## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period**
**From 1[st] September 2023 Period start date To 31[st] August 2024 Period end date**
## **Charity name: Dodleston Pre-school**
## **Charity registration number: 1035994**
## **Objectives and Activities**
||SORP reference||
|---|---|---|
|Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document|Para 1.17|To provide a safe and welcoming, fully
inclusive environment for all children ages
2–5, with a particular emphasis on risky
play and outdoor-based activities. We aim
to meet the requirements of the Early Years
Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework while
fostering a strong sense of self-belief,
confidence, and independence in each
child, in accordance with their individual
needs. Our objective is to enable children
to become self-motivated and engaged
learners by offering a nourishing and
stimulating setting in which they can grow
and flourish.|
|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|Dodleston Pre-School’s purpose is to
provide an affordable, flexible, and safe
childcare environment, where managed risk
and in-the-moment planning form the
foundation of our practice. We enable
children to make their own choices about
how they spend their time with us, thereby
fostering independence, confidence, and
decision-making skills.
We follow local term dates in order to
enable families using multiple settings to
enjoy holiday periods together, instead of
navigating conflicting attendance
schedules. Our aim is to be as flexible as
possible in our delivery, with no minimum
sessions required, and with
accommodations for early drop-off or late
collection to meet the needs of individual|
|||families — although most children typically
attend either full morning sessions or full
days.
We are situated close to the border
between England and Wales, placing us in
a convenient position to serve families from
both jurisdictions. The childcare sector can
be challenging and subject to frequent
change; we have continually reviewed and
adapted our routines and practices to
remain relevant, accessible, and
responsive to the needs of children and
families.
We continue to accept funding for two-,
three-, and four-year-olds, as well as
childcare vouchers, Tax-free Childcare
payments, and we strive to keep our fees
as affordable as possible for families who
pay directly for their childcare. We believe
we have successfully fulfilled our purpose
by delivering a safe, flexible, and cost-
effective service for families in the local
area and further afield — ensuring that
children’s safety and well-being remain our
highest priority, regardless of their
individual circumstances.
We hold regular meetings — including full
committee sessions, with and without staff,
parent meetings, and staff supervision
sessions — which contribute to maintaining
clear and open communication. These
enable us to appreciate the challenges we
face and manage them effectively, while
reflecting upon our objectives, our delivery,
and our responsibilities toward the children,
their families, the local community, and the
wider area.|
|---|---|---|
|Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit|Para 1.18|The Trustees are mindful of the guidance
on public benefit and have taken due
account of it in their oversight of the Pre-
School. Staffing has, as ever, presented a
challenge; however, the Trustees have
taken care to ensure that the necessary
services and support are made available to
those who require them, while retaining an
appropriate balance with the operational
needs of the setting, includingthe welfare|
and safety of children and the ongoing affordability of the service.
## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other
## **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|This has been another challenging year,
encompassing ongoing issues related to
staffing and financial sustainability.
Nevertheless, the Trustees have acted in
the best interests of all those who rely upon
the Pre-School — both as a service
provider and as an employer.
Attendance remained steady throughout
the year. At the start of the year, there were
13 children on roll — 6 two-year-olds and 7
three-year-olds — of whom 8 were in
receipt of either partial or full Early Years
funding. By year’s end, there were 27
children on roll, with 8 two-year-olds (1 in
receipt of funding) and 19 children ages 3
and 4, all of whom were in receipt of some
level of funding.
Overall income fell by approximately
£14,000, due in part to lower numbers at
the start of theyear and some defaults on|
payments due in relation to fees. One-toone care has, in most cases, had to be self-funded due to the challenges associated with navigating the application process and securing appropriate funding or support from the local authority. In order to ensure that the children requiring such care are still able to attend and benefit from it, the Pre-School has absorbed the associated costs. This decision was made to avoid placing additional financial pressure on families or, alternatively, having to inform them that we are unable to meet their child’s needs — a situation which could leave them without viable support or childcare options. Costs, meanwhile, increased by approximately £4,195; this rise can predominantly be attributed to additional training to keep Continuing Professional Development up to date and to increases in hourly wage rates. This has, regrettably, resulted in a fourth consecutive year of financial deficit. Staffing has undergone some change; however, we remain as committed as ever to fostering strong relationships with our families and the wider community. Continuing professional development (CPD) is a key priority and, while it contributes to our financial pressures, we view it as a crucial investment in delivering high-calibre care and education for the children.
## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
||||
|---|---|---|
|Achievements against
objectives set|Para 1.41||
|Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set|Para 1.41|In order to help mitigate our financial losses
and enable us to maintain our exacting
standards, we have placed significant
emphasis on fundraising initiatives. This
has involved extending our efforts beyond
internal events with families to include
larger, community-wide initiatives, thereby
fostering greater support and engagement
from the broader community|
||||
Para 1.41 Investment performance against objectives Other
## **Financial Review**
|**Financial Review**|||
|---|---|---|
|Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Para 1.21|Due to losses incurred this year,
regrettably, it has been necessary to draw
upon a portion of our ring-fenced reserves
in order to manage and withstand some of
the operational pressures placed upon us,
particularly in respect of maintaining SEN
support.|
|Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para 1.22|We always aim to hold the required amount
to cover redundancies, should this ever be
necessary, as a minimum amount.
We have undertaken a review of this matter
and are now actively working towards the
restoration of these reserves.|
|Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|£700.00|
|Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22|We always aim to hold the required amount
to cover redundancies, should this ever be
necessary, as a minimum amount.|
|Details of fund materially in
deficit|Para 1.24||
|Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern|Para 1.23|We have observed, and continue to
experience, a decline in birth rates across
Cheshire West and Chester, which has
inevitably had an impact on our attendance
figures. In response to this trend, it will be
necessary to review and adapt our
business model to ensure continued
viability with reduced enrolment. However,
we remain confident in both our strategic
options and our capacity to navigate these
challenges effectively.|
## **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|Local Authority Early Years funding from
both Cheshire West & Chester and
Flintshire (Childcare Offer Wales).
Parental fees.
Program of fundraising|
|---|---|---|
|Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Para 1.46||
|A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Para 1.46|Insufficient EY funding
Ongoing low birth rates|
|Other|||
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
|Description of charity’s
trusts:|||
|---|---|---|
|Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)|
Para 1.25|Early Years Alliance Constitution|
|How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)|Para 1.25|A committee of Trustees forming an
Unincorporated Charity.
We are in the process of transferring over
to a CIO structure.|
|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|Our Annual General Meeting allows for
Trustees to put themselves forward for re-
election or stand down. If this is required
mid-term a Trustee can be replaced with
interested family or affiliate members until
the next AGM. Once all Trustees are voted
in, roles are then appointed through
proposal and agreement.|
|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements|**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|Safeguarding remains a fundamental
aspect of our operational procedures. All
staff members, committee members, and
volunteers are required to hold an
enhanced DBS certificate, including a
check against the children’s barred list. We
are committed to ensuring a supported and
seamless transition between outgoing and
incoming Trustees, with handover
transitions throughout the first term in
office, or sometimes longer.|
|The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works|Para 1.51|Dodleston Pre-School is a community-
based, Trustee governed charitable early
years setting, providing care and education
for children aged between 2 and 4 years, in
accordance with the Early Years
Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. The
provision is governed and inspected by
Ofsted. Our approach is designed to
support both the physical and emotional
well-being of the children in our care, while
also offering assistance to wider family
members where appropriate.|
|---|---|---|
|Relationship with any
related parties|Para 1.51|The Pre-School is well established within
the village and represents a fundamental
part of community life. We actively
participate in a variety of local events, both
as guests and organisers, which
strengthens our presence within the
community. This engagement also fosters
strong relationships with our feeder primary
schools, thereby supporting a smoother
and more positive transition to school for
both children and their families.|
|Other||Our Trustees generously volunteer their
time in support of the Pre-School. Their
contributions include attending meetings,
undertaking managerial responsibilities,
organising fundraising activities, and
participating in village events. These efforts
are instrumental in maintaining our visibility
and engagement both within the village and
the wider community.|
## **Reference and Administrative details**
|Charity name|Dodleston Pre-school|
|---|---|
|Other name the charity uses||
|Registered charity number|1035994|
|Charity’s principal address|Village Hall,
Pulford Lane,
Dodleston
Chester
CH4 9NN|
|||
**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|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year**|**Nam**
**e of**
**pers**
**on**
**(or**
**body**
**)**
**entitl**
**ed to**
**appo**
**int**
**trust**
**ee (if**
**any)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Andrew Barnett|Co-Chair|Oct 2015 – Nov 2023|Pre-
sch
ool
Co
mmi
ttee|
||Rhian Wayte|Secretary|Oct 2021 – Nov 2023||
||AmyDilworth|Co-Chair|Oct 2022 – Nov 2023||
||Emma Hutt|Chair|Nov 2023 - Present||
||JennyBowle|Vice-Chair|Nov 2023 - Present||
||Melanie Hughes|Secretary|Nov 2023 - Present||
||Sarah Macklin|Treasurer|Nov 2023 - Present||
||Laura Brierley|Nominated Person|Nov 2023 - Present||
||Chris Ward||Nov 2023 - Present||
||Anne Tunnicliffe||Nov 2023 - Present||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
||||||
|20|||||
## – Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
**Director name** N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
**Dates acted if not for whole year**
**Trustee name**
NIA
## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others**
Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for 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**
**adviser**
**Name**
**Address**|**Type of**
**adviser**
**Name**
**Address**|**Type of**
**adviser**
**Name**
**Address**|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
|||||
|||||
|||||
||**Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**|||
|||||
## **Exemptions from disclosure**
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
## **Other optional information**
## **Declarations**
**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.**
**Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Emma Hutt
Position (eg Chair
Secretary, Chair, etc)
Date
30/6/2025
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **DODLESTON PRE-SCHOOL**
**Financial Statements 31 August 2024 Charity number 1035994**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
INDEX
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- 1 Accountants Report
- 2 Receipts and Payments account/ Balance Sheet
## **DODLESTON PRE-SCHOOL**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT**
I report on the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 August 2024 set out on pages 3 to 9
## **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(the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 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 examiner's report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 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 examiners statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in material respect, the requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
AC Accountants
27-Jun-25
**----- End of picture text -----**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Page 1
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## **DODLESTON PRE-SCHOOL RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS**
## **Year end 31 August 2024**
|**RECEIPTS**
CWAC Funding
Flintshire funding
Welsh Government funding
On line fees
Cash fees
Childcare vouchers
Fundraising
Donations
Uniform
Spooky Doo
Miscellaneous / Refunds
Savings acc interest
**Total Receipts**
**PAYMENTS**
Wages
Pension Nest
PAYE
Gross wages
Catering costs
Premises (Rent)
Ofsted fees
Administration
Fundraising
Training Costs
Job adverts
Skip hire/repairs
Laptop
Insurance
Accountancy
Equipment
Consumables
Subscriptions
Donations
Uniform
Phone
Stationery
Trips
Event Expenses
Miscellaneous expenses
**TOTAL PAYMENTS**
**Excess of payments over receipts**
**BALANCE SHEET**
**31 August 2024**
Bank current account
Bank savings account
Petty cash
Creditor
**Capital account**
Balance B/F
Loss for year
Balance C/F
Signed 27th June 2025
**CHAIRMAN**|**2024**
**2023**
32093
42397
563
2284
620
14155
15884
307
712
1668
824
183
1125
143
20
87
588
159
126
50
**49960**
**64028**
54843
53465
1384
1518
449
665
56676
55648
267
241
3981
3361
50
70
250
938
880
252
2529
75
299
479
782
859
450
450
748
1223
373
557
135
220
23
150
719
954
900
215
358
112
78
959
115
**70269**
**66107**
**20309**
**2079**
158
8818
700
12078
38
309
-450
-450
**446**
**20755**
20755
22834
20309
2079
**446**
**20755**|
|---|---|
## **TREASURER**
Page 2
## **DODLESTON PRE-SCHOOL**
## **Financial Statements**
**31 August 2024**
**Charity number 1035994**
## **INDEX**
- 1 Accountants Report
- 2 Receipts and Payments account/ Balance Sheet
## **DODLESTON PRE-SCHOOL**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT**
I report on the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 August 2024 set out on pages 3 to 9
## **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(the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 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 examiner's report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 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 examiners statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the
accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
**----- End of picture text -----**
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
AC Accountants
27-Jun-25
**----- End of picture text -----**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Page 1
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **DODLESTON PRE-SCHOOL RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS**
## **Year end 31 August 2024**
|**RECEIPTS**|**2024**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|
|CWAC Funding|32093|42397|
|Flintshire funding|563|2284|
|Welsh Government funding||620|
|On line fees|14155|15884|
|Cash fees|307|712|
|Childcare vouchers||1668|
|Fundraising|824|183|
|Donations|1125|143|
|Uniform|20|87|
|Spooky Doo|588||
|Miscellaneous / Refunds|159||
|Savings acc interest|126|50|
|**Total Receipts**|**49960**|**64028**|
|**PAYMENTS**|||
|Wages|54843|53465|
|Pension Nest|1384|1518|
|PAYE|449|665|
|Gross wages|56676|55648|
|Catering costs|267|241|
|Premises (Rent)|3981|3361|
|Ofsted fees|50||
|Administration|70|250|
|Fundraising|938||
|Training Costs|880|252|
|Job adverts|2529|75|
|Skip hire/repairs||299|
|Laptop||479|
|Insurance|782|859|
|Accountancy|450|450|
|Equipment|748|1223|
|Consumables|373|557|
|Subscriptions|135|220|
|Donations||23|
|Uniform|150|719|
|Phone|954|900|
|Stationery|215|358|
|Trips|112||
|Event Expenses||78|
|Miscellaneous expenses|959|115|
|**TOTAL PAYMENTS**|**70269**|**66107**|
|**Excess of payments over receipts**|**20309**|**2079**|
|**BALANCE SHEET**|||
|**31 August 2024**|||
|Bank current account|158|8818|
|Bank savings account|700|12078|
|Petty cash|38|309|
|Creditor|-450|-450|
||**446**|**20755**|
|**Capital account**|||
|Balance B/F|20755|22834|
|Loss for year|20309|2079|
|Balance C/F|**446**|**20755**|
Signed 27th June 2025 **CHAIRMAN**
**Emma Hutt**
**Sarah Macklin**
**TREASURER**
Page 2