HACKLETON PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP Page 1
LIST OF OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS
YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
Charity Number: 1016388 Committee: Chair: Sarah Lucas Secretary: Sophie Norville Treasurer: Sarah Clayton Current committee: Charmaine Walker Kelly Hutton Olivia Bray 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 2025
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 2025.
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:
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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;
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Encouraging the study needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs in local areas;
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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 2025
Review of Developments, Activities and Achievements:
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 successfully delivered a broad and balanced curriculum, supporting the early years foundation stage (EYFS). Children enjoyed a wide range of activities including outdoor learning, creative arts, sensory play and early literacy and numeracy experiences. Regular observations and assessments helped the setting to plan individually for each child, ensuring their unique needs and interests were met.
Our risers children and team has received tremendous praise from local schools, quoting ‘you always know in a classroom which children have come from Hackleton – so well prepared, polite and a joy to teach’ just one of the many comments we have received being a credit to the preschool team.
The setting has welcome local visitors including the police service, Bertie the pony and community helpers.
Through fundraising new resources were purchased to enrich children’s play aswell as subsiding events put on for the children and their families. Continued improvements to the setting environment have made it a safe and inviting space.
Thanks to careful budgeting and fundraising, the setting remains financially stable moving into 2025-2026. The setting remains committed to ensuring every penny benefits the children directly and as a charity our main aim is always to reinvest, however ensuring a reserves pot for the unexpected is also a focus.
Fundraising for 2025-206 remains a key focus to ensure our sustainability and a celebratory of preschool being a setting for 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.
HACKLETON PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
Staff undertook professional development in areas such as safeguarding, SEND support, curriculum planning, paediatric first aid, food safety and allergens amongst many more mandatory training courses. The business manager and setting manager successfully passed with distinction Level 4 Professional Development Programme for Early Years Educators, this is a fantastic achievement and we are very proud of them.
We recruited three new members during this academic year – one of which was a direct replacement and the other two were apprentices.
We have found it difficult to engage parents and families of the setting to join in with our fundraising activities, this has been put down to the cost of living for families not being able to support events. The committee itself has been spread thin and instead of gaining members we have also struggled to encourage parents to join as volunteers. This is something we are addressing in 2025-2026 as we need more parent/guardian engagement given the setting is a charity.
The Business Manager held a fantastic AGM agenda and presentation and it was whole heartedly delivered with passion for the preschool setting. The engagement from parents attending this event was none existent, which was a truly sad moment for the setting. Given the enthusiasm, love, dedication and passion the staff put into the setting, parents and guardians must take their roles seriously by attending AGMS, events and giving their time to volunteer for the preschool their children attend.
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. Without the diligent staff support, fundraising would have been very little during this academic year, so we thank them for their continued support of the preschool charity.
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.
HACKLETON PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025
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 2025
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
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
Signed:
4[th] June 2026
HACKLETON PRE SCHOOL
| HACKLETON PRE SCHOOL | Page 2 | |
| Registered Charity No 1016388 | ||
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | ||
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025 | ||
| 12 Months to | 12 Months to | |
| 31/08/2025 | 31/08/2024 | |
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | ||
| RECEIPTS |
£ | £ |
| N.C.C. Free Entitlement Grant |
129,728.23 | 73,304.46 |
| Fees from Families |
15,757.00 | 30,119.93 |
| Hackleton Parish Council Grant | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Donations | 200.00 | 5,633.79 |
| Income Generated from Activities | 9,011.69 | 4,570.80 |
| Other Income |
194.45 | 79.62 |
| Total Receipts for the Year |
154,891.37 |
113,708.60 |
| PAYMENTS | ||
| Employment Costs |
109,802.78 | 91,073.27 |
| Fund Raising Expenses | 5,056.32 | 3,556.37 |
| Subscriptions & Donations | 1,569.68 | 1,200.64 |
| Property Costs |
9,102.77 | 10,531.80 |
| General Expenses |
5,423.78 | 2,719.91 |
| Total Expenditure for the Year |
130,955.33 |
109,081.99 |
| NET RECEIPTS (PAYMENTS) | 23,936.04 |
4,626.61 |
| Cash Funds at 01/09/24 |
13,407.90 | 8,781.29 |
| Cash Funds at 31/08/25 |
37,343,94 |
13,407.90 |
| HACKLETON PRE SCHOOL | Page 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Charity No 1016388 | ||
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | ||
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025 | ||
| 12 Months to | 12 Months to | |
| 31/08/2025 | 31/08/2024 | |
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||
| ASSETS | £ |
£ |
| Cash Funds | ||
| Bank Accounts |
37,343.94 |
13,403.90 |
| Cash in Hand (Floats) |
0.00 |
635.50 |
| Outstanding Fees, or Cheques | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Total |
37,343.94 |
14,039.40 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Nest Pensions |
0.00 | 0.00 |
| Fees Outstanding |
0.00 | 758.00 |
| Rent for Period |
0.00 | 0.00 |
| Total |
0.00 | 758.00 |
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 2025
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
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
Signed:
4[th] June 2026
HACKLETON PRE SCHOOL
| HACKLETON PRE SCHOOL | Page 2 | |
| Registered Charity No 1016388 | ||
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | ||
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025 | ||
| 12 Months to | 12 Months to | |
| 31/08/2025 | 31/08/2024 | |
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | ||
| RECEIPTS |
£ | £ |
| N.C.C. Free Entitlement Grant |
129,728.23 | 73,304.46 |
| Fees from Families |
15,757.00 | 30,119.93 |
| Hackleton Parish Council Grant | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Donations | 200.00 | 5,633.79 |
| Income Generated from Activities | 9,011.69 | 4,570.80 |
| Other Income |
194.45 | 79.62 |
| Total Receipts for the Year |
154,891.37 |
113,708.60 |
| PAYMENTS | ||
| Employment Costs |
109,802.78 | 91,073.27 |
| Fund Raising Expenses | 5,056.32 | 3,556.37 |
| Subscriptions & Donations | 1,569.68 | 1,200.64 |
| Property Costs |
9,102.77 | 10,531.80 |
| General Expenses |
5,423.78 | 2,719.91 |
| Total Expenditure for the Year |
130,955.33 |
109,081.99 |
| NET RECEIPTS (PAYMENTS) | 23,936.04 |
4,626.61 |
| Cash Funds at 01/09/24 |
13,407.90 | 8,781.29 |
| Cash Funds at 31/08/25 |
37,343,94 |
13,407.90 |
| HACKLETON PRE SCHOOL | Page 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Charity No 1016388 | ||
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | ||
| FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2025 | ||
| 12 Months to | 12 Months to | |
| 31/08/2025 | 31/08/2024 | |
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||
| ASSETS | £ |
£ |
| Cash Funds | ||
| Bank Accounts |
37,343.94 |
13,403.90 |
| Cash in Hand (Floats) |
0.00 |
635.50 |
| Outstanding Fees, or Cheques | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Total |
37,343.94 |
14,039.40 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Nest Pensions |
0.00 | 0.00 |
| Fees Outstanding |
0.00 | 758.00 |
| Rent for Period |
0.00 | 0.00 |
| Total |
0.00 | 758.00 |