## honeybees ## **TRUSTEES REPORT 1st September 2023 TO 31st August 2024** ## **Honeybees Preschool** Charity Commission number: 1022441 ’ Charity s Principal Address:- The Pavilion, King George V Playing Fields. Plumpton Green, Lewes, East Sussex Names of the Trustees for the charity:- Toni Saunders Jo Read (Resigned Aug 24) Tina Lambert Samantha Richards Alex Mowforth (Resigned Aug 24) Peter Mowforth (Resigned Aug 24) Abby Duncan-Scott (Resigned Jan 24) Pippa Hillman-Smith Paul Tilbrook Vikki Clark Lucy Gunston Type of governing document:- 2011 Constitution adopted 23rd May 2016 How the charity is constituted:Unincorporated association The Pavilion, King George V Playing Field, Plumpton Green, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3DP Tel: 01273 890 885 / Mob: 07745 570 882 Web: www.honeybeespreschool.co.uk Email:hello@honeybeespreschool.co.uk Charity No 1022441 ## honeybees ## Trustee selection methods:- Trustees are appointed or reappointed at the Annual General Meeting as set out in the Constitution. Summary of the objects of the charity as set out in its government document:- To enhance the development and education of children primarily under statutory school age by encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups and by offering appropriate play, education and care facilities, family learning and extended hours groups, 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 whatever their race, culture, religion, means or ability; encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs in the local areas; instigating and adhering to and further the aims and objections of the Pre-School Learning Alliance. Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation of these - objectives: In planning our activities for the year, we kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The focus of our activities remains the provision of pre-school education with an emphasis on learning outdoors and ensuring children have a smooth transition into their first year at school. We welcome children regardless of their personal background, faith, gender or personal circumstances. ## Achievements and performance:- Honeybees' numbers have gone from strength to strength, so much so we have a waiting list for new starters. We keep our numbers to maximum of 25 children per session as we feel this works well and allows us to give each child the full attention they deserve. We also make sure we prioritise local children who live in our village or nearby. The Pavilion, King George V Playing Field, Plumpton Green, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3DP Tel: 01273 890 885 / Mob: 07745 570 882 Web: www.honeybeespreschool.co.uk Email:hello@honeybeespreschool.co.uk Charity No 1022441 ## honeybees We continue our marketing strategy, including adverts with Grapevine and advertised in shops, Facebook and parish magazines around the local area. This will help us keep our pupil numbers steady for the autumn 2024. Honeybees decided to open up the back part of our building to allow the children to have an outdoors free flow play area. This has been very popular with our children and because it has an overhang allows us to be outside in all weathers. As with the previous year have seen an increase in the number of children coming to Honeybees and most of them are 2-year-olds. We are also noticing that a growing number of parents are wanting to send their children under 2. So, we have made plans to take children from 18 months old from September 2024. With the new government funding structure coming in as well we feel it’s a good time to make this move. This has meant we have had to purchase some new equipment to accommodate the younger children such as a wooden gated play pen to section off our room, beds for them to nap in, pushchairs, toys and high chairs to name a few. ## - Staffing: Our staff team is happy and strong with a good management structure. Sam is a fantastic manager and along with Tina our preschool advisor and Ali our deputy the preschool runs smoothly and successfully. We took on 3 new members of staff this year as our numbers have grown and we needed more staff. After a very long time as our wonderful chair Jo Read has made the difficult decision to step down this year. Jo has been a vital part of Honeybees for so long and she will be greatly missed ## - Fundraising: As always, we raised thousands in fundraising this financial year through multiple events such as the raffles, Christmas fair, donations, curry and quiz, sponsored events and charity shakers on shop counters and in our local pub. ## ’ - Statement of the Charity s policy on reserves: The Preschool’s reserves policy continues to be to retain sufficient funds in order to meet any unforeseen expenditure that may occur and to cover staff and rent costs in the event of reduction in pupil numbers, which usually occurs in the Autumn Term. The Pavilion, King George V Playing Field, Plumpton Green, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3DP Tel: 01273 890 885 / Mob: 07745 570 882 Web: www.honeybeespreschool.co.uk Email:hello@honeybeespreschool.co.uk Charity No 1022441 ## honeybees ## Other Financial Information:- Our biggest cost remains salaries however we believe that it is important to provide good quality experienced staff to ensure the standards continue to improve and also to invest in our existing staff with further training. Our main source of funds continues to be from parents paying fees and also the monies paid by East Sussex Council for the Early Years Entitlement Funding of 15 and 30 hours per week provided for 3 and 4 years olds. We continue to rely on fundraising in order to meet the shortfall in funds, as the majority of our parents only send their children for the free hours. We changed our opening hours to fit with parents demand and are now open Monday to Thursday until 5pm but on a Friday we close at 3.30. We open at 8.30am and are term time only. ## Signed_________________________ Toni Saunders Treasurer Honeybees Preschool Date : 30[th] January 2025 The Pavilion, King George V Playing Field, Plumpton Green, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3DP Tel: 01273 890 885 / Mob: 07745 570 882 Web: www.honeybeespreschool.co.uk Email:hello@honeybeespreschool.co.uk Charity No 1022441 ## **HONEYBEES PRESCHOOL GROUP INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT For the year ended 31 August 2024** I report on the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 August 2024, which comprise receipts and payments account and statement of assets and liabilities. ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The Trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is required. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act; - to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of independent examiner's report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charitable company and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as 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 statement below. ## **Independent examiner's statement** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006; and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of section 394 and 395 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met, or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Caroline Clarke ACA 66 High Street Lewes East Sussex BN7 1XG 23 April 2025 ## **HONEYBEES PRESCHOOL GROUP** ## **INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** ## **for the year ended 31 August 2024** |**Income**
Council funding
Nursery fees
Sundry income
**Expenditure**
Salaries and employers national insurance and pensions
Staff training
Rent
Advertising
Telephone and internet
Bookkeeping and professional fees
Consumables
IT support
General expenses
Insurance
Waste
Website
Printing, stationery and postage
Subscriptions
Petty cash
Uniforms
Equipment
Activities
Miscellaneous
staff entertainment
Cleaning
Accommodation
Office Equipment
Books & Journals
Surplus
**Fundraising**
Fundraising income
Less expenses
Surplus for the year
Opening balance
Cash at bank
Cash in hand|**2024**
**£**
91,560.70
68,482.28
1,183.00
**161,225.98**
157,066.89
320.00
4,699.28
275.00
110.00
3,555.74
2,609.13
1,129.65
789.03
790.02
1,119.04
446.37
3.80
521.69
123.76
4,419.98
2,580.00
839.95
670.60
585.00
**182,654.93**
**(21,428.95)**
**8,647.00**
**(2,488.00)**
**6,159.00**
**(15,269.95)**
**103,369.33**
**88,099.38**
**88,086.77**
**12.61**
**88,099.38**|**2023**
**£**
73,789.76
67,821.19
7,790.76| |---|---|---| |||**149,401.71**| |||113,333.62
1,241.10
5,609.20
255.00
461.82
3,311.44
2,643.93
1,058.10
2,400.80
754.11
1,012.37
275.39
141.58
309.28
118.39
3,306.82
1,800.00
640.00
81.00
735.00
94.00
752.00
18.00
**140,352.95**| |||**9,048.76**| |||**4,006.00**
**(2,516.00)**| |||**1,490.00**| |||**10,538.76**
**92,830.57**| |||**103,369.33**| |||**103,322.47**
**46.86**| |||103,369.33| Dated T Saunders Treasurer