Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 September 2024 To 31 August 2025
Charity name: MONTACUTE PRESCHOOL
Charity registration number: 1024088
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age by offering appropriate play, education and care facilities. |
| 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 |
Montacute Preschool offers 8 mixed age sessions across 5 mornings and 3 afternoons for 38 weeks of the year. Parents are able to access Early Years Entitlement. Children are given access to a variety of learning opportunities and experiences supported by staff and external professionals where appropriate. Staff also encourage, advise and support parents as required or requested. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees of Montacute Preschool have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Montacute Preschool is run and supported by volunteers and is grateful to the parents who give up their time to manage the preschool, assist in sessions and support fundraising activities and events. |
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 annual Nativity and Sports Day, as well as parents/staff being sponsored for running the Weymouth and Yeovil half marathons, all raised grateful funds for the preschool. The children walked around the village with their teddies on our ‘Teddy Toddle’ which also raised much needed funds. Village events also raised extra funds as well as promoting our preschool in the village. The staff and trustees work hard to run these fundraising events to raise funds for the preschool for the benefit of the children, by way of additional resources and equipment. Our outdoor area was refurbished with bark underfoot and new resources for play, with the funds raised during the year. . |
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 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Expenditure exceeded income in this financial year. Funds were withdrawn from the deposit account. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Montacute Preschool has a reserves policy. The aim is to hold sufficient reserves to allow for late payment of government funding and fluctuating numbers of children. Reserves will also meet the requirement to fund redundancy payments should the need arise. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £22,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | None to report |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
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 | Montacute Preschool’s primary sources of funding are from Early Years Entitlement and from parent paid fees. Secondary sources are from fundraising, donations and grants. Primary expenditure is staff wages and training. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The principal risk of the charity is rising cost of wages (increases in National Minimum Wage each year) and insufficient funding received from the Local Authority. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Preschool Learning Alliance Preschool Constitution 2011 |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Montacute Preschool is an Unincorporated charity and run by a committee of which a minimum of 60% must be Family Members. The remainder may be affiliated. |
| 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 selected by election of members of the Preschool. Officers and Committee members are elected for one year at the Annual General Meeting. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | DBS checks are carried out on all staff, bank staff and trustees. There is a Safeguarding Children policy in place. Trustees are encouraged to attend training provided by the Somerset Council Curriculum and Literacy Team. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The charity is a Preschool and is regulated by Ofsted. Montacute Preschool was judged by Ofsted as ‘GOOD WITH OUTSTANDING FEATURES’ in March 2022. The preschool adheres to strict guidelines as laid out by Ofsted and delivers the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework. |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Montacute Preschool receives support and advice from the Early Years Alliance and from the local Early Years team, when needed. |
| Other | Montacute Preschool also works closely with the local community. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Montacute Preschool |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1024088 |
| Charity’s principal address | Baptist Chapel School Rooms South Street MONTACUTE Somerset TA15 6XD |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorraine Johnson | Chairperson | |||
| Harriet Blackburn | Secretary | |||
| Karen Rivers | Treasurer | |||
| Harriet Raeburn | ||||
| Melanie Wilkins | ||||
| KeeleySalter | ||||
– 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
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
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) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
L Johnson | H Blackburn |
|---|---|---|
| Lorraine Johnson | Harriet Blackburn | |
Chair |
Secretary | |
| 9 October 2025 | ||
| 9 October 2025 |
MONTACUTE PRE-SCHOOL
Registered Charity No. 1024088
Receipts and Payments Account as at 31 August
| 2025 Receipts £ £ £ Opening Bank Balances Current Account 23987.11 Deposit Account 28963.88 52950.99 Fees Received: Parents 8332.75 SCC 86136.22 94468.97 Fundraising 4096.53 Consumbles Fee 10382.00 Milk Refund 197.96 Other 0.00 109145.46 Deposit Account Interest 799.98 162896.43 Payments £ £ Wages 102706.99 Hall Rent 5226.76 Milk 202.48 Telephone 1001.86 Fundraising 5831.28 Consumables 4795.66 Insurance/Membership 1163.86 Course Fees 1650.00 Other 114.37 122693.26 Closing Bank Balances Current Account 1939.31 Deposit Account 38263.86 40203.17 162896.43 |
2024 £ £ £ 7389.44 28523.87 35913.31 12776.70 77450.00 90226.70 4923.82 6773.10 218.85 10000.00 112142.47 440.01 148495.79 £ £ 80192.22 5304.39 218.85 909.61 1968.57 5179.25 875.02 570.00 326.89 95544.80 23987.11 28963.88 52950.99 148495.79 |
2024 £ £ £ 7389.44 28523.87 35913.31 12776.70 77450.00 90226.70 4923.82 6773.10 218.85 10000.00 112142.47 440.01 148495.79 £ £ 80192.22 5304.39 218.85 909.61 1968.57 5179.25 875.02 570.00 326.89 95544.80 23987.11 28963.88 52950.99 148495.79 |
|---|---|---|
| 148495.79 |
MONTACUTE PRE-SCHOOL
(Charity Number : 1024088
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF MONTACUTE PRE-SCHOOL
For the Year ended 31st August 2025
| reporton the accounts of the Pre-Schoolfor the year ended 31st August 2025,
Respective responsibaities of the trustees and the examiner
The trustees are responsible for the preparation of financial statements, and consider that the audit requirement of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 43(3)(a) of the act, follow the procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43(7)(b) of the act and to state whether “particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner's report | conducted my examination in accordance with the General Directions given rd the Charity Commissioners. Anaccountsexamination includes, a review of the accounting records kept by the ity and comparisonof the with these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees conceming such matters. The procedures undertaken doopinionnot provide on the allviewthe given evidence by thesethat accounts.would be required in an audit, and consequently | do not express an audit
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 to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the 1933 Act and to prepare accounts which accord with these records, have not been met.
2, to which in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
==> picture [91 x 37] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
E. C. CHANT
Accountant
----- End of picture text -----
The Old Coach House East Coker Yeovil Somerset
==> picture [164 x 19] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
» 18th November 2025
----- End of picture text -----