## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** **From 1[st] September 2024 To 31[st] August 2025** **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
2–4, 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, within session times, 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, including the 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 year has been slightly more
favourable financially, although it still
required careful consideration and diligent
decision-making. The Trustees have acted
in the best interests of all those who rely on
the Pre-School, both as a service provider
and as an employer.
Attendance remained consistent
throughout the year. At the beginning of the
period, there were 16 children on roll —
comprising 4 two-year-olds and 12 three-
year-olds — of whom 13 received either
partial or full Early Years funding. By the
end of the year, the number of children on
roll increased to 25, including 7 two-year-
olds (with 2 in receipt of funding) and 18
children aged 3 and 4, with 15 of these
receiving some level of funding.
Overall income increased by approximately
£32,000, primarily due to a significant rise
in funding received from Cheshire West
and Chester Local Authority and the Welsh
Childcare Offer,despite a slight reduction| in fees collected. The number of attending families claiming funding remained largely similar to the previous year; however, the increase in funding rates was very beneficial. Improved funding for one-to-one care has also largely contributed positively, enabling us to ensure that children requiring such support can continue to attend and benefit, with the Pre-School covering any additional costs incurred. This ensures that no child is disadvantaged in accessing our preschool experience due to additional requirements or financial constraints, whether they are from the local area or further afield, including neighbouring regions. Total costs remained virtually unchanged from the previous year, decreasing marginally by £91. As a result, the PreSchool recorded a much-needed surplus of income over expenditure for the first time in several years. Although there have been some fluctuations in cost breakdowns across various centres, particularly regarding recruitment, the overall expenditure remains consistent. Staffing continues to be a key priority, and the Pre-School remains fully committed to building strong relationships with families and the wider community. Continuing professional development (CPD) remains of utmost importance; while it involves some financial expenditure, we see it as a vital investment in delivering high-quality 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|To help us stay financially healthy and
maintain our high standards, we have
focused a lot on fundraising activities.
We've expanded our efforts beyond events
with families to include bigger, annual
projects that involve the whole community.
This way, we can gain more support and
get more people involved.| |Investment performance
against objectives|Para 1.41|| |---|---|---| |Other||| ## **Financial Review** |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Para 1.21|Owing to our improved profitability this
year, we have been able to replenish some
of the reserved capital previously utilised in
past years, whilst maintaining our
standards of care.| |---|---|---| |Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para 1.22|We always aim to maintain the minimum
required funds to cover redundancies,
should such a situation arise. Having
reviewed our requirements for this
eventuality, we are now actively working
toward rebuilding these reserves. However,
due to the current staffing levels and
consequently fewer years of service, the
necessary amount is lower at this time.| |Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|£3,266| |Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22|| |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
observe, a decline in birth rates throughout
Cheshire West and Chester, which has
inevitably impacted our attendance figures.
In response to this trend, it is essential to
review and adapt our business model to
ensure its continued viability in light of
reduced enrolment. Nonetheless, we
remain confident in our strategic options
and our capacity to manage 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|Low rates of EY funding
Declining 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)** |**Additional information (optional)**|**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 constitutes a core element of
our operational protocols. All personnel,
including staff, committee members, and
volunteers, must possess an enhanced
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
certificate, inclusive of 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-
oriented, Trustee-led charitable early years
setting that offers care and education for
children aged between 2 and 4 years, in
alignment with the Early Years Foundation
Stage (EYFS) framework. The setting is
governed and inspected by Ofsted. Our
approach aims to promote the physical and
emotional well-being of the children in our
care, while also providing support to their
families where appropriate.| |Relationship with any
related parties|Para 1.51|The Pre-School is a well-established part of
the village community and plays a vital role
within local life. We regularly participate in
a range of community events, both as
organisers and attendees, which enhances
our visibility and connections within the
area. This involvement also helps to build
strong relationships with our feeder primary
schools, facilitating a smoother and more
positive transition for children and their
families.| |Other||Our Trustees generously dedicate their
time in support of the Pre-School. Their
contributions encompass attendance at| meetings, assumption of managerial responsibilities, organisation of fundraising initiatives, and participation in village events. Such efforts are vital in ensuring our visibility and engagement both within the village and the broader 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
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20|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year**|**Name of**
**person (or**
**body) entitled**
**to appoint**
**trustee (if**
**any)**| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||Pre-school
committee| ||Emma Hutt|Chair|Nov 23 – Present|| ||JennyBowle|Vice-Chair|Nov 23 - Present|| ||Melanie Hughes|Secretary and
Nominated Person|Nov 23 – Present
Nov 25 - Present|| ||Sarah Macklin|Treasurer|Nov 23 - Present|| ||Chris Ward||Nov 23 - Present|| ||Anne Tunnicliffe||Nov 23 - Present|| ||Laura Brierley|Nominatedperson|Nov 23 – Nov 25|| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| ## – 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 |**Trustee name**|**Dates acted if not for whole year**|| |---|---|---| |N/A||| |||| |||| |||| |||| |||| ## **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** **Signature(s)** Melanie Hughes **Full name(s)** Emma Louise Hutt Chair Secretary 19th June 2026 19[th] June 2026 DODLESTON PRE-SCHOOL Flnanclal Statements 31 August 2025 Charlty number 1035994 INDEX l Accountants Report 2 Receipts and Payments accounu Balance Sheet DODLESTON PRE-SCHOOL INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT I reporton ihe fin2nGid Statements Df the Chayrty lorthe yearended 31 AuguSI2025 aet Dut Dn pages 3 to 9 Respective te#pon$ibilities of Trnstees And Examiner Th8 Chatity's Trust88s are r8sponsib18forth8 pr8paration of thé accounts. Th8 Chatity's Trusté88 con8id8r thatsn audit Is not rgquired forthis y88r undgr s8dion 144121 of the Ch3tib8s 4#2011lthe Chatibgs Adl and that an Ind&p9nd9nl exatninalion is needed. 11 is my responsibilityto examine the accounts undersection 145 olthe 2011 Act.. tofollowthe procedu￿ IBid down in the GenerBI Directlon3 plven bythe Charlty Commi99iDn to stste whether psrticulgr matters have curne to my attention. Ba818 of iThdependentexaminrf¥ rOPDrt My exarninalion wascarried out In axordancgwilh the General DirectlQllS given bylh& Charity Commis510ners. An exarminalion includesa reviewof ihe accounting records kept bylhe Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with ihose records. It also Incluaes consideration of unusual Ilern5 oi disclosure5 In the aG¢4unts and seeking exKlanations from the Trustees concerning any such mat￿r5. The prccedures undertaken do not provide all ihe evidentt thatwould be iequired In an audit, and con3eouenUy no Dpinion is oiven a3 to whether the accounts wesent a'true and faIrvIe￿ and the ￿POrt 1$ Iimrted to those mattets setout in the staten*nt bebw. Ind9P9ndfjntgx•mingrs 3t¥tsmwnt ITr conne￿19￿ with mygxaminafyon, ncTr matterhas wm8to rnyattgnfyon. 111 vthich gives me reasonable cause lo believe that, In material respect, lh8 requirements". -to keep axounlinp records in accordan￿ wth section 130 of the 2011 Act,. and -to prepare acuuntswhich accord with the accountsng ￿cordS 2nd CoM￿Y wlth the untsno ￿4￿1￿MentS of the 2011 Act h8ve notbeen met,. or 121 ttswhith, In my tspinion. èttèntion shou￿ be dtawn In tsrder to enablè a proper undÈrstsndiny oltheaccounts to be reached AC Accountants 30-Mar-28 Page I DODLESTON PRE-SCHOOL RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS Year end 31 Au8USt 1025 RECEIPTS 20Z5 60715 6526 8690 1930 3178 1228 115 2024 32093 563 14155 307 824 1125 20 CWAC Funding shfees Spooky Doo MIS￿lIaneous1Refund5 53ving5 acc imere5t 159 126 32 Totsi Receipts 82414 49960 PAYMENTS Wages Pension Nest PAYE Gro$$ we$ Caiering cosis 58517 1364 -976 58905 54843 1384 449 56676 267 4661 50 267 3981 50 70 938 Ofstedfees 531 lob adverts 2529 782 450 934 450 679 661 209 275 1119 294 608 ActOuntÈnty Consumabl&s 373 135 150 954 215 Phone Mlscellaneous expenses 535 70178 959 70169 TOTALPAYMENTS Excess of receipts over payments -12236 20309 BALANCE SHEET 31 August Z025 83nkcurrent arcount 9704 3266 162 -450 IZ68Z 158 700 38 -450 Peitycash Capltal account Balbnce BIF 446 12236 12682 20755 20309 B3laTh￿ CIF Signed 30th March 2026 CHAIRMAN TREASURER Page2 DODLESTON PRE-SCHOOL Flnanclal Statements 31 August 2025 Charlty number 1035994 INDEX l Accountants Report 2 Receipts and Payments accounu Balance Sheet DODLESTON PRE-SCHOOL INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT I reporton ihe fin2nGid Statements Df the Chayrty lorthe yearended 31 AuguSI2025 aet Dut Dn pages 3 to 9 Respective te#pon$ibilities of Trnstees And Examiner Th8 Chatity's Trust88s are r8sponsib18forth8 pr8paration of thé accounts. Th8 Chatity's Trusté88 con8id8r thatsn audit Is not rgquired forthis y88r undgr s8dion 144121 of the Ch3tib8s 4#2011lthe Chatibgs Adl and that an Ind&p9nd9nl exatninalion is needed. 11 is my responsibilityto examine the accounts undersection 145 olthe 2011 Act.. tofollowthe procedu￿ IBid down in the GenerBI Directlon3 plven bythe Charlty Commi99iDn to stste whether psrticulgr matters have curne to my attention. Ba818 of iThdependentexaminrf¥ rOPDrt My exarninalion wascarried out In axordancgwilh the General DirectlQllS given bylh& Charity Commis510ners. An exarminalion includesa reviewof ihe accounting records kept bylhe Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with ihose records. It also Incluaes consideration of unusual Ilern5 oi disclosure5 In the aG¢4unts and seeking exKlanations from the Trustees concerning any such mat￿r5. The prccedures undertaken do not provide all ihe evidentt thatwould be iequired In an audit, and con3eouenUy no Dpinion is oiven a3 to whether the accounts wesent a'true and faIrvIe￿ and the ￿POrt 1$ Iimrted to those mattets setout in the staten*nt bebw. Ind9P9ndfjntgx•mingrs 3t¥tsmwnt ITr conne￿19￿ with mygxaminafyon, ncTr matterhas wm8to rnyattgnfyon. 111 vthich gives me reasonable cause lo believe that, In material respect, lh8 requirements". -to keep axounlinp records in accordan￿ wth section 130 of the 2011 Act,. and -to prepare acuuntswhich accord with the accountsng ￿cordS 2nd CoM￿Y wlth the untsno ￿4￿1￿MentS of the 2011 Act h8ve notbeen met,. or 121 ttswhith, In my tspinion. èttèntion shou￿ be dtawn In tsrder to enablè a proper undÈrstsndiny oltheaccounts to be reached AC Accountants 30-Mar-28 Page I DODLESTON PRE-SCHOOL RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS Year end 31 Au8USt 1025 RECEIPTS 20Z5 60715 6526 8690 1930 3178 1228 115 2024 32093 563 14155 307 824 1125 20 CWAC Funding shfees Spooky Doo MIS￿lIaneous1Refund5 53ving5 acc imere5t 159 126 32 Totsi Receipts 82414 49960 PAYMENTS Wages Pension Nest PAYE Gro$$ we$ Caiering cosis 58517 1364 -976 58905 54843 1384 449 56676 267 4661 50 267 3981 50 70 938 Ofstedfees 531 lob adverts 2529 782 450 934 450 679 661 209 275 1119 294 608 ActOuntÈnty Consumabl&s 373 135 150 954 215 Phone Mlscellaneous expenses 535 70178 959 70169 TOTALPAYMENTS Excess of receipts over payments -12236 20309 BALANCE SHEET 31 August Z025 83nkcurrent arcount 9704 3266 162 -450 IZ68Z 158 700 38 -450 Peitycash Capltal account Balbnce BIF 446 12236 12682 20755 20309 B3laTh￿ CIF Signed 30th March 2026 CHAIRMAN TREASURER Page2