Trustees' Report and Unaudited Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 August 2025
for
Bubbles Preschool (Bicester)
Bubbles Preschool (Bicester)
Contents of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Pages | |
|---|---|
| Legal and Administrative Information | 2 |
| Trustees' Report | 3 - 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 |
| Notes | 8 - 9 |
Page 1
Bubbles Preschool (Bicester)
Legal and administrative information for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Registered charity number | 1029607 |
|---|---|
| Address | Southwold Community Centre |
| Holm Way | |
| Bicester | |
| Oxfordshire | |
| OX26 3UU | |
| Trustees | A Mansbridge (Chair) (Appointed 1 Sept 2024) |
| G Marsden (Appointed 12 Nov 2024) | |
| C Maybury | |
| S Brar | |
| J Paylor | |
| K Gore | |
| Principal officers | H Halstead (Secretary) |
| S Ashton (Preschool administrator) | |
| Independent examiners | Clipper Accounting Limited |
| 11 Derwent Street | |
| Draycott | |
| Derbyshire | |
| DE72 3NF |
Page 2
Bubbles Preschool (Bicester)
Trustees' Report for the year ended 31 August 2025
The Trustees present their report, together with accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 and confirm they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the trust deed and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of The Charity, and to enable them to ensure that where applicable, the financial statements comply with the applicable law, regulations and trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of The Charity, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities.
Structure, governance and management
The Charity's constitution was adopted on 10 March 1993 and amended on 16 December 2008.
The appointment of new trustees is subject to the approval of the General Committee members at their periodic meetings. New trustees are given an appropriate induction programme to the workings of The Charity and receive training as necessary.
Trustees meet regularly to administer the Charity
Certain aspects of the day to day running of The Charity are delegated to specific trustees as detailed in the minutes of the trustee meetings.
The Trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring The Charity has appropriate systems of control, financial and otherwise. These systems should provide reasonable assurance that: -
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The Charity is operating efficiently and effectively;
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its assets are safeguarded against unauthorised use or disposition;
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proper records are maintained, and financial information used within The Charity, or for publication, is reliable,
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and
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The Charity complies with relevant laws and regulations
The systems of internal control are designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. They include: -
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regular consideration by trustees of financial results, and
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delegation of authority and segregation of duties as defined above.
Risk Review
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity may be exposed; in particular those related to the operation and finances of The Trust and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate their exposure to the major risks.
The Trustees take legal and other professional advice wherever necessary and will always continue to do so.
Objectives and Activities
The objectives of the Charity are to enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age by encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups.
Bubbles Preschool provides outstanding early years care and education for children between the ages of 2 years 6 months and 5 years. We believe in helping young children develop into confident individuals by providing a wide range of practical and fun activities to inspire them to investigate, explore and HAVE FUN!
Children are enabled to realise and express their own ideas, through being empowered by our skilled educators to explore and discover through a curriculum that is self-created.
Page 3
Children want us to hear their joy, their representations of the world, their understanding, their delight and inquisitiveness. During this time in Early Years, the only time where education has the freedom to enable children to be children – to follow their line of enquiry, and express their ability to, and opportunity to BE.
The Ofsted rating is Outstanding when inspected on 17 July 2024.
Achievements and Performance
The Charity's financial accounting year ended 31 August 2025 produced the following results:
Fee income amounted to £169,943, an increase of £11,956 compared with the previous year. Fundraising activities raised £1,062, an increase of £268 compared with the previous year.
The Charity's income was also supplemented by other funding and donations etc in the sum of £5,100, a decrease of £4,965 compared with the previous year and interest totalling £1,360 (2024 - £1,341).
The Charity's expenses, as detailed in the Statement of Financial Activities, comprise the cost of running the preschool of £179,745 and governance costs of £1,306. Overall there was an increase of costs of £22,274.
Overall, these movements mean that the result for the year was a deficit of £2,366 (2024 - surplus of £11,410). Total unrestricted funds as at 31 August 2025 amounted to £77,882 (2024 - £80,248).
Financial Review
Reserves Policy
The purpose of this policy is to ensure the preschool maintains adequate financial reserves to sustain operations during periods of financial uncertainty, such as a significant drop in enrollment, unexpected costs, or a temporary loss of funding. This policy aligns with the Charity Commission for England and Wales' guidance on financial reserves.
Target Level of Reserves The Board of Trustees has determined that the charity should maintain an unassigned reserve of between three and six months of its total annual operating costs. Based on the current annual income of about £175,000 and typical operating expenditure, this translates to a target reserve range of approximately £42,500 to £85,000.
The preschool operates in a sector sensitive to fluctuations in government funding, parental income levels, and regulatory changes. Maintaining this level of reserves ensures:
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Continuity of care for children in the event of a sudden reduction in income.
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The ability to meet unexpected repair or compliance costs without compromising educational standards.
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Financial stability during the recruitment of new staff or during periods of low enrollment.
Investment Policy
The objective of this policy is to ensure the prudent management of the charity’s funds in a manner that safeguards capital, maintains liquidity for immediate operational needs, and generates a reasonable return to counter inflation. The Board of Trustees recognises that the primary purpose of the charity is to provide preschool education, and investment decisions must not compromise this core mission or the financial stability required to deliver it.
This policy applies to all funds held by the charity, including reserves, unrestricted funds, and general income, which are currently held in UK bank accounts. It covers all investment decisions made by the Trustees.
The Trustees have determined that the charity has a low risk tolerance. The priority is the safety of the principal amount and the ability to access funds quickly. High-risk investments that could result in the loss of capital are strictly prohibited.
Future Plans
These are to continue to meet the objective and activities of the Charity as detailed above.
A Mansbridge
A Mansbridge (Jul 11, 2026 11:38:51 GMT+1)
Mr A Mansbridge (Chair) 11/07/2026
Page 4
Bubbles Preschool (Bicester)
Independent examiner's report to the trustees for the year ended 31 August 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Bubbles Preschool (Bicester) (the Charity) for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the Charity 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or - the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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.
N Wallis
N Wallis (Jul 11, 2026 14:28:10 GMT+1) Ms N Wallis, BA BFP FCA Clipper Accounting Limited 11 Derwent Street Draycott Derbyshire DE72 3NF
11/07/2026
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Bubbles Preschool (Bicester)
Statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Income Fees OCC fees funding including EYPP Snacks Other funding OCC Fund raising Interest received Donations Milk refund Expenditure Charitable activities Snacks, milk etc Toys, craft materials & activities Wages Social security costs Staff pension costs Rent Advertising Insurance Repairs & renewals Telephone Postage & stationery Computer expenses Course fees & training DBS fees payable Clothing & uniform Laundry & cleaning Photocopier hire & usage Refreshments Gifts Consultancy Professional fees Sundry expenses Meeting expenses Fundraising expenses Household support fund food vouchers Other interest paid Bad debts Governance costs Accountancy Bank charges Net movement of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
£ £ 21,344 148,599 1,220 5,100 1,062 1,360 - - 178,685 178,685 1,365 11,575 139,405 2,768 2,444 10,209 - 1,680 - 371 345 1,640 882 385 - 311 785 47 - 1,356 390 1,237 - 425 1,815 16 294 179,745 (1,060) 1,234 72 1,306 (2,366) 80,248 77,882 31 Aug 2025 Unrestricted funds |
£ £ 22,138 135,849 - - 794 1,341 10,000 65 170,187 170,187 1,083 3,632 126,000 2,337 1,827 10,275 144 1,401 547 234 421 972 504 889 102 574 529 86 797 3,225 90 1,285 24 - - - - 156,978 13,209 1,736 63 1,799 11,410 68,838 80,248 31 Aug 2024 Unrestricted funds |
|---|---|---|
Page 6
Bubbles Preschool (Bicester)
Balance sheet as at 31 August 2025
| Notes Fixed assets Current assets Debtors 3 Cash at bank and in hand Current liabilities Creditors 4 Net assets Financed by Unrestricted funds |
£ £ - 167 81,573 81,740 3,858 77,882 77,882 77,882 31 Aug 2025 |
£ £ - 126 83,643 83,769 3,521 80,248 80,248 80,248 31 Aug 2024 |
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 9 July 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
A Mansbridge A Mansbridge (Jul 11, 2026 11:38:51 GMT+1) Mr A Mansbridge (Chair)
Page 7
Bubbles Preschool (Bicester)
Notes to the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025
1 Accounting policies
Bubbles Preschool (Bicester) is a registered charity incorporated in England and Wales and governed by constitution. The principal office address is Southwold Community Centre, Holm Way, Bicester, Oxfordshire. OX26 3UU.
The financial statements 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 (FRS 102) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK (FRS 102) (March 2018) and the Charities Act 2011.
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
The Trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.
Fund accounting
The Charity's general fund consists of funds, which the Charity may use for its purpose, at its discretion, under the terms of the objects clause of the constitution. There are no restricted funds.
Income recognition
All income is recognised when there is entitlement, sufficient certainty that receipt of income is probable and the amount of income receivable can be reliably measured.
Expenditure recognition
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 settlement will be required, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.
Governance costs
This comprises all costs incurred in the management and administration of the Charity during the year under review.
Charitable activities
These represent the running costs of the preschool and are accounted for when the Charity is committed to paying them.
Tangible fixed assets
Play equipment is written off as purchased. Computer equipment above £500 is capitalised and depreciated over three years.
Reserves
The Trustees will not commit funds for future activities or asset purchase, unless monies are in place or the receipt of same is definite.
The Trustees always ensure that funds are available for overheads for at least one future year.
Page 8
2 Employees
Wages including social security and pension costs have been paid in the year as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-School Workers | 144,617 | 130,164 |
No trustees received any remuneration from the Charity during the year (2024 - £11,701 salary paid to K. Gore, a trustee, for her role as preschool worker. Her employment ended on 28 June 2024).
| 3 Debtors - Trade debtors - Other debtors 4 Creditors Amounts falling due within one year: - Accruals - Taxation and social Security - Pensions |
2025 - 167 167 2025 2,214 1,185 459 3,858 |
2024 - 126 126 2024 1,509 2,012 - 3,521 |
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| - 126 126 2024 |
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