2025-08-31-accounts - Saltdean Pre-School

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REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1028876

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

FOR

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

bk plus Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 44 Grand Parade Brighton East Sussex BN2 9QA

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

		Page
Report of the Trustees	1	to	5
Independent Examiner's Report		6
Statement of Financial Activities		7
Balance Sheet		8
Notes to the Financial Statements	9	to	12
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities	13	to	14

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

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

" We value the importance of free play, inside and outside and our plans are guided by the interests of all the children.

" The children's learning is scaffolded with encouraging and positive adult interactions.

" Our setting is a safe, fun and happy place where children and their families are respected and listened to.

" We aim to support every child to become an independent learner and reach their full potential.

" We work closely with parents to help shape the future of the Pre-School.

" We are a charity and are led by a parent committee who meet regularly to share ideas.

Page 1

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Significant activities

During the current academic year, the Committee, management and staff have all worked tirelessly to secure the long-term financial stability of the Pre-School. Our current fee structure was last updated in May 2025 to reflect rising operational costs and ensure we can continue delivering high-quality early years education. In the Autumn term of 2025, we made the significant decision to relocate from St Nicholas Church Hall, where the Pre-School had been based since the 1960s, to Saltdean Primary School. This was not an easy choice. The church hall had been a warm, nurturing home for generations of local children, and it holds a special place in the hearts of our community - including one dedicated member of staff who, at the time of writing, has been with us for 32 years!

However, after careful consideration by the Committee and staff, it became clear that to remain financially viable and sustainable for the future, a move was necessary. While the decision was difficult, the relocation brings many benefits and opportunities that will support the continued growth and success of the Pre-School for years to come. The move has enabled us to extend our opening hours to 3:10pm, five days a week. This has proved extremely popular with families and has led to an increase in the number of children registered with the Pre-School. We have also seen a rise in the number of children accessing their full 30 hours of funded entitlement with us.

Staff have greatly benefited from no longer needing to pack away resources at the end of each session. Having a permanent, dedicated space has enhanced the quality and continuity of provision, which is clearly reflected in the rich, imaginative, and sustained play we have observed since relocating. We now also benefit from access to the school library and playground, further enriching the children's daily experiences and learning opportunities.

The move has further strengthened our relationship with the primary school, and we have developed an excellent working partnership with the reception teachers. This close collaboration supports the sharing of information, continuity of learning, and aligned expectations, helping to ensure a smooth and confident transition to school for our children.

We are particularly grateful to Victoria Hetherington and her management team for their strong leadership and careful planning, which ensured a smooth and successful transition from the church hall to the school site.

All practitioners and members of the management team continue to undertake regular training to ensure they remain confident, knowledgeable, and up to date with current Early Years practice.

We maintain a rigorous cycle of self-evaluation, completing audits and reviewing policies annually in response to feedback from our stakeholders and in line with recommendations from the Early Years Alliance.

We were inspected by Ofsted in February 2024 and were delighted to be rated 'Good' in every area. Following our relocation to the primary school site, we were required to register as a new setting with Ofsted and will therefore be inspected again in the coming year. We welcome this opportunity to demonstrate how we have grown and developed following the move.

The day-to-day management of the pre-school was undertaken by Victoria Hetherington, Sarah Gilfeather & Charlie Friend.

Public benefit

In planning the activities of the Pre School for the year, the Trustees kept in mind the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.

Page 2

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The result for the year was a surplus of £7,211 compared to a surplus of £14,785 last year.

Over the past year, pre-school has been full and operating a waiting list, with healthy numbers expected for Autumn 2027. Most of our income comes from government funding for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds, with a smaller amount from parent fees. Our longer opening hours and early start sessions have increased income this year. However, the recent relocation has brought additional costs, including staff time and new resources, which will be reflected in next year's accounts.

We held a successful Christmas fundraising event and are very grateful to The House Project for their generous £2,000 donation towards resources. We also raised funds through EasyFundraising and commission from John Heinrich Photos.

Staff wages have increased in line with the National Living Wage, and rental costs for the church hall rose in May 2025. However, rental costs at the school are similar, so overall premises costs remain broadly the same following the move.

Trustees have agreed to increase our minimum reserves from £15,000 to £20,000. These reserves help protect the pre-school against unexpected costs, temporary closures, sudden drops in income, or potential closure costs.

FUTURE PLANS

The Pre-School will continue with the aim to provide a safe, stimulating, happy and caring environment in which children learn to become confident and well-motivated.

We will continue with the fee structure that has been in place since May 2025. Numbers of children have increased, and the sustainability contribution has been successful thus far. We will review the fees in the Autumn term should there be a need to for financial sustainability.

The Committee will investigate additional funding opportunities such as schemes run by other local supermarkets, the Communities Fund from Brighton & Hove Council and Sussex Communities Fund.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity was established under a constitution adopted on 17 December 1990 and amended on 27 April 2011. Under this constitution, the Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

New committee members are recruited by being elected and 60% of the committee must be a family member of a child attendance at the nursery.

Page 3

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Risk management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

The numbers of children registered with the pre-school have increased over the past two years and we have a healthy amount due to start in September.

The trustees are confident that the charity is a going concern as long as financial budgeting and careful financial monitoring continues.

The risks identified by the charity are:

If the pre-school were to lose its 'good' rating from Ofsted it would no longer have access to the free childcare schemes causing a significant and sudden loss of revenue
Large increases in staff costs due to increases in the Living Wage not matched by increases in childcare funding and fees
Loss of income due to fewer children attending
A sudden and lengthy closure of pre-school due to damage to premises, health and safety issues, a pandemic or other factors

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number

1028876

Principal address

Saltdean Primary School Chiltington Way Saltdean Brighton BN2 8HB

Trustees

Mrs C Rowe (resigned 12/4/2026) Mrs C Greest Ms L Leppard (resigned 20/12/2024) Ms C Washington (resigned 11/11/2025) Mrs K Gould (resigned 1/10/2025) Ms K Lennox Trustee (appointed 6/9/2024) (resigned 1/10/2025) Mrs J Hann Trustee (resigned 12/1/2026) M White (appointed 11/11/2025) L Sharp (appointed 11/11/2025) P Tanner (appointed 29/9/2025) C Weatherley (appointed 29/9/2025)

Independent Examiner

Dr Shona Wardrop bk plus Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 44 Grand Parade Brighton East Sussex BN2 9QA

Page 4

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Bankers

Natwest Pavilion Buildings 8-11 Castle Square Brighton BN1 1DP 23/04/26 Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

.......................................................................... L Sharp - Trustee

Page 5

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Saltdean Pre-School

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Saltdean Pre-School (the Trust) for the year ended 31 August 2025.

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 Trust'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

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:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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.

Dr Shona Wardrop The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

bk plus Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 44 Grand Parade Brighton East Sussex BN2 9QA

Date: .............................................

Page 6

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

2025 Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Charitable activities 4 Charitable activities 114,031 Other trading activities 2 620 Investment income 3 237 Total 114,888 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Charitable activities 107,677 NET INCOME 7,211 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 25,831 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 33,042	2024 Total funds £ 117,514 701 217
	118,432
	103,647
	14,785 11,046
	25,831

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

BALANCE SHEET

31 AUGUST 2025

2025 Unrestricted fund Notes £ CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank 35,672 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 7 (2,630) NET CURRENT ASSETS 33,042 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 33,042 NET ASSETS 33,042 FUNDS 8 Unrestricted funds 33,042 TOTAL FUNDS 33,042	2024 Total funds £ 27,311 (1,480) 25,831 25,831 25,831 25,831 25,831

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. 23/04/26 and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. L Sharp - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

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.

The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity and are rounded to the nearest pound.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity 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.

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.

continued...

Page 9

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

Fundraising events 3. INVESTMENT INCOME Deposit account interest 4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Activity Fees Charitable activities Grants Charitable activities	2025 £ 620 2025 £ 237 2025 £ 18,535 95,496 114,031	2024 £ 701 2024 £ 217 2024 £ 22,582 94,932
		117,514

5. 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.

6. STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries Other pension costs	2025 £ 79,605 1,114 80,719	2024 £ 75,802 820
		76,622

Key Management Personnel, comprising the Trustees and the Supervisors, remuneration amounted to £31,988 (2043: £29,524).

The average number of employees on a Full Time equivalent basis was 2 (2024: 2).

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

	2025	2024
Total	7	8

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

continued...

Page 10

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025 2024 £ £ 365 302 2,265 1,178 2,630 1,480 Net movement At in funds 31/8/25 £ £ 7,211 33,042 7,211 33,042 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (107,677) 7,211 (107,677) 7,211 Net movement At in funds 31/8/24 £ £ 14,785 25,831 14,785 25,831	2025 2024 £ £ 365 302 2,265 1,178 2,630 1,480 Net movement At in funds 31/8/25 £ £ 7,211 33,042 7,211 33,042 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (107,677) 7,211 (107,677) 7,211 Net movement At in funds 31/8/24 £ £ 14,785 25,831 14,785 25,831	2024 £ 302 1,178
		1,480
7,211
At 31/8/24 £ 25,831 25,831
	25,831

continued...

Page 11

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS	Incoming resources £ 118,432 118,432	Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (103,647) 14,785 (103,647) 14,785	Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (103,647) 14,785 (103,647) 14,785
			14,785

9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2025.

Page 12

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Other trading activities Fundraising events Investment income Deposit account interest Charitable activities Fees Grants Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Charitable activities Wages Pensions Insurance Telephone Postage and stationery Rent Ofsted School support Payroll Training Fundraising Activities Accountancy Sundry expenses Advertising Subscriptions Repairs & Maintenance Resources Support costs Finance Bank charges	2025 £ 620 237 18,535 95,496 114,031 114,888 79,605 1,114 942 70 766 18,600 85 1,341 928 222 - 1,070 184 800 959 448 480 107,614 63	2024 £ 701 217 22,582 94,932
		117,514
		118,432 75,802 820 672 202 805 17,175 50 2,108 937 1,026 29 1,476 711 603 474 757 -
		103,647 -

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 13

SALTDEAN PRE-SCHOOL

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Total resources expended Net income	2025 £ 107,677 7,211	2024 £
		103,647
		14,785

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

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