Ducklings Pre-school Great Massingham Charity Number 1039199
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Ducklings Pre-school Great Massingham Charity Number 1039199
Committee of Trustees Report for the year ended 31 March 2025
List of Trustees 2024-2025
Approved by Ofsted and Listed with Charity Commission
L Tibble C Molyneaux C Knight M Heley B Nash C Knight L Armitage
20 Children between 2-4 years were registered during 2024-2025 school year at the Preschool in Great Massingham. Families come from the village and a wider area. Great Massingham has Key Service Centre status in the Borough and children attending Preschool from surrounding villages enables Preschool to provide a local service for children from the village. This year had a higher number of children who started at age 2 year as working parents were able to access government funding for the younger age group. The Trustees and Staff are pleased that families trust us to provide the care and education for their child. The preschool provides opportunities for learning and development according to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Preschool is open 5 days a week termtime.
Previous parents have representation on the Committee of Trustees , with an existing parent also making an application to join the committee. The Local Primary schools are represented by a school governor and teacher. Trustees have a wide range of experience in Early Years, Teaching, Training, Management, Administration and Finance. These skills support the Trustees role of governance of Preschool. Trustees take on Lead roles within Committee that includes Safeguarding, Supporting the Staff Team, Links with the Local Schools Federation, as well as Finance and Officer Roles.
The Preschool, is a registered charity , has appropriate insurances, works to Policies and Procedures, has a Constitution, a Funding and Lease agreement with Norfolk County Council (NCC) and is registered with Ofsted as an Early Years Provider and is registered with OIC. Committee Trustee Meetings are held three times a year plus an AGM to which parents are invited and Staff have attended committee meetings as part of our shared approach to working together and supporting our staff. The Minutes Book and Accounts File are available at committee meetings and from the Secretary at other times.
Preschool has 5 part time staff holding a range of qualifications from Level 3, BA Hons and EYPS. Staff are supported to continue their professional development by attending training and courses to increase knowledge and to progress their career. During this school year our staff numbers have increased to cover staff on maternity leave and we welcome our new staff who have quickly become valued members of the small staff team.
Each child is known well by the staff , and the relationship with parents is valued. Comments from parents describe their confidence and appreciation of the care as well as the opportunities for learning for each child. Children at Preschool transition to 5 different Primary Schools. Links and processes are in place to ensure that transition between Preschool and the various Reception Classes is a positive experience for our children and their families.
Continued efforts were made this year to implement Preschool’s Plan for sustainability and development.
Preschool’s Proposal for a new Nursery-Preschool building was put to the Parish Council and the Great Massingham Neighbourhood Development Plan some years ago. The Preschool Proposal recognised the need as described in the Neighbourhood Opinion Surveys and Consultations for a modest number of new family homes to be built in Great Massingham and sought to combine this with the provision of a new Nursery-Preschool building that would provide the required facilities and opportunities to develop the service to meet family’s needs. Over several years preschool has continued to apply for grant funding to provide a new preschool building, the latest being the National Community Asset Fund and Government’s Early Years Development. Unfortunately, as a small village preschool we cannot compete with larger projects that are better value and can evidence substantial increased need and sustainability. Preschool is part of the infrastructure of the village and we are told that Preschool provides a valued service supporting local families.
The Financial Report for April 2024-March 2025 identifies that income generally supports annual expenditure for the year. It was identified that a payment from HMRC to cover SMP expenditure was delayed and was paid in the next financial year. Maintenance of the building continues but there is nothing that can be done to improve the internal facilities and provide a developed service to meet the needs of families. Staffing is the highest expenditure in common with other early years settings. The number of children is kept to around 10-12 maximum as preschool occupies one room with limited space. This means that income is also restricted. Staff wages increased in line with Government Guidance on the increase in hourly rate in April with the parity between staff qualifications and posts maintained. All staff are in the NEST pension scheme and preschool contributes to this. Preschool spends a good amount on resources for activities and equipment as the children's learning is a priority. A registration fee is paid to Ofsted and the Information Commissioners Office (ICO). Preschool employs a bookkeeping company to manage PAYE and the accounts are approved by an Accountant before going to the Charity Commission. Preschool receives most of its income from Government funding via Norfolk County Council based on an individual child’s eligibility for funding and the number of sessions attended. A small % of Parents pay some fees for non- eligible or additional sessions that are not government funded. Families on low income received Food Vouchers from NCC this year. Preschool receives some Early Years Pupil Premium funding that is used to provide enhanced opportunities for learning, and SEND funding for some children with additional needs.
The Ofsted Inspection took place Early in September 2024. The next will be within a 6 year cycle. Preschool received Grade 2/Good. With ‘Outstanding’ in a sub area. The Ofsted ‘requirement for any improvement’ was to ‘support staff to enhance children's understanding of the world to help them gain an understanding of traditions, backgrounds and cultures outside of their own experiences.’ A review of the recommendation was carried out by Preschool. At the time of the Ofsted Inspection on 18[th] September, Preschool had been open for 10 days. Individual children may only have attended 2 or 3 half day sessions. A high percentage of the children had not attended preschool the previous year, there were several children who had just turned 2 and this was their first experience away from parent’s care.
___ Lynne Armitage
Dated ___
Ducklings Pre-school Great Massingham Charity Number 1039199
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
Independent examiner's report
To: Ducklings Pre-school Great Massingham
This report on the financial statements of the Ducklings Pre-school Great Massingham Charity for the year end 31 March 2025, which are set out in the Annual Report is in respect of an examination carried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations and section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Respective responsibilities of the Ducklings Pre-school Great Massingham Charity and the examiner
As members of the Ducklings Pre-school Great Massingham Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. You consider that an audit is not required (under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements following the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act), and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of examiner's statement
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 Ducklings Pre-school Great Massingham Charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes considerations of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you as members of the Ducklings Pre-school Great Massingham Charity concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner's unqualified statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and - to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act.
have not been met; or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
___ Peter Rasberry, FCCA, FMAAT Clenshaw Minns, 24 Market Place, Swaffham, Norfolk, PE37 7QH
Dated ___
| Ducklings | Preschool Weasenham Road Great Massingham | Preschool Weasenham Road Great Massingham | PE322EY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charity Registered Number 1039199 | ||||
| Accounts | Summary 2024-2025 | |||
| Income | General Fund | Expenditure General Fund | ||
| Early Years Funding | 51,739.85 | Staff | 49,951.89 | |
| Fees | 7,406.30 | Premises | 1,979.21 | |
| Family Days | 435.00 | Utilites | 794.42 | |
| Misc | 71.00 | Phone | 302.53 | |
| Insurance | 1,056.28 | |||
| Ofsted/OIC | 85.00 | |||
| Subscriptions | 140.87 | |||
| Resources/Houskeeping/Equipment | 2,546.81 | |||
| Accountancy/Book-keeping | 706.54 | |||
| EYPP/SEND | 431.33 | |||
| Food | 171.27 | |||
| Room Hire/Meetings | 207.70 | |||
| Advertising | 535.38 | |||
| Administration | 333.53 | |||
| Uniforms | 214.98 | |||
| Family Days | 664.00 | |||
| Misc | 626.28 | |||
| Totals | 59,652.15 | 60,748.02 | ||
| Opening Balance | 41,700.40 | |||
| Closing Balance | 40,604.53 |
Ducklings Preschool Weasenham Road Great Massingham PE322EY Charity Registered Number 1039199 Accounts Summary 2024-2025 Restricted Fund Account for Building Renovation and Repair
Restricted Fund
| Restricted Fund | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Income | 3.81 | Expenditure | - |
| Opening Balance | 365.87 | ||
| Closing Balance | 369.68 | ||
| Accounts Summary 2024-2025 | |||
| General | 59,652.15 | General | 60,748.02 |
| Restricted | 3.81 | Restricted | - |
| Total Income | 59,655.96 | Total Expenditure | 60,748.02 |