Trustees’ Annual Report for the period From: 01/09/2024 (Period start date) To: 31/08/2025 (Period end date) Charity name: Barkway Preschool Charity registration number: 1004083
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
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| 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:
| SORP reference |
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|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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| 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, operating 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, to increase their self- confidence and self-awareness, while developing their language, communication and social skills. Our motto is “Play. Learn. Grow.” The preschool was rated Good in all aspects by Ofsted in January 2023. The Preschool carried out the total refurbishment of its room at Barkway School, which was completed in time for the Autumn Term 2024. This has created a colourful, stimulating but harmonious environment for our children to learn in. In December 2024 the Diocese of St Albans gave notice on the Preschool’s lease of its room at Barkway School. This was initiated by the then Head, and Governors, of Barley and Barkway schools’ federation, as they wished to run their own nursery classes from age 2, in effect taking over the Preschool’s operations. The Preschool committee and staff campaigned strongly against this, believing that an independent setting, focused solely on early years, was best for the children and local community. This was successful, as in May 2024 the Diocese agreed to grant the Preschool a new 5-year lease. This episode however took up most of the committee’s energies during the year and caused great uncertainty for staff and parents. The weekly mother and toddler group continues to run at a loss, relying on grants and financial support from the preschool to continue operating. Attendance is sometimes low, however the committee believes it provides a valuable resource for local parents to share experiences and their young children to socialise. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
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| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
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| 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 £107,711. This was a substantial decrease on the previous year and less than 2022-23. Income fell because child registrations reduced markedly; many older children had moved on by September 2024 and it became very hard to recruit new children with the future of the preschool in doubt. Although staff numbers were reduced at the start of the year, staff costs rose again from April 2025 following the 6.7% increase in the minimum wage, which was not matched by an increase in government childcare funding. Other costs also increased with higher inflation. The dual impact of cost inflation and significantly lower income was that the charity recorded a loss of £21,296 for the year, compared to a surplus of £26,804 the previous year. Nevertheless, the charity’s financial position remains strong. Total cash balances at the year- end were £69,000, mostly held in savings accounts which generated £3,194 in interest to supplement income. |
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| 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 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 £65,232 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. The charity is negotiating a new lease with the Diocese of St Albans to enable the preschool to continue at its current premises. Although terms are now mostly agreed, negotiations continue and as of June 2026 the lease remains unsigned. |
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 £3,484. |
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| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | Funds not required currently for running operations are placed in interest-bearing accounts, either easy-access or with notice periods up to one year. 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; alternative premises nearby for permanent occupation are much 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 |
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. |
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Additional information (optional)
| 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. |
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| 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 | |
| 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Katie Linard | Chair | ||
| Andrew Lee | Treasurer | ||
| Jessica Williams | Secretary | ||
| Hollie Bond | |||
| Amy Collicott | |||
| Natalie Francis | |||
| Yvonne Susan Lee | 22/04/2025 | ||
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 |
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| 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) Andrew Julian Lee Position Treasurer Date 26/06/2026 |
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 Position Treasurer Date 26/06/2026 |
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 Position Treasurer Date 26/06/2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Julian Lee | ||
| Treasurer | ||
| 26/06/2026 | ||
| 26/06/2026 |
BARKWAY PRESCHOOL - Charity no: 1004083 ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR END 31 AUGUST 2025
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Summary of income and expenses Total
Income:
Paid childcare £ 23,058
Funded childcare £ 84,653
Toddler group £ 2,885
Uniform sales £ 292
Fundraising £ 3,484
Grants and other income £ -
Interest £ 3,194
Total Income £ 117,565
Expenditure:
Staff wages & welfare £ 119,479
Bank charges £ 62
Bookkeeping £ 1,568
Cleaning £ 69
DBS checks £ 45
Fundraising expenses £ 1,733
Insurance £ 1,067
Snacks £ 319
Refurbishment £ 223
Rent & Service Charge - school £ 5,318
Rent - village hall £ -
Spending of grants £ 2,864
Subscriptions £ 905
Supplies & Equipment £ 3,077
Telephone £ 174
Toddler Group expenses £ 81
Training £ 706
Uniforms £ 240
Miscellaneous £ 932
Total Expenses £ 138,861
Deficit for the year -£ 21,296
Movement on cash:
Cash balances brought forward £ 3,951
Deficit for the year -£ 21,296
Transfer from term deposits £ 21,113
Cash balances carried forward £ 3,768
Statement of assets held at year end:
Cash at bank and on hand £ 3,768
Term deposits of less than one year £ 65,232
Total Assets £ 69,000
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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 Irustsesl members of Barkway Preschool On accounts for thè year ended 31 August 2025 Charity no Ilf any) 1004083 Sel out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity {'the Trusl.) for the year ended 3110812025. R••pon•ibilitie$ and As the charity trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparation ba818 of report of the accounls in accordance with the requirements of the Charilies Act 2011 ('the Acr). 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 Ihe applicable Directions given by the Charty Commission under section 145151{b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have com8 to my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with the examinalior) which gives me cause to believe that in. any material resp8Ct'. a¢¢ounting 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 statsment I have no ¢on¢ems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be rea¢hed. Ple8S8 delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Slgned: Date: Ilknla Namo: Lynn Brett Relevant professional quallflcatlonls) or body (if any): CC4M Address: 2 Cambridge Road, Badey, Royston. Hertfordshire, SG8 8HN IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidan for examiners). Give her• brief details of any ttems that the examlner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018
BARKWAY PRESCHOOL- Charity no: l(K)4083 ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENO 31 AUGUST 2025 Summary of income and expenses Totsl Income: Paid childcare runded ch¢ldc8re Toddler group Uniforrn sale5 Fundraising Grants and other income Interest Total Incom• 23.058 84,653 2,885 292 3.484 3.194 £ 117,565 Expendlture: Staff wa8es & welfare Bank char8es Bookkeepin8 Cleaning DBS thecks FundraSsln8 expenses Insurantè Snacks Refurbishment Rent & ServKe Charge- school Rent- villa8e hall Spending of grants Subscription5 Supplies & Eoulpment Telephone Toddler Group expenses Training Unilorms Mi9cellaneous Total Expenses £ 119,479 62 1.568 69 45 1.733 1.067 319 223 5,318 905 3,077 174 81 706 240 932 £ 138,861 Oeficlt lor the ye•r 21.296 Movtment on rash.. Cash balances brov8ht lorwar Deficir for the year Transfer from terln dep051ts Cash balantss tarrled fonvard 3,951 21,296 21,113 3.768 Ststement of assets held atyeèr end: Cash at bank and on hand Term deposits of less than one year Total Assets 3.768 65,232 69.LYJO Po9e 3 of Independent exuminers rert