
Toddler group £ 3,054
Uniform sales £ 444
Fundraising £ 6,365
Grants and other income £ 3,800
Interest £ 1,957
Total Income £ 189,808
Expenditure:
Staff wages & welfare £ 132,261
Bank charges £ 61
Bookkeeping £ 1,698
Cleaning £ 94
DBS checks £ 254
Fundraising expenses £ 1,087
Insurance £ 832
Snacks £ 409
Refurbishment £ 11,419
Rent & Service Charge - school £ 5,728
Rent - village hall £ 740
Spending of grants £ 3,039
Subscriptions £ 394
Supplies & Equipment £ 3,112
Telephone £ 152
Toddler Group expenses £ 132
Training £ 724
Uniforms £ 363
Miscellaneous £ 503
Total Expenses £ 163,004
Surplus for the year £ 26,804
Movement on cash:
Cash balances brought forward £ 32,685
Surplus for the year £ 26,804
Transfer to term deposits -£ 55,538
Cash balances carried forward £ 3,951
Statement of assets held:
Cash at bank and on hand £ 3,951
Term deposits of less than one year £ 86,345
Total Assets £ 90,296
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Page 3 of Independent examiner's report

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts ••• Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Barkway Preschool On accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 Charity no (if any) 1004083 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trust") for the year ended 3110812024. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in aGcordance 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. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention 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 Independent examiner's statement 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. Slgned: Date: 2910512025 Name: Lynn Brett Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): FCMA CGMA Address: 2 Cambridge Road, Barley, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 8HN Section 8 Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). IER October 2018

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018