## **Annual Accounts and Annual Report 2023/24** **Charity Registration Number: 1037668** (HARITY (OMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Stepping Stones Pre-school Canterbury On accounts for the year ended 3110812024 Charlty no (If any) 1037668 Set out on pages 14 (Receipts and Payments Summary) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust") for the year ended 3110812024. Rosponslbllltles and basls of report As the charity's trustees, 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 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145151{bl of the Act. Independènt examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with seclion 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records.. or the accounts did not comply wilh the applicable requirements concerning the fomi and content of accounts sel 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. Dale: 2310312025 Slgned: Name: Stephen Lazell Relevant professlonal quallflcatlon{s) or body (If any}: ACCA (Reg # 09914361 Address: 2 Juniper Close, Canterbury, Kenl, CT13LL IER Sectlon B Dlsclosure Only complete If the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern {see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidan￿ for examiners). GSve here brlef detalls of any Items that the oxaminer wishes to dlsclose. None. IER CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES St•pplng Ston•• Pr• School 1037868 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For Iho porlod from To 011(ffJ12023 3110PA2024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestrictod lunds to th• n•ar•sf Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds L••t year th• n•ar•*t t to th• n•ar•st£ fo th• n￿r•s1 e th• n•ar•st t A1 Recel ts External furQing IKCCI TurtKin fees FuThlraisiry Bank Interest SnacksA￿s Granls DOn￿￿s 64.132 12,068 1,241 49 64.132 12.868 83,852 12,3 495 283 6,38• 7.251 8,764 0,372 6,372 Sub total (Gross income for AR) 8.￿9 92.197 A2 Asset and Investment sales. $00 tablo . Sub total zzzz 86.308 0.389 •2.897 83.409 A3 Pa ments Staff Wage5 Hall re Consumab Casual Staff Equipn*rt TnPsIE￿ls Other 69,217 8,382 71.117 8.382 1.480 1,175 896 463 01 784 403 018 784 1,726 1,269 139 l.allJ knsurarte Traini Flemb￿sAY $￿Sel￿nS nNnislralNI 767 1.899 1,183 4,229 2,93• 1,269 139 Sub total .oJo 1S,U9 91.919 •S.30J A4 Assot and Investmorrt urchases see tsble Sub total zzzz 86,030 6,889 91,•1• 85,303 Net of receipt￿{payMents) A5 Transfors batween funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 278 600 778 1,894 278 778 1.894 IER Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted lunds to n•ar•st£ Restricted lunds Endowment funds to n••r•st £ Categorles Detslls t¢ n•ar•st B1 Cash funds 727 Cash at bank Icwrert 6.024 Cash al Ideposrt ￿¢¢y￿￿) 28.7715 Total cash funds 32,626 ¥Mth FK•iOs ￿ pymgnls Unro$trldod funds nur•stt R•strl¢ted funds nur•st£ Endowmont funds i• n••r•st £ Dètalls B2 Other monetary assets Fund io *thl¢h b•lon Dètslls C•%t (OP￿0n•1) Curr•M valu• lonal Fund to a•s•f b•lon Curr•nt valu• onal Detall$ 84 Assets retained for the charity's own use Fund to r•lai•s Amount du• nal Yh•n du• onal Detalls 85 Liabilitie$ SwJned by one or two trustees on bghaif of 01 Ihe Irustaes Slgnature Prfnt Namo Dalo of roval Brian￿ Homil Brionne Homilon ## **Trustees’ Annual Report 2023/ 24** ## **From 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024** ## **Charity name: Stepping Stones Pre-School Canterbury** ## **Charity registration number: 1037668** ## **Objectives and Activities** |**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.
We provided excellent opportunities for learning
and development, giving children the freedom
to develop at their own pace and reach their full
potential within the EarlyYears 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, Kearsney Abbey, Canterbury
Cathedral and the library as well as carol singing
at a local Café with families.|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, Kearsney Abbey, Canterbury
Cathedral and the library as well as carol singing
at a local Café 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 French, Bulgarian, Malalayam and
Slovak.
3 children received Free for Two funding for all or
part of the year; 7 children received Early Years
Pupil Premium funding; 2 children received
Special Educational Needs Inclusion Funding and
3 Disability Access Funding
The charity continued to support children and
families to work with partner agencies, including:
3 children accessing the Specialist Teaching
Service or Speech and Language Therapy; 2
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 7 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_“always friendly and helpful”_
_●“I have always felt able to talk to the team_
_about anything”_
_●“your level of care and dedication to the_
_children is amazing”_
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 person all over Kent. All staff accessed early years professional development training to embed knowledge around communication and language. Across the year, the charity appointed a new Accounts Administrator following the Apprentice leaving at the end of the previous year. The Manager and an Early Years Educator moved on at the end of the Year. The deputy Manager was appointed as the new manager, and an Early Years Educator appointed as Deputy Manager. A new Early Years Educator was recruited, and an existing Early Years Educator increased their hours. ## **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 realistic goals. 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
receipts exceeding our payments by
approximately £800 covering planned
expenditure for the start of the next financial
year.| |---|---|---| |Statement explaining the policy
for holding reserves stating why
they are held|Para 1.22|Following a review we continue to 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
continuing as a going concern|Para 1.23|n/a| |**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|**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
this year the charity has 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)** |**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|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, safeguarding and 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 namethe 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**|**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|To 22/02/2024
n/a
To 22/02/2024
To 22/02/2024
From 22/02/2024
From 12/10/2023| |Tiffany Carter|Chair|| |Anna Campion||| |Nicola Bayly|Acting Treasurer|| |SallyHeath||| |Brianne Hamilton|Treasurer|| |Debbie Cavero||| |8|Abigail
Stavroulakis-McMahon||From 12/10/2023
From 12/10/2023| |---|---|---|---| |9|Rosetta Lancaster||| |10|||| |11|||| |12|||| **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**|Tiffany Carter|Tiffany Carter||Brianne Hamilton| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||| |||Tiffany Carter||Brianne Hamilton| |||||| ||
|Chair||Treasurer| ||21/01/2025|||| |||||21/01/2025|