2023-08-31-accounts

Annual Accounts and Annual Report 2022/ 23

Charity Registration Number: 1037668

CHARITY COMM155IQN FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Stepping Slones Pr6-S¢hool Canterbury On accounts for the yoar ended 3110812023 Charity no Ilf any) 1037668 Sot out on pages 14 IRe¢eipts and Payments Summary) I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'the Tru5fl for the year ended 31108 12023. Responsibilities and basis of report As the ¢harity's trusle8s, you are responsible for Ihe preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Chartiies Act 2011 'the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Ctsmmis$ion und8r section 145{5)(bl of the Art. Independent examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have ¢ome to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me ¢au5e to believe that in. any material respect.. the accounting record8 were not kept in accordance wth $èction 130 of the Ch?rfttes A¢t' or the aGGounts did not accord with the acGounling records", or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements con￿mIng the fom and content of accounts set out in the Charities IAcGount5 and Reports) RegL61ation$ 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, vi8w which is not a matter Gonsider8d a5 part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come a¢ro$s no other matters in connedion wlth the examlnatlon lo whlch attenllon should be drawn in thls report In order to enable a proper understandirvJ of the accounts to be reached. Slgned: Date: 0710112024 Name: stephen Lazell Relevant professlonal qualification(sl or body (If any): ACCA (Reg # 09914361 Address: 2 Juniper Close, Canlerbury, KenL CT13LL IER

Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner rFeeds to highlight material m8tters of concern (see CC32, Independent examinaliors of charity a¢counts.' directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examlner wishes to di$clo8e. None. IER

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES h￿rIty Mame Stèpplrtg St+Me8 Pre School (i! anJl.-.- 1037668 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the perlod from ei'.o,d piB-J d&lt.' To iW2022 Section A Receipts and payments Unrtr$trlcted fund tothe npareit Restricted funds Endowmont funds Totsl funds L19t year toth8 n8aroat£ tothv n&avvslf lotho ngrnte . toth• n￿r•￿te , '.A1 Recel t6 Extemai (KGC Tukn Fee5 FtsNJraisiry Bank inlwesl Snaeksnrfps Gran Dorwtlons ' 53,852 11368 53.852 12,368 53.099 8,603 741 io 293 7.254 7E4 4,322 0,673 764 Sub total (Gross income for AR) . 74136 83,409 Y2,34& A2 A$sgt and inv•$tment sale5, soè lable Sub total 156 BJ,409 71348 monts, siaff wageB rent c(￿Sumab Casual Siaff 65.133 809 1.17S 1.144 Try51Ev2nts 1.144 2.2f2 to 549 767 767 724 Train#vJ ,Wdmini?trabon Sub total 74049 A4 Assgt and Investment urchases see tsble Sub total 7&049 7.264 85,3&1 Net of recelpts/(paymentsJ .AS Transfers betiiieèn funiis A6 cash funds last y¢ar 8nd C8s1i funds this year end _ 7,950 IER

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted fund5 to Mar•8t£ Rèstrieted Endowment funds to nowest£ Categoriès Detsils to noarost£ B1 Cash funds e2sh h hand Cash81 bÈrTrk{￿￿en1acC0UnlsI Ca5ho1 b&nkldepDsiI acCoL￿tS) 4682 2&2JO Total cash funds, 31248 Unrèstrlctsd fvnds to n•arotst£ Restrlcted funds nearèst£ Eftdowmènt funds to n•8io8t£ . Dètalls B2 Other monetary a¥sets Fundtowhl Costloptlonall Cury9n¢v•lup .83 Investment assets Fund towhlth A8¥et b•1 Detsils Co*tloptlonall Curtontvaluo onal B4 Assets retalned for the harlty's ovm use Ful￿ .Det8ils lona B5 Llabllftle$ Signed by one or t¢n trustees on behatF of all the trustees Slgnature Print Nan roval Mcok B cokq Ba 0511012￿23 IER

Trustees’ Annual Report 2022/ 23

From 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023

Charity name: Stepping Stones Pre-School Canterbury

Charity registration number: 1037668

Objectives and Activities

Objectives and Activities
	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 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 Early Years Alliance
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	We provided a charity pre-school, totally focussed on our children, families and community, where children built on their learning through creative play. We ran pre-school sessions for 2-5 year olds every week day during term time. Children's wellbeing was absolutely paramount and was nurtured by a skilled and experienced team and a welcoming and inclusive learning environment. This was especially important as the long tail of Covid still significantly affected the well-being and development of children. We provided excellent opportunities for learningand development, givingchildren the

		freedom to develop at their own pace and reach their full potential within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children became resilient and independent learners who are willing to take risks and to challenge themselves as they learn through play. Our children's wellbeing was high and those that left us at the end of the summer term were well prepared for their transition to primary school. The charity continued to embed excellence and best practice in its work. Our knowledgeable, professional, caring and experienced staff team continued to be really valued by children and families. Very strong partnerships with parents and carers supported children’s learning and development. We welcomed children from a wide range of backgrounds, including those living in areas of deprivation, children with English as an additional language, those with special educational and health needs and families working with Children's Services. Children enjoyed events and fundraising activities at Christmas, Easter and summer and a transition celebration for those children that left pre-school in July to start school in September. Staff and volunteers took the children on outings around the local community, including to: Dane John Gardens to do litter picking, Kearsney Abbey, Canterbury Cathedral and the library as well as carol singing at Waitrose with families.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when planning the charity’s activities
Contribution 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, education 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 constitution involves all parents and carers as family members of the charity and they take on active roles as volunteers within the setting

and at community events.

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	The charity supported 36 children to develop within the Early Years Foundation Stage during the year. 5 children had English as an additional language, alongside Ukrainian, Arabic, Malaylam, Cantonese and Bulgarian 5 children received Free for Two funding for all or part of the year; 7 children received Early Years Pupil Premium funding; 3 children received Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding and 6 Disability Access Funding The charity continued to support children and families to work with partner agencies, including: 6 children accessing the Specialist Teaching Service or Speech and Language Therapy; 4 children accessing Kent Children’s Services and 1 Early Help. At the end of the year, children left the pre- school to start school in 6 different primary schools across Canterbury and surrounding areas. The charity received positive feedback from the schools on the learning and development of the children. The charity received very positive feedback throughout the year from the parents and carers of children including the following comments: • The team are “absolutely lovely!” • “Overall, it was a very pleasant experience for us. Thank you for making my child very happy.” • “I think you lot are outstanding and we are so thankful for you!” • The charity continued to recognise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of children and families and on children’s communication and social skills. The charity continued to receive a Covid Recovery grant and ran additional activities within the setting including “Sign n Rhyme” – singing and signing sessions, and Football from “Little Kickers”.

The charity’s staff continued to develop their professional practice during the year, attending training and learning events in a range of areas, including: Statutory Safeguarding and Prevent Training, FGM, Early Years Child Development, Development Matters, Makaton, Planning in the Moment, Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Autism, Attention, Curiosity, Communication and Language, Social and Emotional Development, Food Hygiene All trustees completed training in governance and safeguarding. The charity’s Manager continued her role as a mentor for the DfE Early Years covid recovery programme; delivering mentoring sessions for early years settings in Telford, Hackney, Edmonton. All staff accessed early years professional development training to embed knowledge around communication and language. Across the year, the charity appointed a new Early Years Educator following the retirement of a member of staff at the end of the previous year. The Business Administration Apprentice moved on at the end of the Year.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	Across the year, the trustees implemented an annual plan with actions in five key priority areas: Children, Families and Safeguarding; Staff, Volunteers and Health and Safety; Fundraising; Communications; and Governance and Finance. Trustees regularly monitored progress against the plan and ensured that objectives were met. Trustees completed an annual review of the charity’s work.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	The trustees set the following fundraising objectives for the year: • To raise income from individual giving and community events to meet the shortfall in statutory funding for childcare places • To raise income from grants, statutory funding and corporate funding to provide additional services for children and families • To further diversify the charity’s income streams The trustees set realisticgoals. The charity’s

fundraising group performed well in identifying and securing funding and monitored the charity’s fundraising plan across the year. The charity secured some additional funding as detailed in the accounts but trustees were mindful of the ever-present gap between funding and costs and the attendant threat to its reserves and are aware that they will need to monitor this extremely closely going forward Details of the funding secured are shown in the charity’s Annual Accounts and within this Annual Report.

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The charity is ending this financial year with our payments exceeding our receipts by approximately £2000 but covered by a carry forward and a transfer between funds.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Following a review we now hold reserves of £25,280 to cover the costs of charity wind up and dissolution. This covers 3 months approximate running costs and all staff redundancies. The reserve fund is restricted to emergency use only and can only be accessed in the event of the charity’s dissolution.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£25,280
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	n/a
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	n/a
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuingas agoingconcern	Para 1.23	n/a

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	The charity’s main source of income continues 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 thisyear the charityhas continued to focus on

		finding other sources of income, including: charitable grants, statutory grants, voluntary contributions from parents and carers and community fundraising. The majority of grants received this year were used for specific projects such as “Little Kickers”, “Sign n Rhyme” and funding our additional member of staff who works 2 days a week as standard as well as extra days as needed to enable staff to work intensively with children with additional needs.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	n/a
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	n/a
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The main risk facing the charity is the disparity between its main funding avenues and its outgoings. The fundraising team will continue to focus on obtaining additional funding to cover the difference.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed,royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association,CIO)	Para 1.25	Unincorporated association
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	Elected by members or co-opted by trustees

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	The charity has a clear process for the recruitment and induction of trustees, which is overseen by the Governance and Finance Group. The Chair of Trustees and Manager support new trustees with their induction to the charity. During their induction, trustees meet staff, volunteers, children and families and complete training and reading in governance,safeguardingand areas relevant to

		their specific role.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees, who meet on a termly basis to review the charity’s progress against its annual plan and budget. Sub-committees of the Board report into trustee meetings on work in the following priority areas: Children, Families and Safeguarding; Staff, Volunteers and Health and Safety; Fundraising; Communications; and Governance and Finance. Each sub-committee has a Lead Trustee who oversees the charity’s work in that area. The pre-school is run day-to-day by a small staff team. All staff are highly qualified and are led by a Manager with an MA in Early Childhood Education (with Distinction). Staff performance is monitored through a supervision and appraisal system. The Manager and the Chair of Trustees work together well and fortnightly staff meetings, which the Chair of Trustees attends on a termly basis, ensure good communication across the charity. The pre-school is regulated by Ofsted and the charity is a member of the Early Years Alliance, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and a collaboration of local pre- schools.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	n/a

Reference and Administrative details

Charityname	SteppingStones Pre-School Canterbury
Other name the charityuses	n/a
Registered charitynumber	1037668
Charity’sprincipal address	Kendall Hall,NunneryFields,Canterbury,Kent,CT1 3JN

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any)
Kathryn Rogers	Chair and acting Treasurer		n/a
Tiffany Carter	Secretary
Anna Campion
Nicola Bayly	Acting Treasurer
Sally Heath
Coral Murray		08/06/23

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Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Sally Heath, Manager

Declarations

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date	Kathryn Rogers	Nicola Bayly
	Kathryn Rogers	Nicola Bayly
	Chair and Acting Treasurer	Acting Treasurer
	18/01/2024	18/01/2024