**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1027328**
## **Report of the Trustees and**
**Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025**
**for**
**Poplars Group**
**Poplars Group**
## **Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025**
|||**Page**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Reference and Administrative Details**||1||
|**Report of the Trustees**|2|to|5|
|**Independent Examiner's Report**||6||
|**Statement of Financial Activities**||7||
|**Balance Sheet**||8||
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|9|to|14|
**Poplars Group**
## **Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 August 2025**
**TRUSTEES** L Baker (resigned 3.12.24) L D Chamberlain C Cooper (resigned 4.7.25) L Marshall A L O'Neill M S Vaghela S Wright **PRINCIPAL ADDRESS** Water Leys Primary School Guilford Drive Wigston Leicestershire LE18 1HG **REGISTERED CHARITY** 1027328 **NUMBER INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** Duncan & Toplis Limited Park House 37 Clarence Street Leicester Leicestershire LE1 3RW
Page 1
**Poplars Group**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Objectives and aims**
The aims of the pre-school are 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 opportunity 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 local areas, and;
- instigating and adhering to and furthering the aims of objects of the Pre-school Learning Alliance
## **Significant activities**
The main activity of the charity continues to be the provision of playgroup activities.
## **Public benefit**
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
Page 2
**Poplars Group**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025**
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Charitable activities**
The pre-school continues to run from two rooms from 7.30am - 5.30pm, Monday to Friday at Water Leys Primary School. The children aged 2-3 are located in the Caterpillar room (secure double mobile unit) and the children aged 3-4 are located in the Butterfly room (double classroom next to Foundation Stage). At the start of the Spring Term the children who had already turned three in the Autumn Term moved over to a new room called Butterfly One. This ran as a separate room adjacent to the main Butterfly room allowing more space and increased learning as they were able to access a wider curriculum with more age appropriate opportunities and resource
At the start of the Autumn Term 2024, there were 64 children on roll, of which, 1 was in receipt of 2-year funding and 47 in receipt of working families funding. At the end of the Summer Term 2025 there were 87 children on roll, 36 children were due to move up to school, 7 were in receipt of 2-year funding, and 56 in receipt of working families funding.
Poplars Group promotes the Early Years Pupil Premium and uses the Parental Statement of Undertaking consent form to obtain, from parents, all the information required to check eligibility. After liaising with parents funding for eligible children was used to purchase resources to support individual needs (including sensory and multicultural) as well as enhancing the outdoor learning environment. Funds received, expenditure and outcomes continue to be monitored using the intent, implementation and impact method for each individual child. Poplars Group also promotes and offers the funding for families receiving some additional forms of government support, working families funding and tax free childcare schemes.
Poplars continues to run a breakfast club for pre-school children and it is essential that the group continues to offer the breakfast session to enable working parents to access the provision. The After School Club continues to be split into two groups. Group one is the pre-school, Foundation Stage and Year One children based in the Butterfly Room. Group two is school years 2-6 based in the school hall. Poplars Group no longer run a holiday club as this was not financially viable.
Poplars use Tapestry for invoicing and payment and parents are invoiced monthly in advance with all payments being received through the bank including childcare voucher and tax free childcare account payments. This allows Poplars to monitor payments in real time and as a result the After School Club continues to have no debtors throughout the academic year.
During the last 12 months, there have been several changes to the staff team. At the start of the academic year the group employed a new level 3 apprentice and a level 3 Early Years Educator. During the academic year three new staff were employed. Two to work on a one to one basis with individual child, and one to replace a Level 3 member of staff who left part way through the year. A Level 3 member of staff retired and the Group Manager left at the end of the academic year to pursue a new venture. Following interview an internal applicant moved into the Group Manager role and a level 3 Early Years Educator was promoted to the vacant Senior Early Years Educator position. The group also employed a cleaner to start at the beginning of the new academic year. A pay rise has been implemented across the board to incorporate the new Living Wage in line with government changes. The Board of Trustees continue to make the necessary changes to ensure the Group complies with regulations. The group will start the new academic year (September 2025) with a Group Manager, Administration & Finance Officer, two Senior Early Years Educators, one qualified level 4 Early Years Educator, eight qualified level 3 Early Years Educators, one qualified level 2 Early Years Educator, one Early Years Assistant, two Level 3 Apprentices and a cleaner.
The Board of Trustees continues to support the Group and having members of school staff and school governors on board strengthens the links with the school. Termly meetings take place and regular correspondence between the Management Team and the Board of Trustees continues. Monthly finance reports continue to ensure everyone is kept up to date. The Group will start the new academic year with a Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and three other Trustees.
This year the group have purchased several electrical items including a Dehumidifier, Tumble Dryer and two new Vacuum Cleaners. New chairs and a play kitchen were purchased for the Butterfly One Room and new Galaxy tablets for the additional staff. Internet boosters were purchased for both rooms following the installation of internet phones and two new office computers.
Page 3
**Poplars Group**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025**
Poplars Group continue to use Tapestry (an online learning journal system) to ensure all current parents are able to access up to date information regarding their child and the group. Tapestry is used to provide parents with EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) observations, snapshot observations of their children during their time at pre-school, reports and electronic correspondence. The group also uses the Care Diary facility to inform parents what their child has had to eat/drink and their self-care needs throughout the day. Accidents continue to be reported electronically via Tapestry. This facility is also used for the parents of children attending the After School Club for electronic correspondence (newsletters, upcoming events). Tapestry is also used to produce monthly invoices, record payments received, and internal messages for Senior Management.
The Board of Trustees continue to secure the finances of the group. The monthly financial report provides information regarding income and expenditure in all areas. This report is used as a working document which enables predicted figures to be altered allowing reflection of the current situation. Debtors continue to be managed on a monthly basis with only parents on a payment plan outstanding at the end of the academic year. The reserve account continues to be monitored at a full Board of Trustees meeting each academic year. Additional funds are transferred to ensure the reserve account holds sufficient funds when necessary. The group have opened a new higher interest savings account and are now receiving a better return for their reserve funds.
All banking continues to be completed online and the group encourages all parents to pay in this way. The group is registered for several childcare voucher schemes and the tax free childcare facility. The credit card monthly statements are checked and signed off on a monthly basis along with the bank statement and debit card purchases. The petty cash system continues to work well with all transactions being countersigned. Both the credit card and petty cash transactions are recorded in a separate spreadsheet for monitoring purposes. An external company continue to administer the payroll including pension contributions and audit the end of year accounts. The Board of Trustees continue to be aware of changes to the Living Wage and make appropriate provisions to meet these changes.
## **Fundraising activities**
There has been limited opportunity for fundraising this academic year but the group have raised a nominal amount from a Christmas card fundraiser and individual children's photos. The group have continued to successfully support Comic Relief, Children in Need and MacMillan.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Financial position**
Total incoming resources were £434,963 (2024: £361,998). After deducting expenditure of £379,893 (2024: £337,275) there was net income of £55,070 (2024: £24,723) for the year.
As at 31 August 2025, the Charity had total funds of £383,847 (2024: £328,777) all of which were unrestricted.
## **Reserves policy**
The Group holds cash at bank of £368,643 all of which is unrestricted funds. It is the policy of the charity to keep three months' worth of running costs held in the reserve account, and a sufficient amount in the current account towards the following year's general expenditure.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a constitution dated 9 November 1993 and as amended on 24 June 2021 and is an unincorporated charity.
## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees**
The Group aims to recruit new trustees from either current or past parents of children attending activities. Additional trustees are sought by regular advertising in the newsletter.
## **Induction and training of new trustees**
New trustees receive full information on the legal basis of the Group and the powers and responsibilities of trustees.
Page 4
**Poplars Group**
## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2025**
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 14 May 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
S Wright - Trustee
Page 5
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Poplars Group**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Poplars Group**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Poplars Group for the year ended 31 August 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a registered member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Matthew Smith FCCA
Duncan & Toplis Limited Park House 37 Clarence Street Leicester Leicestershire LE1 3RW
14 May 2026
Page 6
## **Poplars Group**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025**
|Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
**Charitable activities**
4
Playgroup activities
417,579
Other trading activities
2
-
Investment income
3
4,551
Other income
5
12,833
**Total**
434,963
**EXPENDITURE ON**
**Charitable activities**
6
Playgroup activities
379,893
**NET INCOME**
55,070
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
328,777
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
383,847|Restricted
fund
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|31.8.25
Total
funds
£
417,579
-
4,551
12,833
434,963
379,893
55,070
328,777
383,847|31.8.24
Total
funds
£
360,238
74
1,092
594|
|---|---|---|---|
||||361,998|
||||337,275|
||||24,723
304,054|
||||328,777|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
## **Poplars Group**
## **Balance Sheet**
## **31 August 2025**
|Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
11
86,503
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
12
1,875
Cash at bank and in hand
368,643
370,518
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
13
(73,174)
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
297,344
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
383,847
**NET ASSETS**
383,847
**FUNDS**
15
Unrestricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Restricted
fund
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|31.8.25
Total
funds
£
86,503
1,875
368,643
370,518
(73,174)
297,344
383,847
383,847
383,847
383,847|31.8.24
Total
funds
£
94,481
1,875
297,261
299,136
(64,840)
234,296
328,777
328,777
328,777
328,777|
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 14 May 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
S Wright - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 8
**Poplars Group**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
## **Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions**
The charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':
- the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.
## **Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the Group has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
## **Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
## **Allocation and apportionment of costs**
During the years ended 31 August 2025 and 31 August 2024, all costs were 100% attributable to the Charity's sole activity, the provision of Playgroup activities.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Property - Straight line over 20 years Equipment - Straight line over 3, 5 or 7 years
## **Taxation**
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits**
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
Page 9
continued...
**Poplars Group**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Debtors**
Short term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Loans receivable are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective rate of interest method, less any impairment.
## **Creditors**
Short term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other financial liabilities, including bank loans, are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## **Going concern**
After reviewing the charity's forecasts and projections, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
## **Government grants**
Government grants receivable are recognised in accordance with the performance model.
## **2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**
|Fundraising income
**3.**
**INVESTMENT INCOME**
Bank interest
**4.**
**INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**
Activity
Free Early Education
Entitlement (FEEE)
Playgroup activities
Fees
Playgroup activities
Food and drink fees
Playgroup activities
Uniform sales
Playgroup activities
**5.**
**OTHER INCOME**
Misc Income|31.8.25
£
-
31.8.25
£
4,551
31.8.25
£
307,811
108,133
993
642
417,579
31.8.25
£
12,833|31.8.24
£
74
31.8.24
£
1,092
31.8.24
£
226,555
131,963
922
798|
|---|---|---|
|||360,238|
|||31.8.24
£
594|
Page 10
continued...
## **Poplars Group**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025**
## **6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**
## **7.**
|**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**||
|---|---|
|Support
Direct
costs (see
Costs
note 7)
£
£
Playgroup activities
364,328
15,565
**SUPPORT COSTS**
Governance
Management
costs
£
£
Playgroup activities
12,804
2,761|Totals
£
379,893|
||Totals
£
15,565|
## **8. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.
## **Trustees' expenses**
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.
## **9.**
## **STAFF COSTS**
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
Playgroup
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.|31.8.25
£
288,400
12,477
5,292
306,169
31.8.25
18|31.8.24
£
248,424
9,235
4,682|31.8.24
£
248,424
9,235
4,682|
|---|---|---|---|
|||262,341||
||||31.8.24
18|
## **10. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION**
Amounts payable to the Independent Examiner are analysed as follows:
|31.8.25
31.8.24|31.8.25
31.8.24|31.8.25
31.8.24|
|---|---|---|
||£|£|
|Independent examination fees|390|390|
|Other financial services|2,371|2,195|
||||
||2,761|2,585|
||||
Page 11
continued...
## **Poplars Group**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued**
## **for the Year Ended 31 August 2025**
|**11.**
**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
Property
£
**COST**
At 1 September 2024
143,971
Additions
-
At 31 August 2025
143,971
**DEPRECIATION**
At 1 September 2024
55,469
Charge for year
7,198
At 31 August 2025
62,667
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 31 August 2025
81,304
At 31 August 2024
88,502
**12.**
**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Prepayments and accrued income
**13.**
**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Social security and other taxes
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income|Equipment
£
32,099
2,764
34,863
26,120
3,544
29,664
5,199
5,979
31.8.25
£
1,875
31.8.25
£
4,437
1,502
67,235
73,174|Totals
£
176,070
2,764|Totals
£
176,070
2,764|
|---|---|---|---|
|||178,834||
||||81,589
10,742|
||||92,331|
||||86,503|
||||94,481|
||||31.8.24
£
1,875
31.8.24
£
2,832
1,560
60,448|
||||64,840|
Accruals and deferred income includes payments received in advance of delivering services of £65,686 (2024: £59,023).
Entitlement to the income is subject to the charity providing a set level of hours of childcare per child. The award is calculated on the number of children that will attend under the FEEE government program in the following term. The amount above was received during the year for the Autumn term which commences following the year end on 1 September. As the charity had not delivered the childcare services at the 31 August, this amount has been deferred in full.
Page 12
continued...
**Poplars Group**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025**
## **14. LEASING AGREEMENTS**
Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:
|Within one year
Between one and five years|31.8.25
£
9,895
-
9,895|31.8.24
£
9,895
9,895|
|---|---|---|
|||19,790|
Lease payments of £23,000 (2024: £23,000) were recognised as an expense during the year.
## **15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**TOTAL FUNDS**
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**TOTAL FUNDS**
**Comparatives for movement in funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1.9.24
£
328,777
328,777
Incoming
resources
£
434,963
434,963
At 1.9.23
£
304,054
304,054|Net
movement
At
in funds
31.8.25
£
£
55,070
383,847
55,070
383,847
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(379,893)
55,070
(379,893)
55,070
Net
movement
At
in funds
31.8.24
£
£
24,723
328,777
24,723
328,777|
|---|---|---|
Page 13
continued...
**Poplars Group**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025**
## **15. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
361,998
361,998|Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(337,275)
24,723
(337,275)
24,723|
|---|---|---|
## **16. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.
Page 14