Phoenix Pre-School Under Fives
(Charity number: 1028258)
Trustees annual report & financial statements for the year ended
31st August 2025
Charity accounts preparation & independent examination service
Phoenix Pre-School Under Fives
(Charity number: 1028258)
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| Index | Page |
| Report of the trustees | 1 |
| Independent examiner's report | 3 |
| Receipts & payments accounts | 4 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | 5 |
| Notes to the accounts | 7 |
To: 30/08/2025
Trustees' Annual Report
From: 01/09/2024
Registered Charity number 1028258
Objectives and activities
Summary of the purposes of the charity set out in its governing document
Primary aim of the charity is to give children an opportunity to develop intellectual and social skills through play and to follow the EYFS as well as preparing them to start their statutory education. Children benefit as we work closely with parents involving them in their child's learning and the running of the preschool. Families are regularly invited to attend events at the charity, giving them the opportunity to speak with their child's key worker and building a sense of community within the Phoenix cohort.
The trustees consider that they have complied with their duties to have due regard to the public benefit guidance pubished by the Charity Commision.
Achievements and performance
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.
Governance and compliance
During 2024–2025, the trustee board undertook a significant programme of policy review and governance development, updating the setting's full suite of operational policies and procedures in line with the EYFS Statutory Framework, Ofsted requirements, and current safeguarding guidance. This work strengthens the setting's accountability framework and ensures that practice remains compliant, evidencebased, and fit for regulatory scrutiny. Work also commenced on converting the charity to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), a structural change that will provide greater clarity of governance, improved trustee protection, and a more robust legal framework for the charity's continued operation.
Premises and resources
Investment was made in the setting's physical environment and resources during the year, contributing to the quality of children's daily experience and supporting the delivery of a broad, stimulating curriculum.
Wider benefits to society
As a community-based, charity-run preschool, Phoenix Under Fives provides an affordable, accessible early years option for families in York. By supporting children's school readiness, the setting reduces inequality in educational outcomes and contributes to the wider early years sector in the city. The setting's inclusive admissions policy ensures that children from all backgrounds, including those with SEND and those from disadvantaged families, can access high-quality provision.
The setting also supports parental employment and family wellbeing by providing reliable, professionally staffed childcare, and contributes to the local community through its presence within the grounds of Park Grove Primary Academy.
Financial review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period
The charity's bank balance at 31 August 2025 stood at £55,842, compared to £104,2043at the start of the financial year on 1 September 2024. This reduction of £48,201 reflects the combined impact of rising operational costs across the year — particularly employment costs following increases to National Living Wage rates, premises costs, and supplies — alongside the timing of income receipts from the City of York Council, which are paid in arrears and do not always align with the month in which costs are incurred.
The trustees are satisfied that the charity remains financially viable and that its reserves, while reduced during the year, are sufficient to support continued operation in the short to medium term.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held
The constitution of the preschool states that a terms costings including staff wages, rent and other outgoings must be held in reserve. This is the amount of notice of closure that will be needed for families and landlord. We also hold one months cost for cash flow. This is reviewed on an annual basis.
Amount of reserves held
£55,842
1
Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity's trusts
Type of governing document Constitution (e.g. trust deed, royal charter) How the charity is constituted Association (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)
Reference and administration details
| Names of the trustees who manage the charity Charity’s principal address Park Grove Primary School Dudley Street Other names the charity is known by Phoenix Under 5's |
Names of the trustees who manage the charity Charity’s principal address Park Grove Primary School Dudley Street Other names the charity is known by Phoenix Under 5's |
Names of the trustees who manage the charity Charity’s principal address Park Grove Primary School Dudley Street Other names the charity is known by Phoenix Under 5's |
Names of the trustees who manage the charity Charity’s principal address Park Grove Primary School Dudley Street Other names the charity is known by Phoenix Under 5's |
Names of the trustees who manage the charity Charity’s principal address Park Grove Primary School Dudley Street Other names the charity is known by Phoenix Under 5's |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for wholeyear |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
||
| Names and addresses of advisers(OPTIONAL) Ruth Shepherd Trustee Natalie McKeown Treasurer Lisa Egginton Trustee Sally Sawdon Chair |
|||||
| Type of adviser | Name | Address | |||
| Bankers HSBC Independent Examiner Karen Wood ACMA |
YO1 8XS YO10 3NR Parliament Street York Outsource Accounting Services 2 Galligap Lane Osbaldwick, York |
& independent examinations |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members
Debbie Bamford
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees Annual Report and Accounts
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees
Signature Full Name Sally Sawdon Position Chair Date 24.03.26
2
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Phoenix Pre-School Under Fives
I report on the accounts of: Phoenix Pre-School Under Fives for the year ended: 31st August 2025
which are set out on pages 4 to 6.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
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 Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
2 the accounts do not accord with those records
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.
Karen Wood (ACMA)
Date:
Outsource independent examination service 2 Galligap Lane Osbaldwick York YO10 3NR
3
Phoenix Pre-School Under Fives
(Charity number: 1028258)
| Receipts &payments accounts for theyear ending: 31st August 2025 |
Receipts &payments accounts for theyear ending: 31st August 2025 |
Receipts &payments accounts for theyear ending: 31st August 2025 |
Receipts &payments accounts for theyear ending: 31st August 2025 |
Receipts &payments accounts for theyear ending: 31st August 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governance costs Bank charges Rent & utilities Consumables & refreshments Transfers between funds Balance brought forward Trustees' expenses & gifts Insurance costs General equipment Cleaning. repairs & renewals Uniform Payroll charges IE fee Website, publicity & media Balance carried forward Net of receipts/(payments) Affiliations, dbs & subscriptions Total payments Donations & fundraising Other income Payments Activities & outings Play materials & equipment Staff salaries Staff training & HR costs Office costs & equipment Total receipts Receipts Fee income & starter fees NEG funding |
Unrestricted funds £ 21,497 107,208 - 147 128,852 127,451 9,165 8,961 2,708 11,127 6,606 1,184 838 2,497 1,518 360 2,148 408 563 1,464 - - 55 177,053 (48,201) - 104,043 55,842 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
2025 Total funds £ 21,497 107,208 - 147 128,852 127,451 9,165 8,961 2,708 11,127 6,606 1,184 838 2,497 1,518 360 2,148 408 563 1,464 - - 55 177,053 (48,201) - 104,043 55,842 |
2024 Total funds £ 16,012 106,159 189 190 |
| 122,550 | ||||
| 104,612 2,725 6,030 284 1,569 6,002 977 2,208 389 562 360 4,668 - - 869 830 175 60 |
||||
| 132,320 | ||||
| (9,770) - 113,813 |
||||
| 104,043 |
4
Phoenix Pre-School Under Fives
(Charity number: 1028258)
| Statement of assets and liabilities at: | 31st August 2025 | 31st August 2025 | 31st August 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current bank account Liabilities Independent examination fee Assets Cash at bank and in hand |
Unrestricted funds £ 55,842 55,842 Unrestricted Funds £ 430 430 |
Restricted funds £ - - Restricted Funds £ - - |
2025 Total funds £ 55,842 55,842 2025 Total Funds £ 430 430 |
2024 Total funds £ 104,043 |
| 104,043 | ||||
| 2024 Total Funds £ 360 |
||||
| 360 |
5
Phoenix Pre-School Under Fives (Charity number: 1028258)
Notes to the accounts for the year ended:
31st August 2025
The trustees have taken advantage of section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 and prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis.
Approval of accounts for the year ended: 31st August 2025 The report and accounts were approved at a meeting of the 21.05.26 trustees held on: Date
Signed for and on behalf of the trustees:
Sally Sawdon
Name
Chair
Position (e.g. Chair etc)
10.06.26
Date
6