2020-08-31-accounts - Stepping Stones Preschool (Canterbury)

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent ExamineVs Report Roport to tho trusteesl members of Stepping Stones Pr&School On accounts for the year ended 3110812020 Charity no (if any} 1037668 Set out on pages 1-2 of Receipts and Payments Accounts 2019-20 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charty (Xhe Trust.) for the year ended 3110812019. Responsibilities and As the charity tnjstees of the Trust. you are responsible for Ihe preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with, the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (°the Acf). I report in respert of my examination of the Trust's accounts carTied out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charrty Commission under sedion 145(5){b) of the Act. I have Complet my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with the examination which gNes me cause to believe that in, any material Independent examinerfs statement accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord wtth the accounting records I have no concerns and have come aosS no other matters in connection wtth the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Pleas elete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Signed: Date: 1810212021 Name: Stephen Lazell Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): ACCA Membership Number- 0991436 Address: 2 Juniper Close Canterbury Kent, CT13LL Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). IER October 2018

Give here brief detsils of any itsms that tho examinerwishas to disclosè. None. IER October 2018

	Stepping Stones Pre-School Canterbury	Stepping Stones Pre-School Canterbury	Stepping Stones Pre-School Canterbury	1037688	CC16a

	Receipts andpayments accounts
	For the period from	1 September 2019	To	31 August 2020


Section A Receipts and payments
	Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Endowment funds	Total funds	Last year
	to the nearest £	to the nearest £	to the nearest £	to the nearest £	to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Tuition Fees	5,633	-	-	5,633	8,116
Kent CountyCouncil Funding	42,506	-	-	42,506	50,812
Fundraising	4,350	-	-	4,350	2,473
Grants	11,966		-	11,966	6,180
Bank Interest	133	-	-	133	209
*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)	64,588	-	-	64,588	67,790

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
Matured Bond	- 0	12,000	- 0	12,000
	- 0	- 0	- 0	-	- 0
*Sub total*	- 0	12,000	- 0	12,000	- 0

**Total receipts **	64,588	12,000	- 0	76,588	67,790

A3 Payments
Staff Wages	41,998	-	-	41,998	42,820
Hall rent	4,934	-	-	4,934	6,601
Consumables	499	-	-	499	1,418
Casual Staff	1,376	-	-	1,376	3,322
Equipment	2,714	-	-	2,714	1,651
Trips/Events	390	-	-	390	246
Other	1,043	-	-	1,043	968
Phone	250	-	-	250	-
Insurance	1,026	-	-	1,026	808
Training	1,187			1,187	1,013
Membership Subscriptions	487			487	446
Administration	829			829	1,045
Gifts	21			21	118
**Sub total **	56,754	-	-	56,754	60,456

A4 Asset and investment purchases,(see table)
	- 0	- 0	- 0	-
	- 0	- 0	- 0	-
**Sub total **	-0	-0	-0	-	- 0

**Totalpayments **	56,754	- 0	- 0	56,754	60,456

**Net of receipts/(payments) **	7,834	12,000	-	19,834	7,334
A5 Transfers between funds	- 23,000	23,000	-	-	-
A6 Cash funds lastyear end	20,552	-	-	20,552	-
**Cash funds thisyear end **	5,386	35,000	-	40,386	7,334


Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories	Details		Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Endowment funds
			to nearest £	to nearest £	to nearest £
B1 Cash funds	Cash in hand		745	-	-

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

09/11/2020

	Cash at bank (current account)	4,525	13,000	-
	Cash at Bank (deposit accounts)	116	22,000	-
	*Total cash funds*	5,386	35,000	-
	(agree balances with receipts and payments account(s))	OK	OK	OK
		Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Endowment funds
	Details	to nearest £	to nearest £	to nearest £
B2 Other monetary assets		-	-	-
		-	-	-
		-	-	-
		-	-	-
		-	-	-
		-	-	-

	Details	Fund to which asset belongs	Cost (optional)	Current value (optional)
B3 Investment assets			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-

	Details	Fund to which asset belongs	Cost (optional)	Current value (optional)
B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use	Toys and Equipment (estimated value)		-	9,771
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-
			-	-

	Details	Fund to which liability relates	Amount due (optional)	When due (optional)
B5 Liabilities			-
			-
			-
			-
			-

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees	Signature	Print Name		Date of approval
	Kathryn Rogers	Kathryn Rogers		18/2/21
	Anna Campion	Anna Campion		18/2/21

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

09/11/2020

Trustees’ Annual Report 2019/ 20

From 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020

Charity name: Stepping Stones Pre-School Canterbury

Charity registraCon number: 1037668

ObjecCves and AcCviCes

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The aims of the Pre-School are to enhance the development and educa>on 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) ofering appropriate play, educa>on and care facili>es, family learning and extended hours groups, together with the right of parents to take responsibility for and to become involved in the ac>vi>es of such groups, ensuring that such groups ofer opportuni>es 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 promo>ng public interest in and recogni>on of such needs in the local areas (c) ins>ga>ng and adhering to and furthering the aims and objects of the Pre-School Learning Alliance

Summary of the main ac>vi>es
in rela>on to those purposes
for the public beneft, in
par>cular, the ac>vi>es,
projects or services iden>fed
in the accounts.
Para 1.17 and 1.19
We provided a charity pre-school, totally
focussed on our children, families and
community, where children built on their
learning through crea>ve play. Our skilled and
experienced staf nurtured every child's
individual interests and partnered with families
in their child's learning, giving children the
freedom to develop at their own pace.
From September to March we ran pre-school
sessions for 2-5 year olds every week day during
term >me. We provided a high quality learning
environment for children to enjoy their early
years and to become independent learners who
are willing to take risks and to challenge
themselves as they learn through play. Our
children's wellbeing was high and we supported
them to build resilience and independence so
that they are well prepared for their transi>on
to primary school. The charity created a
welcoming and inclusive space for children and
families and embedded excellence and best
prac>ce in its work.
We welcomed children from a wide range of
backgrounds, including those living in areas of
depriva>on, children with English as an
addi>onal language, those with special
educa>onal and health needs and families
working with Children's Services. Each child’s
highly qualifed key person worked with families
so that children could develop and reach their
full poten>al within the Early Years Founda>on
Stage.
Children enjoyed Christmas events and ou>ngs
around the local community, including to: the
UNESCO World Heritage Site of Canterbury
Cathedral and St Augus>ne’s Abbey, Canterbury
Library and Museum and local green spaces.
From March to the end of the year, the pre-
school se[ng was closed due to COVID-19
restric>ons. During this >me, the charity
delivered support to children and families in a
range of ways, including: providing daily ideas
for pre-school ac>vi>es at home, through email
and social media; weekly phone calls to
families; delivery of resources to children’s
homes; a virtual sports day; and transi>on
packs for children leaving us to start school in
September. The charity received funding from
Tesco to support this work and our prepara>ons
for a COVID-secure reopening of the se[ng in
September 2020.

Statement confrming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public beneft	Para 1.18	Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public beneft when planning the charity’s ac>vi>es
Contribu>on made by volunteers	Para 1.38	The charity is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees, with a wide range of skills and experience across charity, business, educa>on and family support. All trustees either currently have children at the pre-school, or previously had children with us and they have a real commitment to the charity and the wellbeing and learning of the children in our care. Our cons>tu>on involves all parents and carers as family members of the charity and they take on ac>ve roles as volunteers within the se[ng and ~~at community events.~~

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference

Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
iden>fying the diference the
charity’s work has made to the
circumstances of its
benefciaries and any wider
benefts to society as a whole.
Para 1.20
The charity supported 34 children to develop
within the Early Years Founda>on Stage during
the year: 16 aged 4, 10 aged 3 and 8 aged 2 by
the end of the summer term. Of these: 5
children received Free for Two funding for all or
part of the year; 2 children received SENIF
funding for addi>onal needs; 3 children
received support from the Specialist Teaching
Service; 2 children had Child in Need plans in
place; and 7 children had English as an
addi>onal language.
We supported families to access support from
partner agencies, including Home Start, Health
Visi>ng and Speech and Language Therapy.
At the end of the year, 17 children lef the pre-
school to start school in 7 diferent primary
schools across Canterbury and surrounding
areas. The charity received posi>ve feedback
from the schools on the learning and
development of the children.
The charity received very posi>ve feedback
from the parents and carers of children that lef
the pre-school at the end of the year, including
the following comments:
•
“Thank you for all your support over these
last two years. Stepping Stones is a real
gem”
•
“[My son]felt secure at the se;ng and
staf met his needs for reassurance when
in in the morning and engaged with his
favourite ac>vi>es like reading books. He
was encouraged to stretch himself when
pedalling on the trike or making friends”
•
“We were impressed with the number of
trips and he really enjoyed them. Staf
were engaging[with]the children,
cha;ng as they walked and fnding lots of
things of interest. It was a great chance to
make memories and encourage
independence. It was lovely to join in with
the St Augus>ne’s Abbey trip”
•
“I think you have walked the extra mile
with it[during COVID-19 lockdown],
always keeping in touch via emails, phone
calls, videoconferences, even surprise visits
and giI packs. The ideas and videos on
email and Facebook were…a great
resource for us. We cannot thank you
enough for all your support”
•
“Absolutely wonderful support during
lockdown with weekly phone calls, toys
and resources dropped of for children, the
amazing homemade worry monster
puppet and book and fabulous daily
ac>vi>es”

AddiConal informaCon (opConal)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objec>ves set	Para 1.41	Across the year, the trustees implemented an annual plan with ac>ons in fve key priority areas: Children and Families; Staf and Volunteers; Fundraising; Communica>ons; and Governance. Trustees regularly monitored progress against the plan and ensured that objec>ves were met. In addi>on to this, the trustees agreed their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and implemented and regularly monitored a plan to keep children, staf and volunteers safe and to safeguard the charity.
Performance of fundraising ac>vi>es against objec>ves set	Para 1.41	The trustees appointed a fundraising group which implemented and monitored the charity’s Fundraising Plan. From September to March the charity performed well against its objec>ves for individual giving, grants, statutory funding and community events. The COVID-19 pandemic afected the fundraising income in all areas and the trustees have agreed plans to address this in the coming year.

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s fnancial posi>on at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Despite a difcult year the charity has ended the period with £5,386 to carry forward. This includes a £5000 grant from the Martello Fund which will be used to fund the charity’s running costs during the con>nuing COVID-19 restric>on while our usual income is expected to be reduced.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves sta>ng why they are held	Para 1.22	During this period we held reserves of £12,000 in a fxed bond to cover the costs of charity wind up and dissolu>on. The bond matured during the period and it was iden>fed that this amount did not cover our dissolu>on costs. The Trustees therefore decided to restrict a total of £35,000 to cover 3 months running costs and all staf redundancies.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£35,000
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	n/a

Details of fund materially in defcit	Para 1.24	n/a
Explana>on of any uncertain>es about the charity con>nuing as a going concern	Para 1.23

AddiConal informaCon (opConal)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	The charity’s main source of income con>nues to be government funding for childcare provision, through Kent County Council. Secondary to this is the income from fees for children who are not in receipt of government- funded childcare. As in previous years, the income from these sources does not cover the charity’s costs and this year the charity has con>nued to focus on developing other sources of income, including: charitable grants, statutory grants, voluntary contribu>ons from parents and carers and community fundraising.
Investment performance against objec>ves	Para 1.41
Investment policy and objec>ves including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A descrip>on of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The main risk facing the charity this year and going to the next is the efect of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have sufered a substan>al loss of income due to a period of closure followed by reduced numbers of children in the se[ng due to social distancing measures and fewer children taking up their places. This has been overcome by the receipt of grants and increased government funding but con>nues to be a concern going forwards.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Descrip>on of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Cons>tu>on
How is the charity cons>tuted? (e.g unincorporated associa>on, CIO)	Para 1.25	Unincorporated associa>on

Trustee selec>on methods including details of any cons>tu>onal provisions e.g. elec>on to post or name of any person or body en>tled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Elected by members or co-opted by trustees

AddiConal informaCon (opConal)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induc>on and training of trustees	Para 1.51	The Chair of Trustees oversees the recruitment and induc>on of trustees to the charity. Trustees complete training and reading in governance and safeguarding and in areas relevant to their specifc roles.
The charity’s organisa>onal structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees, with a wide range of skills and experience across charity, business, educa>on and family support. All trustees either currently have children at the pre-school, or previously had children with us and they have a real commitment to the charity and the wellbeing and learning of the children in our care. The pre-school is run day-to-day by a small staf team. All staf are highly qualifed and are led by a Manager with an MA in Early Childhood Educa>on (with Dis>nc>on). Staf performance is monitored through a supervision and appraisal system. The Manager and the Chair of Trustees work together well and fortnightly staf mee>ngs, which the Chair of Trustees apends on a termly basis, ensure good communica>on across the charity. The pre-school is regulated by Ofsted and the charity is a member of the Early Years Alliance, the Na>onal Council for Voluntary Organisa>ons and a collabora>on of local pre-schools.
Rela>onship with any related par>es	Para 1.51	n/a

Reference and AdministraCve details

Charity name	Stepping Stones Pre-School Canterbury
Other name the charity uses	n/a
Registered charity number	1037668
Charity’s principal address	Kendall Hall, Nunnery Fields, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3JN

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

	Trustee name	Ofce (if any)
1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11	Kathryn Rogers	Chair
	Susannah Silva- Gould	Treasurer
	Anna Campion	Treasurer
	Sarah Barnes	Secretary
	Nicola Bayly
	Hayley Barnep
	Tifany Carter
	Sally Heath
	Nadia Lang
	Nic Maher

Name of chief execuCve or names of senior staff members (OpConal informaCon)

Sally Heath, Manager

DeclaraCons

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)	Kathryn Rogers	Anna Campion

Full name(s)	Kathryn Rogers	Anna Campion

PosiCon (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)	Chair	Treasurer

Date	18/2/2021	18/2/2021