**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|| |---|---|---| |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|| |---|---|---| |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 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|| |---|---|---| |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 £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.| |---|---|---| |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.| |---|---|---| |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.| |---|---|---| |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| |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** **----- Start of picture text -----**
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
**----- End of picture text -----**
_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 re￿rt