----- Start of picture text -----
oP Gg fo
XO Pre-School Ne
ee: Bi ba . SL
p at
"i Z )bs
Ofsted no: 127646
----- End of picture text -----*
Charity no: 1038393
----- Start of picture text -----
vunsted Li
ynsted Little Hall
Lynsted Lane
Sittingbourne
Me9KentOrl
Telephone: 01795 522 736
Email: office@steppingstoneslynsted.org.uk
----- End of picture text -----
Annual Report Apr 2024-Mar 2025
Our staff team continues to evolve with the same core staff still in place-manager; deputy manager; 1 full-time staff member & 1 part-time staff member; administrator & 1 volunteer.
Our numbers continue to be low, despite the introduction of 2-year-old working entitlement. This is still the ongoing impact of Covid and low birth rates.
We still used our independent SALT (Speech & Language Teacher) to support staff and assess complex language needs but as SENIF funds cannot be used for this, it has become increasingly challenging to fund these visits, even though they are needed more than ever with the squeeze on NHS SALT services.
During Term 5 & 6, we had the lambs visit, again with Elmo (who used to attend preschool) and The local band Hullabaloo came to play for us, with children being able to not only listen to the instruments but also attempt to play themselves. We had a Rugby Tots session delivered on the field, helping develop gross motor & ball skills as well as co-operative & team building opportunities. Our Father's Day event welcomed 5 parents for activities and games. We joined the school to celebrate the opening of their outdoor classroom which we will be able to use.
We interviewed to replace one staff member but were unable to offer hours-our level 3 apprentice continued her training. We supported 2 students with their work experience.
During June & July, we again offered parents evening in person, on an individual basis-this is now within the session and means we now have 100% attendance
We continued to have a high level of SEND children.
We held Sports Week to allow for children’s holidays and over the week, children participated in daily races and still received their medal & certificate.
All staff supported their key children with transitions to school with meetings and visits and a child gained a place at Aspire, having been supported through the deferred year with an EHCP.
Graduation Day was blessed with lovely weather as we said goodbye to 8 children.
----- Start of picture text -----
Ofsted
Good
Provider
----- End of picture text -----
----- Start of picture text -----
* ZoPre-School Ne
AoP g ro
LE Pe SOK S\
ie y a) waa
< jane
S) 3 : /.) ed
Ofsted no: 127646
----- End of picture text -----
----- Start of picture text -----
.
Lynsted Little Hall
Lynsted Lane
y
Sittingbourne
Me9KentOrl
----- End of picture text -----
Telephone: 01795 522 736
Charity no: 1038393
Email: office@steppingstoneslynsted.org.uk
During the summer, the emergency maintenance on the garden fence carried out in April was upgraded with new fencing and an access gate directly to the school field.
In September, numbers were low, but we continue to have a high level of SEND with 25% of children needing support or intervention. A member of staff reduced her hours due to a change in family circumstances, and we had a student from Canterbury College for the term.
We welcomed 4 Grandparents in for story time to celebrate Grandparents’ Day and held a ‘Speak like a pirate day’ with pirate themed activities and dressing up.
Children enjoyed a hands-on visit learning all about caring for chickens, the school regularly visited with pupils for shared reading time, we held our annual ‘Welly Walk’ fundraiser and December saw the children perform their Christmas production ‘A Wiggly Nativity’ in the school hall with a total of £225 being raised over these events.
A child we had supported gained their EHCP at their new setting.
Over the year, staff continued to make use of the training platform with Early Years Alliance completing Safeguarding, SEND, Communication & Language and Characteristics of Effective Learning courses amongst others.
Numbers didn’t increase significantly, and this continues to impact on the fundraising which covers the shortfall.
2 members of staff updated their paediatric 1* Aid.
In March we celebrated World Book Day, dressing up as favorite characters & sharing stories & book themed activities with some parents joining us for stories. We welcomed the Mums in for Mother’s Day tea and cake, with a high attendance. This showcases our children’s self-help skills, as they poured their mummies a drink and offered them a selection of cakes.
To conclude, it continues to be challenging to keep the setting operating with increasing costs & falling numbersCovid is still impacting birth rates.
We need to continue to explore grants and funding streams to help bridge the gap.
----- Start of picture text -----
KICK,
Ofsted
Good
Provider
----- End of picture text -----
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Stepping Stones Pre-School
I reported theaccounts on the Stepping Stones Pre School for the year ended 5 April 2025, which are enclosed.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner.
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of[the][ accounts;][you][consider] that the audit requirement of section 43 (2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43 (7) (b) of the Act, whether particular matter have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report.
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of[the][ accounts][presented][with][ those][records.][It][also][includes] consideration of any unusual items of disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required for an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reason to believe that in any material respect the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of[the][Act]
have not been met: or
(2) to which in my opiniop=attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the qe Counts to be reached. Name: Ss ; Relevant professionalJohn CrowderqualifieationKeof body: 3 FFA FTADate: ( CO ORS
Address: J&S Accountancy 16 West Street Sittingbourne Kent MEIO 1AW
STEPPING STONES PRE-SCHOOL (Lynsted)
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2025
INCOME
EXPENDITURE
| Fees from parents | 7775.00 | Premises costs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent and services | 406.00 | ||
| Repairs and renewals | 4323.65 | ||
| Fund raising | 690.60 | ||
| Phone | 375.73 | ||
| KCC vouchers | 50491.27 | ||
| DBS Checks / Offsted | 100.00 | ||
| Donations | 213.50 | ||
| Insurance | 3397.44 | ||
| Interest received | 0.49 | ||
| Wages | |||
| Net Wages | 41947.46 | ||
| Paye | 3597.46 | ||
| NEST Pension | 1383.28 | ||
| Training | 194.40 | ||
| Accountancy | 246.00 | ||
| Payroll / Software Charges |
1052.50 | ||
| Bank Charges | 173.41 | ||
| Refreshments etc. | 182.04 | ||
| Sundries | 1024.27 | ||
| 59170.86 | 58403.64 | ||
| Excess of expenditure | Excess ofincome | ||
| over income | over expenditure | ||
| 767.22 | |||
| 59170.86 | 59170.86 |
STEPPING STONES PRE SCHOOL (Lynsted)
BALANCE SHEET AS AT Sth APRIL 2025
Section 2
| Balances broughtforward | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lloyds Business Extra Account |
184.77 | |
| Cash in hand | 7.03 | |
| Retained Cash | 24.46 | |
| Instant access | 40.86 | |
| 257.12 | ||
| 767.22 | ||
| Excess of incomeoverexpenditure | ||
| 1024.34 | ||
| Balances carried forward | ||
| Lloyds Business Extra Account |
603.07 | |
| Cash in hand | 2.05 | |
| Retained Cash | 317.91 | |
| Instant access | 101.31 | |
| 1024.34 | ||
| Excess of expenditure over income | ||
| 1024.34 |
f. j LLECN MOXKNA CcETCHE Char - Qolul2s ——— ‘y
----- Start of picture text -----
oP Gg fo
XO Pre-School Ne
ee: Bi ba . SL
p at
"i Z )bs
Ofsted no: 127646
----- End of picture text -----*
Charity no: 1038393
----- Start of picture text -----
vunsted Li
ynsted Little Hall
Lynsted Lane
Sittingbourne
Me9KentOrl
Telephone: 01795 522 736
Email: office@steppingstoneslynsted.org.uk
----- End of picture text -----
Annual Report Apr 2024-Mar 2025
Our staff team continues to evolve with the same core staff still in place-manager; deputy manager; 1 full-time staff member & 1 part-time staff member; administrator & 1 volunteer.
Our numbers continue to be low, despite the introduction of 2-year-old working entitlement. This is still the ongoing impact of Covid and low birth rates.
We still used our independent SALT (Speech & Language Teacher) to support staff and assess complex language needs but as SENIF funds cannot be used for this, it has become increasingly challenging to fund these visits, even though they are needed more than ever with the squeeze on NHS SALT services.
During Term 5 & 6, we had the lambs visit, again with Elmo (who used to attend preschool) and The local band Hullabaloo came to play for us, with children being able to not only listen to the instruments but also attempt to play themselves. We had a Rugby Tots session delivered on the field, helping develop gross motor & ball skills as well as co-operative & team building opportunities. Our Father's Day event welcomed 5 parents for activities and games. We joined the school to celebrate the opening of their outdoor classroom which we will be able to use.
We interviewed to replace one staff member but were unable to offer hours-our level 3 apprentice continued her training. We supported 2 students with their work experience.
During June & July, we again offered parents evening in person, on an individual basis-this is now within the session and means we now have 100% attendance
We continued to have a high level of SEND children.
We held Sports Week to allow for children’s holidays and over the week, children participated in daily races and still received their medal & certificate.
All staff supported their key children with transitions to school with meetings and visits and a child gained a place at Aspire, having been supported through the deferred year with an EHCP.
Graduation Day was blessed with lovely weather as we said goodbye to 8 children.
----- Start of picture text -----
Ofsted
Good
Provider
----- End of picture text -----
----- Start of picture text -----
* ZoPre-School Ne
AoP g ro
LE Pe SOK S\
ie y a) waa
< jane
S) 3 : /.) ed
Ofsted no: 127646
----- End of picture text -----
----- Start of picture text -----
.
Lynsted Little Hall
Lynsted Lane
y
Sittingbourne
Me9KentOrl
----- End of picture text -----
Telephone: 01795 522 736
Charity no: 1038393
Email: office@steppingstoneslynsted.org.uk
During the summer, the emergency maintenance on the garden fence carried out in April was upgraded with new fencing and an access gate directly to the school field.
In September, numbers were low, but we continue to have a high level of SEND with 25% of children needing support or intervention. A member of staff reduced her hours due to a change in family circumstances, and we had a student from Canterbury College for the term.
We welcomed 4 Grandparents in for story time to celebrate Grandparents’ Day and held a ‘Speak like a pirate day’ with pirate themed activities and dressing up.
Children enjoyed a hands-on visit learning all about caring for chickens, the school regularly visited with pupils for shared reading time, we held our annual ‘Welly Walk’ fundraiser and December saw the children perform their Christmas production ‘A Wiggly Nativity’ in the school hall with a total of £225 being raised over these events.
A child we had supported gained their EHCP at their new setting.
Over the year, staff continued to make use of the training platform with Early Years Alliance completing Safeguarding, SEND, Communication & Language and Characteristics of Effective Learning courses amongst others.
Numbers didn’t increase significantly, and this continues to impact on the fundraising which covers the shortfall.
2 members of staff updated their paediatric 1* Aid.
In March we celebrated World Book Day, dressing up as favorite characters & sharing stories & book themed activities with some parents joining us for stories. We welcomed the Mums in for Mother’s Day tea and cake, with a high attendance. This showcases our children’s self-help skills, as they poured their mummies a drink and offered them a selection of cakes.
To conclude, it continues to be challenging to keep the setting operating with increasing costs & falling numbersCovid is still impacting birth rates.
We need to continue to explore grants and funding streams to help bridge the gap.
----- Start of picture text -----
KICK,
Ofsted
Good
Provider
----- End of picture text -----
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Stepping Stones Pre-School
I reported theaccounts on the Stepping Stones Pre School for the year ended 5 April 2025, which are enclosed.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner.
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of[the][ accounts;][you][consider] that the audit requirement of section 43 (2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43 (7) (b) of the Act, whether particular matter have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report.
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of[the][ accounts][presented][with][ those][records.][It][also][includes] consideration of any unusual items of disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required for an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reason to believe that in any material respect the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of[the][Act]
have not been met: or
(2) to which in my opiniop=attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the qe Counts to be reached. Name: Ss ; Relevant professionalJohn CrowderqualifieationKeof body: 3 FFA FTADate: ( CO ORS
Address: J&S Accountancy 16 West Street Sittingbourne Kent MEIO 1AW