Trustees' Annual Report for the period
From
Period start date Period end date 01 09 2023 31 08
31 08 2024
To
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name
Willaston Pre-school
Other names charity is known by Formerly Willaston Playgroup
| Registered charity number (if any) 1035488 Charity's principal address St John’s Methodist Church Hall Wybunbury Road Willaston, Nantwich, Cheshire Postcode CW5 7JF ~~ee~~ |
Registered charity number (if any) 1035488 Charity's principal address St John’s Methodist Church Hall Wybunbury Road Willaston, Nantwich, Cheshire Postcode CW5 7JF ~~ee~~ |
Registered charity number (if any) 1035488 Charity's principal address St John’s Methodist Church Hall Wybunbury Road Willaston, Nantwich, Cheshire Postcode CW5 7JF ~~ee~~ |
Registered charity number (if any) 1035488 Charity's principal address St John’s Methodist Church Hall Wybunbury Road Willaston, Nantwich, Cheshire Postcode CW5 7JF ~~ee~~ |
Registered charity number (if any) 1035488 Charity's principal address St John’s Methodist Church Hall Wybunbury Road Willaston, Nantwich, Cheshire Postcode CW5 7JF ~~ee~~ |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity | |||||
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
||
| 1 | Christine Taylor | Chair | |||
| 2 | Ruth Chesters | Treasurer | |||
| 3 | Alexis Hesketh | Secretary | From 7 December 2023 | ||
| 4 | Rachel Bridgett | Vice-Chair | From 7 December 2023 | ||
| 5 | Abigail Bevan | From 16 January2025 | |||
| 6 | Jacqueline Piaf | ||||
| 7 | Duncan Bevan | From 16 January2025 | |||
| 8 | Kathryn Varo | Until 7 December 2023 | |||
| 9 | Catherine Scales | Until 7 December 2023 | |||
| 10 | Evelina Kettle | Until 28 September 2023 | |||
| 11 | |||||
| 12 | |||||
| 13 | |||||
| 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees) ~~=== ===~~ |
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| Name | Dates acted if not for whole year |
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Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address
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Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document
Constitution
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
How the charity is constituted
Trust
- (eg. trust, association, company)
Elected by parents of children at the Pre-school at Annual General Trustee selection methods Meeting
(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 enhance the development and education of children primarily under statutory school age by encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups and by:
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
- a) offering appropriate play, education and care facilities, family learning and extended hours groups, together with the right of parents to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of such groups, ensuring that such groups offer opportunities for all children whatever their race, culture, religion, means of ability;
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b) encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs in the local areas;
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c) instigating and adhering to and furthering the aims and objects of the Early Years Learning Alliance.
Willaston Pre-school offers education and care for children below school age and over the age of 2 with:
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A specially tailored curriculum leading to the early goals
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Individual care and attention made possible by a high ratio of adults to children
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The support of a personal key worker
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Opportunities for the child and their family to be directly involved, in the activities of the group and their own child’s progress.
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)
The Pre-school is registered with the local Children and Families Service which supports the aim of providing education and care of high quality throughout the Foundation Stage. It is open during term time on Monday to Friday offering full day care from 7.30am–5.30pm with the option of full days or sessional care. All morning and afternoon sessions are planned to ensure that they provide the children with access to the seven areas of learning as defined by the Early Years Foundation Stage.
The management and control of the Pre-school is the responsibility of the individual members of the Pre-school’s management committee. The Committee members are also the charity trustees of the Pre-school. New Committee members (trustees) are elected as needed at the Annual General Meeting; advice is sought from the Early Years Learning Alliance when needed to clarify the role of the trustees or for more general information.
The trustees annually review the risks that the charity faces. To date these risks relate to the Covid-19 pandemic, employment of staff, and the provision of childcare; these risks are minimised by observing government guidance, robust policies and procedures and the provision of adequate insurance. The trustees have had regard to the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission and are working to ensure the pre-school continues to meet the aim of advancing education for the public benefit. We ensure that fees are set so as to enable the pre-school to just cover our costs over a 3-year period.
The trustees operate the pre-school in line with the Pre-school Learning Alliance Model Pre-school Constitution 2011 version. The trustees intend to continue to review the level of service provision and all policies and procedures will be reviewed and updated as necessary annually.
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
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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 achievements of the charity during the year
During this financial period the pre-school has been able to offer the opportunity of development and education for over 40 children under statutory school age who live in the Willaston area, including Nantwich and Crewe. We have offered appropriate education and care facilities and encouraged parents to become involved with the Pre-school. We have expanded our offering to home-cooked hot lunches.
We have also often taken the children offsite, including a visit to the library on the bus, visits to local shops and restaurants, visits to a local care home and Willaston Hall– all of which helps our children with understanding the world.
We have recruited more staff, including 2 apprentices, to ensure appropriate learning is able to take place whatever the level of need and to keep all children safe. We have accessed SEN funding where possible.
Fundraising has resumed with very generous donations from parents.
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Section E Financial review
Sufficient reserves are retained in order to fund redundancies and similar Brief statement of the costs in the event of closure. Further, a training reserve and repairs charity’s policy on reserves reserve are maintained in order to smooth out infrequent but expensive costs.
Details of any funds materially in deficit
None
Further financial review details (Optional information)
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
Signature(s) Chris Taylor
Full name(s) Chris Taylor
Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Chair etc)
Date 6 June 2025
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Willaston Pre-school
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
Willaston Pre-school
PROFIT AND LOSS FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME | ||
| Sessional and extra hours fees | 22,640.91 | 27,127.68 |
| Enrichment activities | 1,500.50 | 1,488.00 |
| Lunch club | 3,062.56 | 4,188.33 |
| Hot lunches | 3,435.00 | 3,832.00 |
| Snack fee | 3,094.33 | 2,727.23 |
| Cheshire East free funding entitlement | 112,648.06 | 82,533.94 |
| SEND funding | 25,107.90 | 21,708.00 |
| Early Years Premium | 1,380.60 | 691.20 |
| ___ | ___ | |
| 172,869.86 | 144,296.38 | |
| Fundraising and donations | 646.63 | 3,409.03 |
| Milk | 548.47 | 1,002.63 |
| Sweatshirts | 89.00 | 73.40 |
| Interest | 231.68 | 84.87 |
| Books | - | 11.25 |
| __ | __ | |
| 174,385.64 | 148,877.56 | |
| __ | __ | |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Wages | 131,272.15 | 115,742.25 |
| Pension contributions | 6,278.83 | 5,599.88 |
| Rent | 12,990.70 | 12,135.00 |
| Toys and equipment | 423.08 | 170.84 |
| Early Years Premium spend | 402.15 | 951.97 |
| Milk | 901.14 | 1,002.63 |
| Children’s snacks, hot lunches and consumables | 3,427.40 | 5,289.79 |
| Enrichment activities | 82.56 | 96.07 |
| Training and course fees | 248.80 | 798.80 |
| Registration fees | 492.00 | 330.00 |
| Insurance and EYA | 719.33 | 781.38 |
| Advertising | 911.56 | 450.00 |
| Postage and stationery | 389.94 | 177.94 |
| Telephone and broadband | 684.81 | 568.71 |
| Outdoor project | - | 2,450.17 |
| Repairs and renewals | 1,160.44 | 1,039.77 |
| Staff uniforms | - | 45.13 |
| Sweatshirts to resell | 184.17 | 129.42 |
| Accountancy | 314.85 | 293.60 |
| DBS checks | 202.00 | 156.00 |
| Miscellaneous | 452.59 | 709.69 |
| __ | ____ | |
| _ | ||
| 161,538.50 | 148,919.04 | |
| __ | ||
| (DEFICIT)/SURPLUS | 12,847.14 | (41.48) |
Willaston Pre-school
BALANCE SHEET AT 31[ST] AUGUST 2024
| £ BANK AND CASH Current account Savings accounts Cash in hand RESERVES Restricted reserves Redundancy reserve Repairs and renewals reserve Contingency reserve Training reserve Unrestricted reserves Opening balance 9,969.04 Surplus/(Deficit) 12,847.14 Transfer (to)/from repairs and renewals reserve - Transfer (to)/from redundancy reserve (279.70) |
2024 £ 26,624.96 22,350.81 14.72 _ 48,990.49 22,454.01 750.00 1,500.00 1,750.00 _ 26,454.01 22,536.48 __ 48,990.49 |
2023 £ 20,967.09 15,119.13 25.11 __ 36,111.33 |
|---|---|---|
| 22,174.31 750.00 1,500.00 1,750.00 _ 26,174.31 12,659.73 (41.48) (500.00) (2,181.23) _ 36,111.33 |
NOTE When taking into account funded places actually relating to this year, the real surplus is £4,983.98, created by good occupancy, increased capacity, controlled costs and most of all the dedication of our staff.
| £ Surplus as above 12,847.14 Funded places relating to y/e 31 Aug 2024 received in Aug 2023 15,278.59 Funded places relating to y/e 31 Aug 2025 received in Aug 2024 (22,163.30) EYPP brought forward (21.56) EYPP carried forward (1,000,01) __ Surplus 4,983.98 |
£ Surplus as above 12,847.14 Funded places relating to y/e 31 Aug 2024 received in Aug 2023 15,278.59 Funded places relating to y/e 31 Aug 2025 received in Aug 2024 (22,163.30) EYPP brought forward (21.56) EYPP carried forward (1,000,01) __ Surplus 4,983.98 |
£ Surplus as above 12,847.14 Funded places relating to y/e 31 Aug 2024 received in Aug 2023 15,278.59 Funded places relating to y/e 31 Aug 2025 received in Aug 2024 (22,163.30) EYPP brought forward (21.56) EYPP carried forward (1,000,01) __ Surplus 4,983.98 |
|---|---|---|
| _ | _ 4,983.98 |
Accounts independently examined by N A Hooper, MAAT, 15 February 2025
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Willaston Pre-school members of
On accounts for the year 31[st] August 2024 Charity no 1035488 ended (if any)
Set out on pages
2
2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
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”) 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.
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.
Signed: Nicola Hooper
Date: 15/02/2025
1
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.)
2
IER
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
3
IER