2025-08-31-accounts - Honeybees Preschool

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TRUSTEES REPORT 1st September 2024 TO 31st August 2025 Honeybees Preschool

Charity Commission number:

1022441

’ Charity s Principal Address:-

The Pavilion, King George V Playing Fields. Plumpton Green, East Sussex, BN7 3DP

Names of the Trustees for the charity:-

Toni Saunders (Resigned Aug 25)

Tina Lambert (Resigned Aug 25)

Samantha Richards

Kelvin Spiers

Pippa Hillman-Smith (Resigned Aug 25)

Paul Tilbrook (Resigned Aug 25)

Vikki Clark

Lucy Gunston

Allyson Griffiths

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

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 are positive and continue to grow. 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 kept our spend small this year after a challenging year in 23-24. Luckily, we didn’t need to make any big purchases, and we still provided our in-house yoga and dance for the children.

From September 2024 we started taking children from 18 months, and this went so well that in April we lowered our age to 9 months. We are now fully in line with the new government funding structure and are supporting more local families. In September 25 we have even more little ones joining us meaning our baby area will be at full capacity.

- 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.

Moving forward we will be experiencing some big changes in our staffing team as Tina who has been at Honeybees for over 20 years has taken a new exciting role at Ofsted. We will miss her but wish her the best of luck in her new role. We also sadly say goodbye to two other members of staff, one of whom is retiring and the other who has her new job. We wish them the best of luck, and they will be missed. We have taken one new staff member and are recruiting for another position. Also, after 10 years as our treasurer Toni has made the difficult decision to step down as she is joining the staff team to do all the admin, payroll and HR for Honeybees.

- Fundraising:

As always, we raised thousands in fundraising this financial year through multiple events such as the raffles, donations, curry and quiz, jumble sales, 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.

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 2, 3 and 4 years old. From September when every working parents will receive 30 free hours from 9 months old, we will see an increase in the number of hours our children attend each week.

Our opening hours are Monday to Wednesday 8am until 5pm but on Thursdays and Fridays we close at 3.30. We are term time only and if the demand was there to stay open later on a Thursday and Friday we would, however currently parents do not want these times.

Signed_______

Toni Saunders Treasurer Honeybees Preschool Date : 30[th] November 2025

HONEYBEES PRESCHOOL GROUP INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT For the year ended 31 August 2025

I report on the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 August 2025, 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 14 April 2026

HONEYBEES PRESCHOOL GROUP

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

for the year ended 31 August 2025

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	2025 £ 129,665.15 61,518.75 3,966.53 195,150.43 172,680.20 465.00 4,601.60 95.00 499.95 3,642.60 2,117.59 1,282.87 237.68 1,066.62 1,249.69 152.40 146.41 676.09 567.66 2,840.00 341.97 186.98 1,957.50 83.64 194,891.45 258.98 10,204.91 (3,066.17) 7,138.74 7,397.72 88,099.38 95,497.10 95,373.53 123.07 95,496.60	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

Treasurer

Dated

T Saunders