Orchard Preschool & Playgroup Charity Number: 1036897 Trustees Annual Report
Financial Year Ending 31st August 2025
We are a parent-involving community-based group providing a safe, secure and stimulating environment for children. The pre-school offers a tailored curriculum promoting the importance of play in the development of the child. Session themes centre around the natural environment with regular sessions held in our purpose made nature garden.
Structure, Governance & Management
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a) Governing Document – Orchard Preschool and Playgroup’s governing documents is using the Early Years Alliance (formally Pre-School Learning Alliance) model constitution 2011.
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c) Trustee Selection Method – Trustees are appointed in accordance with the policies set out within the Early Years Alliance model constitution 2011.
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d) Management – Orchard Preschool and Playgroup is managed by the Management Committee. The role of the committee is to support the Manager and the staffing team in the delivery of the aims of the organisation, as well as fundraising and any other general aspects of management.
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e) Internal Controls – The Group has in place systems of internal controls to provide reasonable reassurance against material mismanagement or loss, in accordance with the Early Years Alliance model consistent 2011.
Objectives and Activities
The aims of the Pre-school, as set out in our constitution, 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:
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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;
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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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Instigating and adhering to and furthering the aims and objects of the Early Years Alliance.
In planning our activities for the year, we kept in mind the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit at our trustee meetings. The focus for our activities remains centred on delivering the early years foundation stage with a special emphasis on nature inspired learning through play. This benefits the children as they develop their social and emotional skills in an exciting and engaging environment, exploring the natural world through play.
We have no religious affiliation and are open and welcome to all children and their families. We have excellent facilities and can accommodate children with disabilities and special educational needs. We seek to involve parents, carers and the wider community in the pre-school and playgroup, and hold termly activities directly involving the local community.
We are very grateful to our parent volunteers who work very hard and make a big contribution to the overall running of the pre-school and playgroup. The pre-school and playgroup are overseen by a management committee made up of parent volunteers. The management committee are responsible for assisting recruitment and retention of staff, the pre-school and playgroups finances and equipment, and ensuring the welfare of all children in attendance. The Committee forms the 'registered person' for Ofsted and has overall responsibility for ensuring all legal requirements are met. Parent volunteers are involved in the pre-school and playgroup in many other ways, from organising fundraisers, sharing hobbies and interests with the children, clearing out the cupboard to helping in the garden.
Trustees
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Chairman – Peter Whyard (appointed 14/07/2025)
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Secretary – Sophie Smith
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Treasurer - Daisy Thomas
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General Trustee - Georgia Day
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General Trustee – Gemma Houghton (appointed 28/05/2026)
The following trustees resigned during the year: Melinda Blakemore (16/12/2024), Rosanna Stamp (16/12/2024) and Jonathan Bialick (14/07/2025). Josephine Mortimore stepped away from duties and responsibilities in February 2026 due to personal matters – formal resignation 28/05/2026.
Management
- Gemma Houghton
Safeguarding
The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud, error and safeguarding. All Trustees, staff and regular helpers are required to maintain a DBS certificate and complete any relevant training.
Reserves & Investments
Orchard Preschool and Playgroup adhere to the financial policies detailed in the Early Years Alliance Model Constitution 2011. Our main financial objective is to create a sustainable and safe financial model that always protects all staff and volunteers and has a contingency plan in place should the organisation ever be in a position where it needed to close.
Committee and management report
Orchard Preschool & Playgroup commenced the 2024/25 academic year in September, with sessions running every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8.30am until 4pm, a Breakfast Club starting at 7.30am and After School Club until 5pm. The preschool is at full capacity with no intention of increasing.
The three children’s groups – Acorns (8 months – 2), Saplings (2-3) Oaks (aged 3-5) each have a dedicated group of staff and distinct play spaces to meet their age specific needs and development. The indoor space for these groups
is in the larger hall with divisions to increase cohesion, help build links between the groups and the smaller room available used as a dedicated sleeping space.
Our last Ofsted review was in May 2022 and we achieved Outstanding.
The increased cost of living and rising expenses, including the National Living Wage and retaining staff, purchasing food and snacks for the children, and the cost of using the Lustleigh Village Hall, meant that a plan to increase fees was needed to maintain the high standard of care and education provided.
Despite these higher costs, with careful management of the financial sustainability of the preschool, and fundraising through all available channels, we had a surplus for the financial year of £54,144. Further details and breakdown are at the end of this document.
Future planning:
We aim to continue to develop the charity’s provision by:
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Ensuring all statutory requirement of the Early years foundation stage framework are met
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Ensuring adequate supervision and appraisals of staff are carried out
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Ensuring all staff have up to date safeguarding training
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Development of our outside space for our youngest children within the next year through use the grant money received
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Review all policies, procedures and risk assessments and ensure they are up to date
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Ensuring sustainability of the preschool going forward
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Ensuring the website is up to date and fit for purpose
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Frequent communication to parents about children’s progress via Tapestry
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Ensuring the indoor provision reflects the quality of our outdoor provision
Going concern:
The trustees have resolved to wind up the charity within 12 months of the approval of these financial statements following a review of its activities and future plans. In accordance with the reserves policy, the trustees are satisfied that the charity has sufficient funds to meet its liabilities and will ensure an orderly closure in accordance with its governing document.
The Trustee Report 2024/25 has been approved by the trustees on 23[rd] June 2026 and signed on their behalf by the chairman, Peter Whyard.
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Orchard Pre-School and Playgroup
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Orchard Pre-School and Playgroup
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Orchard Pre-School and Playgroup (the Trust) for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Clare Lillington FMAAT
Accountancy Services Raddon Station Hill Chudleigh Newton Abbot Devon TQ13 0EE
26 June 2026
The Orchard Pre-School and Playgroup
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| 31.8.25 Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 389,384 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Charitable 335,240 NET INCOME 54,144 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 106,239 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 160,383 |
31.8.24 Total funds £ 332,357 |
|---|---|
| 308,896 | |
| 23,461 82,778 |
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| 106,239 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
The Orchard Pre-School and Playgroup
Balance Sheet
31 August 2025
| 31.8.25 Unrestricted fund Notes £ CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 3 29,452 Cash at bank 137,250 166,702 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 4 (6,319) NET CURRENT ASSETS 160,383 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 160,383 NET ASSETS 160,383 FUNDS 5 Unrestricted funds 160,383 TOTAL FUNDS 160,383 |
31.8.24 Total funds £ 22,632 99,391 122,023 (15,784) 106,239 106,239 106,239 106,239 106,239 |
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The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 23 June 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
The Orchard Pre-School and Playgroup
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Hire purchase and leasing commitments
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
2. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.
continued...
The Orchard Pre-School and Playgroup
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| 3. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Debtors 4. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade creditors 5. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 1.9.24 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 106,239 TOTAL FUNDS 106,239 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 389,384 TOTAL FUNDS 389,384 Comparatives for movement in funds At 1.9.23 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 82,778 TOTAL FUNDS 82,778 |
31.8.25 31.8.24 £ £ 29,452 22,632 31.8.25 31.8.24 £ £ 6,319 15,784 Net movement At in funds 31.8.25 £ £ 54,144 160,383 54,144 160,383 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (335,240) 54,144 (335,240) 54,144 Net movement At in funds 31.8.24 £ £ 23,461 106,239 23,461 106,239 |
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continued...
The Orchard Pre-School and Playgroup
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
5. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 332,357 332,357 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (308,896) 23,461 (308,896) 23,461 |
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6. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2025.
The Orchard Pre-School and Playgroup
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025 |
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|---|---|---|
| 31.8.25 | 31.8.24 | |
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Fees - parents & outings | 148,900 | 214,330 |
| Fees - DCC | 235,988 | 110,133 |
| Milk refund | - | 273 |
| Fundraising | 3,896 | 4,676 |
| Grants | 500 | - |
| Donations | 100 | 2,945 |
| 389,384 | 332,357 | |
| Total incoming resources | 389,384 | 332,357 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Charitable activities | ||
| Catering | 5,642 | 5,077 |
| Premises | 9,303 | 9,310 |
| Wages | 292,719 | 270,256 |
| Insurance & subscriptions | 1,871 | 563 |
| Equipment | 7,604 | 9,245 |
| IT equipment | 1,250 | 954 |
| Administration | 1,727 | 4,081 |
| Advertising | 25 | - |
| Event expenses | 393 | 583 |
| Musikgarten | 930 | 2,340 |
| Training | 1,780 | 1,025 |
| Grants & donation expenditure | - | 1,145 |
| Cleaning & PPE | 2,012 | 3,399 |
| Miscellaneous | 994 | 918 |
| Nature and nurture garden | 8,990 | - |
| 335,240 | 308,896 | |
| Total resources expended | 335,240 | 308,896 |
| Net income | 54,144 | 23,461 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements