| Charity name | Beckington Pre-school |
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| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1035832 |
| Charity’s principal address | Beckington Memorial Hall Bath Road Beckington BA11 6SH |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emma Milton | Treasurer | Fullyear | ||
| Ian Morris | Chair | To 25/06/2024 | ||
| Suzanne Chillman | Chair | From 25/06/2024 | ||
Structure, Governance and Management
| Type of governing document | Pre-school Constitution from the Learning Alliance Model dated 2011. |
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| How is the charity constituted? |
The charity is unincorporated |
| 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 |
As per the constitution holding trustees will hold office until; a) Death; or b) Retirement with the consent of the remaining holding trustees; or c) Removal by a resolution of the Committee; or d) Removal by operation of the law But no retirement or removal shall be effective unless there will be at least two remaining holding trustees. |
| You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about: • policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees; • the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works; • relationship with any related parties; • trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. |
The current policies and procedures are available on the website https://www.beckingtonpre-school.co.uk/about ; Also listed below. • 01 – Health and safety policy January 2024 • 01.03 – Kitchen January 2024 • 01.04 – Children’s bathrooms changing areas November 2024 • 01.06 – Short trips outing and excursions January 2024 • 01.07 – Outdoors January 2024 • 01.09 – Maintenance and repairs January 2024 • 01.11 Staff personal safety January 2024 • 01.12 Threats and abuse towards staff and volunteers January 2024 • 01.13 – Entrances and approach to the building January 2024 • 01.14 – Control of substances Hazardous to Healthy January 2024 • 01.15 – Manual Handling January 2024 • 01.16 – Festival (and other) decorations January 2024 • 01.17 – Jewellery and hair accessories January 2024 • 02 – Fire safety policy January 2024 • 02.01 - Fire safety January 2024 • 02.01a - Fire safety risk assessment form January 2024 • 03 – Food safety and nutrition policy January 2024 • 03.01 Food preparation, storage and purchase January 2024 • 03.02 – Food for play and cooking activities November 2024 • 04 - Health policy January 2024 • 04.01- Accidents and emergency treatment January 2024 • 04.02a – Health care plan January 2024 • 04.03 – Life-saving medication and invasive treatments January 2024 • 04.04 – Allergies and food intolerance January 2024 • 04.05 – Poorly children January 2024 • 04.05a – Infection control January 2024 • 05 – Promoting inclusion, equality and valuing diversity policy January 2024 • 05.01 - Promoting inclusion, equality and valuing diversity January 2024 • 06 – Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults policy January 2024 • 06.01 – Responding to safeguarding or child protection concerns January 2024 • 06.01a – Child welfare and protection summary January 2024 • 06.01b – Safeguarding incident reporting form January 202406.01c – Confidential safeguarding incident report form January2024 |
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| • 06.03 – Visitor or intruder on the premises January 2024 • 06.05 – Missing child January 2024 • 06.07 – Death of a child on site January 2024 • 06.08 – Looked after children January 2024 • 06.08a Care plan for looked after children form January 2024 • 06.10 – Key person supervision January 2024 • 07 – Record keeping policy January 2024 • 07.01a – Privacy Notice January 2024 • 07.02 – Confidentiality, recording and sharing information January 2024 • 07.04 – Transfer of records January 2024 • 08.01 – Staff deployment January 2024 • 08.03 Student placement January 2024 • 09 – Early Years practice policy January 2024 • 09.01 – Waiting list and admissions January 2024 • 09.01a – About our childcare and early education January 2024 • 09.01b - Application to join January 2024 • 09.01d - Childcare and early education terms and conditions January 2024 • 09.03 – Prime times The role of the key person January 2024 • 09.05 – Establishing children’s starting points January 2024 • 09,06 – Prime times Arrivals and departures January 2024 • 09.09 – Prime times Intimate care and nappy changing November 2024 • 09.13 – Identification, assessment and support for children with SEND January 2024 • 09.13a - SEN Support initial record of concern form January 2024 • 09.13b – SEN Support action plan January 2024 • 09.14 – Prime times Transition to school January 2024 • 10.01 – Working in partnership with parents and other agencies January 2024 • 10.09 – Complaints procedure for parents and service users January 2024 • Access audit form January 2024 • Anti Bullying policy November 2024 • Behaviour management policy November 2024 All trustees give their time as volunteers and receive no remuneration. |
• 06.03 – Visitor or intruder on the premises January 2024 • 06.05 – Missing child January 2024 • 06.07 – Death of a child on site January 2024 • 06.08 – Looked after children January 2024 • 06.08a Care plan for looked after children form January 2024 • 06.10 – Key person supervision January 2024 • 07 – Record keeping policy January 2024 • 07.01a – Privacy Notice January 2024 • 07.02 – Confidentiality, recording and sharing information January 2024 • 07.04 – Transfer of records January 2024 • 08.01 – Staff deployment January 2024 • 08.03 Student placement January 2024 • 09 – Early Years practice policy January 2024 • 09.01 – Waiting list and admissions January 2024 • 09.01a – About our childcare and early education January 2024 • 09.01b - Application to join January 2024 • 09.01d - Childcare and early education terms and conditions January 2024 • 09.03 – Prime times The role of the key person January 2024 • 09.05 – Establishing children’s starting points January 2024 • 09,06 – Prime times Arrivals and departures January 2024 • 09.09 – Prime times Intimate care and nappy changing November 2024 • 09.13 – Identification, assessment and support for children with SEND January 2024 • 09.13a - SEN Support initial record of concern form January 2024 • 09.13b – SEN Support action plan January 2024 • 09.14 – Prime times Transition to school January 2024 • 10.01 – Working in partnership with parents and other agencies January 2024 • 10.09 – Complaints procedure for parents and service users January 2024 • Access audit form January 2024 • Anti Bullying policy November 2024 • Behaviour management policy November 2024 All trustees give their time as volunteers and receive no remuneration. |
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Objectives and Activities
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
The aims of the Pre-school are 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; 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 or ability; 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; c) instigating and adhering to and furthering the aims and objects of the Pre-school Leaning Alliance. |
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| 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. |
Beckington Pre-school have been serving the village and surrounding area for nearly 30 years. Sessions are carefully structured to offer a tailored curriculum leading to approved learning goals. We also believe in making the most of each day, so we often enjoy what the weather brings, be it sunshine or snow. Individual care and attention is made possible by a high ratio of adults to children, helping to increase the children’s ability to concentrate on each new discovery. There are opportunities for you and your family to be directly involved in the activities of the group and in your own child’s progress. Our main aim is for your child to learn happily through play, ensuring individual attention to the needs and development of each child. • To provide a happy, stimulating and safe environment for your child • To enable your child to learn through play • To help develop your child’s social skills • To follow the Pre-School Curriculum We offer a wide range of activities, which include: • Books, jigsaw puzzles, construction toys and computer work • Painting, drawing in a variety of mediums, cutting, gluing • Playdough, sand and water play • Role play, physical play and manipulative play |
In the warmer months the staff take some of the indoor sessions outside where children can enjoy learning in the fresh air whilst seated on rugs. We also go out and about around the village on walks to explore our local environment, which the children love. These adventures occur all year round.
Our overall aim at Beckington Pre-School is to provide a happy, calm and stimulating setting that provides a successful teaching and learning environment. This promotes the children’s healthy development.
We follow the Pre-School Curriculum where there are 7 areas of learning and development that shape educational programmes in early year's setting. All areas of learning and development are important and inter-connected. 3 of these areas are particularly crucial for igniting children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive.
The 3 Prime areas are:
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Communication and Language.
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Physical Development.
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Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
The 4 Specific areas are:
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Literacy.
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Mathematics.
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Understanding the World.
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Expressive Arts and Design.
The specific areas include essential skills and knowledge. They grow out of the Prime areas and provide important contexts of learning.
With the planning every term at Pre-School we try to incorporate all areas of learning especially concentrating on the Prime areas.
When you visit us it will appear obvious that the children spend a great deal of time playing. Play has a serious purpose for each child – it is his or her main learning tool. Play offers the child a means of exploring and understanding the world – the way it works, the people in it and his/her place in it.
We welcome the interest and support of parents in all aspects of Pre-School. We try to keep parents and carers well informed about what the children are doing. Because our Pre-School is small, we find it easy to keep in regular contact with parents and carers and the staff are happy to have a quick word at the beginning or end of
| the day or an appointment can be made with the Pre-School Leader. At the beginning of every half-term the children bring home a Pre- School Newsletter informing parents/carers of events and activities that are happening. This Newsletter is also available in the news and events section. On the Newsletter you will find the sound of the week. Please encourage your child to bring in an object that starts with this sound. Each child is designated a key person who has particular responsibility for that child and keeps records of all areas of their development, achievements and progress. These records are used to produce an annual report for parents. The pre-school accepted the early years entitlement grant from Somerset council including extended 30 hours grant for eligible parents. The funding can be used for all sessions with no restrictions. Each family have the right to one vote at general meetings of the preschool to which they are invited and to join the committee. |
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| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
During 2023-2024 the trustees were committed to providing a service and during the year we did all voluntarily to improve the service. At the start of the year the Pre-school were situated in Beckington Baptist church as they had done for over 20 years. It was known that the church itself was closing however arrangements were being made with the Baptist union to remain on site after closure of the church with a new lease agreement. Following a survey by the Baptist Union it was declared in December 2023 that they would not be able to honour a lease in light of issues with the building. The trustees had to find new accommodation over the Christmas period but had to make preparations for an emergency closure if new premises couldn’t be found which was communicated to all parents. However the trustees were able to sort with the Memorial Hall a rolling rental, this was all arranged over the New Year and committee, trustees and parents moved the Pre-school before the term started in January and so ensuring the continuity of the setting. All the children responded really well to the new premises and grateful for a warm inviting space. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about: • policy on grantmaking; • policy programme related investment; • contribution made by volunteers. |
Beckington Pre-school rely heavily on volunteers to support the setting. All committee members and trustees are volunteers with no remuneration for their service. |
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Achievements and Performance
| 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. |
In January 2024 the Pre-school formally employed a deputy manager to further strengthen the team within the setting, this was a known staff member to the children. In May 2024 a member of staff started their apprenticeship Level 3 qualification to be able to support the setting and develop their skills for the future. The manager completed their SENCO qualification enabling SEND children to attend and also support transition and work with the local school for continuation for children. The setting link heavily with the first school in the village where the majority of school leavers attend, the manager attends transition meetings to ensure a smooth transition for those children. |
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Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
For the year 23/24 the income of the charity consisted of; Early years grant funding £47,305 Parent fees £7,960 Interest received £796 Fundraising £215 The expenditures of the charity were; Staff costs (wages, PAYE, Payroll costs, training £46,287 Premises costs £8,219 Contracts (printer, internet) £1,869 Resources and consumables £1,022 Insurance and Ofsted £902 Other (bank charges, website) £466 |
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| In year deficit of (£2,489) this was recognised and attributed to costs of moving premises and new furniture which were agreed to be paid for from reserves. |
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| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
The agreed reserves policy on record is dated January 2007. The reserves policy states that in line with guidance an agreed amount of £2,500 is to be held in reserves and that this is sufficient for one months running costs. No newer policy is on record and it is noted that the amount given in this policy is no longer fit for purpose with monthly running costs currently being around £5,000 and there is no noted provision for closing costs to include redundancy. |
| Amount of reserves held | At the end of 23/24 the reserves held were £32,586 |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Since the period end number on roll has further reduced and therefore the charity during 24/25 have used a significant amount of reserves on running costs. In consultation with Somerset Council and expected birth rates to lessen for the next two years (2025/26 and 2026/27) a planned closure of the setting is now underway for July 2025. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
The charities funding is from the early years grant scheme and parent fees. Fundraising is minimal as this cannot be used for staffing only resources. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Reserves were held in a deposit account with no funds invested. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
There are significant risks to the charity with rising staff costs and running costs with no increase in early years funding to bridge the gap. 2024/25 was predicted to be a deficit with review to take place in 2025. This has taken place and with two further low birth rate years expected the charity can no longer cover the running costs with the Early Years grant and fees. |
Other optional information
June 2025 Statement of Closure
Over the last few years the pre-school has gone through quite a few tribulations from manager resignation, trustees stepping down, premises closure, all of which we have been able to overcome through the determination of the staff, new manager, trustees and committee. Unfortunately this current year (24/25) has seen the lowest number on roll that we have on record (the setting has been open around 30 years) which has seen the charity reserves be depleted to cover running costs.
After receiving communication from Somerset with the birth rates showing the low numbers are expected to continue for a further two academic years unfortunately we don't have the reserves to cover the in year deficits for two further years.
The setting can comfortably accommodate up to 16 children in the space and currently have 11 on roll and the confirmed number for September 2025 is just 8. The income this generates from early years funding and parent fees does not cover even the staffing - we only schedule 2 staff daily with no option to reduce due to safeguarding and the other main expenses is the subsidised rent. Every other expense that is not critical has been stripped out of our planning however we are forecasting going overdrawn within the next year.
The trustees in the last few months have had conversations with Somerset who as we know are in the spotlight for finance and are not able to take the setting on, and advised that other settings would not with the forecasted numbers. We also revisited past conversations with Beckington First School whom are now part of Bath and Wells Multi Academy trust who also were not in a position to take on a setting with a forecast deficit. As a last resort we held an open morning to try to get more interest and 2 children attended who form part of the 8 confirmed for September. The staff and committee met in May (note that only one current parent is on the volunteer committee as all others declined) and discussed all of these options along with various scenarios I had costed out from reducing the days of opening, extending hours, lowering the age range, none of which covered the deficit for the next year.
We discussed fundraising as the only other option but this is a huge effort for such a small setting and small committee and we would need to guarantee that we could raise an additional £10k next year and around £16k the year after.
As trustees we have to run the charity in a responsible way and to stay open and rely on fundraising to cover the financial shortfall is incredibly risky and honestly not a responsible way to run the setting. If it failed we would close in an emergency measure with no warning to parents and as trustees we have personal liability so potentially myself and Suzanne would need to find thousands of pounds to cover the closing costs.
We had a frank conversation with Somerset who confirmed the figures and their advice was to do a planned closure, give the parents notice to find a new setting for September as many are advertising space and they would be able to support closure through the sustainability grant but this is not guaranteed in the future so potentially would not be able to help if we remained open. We held an extraordinary general meeting on the 4th June, all parents were invited as they are members and from the members that attended in person and even with those received via email (constitution only calls for present votes to be counted) we had a majority agreement in line with our constitution for closure with all in attendance sharing their sadness and tears at the result. Since this vote and communicating the result to parents we have had no direct objections from parents to the closure or volunteering to take on the trustee ship and pursue any options they feel we haven't tried. All have expressed their sadness to the staff but understood the financial implications.
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) (7 SC Mrs Suzanne Chillman Full name(s) Mrs Emma L Milton ~~a~~ Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Chair Chair, etc) ~~ee ee~~ Date 25/06/2025 ~~Pn~~
Beckington Pre~School End of Year Accounts 2023/24 Tot•1 Re¢elpts F•e5 Ind EYG Autumn Spring Summer Early Years Grant Totsl Fe•$ 2023124 P•ym•nts 2023124 4.359.45 1.369.10 2,231.50 47,305.47 55265.52 Autumn Tenn Spring Temi Summer Term Other Staff Costs Total 14.318.94 10.911.49 20,743.03 all 3 ternis 45973.46 Oth•r R•c•lpts Contrlbutions Fundralslng staff leavln8 donat1¢$ PTrSdH¥oI Runnhry Cort¥ aeaner Rent Premises Food / Snacks Resources / Consumables Prlnter/Coplvr Phone & Broadband ConlraLI Totsl 1066.60 4.817.¢XI 384.40 678.25 343.32 595.39 1.274.07 10159.03 214.77 Int#r•5t- H58C Current Account Interest- HSBC Deposlt Actount Interest. Redwood Account Staff leavlng Insurance Otsted Photo Prlntlna Bank Char8e5 Tr•lnln8 Courses Advertlslnyjmarketlng Newlreplacement equlpment Webslte Costs Totsl Oth•r P 428.26 367.35 866.89 64.39 313.60 59.(Kl 951.45 342.50 2632A3 Totsl Other ft•cel 1010.38 TOTAL INCOME 56275.9 TOTAL PAYMENTS 58765.32 B•knnc• W forwwd Irom 31 A4 2023 Unpresented theques from 2022123 Add Total Recelpts Add Total Pa ents B•l•nc• to tsk• foMrd to irt S 41348.46 56275.9 58765.32 38859.04 •rnb•r 2014 Checked by: 8•l•bK• M•d• Up •J folltr HS8C Currenl Account Less Unpre5ented cheques HSBC Dep05tt Account Redwood 954a Tot•1 6.273.11 Audtted by: 32,585.93 38859.04 OK
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl mombers of cIun8tOA Rc¢- schoo I On accounts for tho yoar ended Charlty no (If any) sII811Lk IOSS831 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charlty (Ihe Trusf) for the year ended Responslbllltles and As the charlty trustees of the Trust, you are responslble for the preparatlon basls of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Twst's accounts carried out under sedion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by tha Charlty Commlsslon under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confim thal no materlal matters have come to my attention (other than that dlsdosed below ") In connectlon wlth the examination lch gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kepl in accordance with sectlon 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord wrth the accountlng records Independent Oxamlnerfs Statement I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. ' Please delete the words In the brackets If they do not apply. Slgnod: Date: Name: Relevant profosslonal qualmcatlon(s) or body (If any): Address: 11 /4GLY/200JI /4,Q iL&o17 IER October 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: dir8Ctlons and guidanca for examiners). Glve here brlef detalls of any ltsms that the examiner wlshes to dlsclose. IER Octob8r 2018
Beckington Pre~School End of Year Accounts 2023/24 Tot•1 Re¢elpts F•e5 Ind EYG Autumn Spring Summer Early Years Grant Totsl Fe•$ 2023124 P•ym•nts 2023124 4.359.45 1.369.10 2,231.50 47,305.47 55265.52 Autumn Tenn Spring Temi Summer Term Other Staff Costs Total 14.318.94 10.911.49 20,743.03 all 3 ternis 45973.46 Oth•r R•c•lpts Contrlbutions Fundralslng staff leavln8 donat1¢$ PTrSdH¥oI Runnhry Cort¥ aeaner Rent Premises Food / Snacks Resources / Consumables Prlnter/Coplvr Phone & Broadband ConlraLI Totsl 1066.60 4.817.¢XI 384.40 678.25 343.32 595.39 1.274.07 10159.03 214.77 Int#r•5t- H58C Current Account Interest- HSBC Deposlt Actount Interest. Redwood Account Staff leavlng Insurance Otsted Photo Prlntlna Bank Char8e5 Tr•lnln8 Courses Advertlslnyjmarketlng Newlreplacement equlpment Webslte Costs Totsl Oth•r P 428.26 367.35 866.89 64.39 313.60 59.(Kl 951.45 342.50 2632A3 Totsl Other ft•cel 1010.38 TOTAL INCOME 56275.9 TOTAL PAYMENTS 58765.32 B•knnc• W forwwd Irom 31 A4 2023 Unpresented theques from 2022123 Add Total Recelpts Add Total Pa ents B•l•nc• to tsk• foMrd to irt S 41348.46 56275.9 58765.32 38859.04 •rnb•r 2014 Checked by: 8•l•bK• M•d• Up •J folltr HS8C Currenl Account Less Unpre5ented cheques HSBC Dep05tt Account Redwood 954a Tot•1 6.273.11 Audtted by: 32,585.93 38859.04 OK