First Steps Pre-School AGM
Thursday November 27[th] 2025
Trustees Report
Overview of the Year
This past year has been an incredibly positive and productive one for our setting. We’ve had many successful fundraising activities with each event not only raising vital funds but also bringing our families, children, staff, and committee members together. We began the year with our Obstacle Course in October, an energetic and exciting event that proved to be a highlight for the children. It was not only fun-filled but it was also a tremendous fundraising success, generating an impressive contribution towards enhancing our provision.
Our Christmas Raffle and Festive Photograph sales once again lived up to their reputation as popular seasonal favourites. Families engaged enthusiastically, and the support received during this busy period helped boost our fundraising total significantly.
In the spring term, we hosted a Family Fun Easter-Themed Bingo Night, which brought together families, staff, and committee members for an enjoyable evening of games with chocolate-themed prizes. The event created a warm and lively atmosphere and provided another excellent fundraising outcome.
In February we held our Quiz Night. Finally, we rounded off the year with our muchloved Summer Fair, a fantastic celebration that offered fun activities, community spirit, and an important final fundraising boost before the end of the year.
Fundraising is essential to our setting, and the benefits to the children are widereaching. The money raised directly supports resources, experiences, and
improvements that enhance the learning environment and enrich the daily experiences of every child who attends.
We extend a huge thank you to our dedicated fundraising committee members, who give their time, energy, and support to make these events possible. Their commitment is invaluable, and without their hard work, we would not have been able to raise the vital funds that make such a difference to our setting.
Key Achievements
This year has been marked by several important achievements that have strengthened our provision and contributed to the ongoing development and success of the children in our care.
-
Enhancing Our Provision Through Fundraising Thanks to the outstanding fundraising efforts throughout the year, we have been able to significantly enhance key areas of our provision. These improvements have directly supported the children’s development, giving them access to richer learning environments, new resources, and opportunities that encourage curiosity, independence, and confidence.
-
Implementation of Our New Curriculum
-
A major milestone this year was the implementation of our new curriculum. The
staff team has worked exceptionally hard to design and develop this curriculum, ensuring it reflects the needs of our children and the values of our setting. Since its introduction, it has created a wealth of meaningful learning experiences and has enabled each child to shine, grow, and achieve in ways that are unique to them.
-
A Dedicated and Skilled Staff Team
-
Our staff team continues to be one of our greatest strengths. Their commitment, professionalism, and passion for early education have been central to the success of the setting. They work tirelessly to create engaging, nurturing, and enriching experiences for the children, and their dedication is evident in the progress and happiness of the children throughout the year.
-
Following the Little Wandle Programme
-
This year, we have continued to follow the Little Wandle phonics programme, and we have been delighted to see a noticeable improvement in the children's awareness of the sounds within words. This growing phonemic understanding lays a strong foundation for early reading and will have a direct, positive impact on their future literacy success.
Events
This year has been filled with a variety of wonderful events that have enriched the children’s experiences and strengthened our sense of community. Our annual Nativity, held at the community centre, was once again a great success and a cherished highlight for families. We were delighted to welcome the Living Eggs programme back into the setting—funded through our fundraising efforts—which allowed the children to experience the joy and fascination of watching chicks hatch and grow over a fortnight. In May, our Rising Five children began their transition-to-school activities, including visits from local school staff and attending stay-and-play sessions within their new EYFS settings. Throughout the year, we also held parents’ evenings to share children’s progress and continued to welcome prospective families during our summer term open days, offering them the opportunity to explore the setting and meet the staff. We concluded the year with a special treat for our Rising Five children—a summer party on our field. The children enjoyed one final day of play with their friends, joining in games, dancing, and interacting with small farm animals. Parents attended alongside their children and commented on how wonderful the day had been—a huge success and a well-deserved celebration for our school leavers.
Staff Updates
This year has brought several significant staffing changes, each shaping the development and direction of our team.
In January, an increase in the number of children attending the setting provided us with the opportunity to welcome a new Level 3 practitioner. Jayne Magin was successfully appointed and settled into the team remarkably quickly, becoming a valued member almost immediately. Sadly, due to unexpected changes in her personal family circumstances, Jayne had to leave us at the end of the term. Her departure was felt by all, and we chose to delay recruiting a replacement until later in the year. At the end of the summer term, we experienced another important change when Rebecca Moffat, our Deputy Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead, left her role
to support her husband’s business. Rebecca’s departure was a significant loss to the setting, and her absence was strongly felt by both staff and parents.
Following this, Gemma Broadhead was appointed as our new Deputy Manager and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. In addition, Rose Davies is to begin training to become our new Deputy SENCO, further strengthening our capacity to support children with additional needs.
The committee also appointed a Level 3 practitioner, Cody, who joined us in September. Cody has quickly become an invaluable part of the team. The children adore her warm and engaging presence, and staff consistently comment on her hard work, positive attitude, and strong commitment to teamwork.
We are still in the process of adding Zoe Hawken to our management committee and are very much looking forward to working with her. We hope the paperwork will soon be approved.
The hard work and advice from our current volunteer management committee is much appreciated and their support plays a crucial part in the overall running of the group. This meeting tonight aims to highlight the work done over the past year and encourage others to become involved and help lead the group forwards.
Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to the entire staff team on behalf of both myself and the management committee. They are supportive, dedicated, and exceptionally hardworking. First Steps would not be the wonderful place it is without their ongoing commitment, care, and professionalism.
FIRST STEPS PRE-SCHOOL
INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| INCOME Fees Funding Other EXPENSES Rent Wages and NIC Insurance & Licences Cleaning Stationery, Paper & Paints Provisions Rates and Water Electricity Telephone, Internet & Website General Expenses incl. vouchers Training General Repairs and Renewals Outdoor Painting Accountancy Fees Professional Fees Equipment Teachers 2 Parents Fruit / Food Hire of Equipment Bank Charges Transfer to fundraising account Depreciation of Computer Equipment |
£ £ 22,212 147,000 468 169,679 5,288 141,234 2,278 359 476 594 1,443 2,639 1,819 1,474 - 159 2,800 300 - 2,132 211 771 239 62 573 212 2025 |
£ £ 23,538 161,004 838 185,380 5,272 146,751 1,475 481 563 506 1,348 8,862 1,470 2,108 209 671 - 276 50 1,952 200 769 720 63 595 212 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE | 165,066 4,613 |
174,553 |
|---|---|---|
| 10,827 |
FIRST STEPS PRE-SCHOOL
FUNDRAISING AND EVENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| INCOME Sponsored Obstacle Tonie Squares Xmas Photgraphs Christmas Fayre/Nativity Venesta Refund Bingo Other Bags to School Quiz night Transfer Teatowels Donations Summer fair EXPENDITURE Lottery Licence Wet Sand Box Toys Living Eggs Raffle Supplies Music Charges Maintenance Books Teatowels Kitchen fitting Field Expenses Other Equipment Farm Visit New maths area Gift Depreciation of shed & lawnmower Event payments EXCESS OF EXPENDITURE OVER INCOME |
£ 959 231 603 472 - - - - - 302 4 - 200 1,431 20 545 30 294 37 695 - 79 210 114 - - 1,193 72 2,123 - 179 50 230 830 2025 |
£ 4,202 6,701 2,499 - |
£ £ 1,153 - - - 1,131 515 383 190 30 341 575 1,686 931 6,933 20 - 300 294 75 738 131 85 - 69 270 600 1,990 144 250 619 - 230 298 6,112 822 2024 |
£ £ 1,153 - - - 1,131 515 383 190 30 341 575 1,686 931 6,933 20 - 300 294 75 738 131 85 - 69 270 600 1,990 144 250 619 - 230 298 6,112 822 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 822 |
FIRST STEPS PRE-SCHOOL
SUMMARY OF ASSETS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| BALANCES AS AT 1 SEPTEMBER 2024 Bank Current Account Fundraising Account Cash in Hand - General - Fundraising Lawnmower Improvements to Property Computer Equipment Excess of Income over Expenditure General Expenses Fundraising and Events BALANCES AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025 Bank Current Account Fundraising Account Cash in Hand - General Lawmower Improvements to Property Shed Computer Equipment |
£ 4,613 2,499 - 2025 |
£ 57,891 6,184 46 64,121 270 8,436 425 73,252 2,114 75,366 62,432 3,915 331 66,677 180 7,176 1,120 212 75,366 |
£ £ 47,512 6,892 23 - 54,427 7,176 - 61,603 10,827 822 11,649 73,252 57,891 6,184 46 64,121 270 7,176 1,260 425 73,252 2024 |
£ £ 47,512 6,892 23 - 54,427 7,176 - 61,603 10,827 822 11,649 73,252 57,891 6,184 46 64,121 270 7,176 1,260 425 73,252 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54,427 7,176 - |
||||
| 61,603 11,649 |
||||
| 73,252 | ||||
| 57,891 6,184 46 |
||||
| 64,121 270 7,176 1,260 425 |
||||
| 73,252 |
These accounts have been prepared from the books and records presented to us by First Steps Pre-School.
Jackson Robson Licence Chartered Accountants Date:
Report of the Independent Examiners of First Steps Pre-School Driffield
We report on the accounts of First Steps Pre-School Driffield for the year ended 31st August 2025.
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(2) of the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed.
It is our responsibility to:
(a) examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011;
(b) follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission ( under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011) and
- (c) state whether any particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of the independent examiner's report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given 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 you as 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 examiner's statement Year Ended 31st August 2025
In the course of our examination no matter has come to our attention:
- (1) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that:
(a) proper accounting records are kept ( in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011 ); and
(b) accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 2011; or
(2) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed by: Jackson Robson Licence
Chartered Accountants
33-35 Exchange Street Driffield YO25 6LL
on 25th November 2025.
1