## **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)**
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 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.|
## **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**
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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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## **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 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