Mayfield Pre-School
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements Year ending 31 August 2025
Registered Charity no: 1044859
Trustees’ Annual Report
for the period from 1[st] September 2024 to 31[st] August 2025
Reference and Administrative details
Charity name: Mayfield Pre-School
Charity registration number: 1044859
Our address: Mayfield Pre-School, Court Meadow, Tunbridge Wells Road, Mayfield, East Sussex, TN20 6PJ
Structure, Governance and Management
Mayfield Pre-School is an Ofsted registered, 'Outstanding' rated setting, situated in the heart of our beautiful East Sussex community. We are open to all children between the ages of 2 to school age. We are run by a caring and compassionate team who believe in a nurturing and 'hands on' approach to learning for all.
Mayfield Pre-School is governed by its constitution, which is based on the Early Years Alliance recommended model. We are a registered charity, first constituted on 23[rd] May 1994 and then amended on 18[th] January 1995, and amended again on 12[th] April 2000.
As a registered charity, Mayfield Pre-School is led by a Committee of voluntary Members (our Trustees). The Committee is elected once a year, after the start of each school year (November) at our Annual General Meeting (AGM). Each Member brings enthusiasm, passion and a different set of skills. This helps contribute to the annual goals of the Pre-School, as well as taking important decisions on how the Pre-School is run and moved forward. Committee Members are usually parents of those children attending the Pre-School, but we also very much welcome grandparents, other family members and supportive members of our local community.
Committee / Charity Trustees
Ben Pearce (Trustee Chair) James Eagle (Trustee Treasurer) Rebecca Pearce (Trustee Secretary) Hannah Olivery (Trustee) Louisa Hilman (Trustee) Sophie Raubenheimer (Committee Member)
Financial Adviser and Independent Examiner
Trish Lawson, Chartered Accountant
Name of senior staff members
Mayfield Pre-School is managed day-to-day by our Manager, Paige Merrick, who is supported by our Deputy Manager, Kerry Abbot, and our Finance & Administration Manager is Kathryn Brotherton. The Management are supported by a dedicated staff team of other, longstanding Early Years and Childcare professionals from the local area.
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Objectives and Activities
As set out in our governing document, Mayfield Pre-School provides early years education to children between the age of 2 years and school age in the parish of Mayfield and Five Ashes, East Sussex. Our Charitable objectives are to advance the education of children below the compulsory school age in the following order of priority (1) children resident in the parish of Mayfield and Five Ashes (2) children resident outside the parish of Mayfield and Five Ashes.
We confirm that the Trustees (Committee) have observed the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit (SORP Para 1.18), in regard to all of Mayfield PreSchool’s activities, and in the compilation of this annual report. In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year, we have kept Charity Commission guidance on public benefit in mind at all our Trustee (Committee) meetings. The focus of our activities remains to enhance the education of local young children in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.
Additional information
The Committee would like to say a huge thank you for all contributions made by parents and volunteers, and particularly to all those who have raised and donated funds for the Pre - School , in the past financial year. We remain reliant on the fundraising activities of our volunteer Committee, without which we would not be able to resource the same levels of care and education we currently provide. We would like to give additional thanks to the members of our Committee and Trustees who will be standing down at our next AGM in November 2025, particularly to James Eagle, our retiring Treasurer. We are truly grateful to all our funders and supporters.
Achievements and Performance
Mayfield Pre-School is pleased to report another good year. During 2024-5, despite some uncertainty caused by the setting of funding levels nationally, we have achieved our aims this financial year, through the culmination of the hard work and dedication of the entire Staff team, with support from the Committee.
Financially speaking, we have made a surplus and remain a well-run concern as a charity, controlling our finances carefully to ensure value for money, affordability for parents, and a wonderful, nurturing experience for the children we support. Partnership with parents and carers is key to our continuing success and we believe our work and inclusive support to local families continues to bring life and colour to the Parish.
This year we increased our involvement with Mayfacs at Blossom Fairy Orchard with events such as a creating a bug hotel-making day for families. We have enhanced our outdoor area with a climbing frame to aid the children’s confidence and build physical coordination skills. We have started a good morning song with makaton signing to help communications with all children and help their involvement. We continue to believe that PSED (personal, social and emotional development) is the most important aspect and the foundation of, every child’s learning. Alongside our day-to-day care, nurture and support, we again offered several rewarding extra-curricular activities including countryside walks on Court Meadow, ‘Bike-ability’ balance-bike cycle training, and Cooking Bear to help children start to learn about making food at home. This was aided by the development of a new kitchen at the Pre-School, supported by donations and earned income.
We have continued to work closely with several other local charities, groups, and local businesses to benefit the children’s experiences. These include Mayfield Primary School, the
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Bonfire Society, the Parish Council, Mayfield Girls School, Sussex Open Gardens (NGS scheme), the WI, the Scouts, and many other local people.
As our financial year concludes, we are already looking forward to the new Academic year beginning this September, with a new roll of children having successfully helped 14 children in their transition to move up to ‘big school’ at the end of the Summer term.
For the forthcoming academic year, the Pre-School will be focused on continuing to offer the very best early years education through play. The key focus will be on making incremental improvements throughout the setting; improving different areas for the children, and for the staff so that Mayfield Pre-School can provide the best learning experience possible. The Committee are now looking at how best to support this in terms of storage, suitable equipment and resources, and funding opportunities, including through grants and donations. Next year we expect to have to make further renovations to the premises, including works to the roof.
Financial Review
At the end of the financial year, the charity retained a sustainable financial position, finishing the year with an income of £192,061, in surplus, compared to an annual expenditure of £158,706.
We were fortunate last September (2024) to start the school year with 34 children on the register and finished the year with 37. This meant that we were able to absorb cost increases, whilst still offering the range of activities that reflect an Outstanding setting and keeping our resources new and interesting. None of this could be achieved without the dedication of our amazing Staff, Committee, and the hard work the team collectively put in to ensure we fundraise at a good level, all year-round. This year’s fundraising efforts included the two Open Garden weekends at Hoopers Farm (with our sincere thanks again to Sarah, Andrew and the Ratcliff Family).
Our funds were again bolstered by the monthly contributions we receive from local people via the donation scheme set up a few years ago; and some very generous individuals who choose to support us year in, year out. We continue to seek further support of philanthropic Trusts and Foundations and would welcome conversations, introductions or visits from any of these based in the region who might be able to support our vital work.
We continue to hold a suitable amount of unrestricted (cash) reserves, which has reduced slightly over the past 12 months. The Pre-School’s policy on this is to maintain sufficient reserves to cover the basic annual running costs, in case of loss of government or other core funding. Reserves are reviewed continuously throughout the year.
The Committee, Manager and Finance & Administration Manager regularly review the PreSchool’s reserves, finances, budget (and spend against this), in the Committee meetings, as part of the effective management of the Pre-School. We can confirm that Mayfield PreSchool charity remains a healthy, going concern.
The Committee reviews the main risks facing Mayfield Pre-School at each full meeting. The principal risks facing Mayfield Pre-School as a charity are: uncertainty of demand across each Academic Year; uncertainty from changes to government funding levels and what might change in 2025-6; and the ongoing effects of the costs of living adding to the costs of our operations, which does limit our ability to begin new initiatives at the Pre-School.
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Mayfield Pre-school - 1044859 Financial ActtvÉtses Septanber 2W24. Augltst 2025 TOTAL SEP 24. 2025 SEP 2023- AUG 2024 IPPI Irccffne Bre8kl891 Chjb F¢08 Dgpwi Ipart rBknndabl&l ESCC Funding Fund Rapsirrtj GoCardS8s8 Plan DonatKJn$ Individual Privat8 Oona1kJns I1 VC $1 Mis¢ income Non Funded s088k)n8 948.00 670.00 69.080.65 10,6YJ.19 2,810.16 3.270.05 99.224.25 654 82 2J1787 4,264 12 7&010.7T 50.293.29 TOTAL ExpenOrtur89 ¢omput¢r Ccéts Day to t18y repawB Ibmo I matsthl Fund Raigng Cc G8idgnlng HgL48ekeeping. cleanI Housgk¢eping . Cleanlng motth" Housak8apin9. Wasto Insuranc8s Offi¢wG8neral jMiniSt1ats Expwms Operattonal- Nth¥ equipmant Operational- R¢5wre•$ Oporatioftal . Sn8c Othsr Mi8¢$llaneous S8Nc• Cct Payroll- Pangon INESTI Payroll Wages linc PAYEI Payroll Admln c3)5t Phone Costs & Broadband Prlniing, P05tag9 and Stationwy Piopeity OxF0rrt. major repairn Flatss R8cruTrtm8nt SutxriOon$ Training Unlform ilities lèxc ple & Broadband) 2.044.87 1,441. 1.002.65 1ffj90. 513 60 610.93 3,357.01 1,610.00 4.569.71 1.089.47 917.17 1,611 78 75.00 394.67 1,945.81 713.44 2262.th) 1.244.r 1,229.80 1?6596 2.907.33 391.93 4,488.88 117.1S3.62 771.50 3.928.24 1LK8.528 45 831. S38 C6 239.52 S01.82 649.ts) 7224 00 649 285 80 780.31 2,953.89 1.147.30 228.36 3,612.18 27.21 3.491_94 NET OPERATING IKWME Othor Incom8 Intèrest 8am•d 738.97 51567 £5&7
Mayfjeld Pre-school - 1044859 Financia] Acttvities TOTAL SEP 2024. AUG 2025 SEP 20fJ- AUG 2024 IPPI Other Expendrtures Other ExperKliiure 1.206.60 1,400.94 NET OTHER INCOME NET INCOMEIIEXPENDrruREI LpfvOSTr)
Mayfield Pre-school Statament of Assets & Liabilrtigs As of August 31. 2025 TOTAL AS OF AUG 31, 2025 AS OF AUG 31. 2024 IPPI Fix8d Ass81 Total Fixed Asset Cash at bank and in hand Cash on hand MAYFIELD P.S CS117141 MAYFIELD PRE-SCH117061 Utility War8hovs8 Card Cash at bank aNI In o.oo 40,043.12 4.453.04 1.24 £44.497.40 70323.83 7.530.13 £77053.96 Current AsSS Urd•KK)Sit8d FurKJs Totd Curr9nt Assots 0.00 NET CURRENT ASSETS £77m3. £44.4g7.40 £44.497.40 £44,497.40 £44.497.40 NET CURRENT ASSETS ILIA81LITIESI TOTAL ASSETS LESS ¢UAAENT LiABILITIES £n.8S3.96 £77053.96 TOTAL NET ASSETS ILIA81LITIESI Chaniy lunrls Oponino Balanca Equty Raiwn8d Eam1ros SuYplusllDeticitl Tolal Chorlty lundB 55,139.04 .10,641 64 33,35&56 £77.OSg.98 SS.139.04 -11.496.97 855 33 È44.497.40 Ca$h Bts$ Frkf•y 3 0¢tor 2025 04*J5 pm G07 fjo In
CHARITY COMMISSION ' FOR ENGLAND AND WAIES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner s Report Reportto the trustees Mayfield Preschcx)I On accounts for the year onded Charity no lrfanyl 2024-2025 1044859 Sot out on pages I report to the trustees on my examinatton of the ac()nts ofthe abov6 charity (tthe Tfusf) for the year ended 3110812025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charitys tNstees. you are resrx)nsible for the preparation of the accounls in accordance wtth the requirements ofthe Charities Act 2011 rthe Acr). I report in respect of my examinatvJn of the Trusys ac)unt$ carried out under secaion 145 of Ihe 2011 Act and in carying out my examination. I have follrxved all the apF4icable Direcaions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)Ibl of the Act. Independent examinefs statement Delete l ] rfnot ap1¢able. I have comwed examinaticn. I confinn that no material matters have cOe to my *iention in C£$nn1n wlth the examination {other than that disdos&J bel(yw ') which gives me cause to belbeve that in. any material the accounb.ng TOrdS wwe not kept in xCoan with sedion 130 ofthe Charities Act.. or the &xounts did not acc(¥d with accounting records" or the a(unt5 did not C4)myy with the apFlICab requirements conceming the fomi and content of ntS set out in the Chaiilies {Accounts and ReFL)rts) Regulations 2008 other than any requiTernent that the aUnIS give a knie and fairf view which is Th)t a matier Considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to whith attents'on should be drawn in this port in order to enable a proper uThaerstsThJing of the accounls to be reached. . Ple8se ¢ete the wr>rds in the brackets rflhey do not apply. Signed: 051 IOIU Name: Relevant professional qualificatlon(sl or body l¢k IER Oct 2018
lif any): Address: FKÉL Section B Disclosure Only mplete rf the examinei needs to highlight maenal matters of CanM (see CC32, Independent examination of chanty accounts: <h"rections and guidaFKe for exatTKners). Glve here brief d8talls of any items thatthe examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018