Charity Registration No. 1028269
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
| Trustees | Arif Alam (Chair) |
|---|---|
| Sue Marshall (Treasurer) | |
| Nasreen Shah (Secretary) | |
| Elected Users | Sofia Siddique |
| Safina Mahmood | |
| Charity number | 1028269 |
| Principal address | Farnham Road |
| Bradford | |
| West Yorkshire | |
| BD7 3JE | |
| Independent examiner | Kevin Meddings MAAT |
| Kevin Meddings Accountancy Services | |
| 55 Crowther Avenue | |
| Calverley | |
| Leeds | |
| West Yorkshire | |
| LS28 5SA | |
| Bankers | Unity Trust Bank plc |
| Nine Brindleyplace | |
| Birmingham | |
| B1 2HB | |
| Santander UK | |
| Bootle | |
| Merseyside | |
| L30 4GB |
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ report | 1 – 4 |
| Independent accountants’ report | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Statement of cashflows | 8 |
| Notes to the accounts | 9 - 13 |
1
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity’s constitution adopted on 4 November 1993 as amended on 3 December 1998, the Charities Act 2011 and 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 published on 16 July 2014.
Aims
Is to “Have fun and learn” Children of different cultures and nationalities come to learn through play.
Our Aim
Our aim is to enhance the development and education of young children and people in the local community.
Committee Members:
Please note no new appointments due to Covid pandemic closure and delayed AGM
Structure, Governance and Management
The trustees and elected users, who served during the year were:-
Arif Alam (Chair) (re-appointed 30 January 2024) Sue Marshall (Treasurer) (re-appointed 30 January 2024) Nasreen Shah (Secretary) (re-appointed 30 January 2024) Sofia Siddique (re-appointed 30 January 2024) Safina Mahmood (re-appointed 30 January 2024) Naila Parvez (resigned 25 July 2023) Kaneez Fatima (resigned 31 January 2024)
All trustees and elected users are elected on an annual basis.
Trustees Induction and Training
Trustees and Committee members are made up of users of the Centre past and present. Letters are distributed to users with information about committee meetings and what it entails to be a committee member. The information is also included in parent packs which are given to those families accessing childcare. The team at McMillan will nominate users who would like to become a committee member. These nominations are presented at the AGM. All trustees and members are given information about their roles and responsibilities. At the first meeting all are welcomed and introduced to other members with a discussion about roles and responsibilities, how committee works and questions/concerns answered. All committee members must complete enhanced DBS checks by Capita and must subscribe to the DBS update service. Trustees can if they wish attend training on being a trustee/committee member, if they feel it would benefit their learning journey.
Objectives and Activities
The charity’s objectives are to enhance the development and education of young children by promoting their social, physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual capabilities.
From April 2008 the Centre began to provide full day care as childcare providers for FRCC. This was an agreement that had been instigated by Bradford Early Years, Childcare and Play as McMillan are an established childcare provider in the area and it was part of the offer of Sure Start Children’s Centres. We have continued with our services and our Centre is open 51 weeks per year, 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday. Our aim is to ensure children attending McMillan are learning through their play and that we are providing an enhanced, stimulating environment for children aged 0–5 years. The Centre is Ofsted registered to provide full day care for 58 children per session, per day.
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
McMillan do not receive any funding towards running and sustaining full day care. However, with hard work, careful monitoring and staff co-operation we have been successful in saving money in various areas in order to continue to be self-maintained and run a sustainable setting. Through regular monitoring and checks we have created a new sustainable budget for the next financial year that incorporates a new staffing structure.
In setting our objectives, looking at sustainability and planning our activities, our trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commissions general guidance on public benefit and in particular the advancement of health, education and well-being. With all the activities and events, we provide for the children and their families attending the Centre we aim to ensure that they experience a positive, stimulating and enhanced learning journey.
The Children’s Centre Report
The Centre has continued to be very busy throughout the year with high occupancy levels in place. We have continued to provide high quality resources and activities for the children that attend to ensure they are progressing and achieving. Our Senior Management team have continued to attend varying meetings liaising with multiple external agencies to support children and their families. These include safeguarding, child protection panels, core group meetings and CIN (Child In Need) meetings. This year a member of staff supported a family and their child in accessing additional learning for their individual needs. This involved visiting an external Early Years Educator and inputting their advice and support into the Centres planning. We have strong transition procedures in place for those children moving onto their next educator. We have a growing number of schools we feed to, so staff work hard to ensure all those schools visit the Centre to meet the children and speak to staff about each individual child and their needs. We hold termly parent consultations to share children’s progress and achievements with their family members. We have distributed staff and parent questionnaires to ensure we are continuing to receive up to date feedback which allows senior management to reflect and improve the services we provide.
We celebrate all festivals - Christmas, Eid, Diwali and also other celebrations such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Royal Visit, St George’s Day etc. Children also celebrate their birthdays along with other family celebrations i.e. birth of a sibling. Children bring cakes, party bags etc. to celebrate. We have held a graduation event for those leavers, celebrated the children’s achievements and wish them luck in the future. We celebrated World Book Day and children dressed up as their favourite book character.
We continue to provide full day care for working parents and also for those returning to education via college or alternative training providers. There is a high demand for the 30-hour funded childcare as well as for nursery education places for 3 and 4 year-olds and also Early Education places for 2 year-olds. This demand has allowed the Centre to offer further flexible sessions/hours for working parents. We offer places for those eligible families and also have a waiting list. Children with additional needs are fully supported by the whole team and we work closely with the families to ensure we are meeting the child/children’s individual needs at all times. Our Senco will support staff to ensure any additional support/advice is available.
Within this support close working relations are in place with multiple external agencies where applicable i.e., physiotherapist, health visitor, medical nurse etc. We have continued to work closely with the Fluoride Team who visit the Centre twice a year and apply fluoride treatment to children aged between 2 – 4 years. Good dental health is promoted by the dental nurse which we continue within the rooms through activities, resources, and positive adult role models.
We have also continued to provide large numbers of placements for work experience students and students who are training in childcare. We also have two apprentices working with us, one from Shipley College and one from Bradford College.
3
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
We have held regular committee meetings (often virtually) and staff meetings. Staff attended inhouse training for safeguarding and Ofsted preparation and external training to renew paediatric first aid as well as communication and language courses to aid working with SEND children. .
Senior staff have offered flexible hours and contracts for staff that have requested it where possible, whilst still meeting the needs of the Centre. This includes requests made when returning from Maternity leave and when individual circumstances have changed.
Recruitment continues to be a problem throughout the sector, and we are still advertising for high quality childcare practitioners.
Staff and Training
All staff are continually attending training courses/events through the year. This financial year a large amount has been spent on staff training enabling all staff to stay up to date with available training. Staff have continued access to e-learning.
In addition, this year those staff that attended specific external training, then delivered the training programme as an in-house training event for the full staff team. Ten employees attended in-house first aid training.
A member of staff has completed a specific SEN training award which will support the high demand the Centre currently has for children with additional needs.
Students/Work Experience
We have continued to provide work placements for work experience students who are still at school. We also have various students on placement whilst they work towards their qualifications at college. We currently have a student who is studying towards her level three in childcare whilst working voluntarily at the Centre. Alongside delivering placements the Centre has undergone health and safety checks from external agencies.
Financial Review
The Centre has concentrated on remaining sustainable and managing tight budgets with the continuing price rises on bills and staffing we have been monitoring budgets to ensure we remain sustainable.
The Centre requires a minimum of three months reserves to carry on the provision in the event of occupancy levels dropping; the reserves levels currently reflect this policy. The Centre holds a redundancy account which has been checked and topped up to ensure it holds enough funds in the event of all staff requiring redundancy payments.
The Centre is vital for the enhancement of children’s pre-school education. Research has shown that in the Centres locality lives one of the country’s largest deprived populations. The continuation of the services the centre offers is vital for the future education of children in this area. The three months reserves level will allow the centre to run for long enough to find a funding source if it is required for the successful continuation of the Centre. Senior Management reviewed the impact the 30 hours roll out had on the Centre, occupancy levels and the number of children accessing day care and found that there was a drop in day care being accessed and a drop in holiday occupancy. There will be a full review of the delivery of the funded hours and supplementary charges the Centre has had to implement.
A small budget will be created to ensure resources can be replenished to maintain the standards of the setting.
Fundraising
The Centre has continued fundraising for various causes including Children In Need, the earthquake appeal, but mainly focusing on collecting for the local food bank to help the families of the local area.
4
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
TRUSTEES’ REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Community Cohesion
The Centre through their services offer support to varying ethnic backgrounds and offering full day care enables families to return to work. In order to contribute towards community cohesion Margaret McMillan provides opportunities for families of the community from different backgrounds, cultures and nationalities to work study and socialise together. Our Annual General Meeting is a chance for people to meet and socialise with one another. Our Centre enables children, parents, and students to progress and raise their creativity, aspirations and achievements. Our regular work experience placement with Bradford’s Senior Schools gives students a vision of what they would envisage for the future. The Centre will contribute to work with external agencies to support the needs of our families, children, and the local community.
The Building and Future Developments for the Children’s Centre
The Centre and staff continually review plans and needs for the future. The current plan is to review maintenance requirements i.e., shutters, doors, outdoor areas and invest any surplus into the areas that require it.
Committee
The Committee would like to thank all the staff for their hard work and for making the Centre a place where children like to come and “Have Fun and Learn”.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these accounts the trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2015 (FRS 102);
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts;
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Prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
On behalf of the board of trustees
| Nasreen Shah |
Arif Alam |
|---|---|
| Trustee | Trustee |
Dated: 2 December 2024
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS ON THE UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS OF MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 6 to 13.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s 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 needed. The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination.
It is my responsibility to:
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(i) examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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(ii) 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
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(iii) 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 charity 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:-
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(a) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:-
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(i) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and (ii) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
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have not been met; or
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(b) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Kevin Meddings MAAT
Kevin Meddings Accountancy Services 55 Crowther Avenue Calverley Leeds West Yorkshire LS28 5SA
Dated: 4 December 2024
6
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| Unrestricted Designated funds funds Notes £ £ Income Voluntary income 2 462,880 - Investment income 9,363 1,874 Insurance refund 3,505 - Equipment rental refund 2,194 - Total income 477,942 1,874 Expenditure Charitable activities 3 492,831 - Total expenditure 492,831 - Net (expenditure)/income/ net movement in funds before transfers (14,889) 1,874 Transfers between funds (2,217) 2,217 Net (expenditure)/income/ net movement in funds after transfers (17,106) 4,091 Total funds brought forward 674,759 69,582 Total funds carried forward 657,653 73,673 |
Total 2024 £ 462,880 11,237 3,505 2,194 479,816 492,831 492,831 (13,015) - (13,015) 744,341 731,326 |
Total 2023 £ 447,530 3,348 - - 450,878 419,002 419,002 31,876 - 31,876 712,465 744,341 |
|---|---|---|
7
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
| Designated Unrestricted funds funds £ £ Notes Fixed assets Tangible assets 6 - 350,528 Current assets Debtors and prepayments 7 - 112,986 Cash at bank and in hand 73,673 195,400 Total assets 73,673 658,914 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 8 - (1,261) Total assets less current liabilities 73,673 657,653 The funds of the charity Income funds Designated funds 73,673 - Unrestricted funds - 657,653 Total charity funds 73,673 657,653 |
Total 2024 £ 350,528 112,986 269,073 732,587 (1,261) 731,326 73,673 657,653 731,326 |
Total 2023 £ 350,528 92,931 302,306 745,765 (1,424) 744,341 69,582 674,759 744,341 |
|---|---|---|
The accounts were approved by the trustees on 2 December 2024
Nasreen Shah Arif Alam Trustee Trustee
8
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
STATEMENT OF CASHFLOWS AS AT 31 MARCH 2024
| Note Net cash (used)/generated from operating activities 10 Cashflow from investing activities Interest income (Decrease)/increase in cash equivalents in the year Cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Total cash equivalents at the end of the year |
2024 £ (44,470) 11,237 (33,233) 302,306 269,073 |
2023 £ 20,615 3,348 23,963 278,343 302,306 |
|---|---|---|
9
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1 Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of preparation
The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with 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) issued on 16 July 2014, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2015.
Margaret McMillan Children’s Centre meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
Having considered future planned activities and the reserves available to the charity, the trustees are satisfied that the financial statements should be prepared on the going concern basis.
1.2 Incoming resources
Donations and legacies are accounted for when received by the charity. Childcare fees and other income is accounted for on an accruals basis as far as is prudent to do so.
Revenue grants are recognised on receipt, subject to any required conditions being met or services provided.
1.3 Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for beneficiaries. These include Governance costs which are those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirement of the charity.
1.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its expected useful life as follows:-
Freehold land and buildings not depreciated Fixtures and fittings 5 years straight line Equipment 5 years straight line Computer equipment 3 years straight line
It is the policy of the charity to only capitalise individual items costing in excess of £5,000.
1.5 Leasing and hire purchase commitments
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged against income on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
10
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
1.6 Pensions
The charity pays contributions into the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) which is a defined contribution work place scheme. The pension costs charged in the accounts represents the contributions payable during the year.
1.7 Accumulated funds
Unrestricted funds are available to be spent for any of the purposes of the charity.
Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside, at the discretion of the trustees, for specific purposes. The purpose and use of the designated fund is in respect of potential future redundancy payments.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
2 Voluntary income
| Core funding Service level agreements and grants receivable Core funding Unrestricted funds: Full day care fees Sales Milk refunds Fundraising Room hire Service level agreements and grants receivable Bradford MDC Early Education Place Bradford College (Apprenticeship fee) |
Total 2024 £ 170,960 291,920 462,880 169,626 683 586 65 - 170,960 291,920 - 291,920 |
Total 2023 £ 163,319 284,211 447,530 161,552 864 613 240 50 163,319 283,711 500 284,211 |
|---|---|---|
11
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
3 Charitable activities
| Salaries Employers NIC Pension costs Payroll costs Recruitment costs Staff training Rates Utilities Telephone Printing, postage and stationery TV licence Repairs, maintenance and refurbishments Waste disposal and cleaning costs Insurance Equipment and materials Equipment rentals Subscriptions and membership fees Trips and activities Uniforms Independent examination DBS checks Refreshments, food, and milk Fundraising Internet, software, and IT support Bank charges |
2024 £ 348,672 21,091 10,174 2,321 - 533 5,014 9,351 2,580 3,467 158 51,149 6,427 2,701 12,138 1,815 1,649 652 508 975 414 7,744 65 3,146 87 492,831 |
2023 £ 324,356 17,974 9,180 2,575 130 1,585 4,072 7,425 2,267 1,732 158 14,652 5,345 1,869 6,050 1,815 1,443 600 4,371 900 338 6,941 262 2,824 138 |
|---|---|---|
| 419,002 |
4 Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year (2023 – £nil).
We can confirm that there are no related party transactions that require disclosure in the accounts (2023 – none).
12
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
5 Employees
Number of employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:-
| Staff Employment costs Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs Recruitment costs |
2024 Number 19 2024 £ 348,672 21,091 10,174 - 379,937 |
2023 Number 19 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ 324,356 17,974 9,180 130 |
|||
| 351,640 |
Social security costs are after the deduction of the £5,000 employment allowance (2023: £5,000).
There were no employees whose annual emoluments were £60,000 or more.
6 Tangible fixed assets
| Freehold Fixtures Computer Equipment land and and fittings equipment buildings £ £ £ £ Cost At 1 April 2023 And 31 March 2024 350,528 52,372 6,730 18,076 _ Depreciation At 1 April 2023 And At 31 March 2024 - 52,372 6,730 18,076 Net book value At 31 March 2023 And At 31 March 2024 350,528 - - - |
Total £ 427,706 |
|---|---|
| 77,178 350,528 |
13
MARGARET MCMILLAN CHILDREN’S CENTRE
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
7 Debtors
| 2024 £ Trade debtors 3,191 Prepayments and accrued income 17,164 Monies paid in advance 92,631 112,986 8 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2024 £ Accruals 1,261 |
2023 £ 3,230 4,470 85,231 92,931 2023 £ 1,424 |
|---|---|
9 Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments
The charity pays contributions on behalf of all eligible employees into the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) which is a defined workplace scheme. No contributions were outstanding at the year end.
10 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cashflow from operating activities
| Net movement in funds Deduct interest income (Increase) in debtors (Decrease) in creditors Net cash (used)/generated from operating activities |
2024 £ (13,015) (11,237) (20,055) (163) (44,470) |
2023 £ 31,876 (3,348) (7,791) (122) 20,615 |
|---|---|---|