STEPPING STONES PLAYGROUP The Scout Hut Inmans Lane Sheet Petersfield Hants GU32 2AN
Registered Charity Number: 1035183
## **ANNUAL REPORT**
For the year ending 31 August 2026
The Trustees of Stepping Stones Playgroup present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 August 2026.
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
Stepping Stones Playgroup is a registered charity governed by its constitution adopted on 1 March 2017. The Playgroup is managed by a voluntary committee of Trustees who oversee the strategic direction and financial management of the setting. Day-to-day operations are delegated to the Playgroup Manager and staff team.
The Trustees continue to work closely with staff to ensure the Playgroup provides a safe, stimulating and inclusive environment for all children and families within the local community.
## **Objectives and Activities**
During the year, Stepping Stones Playgroup supported 28 children, providing a nurturing, stimulating and inclusive environment where children were encouraged to learn, develop confidence and build positive relationships through play and exploration
The objectives of Stepping Stones Playgroup are to:
• Provide high quality care and early years education for children below statutory school age.
• Work in partnership with parents and carers to support children’s learning and development.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion within the setting.
- Contribute positively to the wellbeing of the local community.
The Playgroup continues to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework to support children in developing the skills and confidence needed for future learning. Learning through play remains central to our approach, alongside fostering positive relationships with families and the wider community.
## **Achievements and Performance**
This year has been another positive and rewarding year for Stepping Stones Playgroup. The children have benefitted from a wide range of enriching experiences both within the setting and through regular community outings. Visits to the local nursing home, Abby’s Sweet Shop and the library have continued to strengthen children’s understanding of the local community and encourage confidence in social situations.
The children have particularly enjoyed taking part in the weekly nature group, where they have explored the outdoors and developed an appreciation for the natural environment. Our vegetable garden has also been highly successful this year, providing valuable opportunities for children to learn about planting, growth and healthy eating through hands-on experiences.
Fundraising events have continued to play an important role in supporting the Playgroup. Our fundraising duck race and bingo evening were both very successful and well supported by families and the local community. The Trustees would like to thank everyone who contributed their time, donations and enthusiasm towards these events.
We were also delighted to secure additional funding during the year, which will enable the installation of an outdoor canopy area. This development will provide much-needed shade during the summer months and shelter during wet weather, allowing the children to make greater use of the outdoor environment throughout the year.
## **Staff Development**
The Trustees recognise the importance of continued professional development for staff and remain committed to supporting ongoing training opportunities. During the year, staff members continued to complete a range of professional development courses to enhance their skills and knowledge within early years education.
We are particularly pleased that Kim successfully completed Thrive training, further strengthening the Playgroup’s ability to support children’s emotional wellbeing and development.
## **Parent Partnerships**
Strong relationships with parents and carers remain a key strength of the Playgroup. Feedback received through parent questionnaires this year included many positive and encouraging comments regarding the caring environment, dedicated staff team and the range of opportunities provided for children. The Trustees greatly appreciate the continued support and involvement of families within the setting.
## **Financial Review**
Like many early years settings, Stepping Stones Playgroup continues to face financial challenges due to ongoing funding pressures and rising operational costs. As a result, fundraising remains an essential part of maintaining and developing the provision we are able to offer children and families.
The Trustees continue to carefully monitor expenditure and seek additional funding opportunities wherever possible to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Playgroup.
## **Plans for the Future**
Looking ahead, the Trustees and staff team are excited to focus on improving and revitalising the indoor learning environment to further enhance the experiences available to the children. Alongside this, we will continue to invest in staff development, outdoor learning opportunities and community partnerships to ensure Stepping Stones Playgroup remains a welcoming and nurturing environment for all families.
## **Trustees’ Responsibilities**
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf.
## **STEPPING STONES PLAYGROUP**
**STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
**Charity Numbe1035183**
## **STEPPING STONES PLAYGROUP**
## **MANAGEMENT PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
**£ £**
|**INCOME**
Grants from HCC
Fees
Toddler Group
Fundraising Events
Donations
Nursery Events
Photographer
-
**EXPENSES**
Wages & National Insurance
Employer's Pension Contributions
Training
Cost of Therapy Sessions Speech & Language
Staff Uniforms
Cost of fundraising Events
Huggs - Food Voucher Scheme
Rent & Hire of rooms
Repairs & Maintenance
Vegetable garden
Refreshments & Consumables
Outings & Parties
Insurance
Subscriptions
Telephone & Internet
Printing, Postage & Stationery
Advertising & Promotion
Gifts
Crafts & toys
Accountancy
Travel & Entertaining
Legal
Bank Charges
Depreciation
Bad Debt
Bad Debt provision
Sundry Expenses
NET
Bank Interest received
NET of Reciepts /Payments|**2025**
142,164.00
3,066.00
567.00
512.00
146,309.00
(116,252.00)
(1,461.00)
(114.00)
(996.00)
(1,879.00)
(11,145.00)
(104.00)
(274.00)
(1,438.00)
(303.00)
(156.00)
(33.00)
(1,182.00)
(1,363.00)
(257.00)
(10.00)
(864.00)
(276.00)
803.00
(137,304.00)
9,005.00
1,262.00
10,267.00|**2024**
114,271.00
585.00
210.00
1,600.00
116,666.00|
|---|---|---|
|||
(85,149.00)
(1,024.00)
(220.00)
(202.00)
(1,580.00)
(100.00)
(11,145.00)
(165.00)
(23.00)
(419.00)
(152.00)
(348.00)
(172.00)
(195.00)
(806.00)
(1,155.00)
(85.00)
(7.00)
(427.00)
(1,003.00)
(803.00)
(105,180.00)|
|||
11,486.00
437.00
11,923.00|
## **STEPPING STONES PLAYGROUP STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025**
|**Cash Funds**
Bank Account
Deposit Accounts
Fixed Term
**Other Assets**
Fixed Assets
Fees Receivable
Other Debtors
**Liabilities**
Trade Creditors
PAYE
Wages
Accruals
Fees Repayable
Pension creditor
Bad Debt provision
**Net Assets**
**Represented by;**
Reserves B/Fwd - unrestricted
Excess / (deficit) for the year
**Total Cash Funds**
**Total Other Assets**
**Total Liabilities**|**2025**
14,248.00
73,601.00
11,946.00|**2024**
8,902.00
53,181.00
11,800.00|
|---|---|---|
||**99,795.00**|**73,883.00**|
||1,773.00
216.00
949.00
**2,938.00**
451.00
5,696.00
7,160.00
22.00
**13,329.00**
**89,404.00**
79,137.00
10,267.00
**89,404.00**|1,138.00
1,040.00
3,751.00|
|||**5,929.00**|
|||532.00
91.00
52.00|
|||**675.00**|
|||**79,137.00**|
|||67,214.00
11,923.00|
|||**79,137.00**|
**Independent examiner's report on the accounts**
## **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report**
Charity Name STEPPING STONES PLAYGROUP
**Report to the trustees** Charity Name STEPPING STONES PLAYGROUP **On accounts for the year** 31 August 2025 **Charity no** 1035183 **ended (if any) Set out on pages** 1 to 2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/08/2025.
**Responsibilities and** As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the **basis of report** 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 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
- the accounts did 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.
**Signed: Date:** 08/06/2026 **Name:** SHELLEY CLARKE **Relevant professional** AAT **qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:**
1
**Oct 2018**
**IER**
## **Section B Disclosure**
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
**Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** .
2
**Oct 2018**
**IER**