Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01 Sept 2022 Period start date To 31 Aug 2023 Period end date
Charity name: Ermington Pre School Unit
Charity registration number: 1034037 Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | Pre-School education for children aged 2-5 years. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Providing high quality early years education for children between the ages of 2 to 5 years. Our curriculum is tailor-made which is designed to give each child the best possible start to their educational journey, by equipping our children with resilience, independence, and curiosity for lifelong learning. Our mission statement is “equipping every child for a world they will discover”. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | We confirm that the trustees have had regard to the charity commission’s guidance on public benefit. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference | ||
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | We do not make grants to other organisations. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | We have no investments. We do not take part in social investments or program-related investments. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Volunteers work in administration and fundraising. All volunteers are enhanced DBS |
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checked and vetted suitability following safer recruitment procedures and approval from Ofsted. None. Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Para 1.20 | Due to a lower birth rate nationally, our admissions during this academic year were lower than predicted. We provided SEN support for families of children with complex additional needs, and obtained EHCP’s for those children. We invested in resources for our sensory room, making a safe space for our children to have their needs met in an inclusive and calming way, that benefits their individual development. Staffing costs were high this year due to the individual needs of children attending the setting, and a higher level of staff required to ensure all children’s safety. We also trialled increasing our opening hours from 8.00am-5.30pm during the summer term of this year, which will come into permanent effect from September 2023. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
Continued to provide specific staff training in relation to the individual additional needs of children in attendance. Makaton training completed for all staff. Manager and Deputy attended various conferences and courses provided by DCC, PSLA etc. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Fundraising continued to be a challenging area this year on the back of covid and the lower birth rate nationally. Seamoor lotto and easyfundraising continue to provide a small income, as well as an income from small fundraising events within the village. |
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| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | We have no investments. |
|---|---|---|
| Other | None. |
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Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | A loss was made this year, due to the costs associated with providing support for children with additional needs. A low birth rate nationally, which resulting in lower numbers than normal, and increasing costs in of bills etc. Accounts have been independently examined in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission and have been submitted as part of our annual report. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity accumulates reserves through fundraising through fundraising to support the core business for the purchase of equipment and other resources. We aim to work towards a more stable financial position next year with the aim to return some of the savings used to support with our outgoings this year. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £18,721 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
Funding for core activities is from EYEF and 2-Year Funding, with unfunded time being charged at cost to parents. Other income comes from various fundraising activities. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The changes to the number of funded hours for children announced by the Government will have a significant impact on our finances, as we will have fewer unfunded hours for which we can charge parents. The amount of funding received per hour is woefully inadequate and does not cover the even the basic |
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costs of providing childcare such as staff salaries, legal registration and utility bills. This is a huge problem for all childcare settings nationwide and we have seen many local settings close as a result. Fundraising continues to be difficult as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, and there does not seem to be an end in sight for this. Other
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
Advancement of Early Years education for children who attend aged 2-5 years. |
|
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust ded, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Guidance in association with the Charity Commission |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Early Years Alliance constitution |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | We work in accordance with the Early Years Alliance constitution. Trustees are required to apply in writing to the chair of the committee. They then are selected based upon suitability, safeguarding knowledge, and relevant experience that may benefit the needs of the business. They are proposed and seconded in a voting situation before being appointed by the members making up the Pre-School body. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction Para 1.51 and training of trustees N/A The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works N/A Relationship with any Para 1.51 related parties N/A Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Ermington Pre-School Unit |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/A |
| Registered charity number | 1034037 |
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| Charity’s principal address | The Lodge, School Road, Ermington, Ivybridge, Devon PL21 9NH |
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine Toms | ||||
| Sarah Foulis | ||||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity
Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
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Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
S Foulis Signature(s) K TOMS Sarah Foulis Full name(s) Katherine Toms Position (eg Secretary, Chair Committee member Chair, etc) Date
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Proft and loss and balance sheet for Ermington Pre-sch
| INCOME Funding ### Fees ### Donations Grants Kids Club Fundraising £ 1,153.70 Misc Interest £ 289.22 BFL - Old fees Total ### Proft/Loss |
Proft and loss report EXPENDITURE Wages ### HMRC £ 8,835.62 Equipment £ 1,771.42 Snack/Food £ 2,249.90 Fundraising Phone/Internet £ 1,116.92 Training/Uniform £ 1,626.77 Rent £ 5,640.00 Repairs/Maintenance £ 3,350.28 Insurance £ 797.55 Payroll/Auditing £ 874.76 Children Activities £ 1,305.00 Advertising £ 130.00 Computer costs £ 973.34 Ofsted/DBS £ 76.00 Subscriptions £ 1,312.07 Debt collection Trips Sundry expenses/Play sun£ 2,912.98 Team Building £ 300.00 Consultancy £ 1,349.00 total ### -£9,280.90 |
|---|---|
ool 1st September 2022 to 31st August 2023
| Balance sheet ACCOUNTSCurrent Account bfwd ### Deposit Account bfwd ### Proft/loss for the yr -£9,280.90 Closing cash position ### BANK ACCOUNT Current Account ### Deposit Account ### TOTAL ### NOTE THE TWO GREEN NUMBERS SHOULD BE THE S |
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Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ members of
Ermington Pre-school
On accounts for the year 31[st ] August 2023 Charity no 1034037 ended (if any) Set out on pages 2 2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. responsibilities of The charity’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 independent examination is needed. [The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of AAT.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given examiner’s statement 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 the 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 In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention examiner's statement (other than that disclosed below *)
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
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have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Date: 24/12/2024 Signed: Nicola Hooper
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IER
Name: NICOLA HOOPER
Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):
FMAAT
Address: 21 CHERRY TREE CLOSE EXETER DEVON EX4 5AT
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems.(E.g. accounting records have not been kept in accordance with s132 of the Charities’ Act 2011 and those accounts do not comply with the requirements of the 2008 Regulations setting out the form and content of charity accounts; any material expenditure or action which appears not to be in accordance with the trusts of the charity; any failure to be provided with information and explanations by any past or present trustee, officer or employee; and any material consistency between the accounts and the trustees’ annual report.)
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Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
A large number of receipts were not available for checking against expenses paid, in particular expenses paid to staff. The chair has confirmed that all expenses have been seen and used within the pre-school. Advice has been given about keeping and recording receipts,
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IER