Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 September 2023 to 31 Aug 2024
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 governingdocument |
Para 1.17 | Pre School education for Children aged 2 to 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 and designed to give each child the best possible start to their educational journey, by equipping out 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 Commissions Guidance on public benefit. |
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 checked and vetted for suitability following Safer Recruitment procedures and approval from OFSTED. |
| Other | None |
1
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 | From September 2023 we changed our opening hours permanently and are now open from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. five days a week, offering wraparound care. This has been very successful and attracted a higher number of new registrations than anticipated. The low national birth rate during the COVID pandemic continued to have a detrimental impact on numbers. However this also had positive impacts in that more time and resources could be redirected to the children who were attending the setting. We continued to support a relatively high number of children with additional needs, successfully ensuring that children entered mainstream education with EHCPs in place. Our reputation for providing excellent care and support for children with additional needs and looked after children led to recommendations from the Local Authority to families in the area. We ended the year with a financial loss but had anticipated this and covered with reserves and fundraising wherever possible. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Successfully implemented extended opening hours. Manager and Deputy attended various conferences provided by Devon County Council and the Pre School Learning Alliance. Staff continuous professional development was encouraged and supported wherever possible. However slightly less was spent on training than in |
|---|---|---|
2
| previous years. Free courses were sought out wherever possible. Mandatory training was maintained as a priority. Despite a difficult year financially the pre school maintained its reputation and continued to meet all objectives. Progress continued to be made on setting up CIO to replace current structure which struggled to recruit volunteers and trustees. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Fundraising continued to be difficult due to cost of living and inflation during this period which left many families locally with much lower disposable income. SeaMoor lotto and Easy Fundraising continued to provide a small income; however Amazon Smile folded in this year and was no longer providing any income. Small events locally such as pub quizzes and Fair in the Square provided some cash income, as well as Christmas card sales from the children. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | We have no investments |
| Other | None |
3
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 following: • Higher costs associated with providing care for children with additional needs • Lower birthrate nationally due to the impact of COVID-19 • Increased costs and bills caused by rising inflation • A new academy trust managing the school site chose to increase building and insurance costs Signs of recovery are on the horizon and we hope to have an improved year in 2024-25 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity accumulates reserves through fundraising to support the core business and for the purchase of equipment and other resources We also maintain a level of reserves for emergency situations. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £46357 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Not applicable |
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 old funding, with unfunded time being charged at cost to parents. Additional funding was provided from Devon County Council for the children with a high level of additional needs. Other income comes from various fundraising activities. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | Not applicable |
4
| 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 new government continues to have a significant impact on our finances, like that of the finances of many other childcare settings. We have seen many closures of settings like ours in the rural Devon area. The amount of funding per hour received is still insultingly low and does not even cover the basics of staff salaries, building costs and utility bills. Recruiting and retaining qualified and experienced quality staff will become more of a challenge for all settings without a radical recognition of the true social and economic costs of early years education. |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Not applicable |
5
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 deed,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 on suitability, safeguarding knowledge and relevant experiences that may benefit the needs of the business. They are proposed and seconded at a democratic vote before being appointed by the members making up the Pre School committee. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
||
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | Trustees are required to adhere to all policies and procedures. They must also complete training in safeguarding and safer recruitment procedures. This training is provided online by Devon County Council. |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Not applicable |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | Not applicable |
| Other | Not applicable |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | Ermington Pre School Unit |
|---|---|
| Other name the charityuses | Not applicable |
6
| Registered charitynumber | 1034037 |
|---|---|
| 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(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this |
Not applicable |
8
falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for Not applicable 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)
Sarah Foulis – Manager Cathryn Isaac – Deputy Manager
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Not applicable
Other optional information
None
9
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
K L Toms | S Foulis |
|---|---|---|
| Katherine Lindsay Toms | Sarah Foulis | |
Chair |
Committee Member | |
| 29 September 2025 | ||
| 29 September 2025 |
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Charity Name No (if any) ERMINGTON PRE-SCHOOL UNIT 1034037 ~~eeee~~ Receipts and payments accounts
For the period Period start date Period end date from 01/09/2023 To 31/08/2024
~~a~~ Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds funds funds funds to the nearest to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ £
A1 Receipts
Funding 61,838 Fee 31,284 Fundraising 1,396 Interest 596
61,838 - - 31,284
1,396
596
Other Income 51
51
-
-
95,165 - - 95,165
Sub total (Gross income for
AR) 95,165
A2 Asset and investment sales, - - - (see table). - - - - - - ~~——~~
Sub total
11
95,165 - - 95,165
Total receipts
A3 Payments
| Wages and Salary | 105,022 |
- | - | 105,022 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tools and Equipment | 352 |
- | - | 352 |
|||
| Food and Subsistence | 1,738 |
- | - | 1,738 |
|||
| Telephone and Internet | 2,426 |
- | - | 2,426 |
|||
| Uniform expenses | 753 |
- | - | 753 |
|||
| Rent | 5,832 |
- | - | 5,832 |
|||
| Repair and Renewals | 1,509 |
- | - | 1,509 |
|||
| Advertising | 174 |
- | - | 174 |
| IT cost | 863 |
- | - | 863 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal expenses | 102 |
- | - | 102 |
|||
| Subscription | 1,913 |
- | - | 1,913 |
|||
| Travel and Subsistence | 126 |
- | - | 126 |
|||
| Staff expenses | 518 |
- | - | 518 |
|||
| Consultancy | 799 |
- | - | 799 |
|||
| Other expenses | 2,429 |
- | - | 2,429 |
|||
| Sub total | 124,555 |
- | - | 124,555 |
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
- - - |
- - - |
- | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | - |
12
- Sub total -
Total payments
124,555 - - 124,555
Net of receipts/(payments)
| 29,390 | - | - 29,390 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||||
| - | - | - | |||
| 75,748 | |||||
| - | - | 75,748 |
|||
| 46,357 | - | 46,357 |
|||
| - | |||||
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories
Unrestricted Restricted Details funds funds to nearest £ to nearest £
B1 Cash funds
13
Current Account 4,735 - Reserve Account 41,623 - - - - 46,357 account(s)) OK OK Unrestricted Restricted funds funds
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
Details
~~-~~ to nearest £ ~~-~~ to nearest £ B2 Other monetary assets - -
-
-
Details
B3 Investment assets
14
Details
B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use
-
Details B5 Liabilities
-
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees Signature
-
Fund to which asset Cost (optional) belongs
Fund to Cost (optional)
which asset belongs
Fund to which liability relates
15
Print Name
| e | |
|---|---|
| Sarah Foulis |
|
16
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Ermington Pre-school members of
On accounts for the year ended
Set out on pages
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
31[st] August 2024 Charity no 1034037 (if any) 14-17 (remember to include the pagenumbers of additional sheets)
14-17
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 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”)
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
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
-
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.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
Independent examiner's statement
-
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
-
have not been met; or
-
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
IER
1
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
M.Tuffaha ~~7)~~
Date: 22/10/2025
Signed:
Name: M.H Tuffaha AFA
Relevant professional IFA qualification(s) or body ~~Be~~
(if any):
Address: Sterling Gate Accountants 3rd Floor 86-90 Paul Street London EC2A 4NE
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.)
IER
2
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
IER
3