Trustees' Annual Report for the period
Period start date Period end date From 1 Sept 2024 To 31 Aug 2025
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name Heath Barn Pre-School
Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1030817
Charity's principal address Thrift Road, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, BEDS. Postcode LU7 0AX
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Milczarek | Chairperson | To April 2025 | Parents | |
| Emma Brown | Chairperson | From April 2025 | Parents | |
| Katie Webb | Treasurer | Parents | ||
Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
Name Dates acted if not for whole year
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Section B Structure, governance and management
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Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document
Constitution
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
How the charity is constituted
Association
- (eg. trust, association, company)
Trustee selection methods
Elected by parents
- (eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
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policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Section C Objectives and activities
To provide quality pre-school provision to 2-4 year olds.
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
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Heath Barn Pre School is registered with Ofsted and is a member of the Pre School Learning Alliance. It is a community group and owned by the parents/carers of the children who attend. The committee is responsible for fundraising and assisting with the running of the group. To ensure that the running of the pre school is an enjoyable and stress free experience, extra help and ideas from other parents are vital.
Our aim is to provide a secure and caring environment in Summary of the main which children can learn through play and develop activities undertaken for the confidence and independence. Our staff are committed to public benefit in relation to these objects (include within caring for children and providing an environment in which this section the statutory they can thrive. declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance During each session there will be ample opportunity for the issued by the Charity children to participate in many different arts and craft Commission on public activities, construction play, creative play, books, water, sand benefit) and outdoor games. These and other activities will help with each child’s personal and social development, with their language and literacy skills and also encourage an early understanding of maths. Details of the activities and themes will be on display on the notice board and door; these will all link to the areas of learning and development that form part of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
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policy on grantmaking;
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policy programme related investment;
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contribution made by volunteers.
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Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main Heath Barn Preschool continues to provide Early Years education for achievements of the charity both funded and non-funded 2-4 year olds from Heath and Reach and during the year surrounding areas. We continue to maintain a steady number of children at Heath Barn. Usually each September this number drops as the local schools all have a September intake. In September 24 we were running at 85% capacity and by Summer 25 this was 97% as children became eligible for Nursery Education Funding. We are registered for 2 year olds, giving priority to all funded childrenparticularly 2 year old disadvantaged children, and accept all types of childcare vouchers currently used by parents, including working parent 2 year old funding. We offer Tax Free Childcare and 30 Hours extended hours funding and are fully inclusive to SEND families. We are already implementing the ongoing changes to Nursery Education Funding and are ensuring we accommodate our local families. 2 year old funding has started for working parents, in addition to 30 hours for ¾ year olds, and we continue to prioritise disadvantaged 2 year old families. Ofsted visited July 2025 where we were graded Good across the board with some very complimentary comments including: Staff greet children warmly on arrival. The cheerful and relaxed atmosphere ensures that children feel comfortable, and they quickly engage in their chosen activities. These are meaningful to support children to achieve what they need to learn next through their individual interests. All children make good progress from their starting points. Staff know children well and take a genuine interest in each and every child who attends the setting. This helps children to develop strong attachments and a sense of belonging.
Section E Financial review
| Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves Details of any funds materially in deficit |
We know that numbers drop each September due to children leaving for school and over the last 10 years many new settings have opened in Leighton Buzzard taking some of our children with them. We have reserves sufficient to keep our valued staff employed across a few terms that may have a lower intake. We are holding money for maintenance ahead of outstanding issues with a lease and Service Level Agreement. |
|---|---|
Further financial review details (Optional information)
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You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:
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the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
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how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
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investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
Section F Other optional information
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| ed on behalf of the charity’s trustees | ’s trustees | ’s trustees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signature(s)Katie Webb Emma Brown Full name(s)Katie Webb Emma Brown Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Treasurer Chairperson Date1 Sept 2025 |
Katie Webb | Emma Brown | |||
| Emma Brown | |||||
Treasurer |
Chairperson | ||||
| 1 Sept 2025 |
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Heath Barn Pre-School Income Expenditure Report 2024/2025
| Bank Reconciliation 2024/2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Closing balance asperprevious statement | £82,170.60 | ||
| Receipts | -£144,349.03 | ||
| Payments | £152,921.55 | ||
| Closing Balance@ 31/08/2025 | £90,743.12 | ||
| Income & Expenditure Report | Year 2024/25 | ||
| Income | |||
| Fee Income | |||
| Fees- funded children | £122,137.30 | ||
| Fees- non funded children | £11,776.40 | ||
| Other fees income received | £16,472.76 | ||
| £150,386.46 | |||
| Other Income | |||
| Milk | £412.99 | ||
| ActivityIncome | £514.75 | ||
| Uniform Income | £265.00 | ||
| Fundraising Income | |||
| Fundraising | £1,342.35 | ||
| Total Income | £152,921.55 | ||
| Expenditure | |||
| Staff costs | |||
| Wages | -£103,702.89 | ||
| HM Revenue & Customs-(Employer's & Employees -Tax & NI) | -£6,671.43 | ||
| -£110,374.32 | |||
| Other Staff costs(inc employers and Employees Pensions) | -£13,528.47 | ||
| Equipment & Expendables | |||
| Childrens Activities Expenses | -£820.00 | ||
| Playware equipment and consumables | -£12,725.85 | ||
| Admin Costs | |||
| Rent | £0.00 | * | |
| Phone | -£490.18 | ||
| Insurance | -£959.33 | ||
| Uniform Expense | -£801.84 | ||
| Utilities | -£2,069.69 | ||
| Sundries | -£2,579.35 | ||
| Total Expenses | -£144,349.03 | ||
| Surplus /(Deficit) for theyear | £8,572.52 | ||
| *(estimate £2700, less costs, pending agreement with St Leonard's Lower School) |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl mombers of HEATH BARN PRE SCHOOL On accounts for the year ended 31 AUGUST 2025 Charity no lif any) 1030817 Set out on pages Re8CtiV• The charitys trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. ro8pon8lbilities of The ¢harity's trustees Consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an indeFendenl examination is needed. It is my responsibilrty to.. examine the arKounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow th• proc•dur•s laid down in th• 9•n•ral Dir•¢tiong given by the Charity Commission (under section 14515}Ib) of th8 Chanties Act, and to stale whether particular matters have come to my attention. Ba818 of Indèpnd•nt My examination was carried out in a¢cordan¢e wrth general Directions given •xaminerf• statement by the Chanly Commission. An examination includes a review of the a¢counling records kept by the charrty and a ¢ompari8on of the accounts presented wrth those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual rtems or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from the trustees concernirKJ any such matters. The procedures undertaken do nol provi¢Je all the evidence that would be required in an a111, and Consequently no opinion is given as lo whether the accounts present a Irue and fair, view and the rèport is limrted to those matters set out in the statement below Indopond•nt In connection Wh my examination. no matter has come to my attention •xaminerfs statement lolher than that disclosed below ') 1. which givos mc roawnablo cau to bclicve that in, ony motorial respect, the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accLvdance with section 130 of Ihe Chanties Act, and to prepa accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting reqU1MentS of the Chanti8$ Act have not been met,. or 2. to which. in my opinion. attention should drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. lete the words in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Slgned: Date: 0610712026 Name: Ellouise McGinty Relèvant professional qualificationlsl or body lif anyl: 14lA4T {10120271) Address: Kenwell Accountsnts, 1 LewJhton Road, Eggington, LU7 9PE. ER F•b 26
Sectioii B Disclosuie Only complete If the examiner needs to highlight material problems. Give here brief details of any items that the examlner wlshes to disclose. ER F•b 26