HACKLETON PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP Page 1
LIST OF OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS
YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2024
Charity Number: 1016388 Committee: Chair: Sarah Lucas Secretary: Sophie Norville Treasurer: Sarah Clayton Current committee: Claire Bradshaw Kelly Hutton Olivia Bray Jessica Braizer Joanne Coolen Principal Address: Dudley Winterbottom Village Hall Hackleton Northants Bankers: Barclays Northampton Independent Examiners: Leslie Robert Clarke F.C.C.A 8 The Ashes, Wootton, Northampton, NN4 6AQ
HACKLETON PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
Page 2
REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2024
The Trustees being the members of the committee present their Report and the Financial Statements of the Charity for the year ended 31[st] August 2024.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Charity is governed by its constitution and is managed by the Trustees.
Most Trustees are already familiar with the work of the Charity when appointed and are encouraged to visit regularly as part of the induction process.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Charitable Objectives:
The aim of the Charity is to enhance the development and education of children primarily under statutory school age by encouraging parents to understand and provide for their children through community groups and by:
-
Offering appropriate play facilities and training courses, together with the right of parents to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of such groups, ensuring that such groups offer opportunities for all children, regardless of race, culture, religion or means;
-
Encouraging the study needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs in local areas;
-
Instigating and adhering to and furthering the aim of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.
The Trustees review the objectives and activities each year to ensure they continue to reflect the organisation’s aims. In carrying out this review, the Trustees consider the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.
HACKLETON PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2024
Review of Developments, Activities and Achievements:
We have identified that our decision to extend our opening and closing hours last year was the right decision for our preschool as it has provided our parents with a flexible childcare provision and allows for preschool to remain competitive as a childcare offering.
We continue to offer a stimulating and supportive environment in which children thrive and become well equipped in readiness for their transition to primary school. The setting fully adopts the Early Year’s Foundation Stage Framework, each child is treated as an individual and their developments together with their next learning goals are documented in their own personal ‘learning journeys’ which are now on an interactive platform so parents can add information and key learning achievements to their child’s profile.
We are starting to see more families take up the new funding offering and as such had an increase in children attending towards the back end of 2024. We understand that disposable income isn’t always available in the current climate, but it is a key factor in part of the preschool revenue source so we have looked at other ways to support the pre-school. We have tried to impress the need for fundraising and new ideas amongst the pre-school families and the wider community. The preschool has remained a very popular choice for the village and the surrounding areas, and we are very lucky to be so well supported. Fundraising for 2024-205 remains a key focus to ensure our sustainability for another 60 years.
Report of the Committee:
The setting has a highly motivated team of staff who all work extremely well together. We have a dedicated Business Manager and a Setting Manager for the preschool. We also have SENCO, Safeguarding, Speech and Language Lead staff members to ensure these remain highly focused and developed areas.
We have found that in the moment planning has been hugely successful and we believe this encourages further development for the children’s learning. The team regularly share ideas with each other in regards to new methods of learning, play and craft an activity, which shows dedication to the children along with a understanding of their job function.
We recruited during this academic year for two apprenticeships, with one apprenticeship working out for the setting. We identified more children coming through the setting and at the end of the academic year we were recruiting for a practitioner to join in the following academic year.
We found that it was easy to communicate with the committee through messaging services rather than holding many meetings as it helped get quicker decisions and engagement on fundraising for the committee.
HACKLETON PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
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REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2024
The continued voluntary support from parents, friends, family and the local community remain vital and are greatly appreciated, especially in times where government funding and local fundraising activities have been reduced. During this year we have held our regular, well known for and popular for attendance Wreath Making evening. We have held preschool led fundraising for mothers day, fathers day, Christmas gifts and end of year socials. The village where the preschool is located held an open gardens event and donated all of the funds raised to preschool which we were extremely grateful that they chose us as their charity for this local community event. We have a new event booked for the next academic year which we hope will prove successful and offer something different as we need to ensure we keep things new to gain the interest of attendees.
Trustees
The trustees of the Charity throughout the year, being the members of the Committee, are listed on page 1.
This report was approved by the trustees at a management meeting held on 11[th] June 2025 and signed on their behalf
………………………………….
Signed on behalf of the Trustees Sarah Lucas – Chairperson
To the Members
Page 1
Hackleton Pre School
Registered Charity Number 1016388
Independent Examiners Report On The Accounts
I have independently Examined the Receipts and Payments Account and Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Attached for the Year Ending 31[st] August 2024
Respective responsibilities of Members and Examiner
As members you are responsible for the preparations of the Accounts. It is considered that an Audit is not required for this year although an Independent Examination is Needed.
It is my Responsibility to
-
Examine the Accounts under The Charities Act
-
To follow the Procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission
-
To State whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission and with my experience as a Qualified Accountant. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an Audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a True and Fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next Statement.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my Examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements have not been followed
-
I have Found that accounting records have been kept in a correct and fit manner
-
I have Found that monthly accounts have been produced using the accounting records kept which comply with general accounting requirements
In my opinion the Accounts and Accounting Records have been kept and prepared with proper understanding of Accounting Procedures
Leslie Robert Clarke F.C.C.A.
8 The Ashes Wootton Fields, Northampton, NN4 6AQ
| HACKLETON PRE SCHOOL | Page 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Charity No 1016388 | ||
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | ||
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2024 | ||
| 12 Months to | 12 Months to | |
| 31/08/2024 | 31/08/2023 | |
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUN | ||
| RECEIPTS |
£ | £ |
| N.C.C. Free Entitlement Grant |
73,304.46 | 57,939.73 |
| Fees from Families |
30,119.93 | 22,526.74 |
| Hackleton Parish Council Grant | 0.00 | 1,000.00 |
| Donations | 5,633.79 | 2,405.00 |
| Income Generated from Activities | 4,570.80 | 4,012.50 |
| Other Income |
79.62 | 110.52 |
| Total Receipts for the Year |
113,708.60 | 87,994.49 |
| PAYMENTS | ||
| Employment Costs |
91,073.27 | 85,998.60 |
| Fund Raising Expenses | 3,556.37 | 3,683.63 |
| Subscriptions & Donations | 1,200.64 | 1,745.00 |
| Property Costs |
10,531.80 | 6,779.75 |
| General Expenses |
2,719.91 | 1,565.75 |
| Total Expenditure for the Year |
109,081.99 | 99,772.73 |
| NET RECEIPTS (PAYMENTS) | 4,626.61 |
(11,778.24) |
| Cash Funds at 01/09/23 |
8,781.29 | 20,559.53 |
| Cash Funds at 31/08/24 |
13,407.90 |
8,781.29 |
HACKLETON PRE SCHOOL
Page 3
Registered Charity No 1016388
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2024
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | £ |
£ |
| Cash Funds | ||
| Bank Accounts |
13,403.90 |
8,781.29 |
| Cash in Hand (Floats) |
635.50 |
440.00 |
| Outstanding Fees, or Cheques | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Total |
14,039.40 |
9,221.29 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Nest Pensions |
0.00 | 0.00 |
| Fees Outstanding |
758.00 | 282.00 |
| Rent for Period |
0.00 | 0.00 |
| Total |
758.00 | 282.00 |
To the Members
Page 1
Hackleton Pre School
Registered Charity Number 1016388
Independent Examiners Report On The Accounts
I have independently Examined the Receipts and Payments Account and Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Attached for the Year Ending 31[st] August 2024
Respective responsibilities of Members and Examiner
As members you are responsible for the preparations of the Accounts. It is considered that an Audit is not required for this year although an Independent Examination is Needed.
It is my Responsibility to
-
Examine the Accounts under The Charities Act
-
To follow the Procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission
-
To State whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission and with my experience as a Qualified Accountant. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an Audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a True and Fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next Statement.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
In connection with my Examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements have not been followed
-
I have Found that accounting records have been kept in a correct and fit manner
-
I have Found that monthly accounts have been produced using the accounting records kept which comply with general accounting requirements
In my opinion the Accounts and Accounting Records have been kept and prepared with proper understanding of Accounting Procedures
Leslie Robert Clarke F.C.C.A.
8 The Ashes Wootton Fields, Northampton, NN4 6AQ
| HACKLETON PRE SCHOOL | Page 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Charity No 1016388 | ||
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | ||
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2024 | ||
| 12 Months to | 12 Months to | |
| 31/08/2024 | 31/08/2023 | |
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUN | ||
| RECEIPTS |
£ | £ |
| N.C.C. Free Entitlement Grant |
73,304.46 | 57,939.73 |
| Fees from Families |
30,119.93 | 22,526.74 |
| Hackleton Parish Council Grant | 0.00 | 1,000.00 |
| Donations | 5,633.79 | 2,405.00 |
| Income Generated from Activities | 4,570.80 | 4,012.50 |
| Other Income |
79.62 | 110.52 |
| Total Receipts for the Year |
113,708.60 | 87,994.49 |
| PAYMENTS | ||
| Employment Costs |
91,073.27 | 85,998.60 |
| Fund Raising Expenses | 3,556.37 | 3,683.63 |
| Subscriptions & Donations | 1,200.64 | 1,745.00 |
| Property Costs |
10,531.80 | 6,779.75 |
| General Expenses |
2,719.91 | 1,565.75 |
| Total Expenditure for the Year |
109,081.99 | 99,772.73 |
| NET RECEIPTS (PAYMENTS) | 4,626.61 |
(11,778.24) |
| Cash Funds at 01/09/23 |
8,781.29 | 20,559.53 |
| Cash Funds at 31/08/24 |
13,407.90 |
8,781.29 |
HACKLETON PRE SCHOOL
Page 3
Registered Charity No 1016388
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2024
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | £ |
£ |
| Cash Funds | ||
| Bank Accounts |
13,403.90 |
8,781.29 |
| Cash in Hand (Floats) |
635.50 |
440.00 |
| Outstanding Fees, or Cheques | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Total |
14,039.40 |
9,221.29 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Nest Pensions |
0.00 | 0.00 |
| Fees Outstanding |
758.00 | 282.00 |
| Rent for Period |
0.00 | 0.00 |
| Total |
758.00 | 282.00 |