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← North Leeds Community Nursery

2025-05-31-accounts

North Leeds Community Nursery

Charity number 1047355

A company limited by guarantee number 03046944

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 May 2025

North Leeds Community Nursery

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 May 2025

Contents Page
Trustees' report 2 to 6
Examiner's report 7
Statement of financial activities 8
Balance sheet 9
Notes to the accounts 10 to 12

Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

1

North Leeds Community Nursery

Trustees' report for the year ended 31 May 2025

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors

The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were: Name Position Dates

Name Position Dates Claire Ewart Chair Nicholas McLoughlin Treasurer Simon Campbell-Skelling Elizabeth Austen Sarah Gill Resigned 10 December 2024 Leah Michell Victoria Eustace Resigned 10 December 2024 Charity number 1047355 Registered in England and Wales Company number 03046944 Registered in England and Wales

Registered and principal address Bankers Foxcroft Close Virgin Money Santander UK plc Leeds Bering House 2 Triton Square West Yorkshire Mariner Court Regent's Place LS6 3NT Clydebank Business Park London Clydebank. G81 2NR NW1 3AN

Independent examiner

Katy Sargeant ACA

West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was formed on 18 April 1995. It is governed by a memorandum and articles of association. The liability of the members in the event of the company being wound up is limited to a sum not exceeding £1.

Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees

The trustees of the charity are also the directors for the purposes of company law and are appointed by the members at the AGM.

2

North Leeds Community Nursery Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 May 2025

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects

a) To advance the education of children and in particular of those children below compulsory school age by the promotion and provision of day care facilities for such children which stimulate their growth and development through play

b) In the interests of social welfare, to promote and provide recreational facilities and other leisure time activities for children so that their conditions of life may be improved.

The charity's main activities

The Charity operates a nursery for children under 7 years of age.

Public benefit statement

In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular providing early years education and development.

Achievements and performance

Staffing

There have been various changes to the staffing structure over the year.

Two staff members left the organisation. One staff member was part time and did not work directly with the children and the role was filled swiftly.

The second member did work directly with the children on a full-time basis and this role was very hard to fill. This was a definite reflection on the recruitment issues that the Early Years industry is currently experiencing.

Our part time employee who was on extended Maternity leave, came back on a more flexible basis to help maintain a work/life balance.

One staff member requested leave from October for two months to enable her to go travelling. This was approved and the staff member returned in January 2025.

Agency staff has still been used on a regular basis especially to fulfil the role of the full-time employee that left; however we kept this to a minimum by the manager also working in the room on a regular basis. We are lucky enough to have a regular agency staff member, who is used to the nursery routine and has formed positive relationships with the children and staff in the Rainbow Room.

The nursery was successful in appointing a Senior Early Years Educator in the Sunshine room. This role had remained vacant for some time and additional administrative duties were carried out by a current staff member in the room. A member of staff already working within the Sunshine room was successful in being appointed the Senior Early Years Educator. The staff member appointed demonstrated a clear and concise vision for the room.

Qualifications and staff wellbeing:

This year we did not arrange any specific training to be undertaken, we agreed as a staff team that we would utilise training days to focus on our continuous safeguarding practises, refresh First Aid knowledge both in practical and theory and enjoy lengthier individual room meetings and full nursery team meetings. Afternoons were spent on developing areas of provision and planning the curriculum. We have continued to use Noodle Now, this has been especially useful for our Apprentice to access various training to support her knowledge in the Early Years sector. We revised our roles and responsibilities and made various changes to these. One staff member attended SENDco training to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the role.

3

North Leeds Community Nursery Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 May 2025

Achievements and performance (continued)

Improvements

Improvements within the nursery consisted of new trellis fencing in the back garden. The Sunshine room garden fence repainted, and various pieces of storage furniture purchased for the Rainbow room. Many of the Rainbow room areas were updated, the dressing up area was moved and made bigger, the music area was redesigned, and more musical instruments were purchased to enhance the area. A new sofa and chairs were purchased to be used in the Role play area. The Sunshine room also purchased a sofa and chairs to make their reading a more cosy and inviting space for the babies.

Various changes and updates to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) were made this year giving more clarity on Safeguarding, Language development and assessment procedures.

We booked various outside providers to deliver sessions to the children in the setting, The Sunshine room introduced Lorraine to the children who delivers a music session every other week. The Rainbow room introduced Tots Pretend who deliver a drama and role play session every other week. Number Train also joined the Rainbow room in delivering maths sessions to enhance children’s confidence and creativity with numbers.

We also had visits from:

Owl Adventures, Alpacas, Zoo lab and Living eggs where we successfully hatched all ten chicks.

Social events and parental involvement

We held a lovely summer gathering for the children, parents and staff to attend. This was a low-key event where everyone had the opportunity to relax and socialise with one another.

We held a Paediatric first aid for parents evening, which was well attended and will be made an annual event.

We also held a ‘learn to crochet evening’ unfortunately this did not attract any interest with the parents and carers of the nursery.

Lease of the Land

After many years of enquiring about a longer lease for the site, we finally had a meeting with Leeds City Council who are keen for the nursery to remain where we are and consider our setting a much-needed provision in the area. We do not have any specific dates or timescales of when we will get a new lease but we feel more assured that the nursery has a future on the site that is right for us and for the community.

Fee increase

The annual fee increase was implemented, and the additional Government funding was brought in. The funding has had a positive impact on the nursery, in relation to many parents increasing their children’s sessions.

Budgets

Monthly budgets remain in place for the rooms to access resources and materials. The budget amounts have only increased by current inflation; however, this has not impacted on the rooms buying resources that are needed.

Marketing and Publicity

The new website contact form remains an effective tool in booking visits and general enquiries.

Word of mouth is still the nurseries most effective advertising tool.

A leaflet drop was conducted in the local area to generate more interest in the nursery. We focussed on the centre of Headingly and a few premises in the local area.

One of the main focuses is trying to boost the nurseries rankings in various search engines. The nursery is quite low on the rankings and we are competing with lots of nurseries in the area that are part of a larger organisation.

4

North Leeds Community Nursery Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 May 2025

Achievements and performance (continued)

Fundraising and Charitable events .

The Rainbow Room supported The Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity this year. The children had to do various rescue missions throughout the week, and they did an incredible job, the fantastic efforts made by the children raised an amazing £1,117.50.

The Sunshine Rooms chosen charity was Leeds Mind. The children did various sporting activities throughout the week to incorporate staying active and healthy. The children’s enthusiasm and zest for sports raised a fantastic £630.

Future for the nursery

We are confident that the nursery remains a viable business and that the recent changes we have put in place, with regards to the fee increases and only offering full day sessions will enable it to flourish.

The main doors still need to be replaced at some point as these become warped in the winter months. PVC doors would be a better option.

We are continuously improving the setting and what we offer to the children and parents, by making the nursery an exciting and welcoming environment. This would not be achievable without the commitment and dedication of the staff in the setting.

Financial review

The net income for the year was £54,141, all unrestricted in nature, increasing the charity's free reserves (excluding fixed assets) to £239,329.

The total income for 2024/2025 was £112k higher than 2023/2024. The nursery saw a significant increase in fee funding from the government (£114k), as funding for children from 2 years and under was gradually introduced from September 2024. There was a slight decrease in parent fee funding of £2k, (due to the increase in government funding).

Overall expense was £38k higher compared to the previous year. Staff related expense was £36k higher due to an annual pay increase with inflation and the recruitment of an additional member of staff. The nursery successfully saved money on food and household expenses (£3k). External activity costs was higher (£2k) as drama, music and forest school classes were introduced and equipment and materials was higher (£1.5k).

The Committee has assessed the nursery’s financial position going forward and do not foresee any material impact on the organisation. They are confident the nursery can be treated as a going concern. The Committee look forward to achieving a successful financial year in 2025/2026.

Reserves policy

The Trustees have examined the charity's requirements for reserves whilst considering the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the reserve fund should cover 6 to 9 months of annual expenditure to enable the smooth running of the charity and to allow for an orderly winding up should the charity need to close. This would equate to approximately £215k - £322k based on the 2025/26 budgeted expenditure.

5

North Leeds Community Nursery Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 May 2025

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees report and the financial statements in accordance with the applicable law and UK Accounting Standards.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for the year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

prepare the accounts on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and

Approved by the board of trustees on 8/1/2026

Claire Ewart (Trustee)

6

North Leeds Community Nursery

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of North Leeds Community Nursery

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 May 2025, which are set out on pages 8 to 12.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since the charitable company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a fellow of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act.

I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a fellow of ICAEW which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

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.

Katy Sargeant ACA

19/1/2026

West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO

Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW

7

North Leeds Community Nursery

Statement of Financial Activities

(including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 May 2025

Notes
Income from:
Grants and donations
Government funded places
Private funded places
Bank interest
Other income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Salaries and NIC
(2)
Temporary staff
Rent and rates
Insurance and subscriptions
Utilities
Equipment and materials
General premises costs
Cleaning
Food and household
Telephone and internet
Postage and other office costs
Training, travel and other staff costs
Advertising and publicity
Other expenditure
Independent examination
Depreciation
Recruitment
Accountancy and bookkeeping
External activity providers
Total expenditure
Net income / (expenditure)
Fund balances brought forward
Fund balances carried forward		 2025
Total
funds
£
-
220,848
223,060
4,212
-
448,120
267,018
15,692
13,697
8,540
13,236
8,970
9,419
14,939
21,940
2,024
2,337
646
719
917
1,518
3,293
1,304
4,962
2,808
393,979
54,141
198,888
253,029		 2024
Total
funds
£
288
106,913
224,743
4,496
47
336,487
232,949
14,163
13,696
8,156
12,600
7,462
8,588
14,406
24,851
1,807
1,669
994
281
1,805
1,518
3,041
1,873
5,877
576
356,312
(19,825)
218,713
198,888

All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.

8

North Leeds Community Nursery

Balance sheet

as at 31 May 2025

as at 31 May 2025
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
(3)
Total fixed assets
Current assets
Debtors and prepayments
(4)
Cash at bank
Total current assets
Current liabilities:
amounts falling due within one year
Creditors and accruals
(5)
Total current liabilities
Net current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
(11)
Net assets
Funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds		 2025
Total
£
13,700
13,700
7,592
297,609
305,201
65,872
65,872
239,329
-
253,029
253,029
253,029		 2024
Total
£
16,993
16,993
8,497
215,791
224,288
42,393
42,393
181,895
-
198,888
198,888
198,888

For the year ending 31 May 2025 the charitable company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime and with FRS 102 (effective January 2019).

The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 8/1/2026

Claire Ewart (Trustee)

9

North Leeds Community Nursery

Notes to the accounts

for the year ended 31 May 2025

1 Accounting policies

Basis of accounting

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) and with the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year. No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.

Going concern

The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, if it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Where grants are related to performance and specific deliverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.

Expenditure and liabilities

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it i lik l th t th t th i l l t ti bli ti itti th h it t t th

Taxation

As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets with an economic life more than one year are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expenses of acquisition. Gifted assets are shown at the value to the charity on Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost on a reducing balance basis at 15% per annum.

Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of its employees. The costs of contributions are recognised in the year they are payable.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

Leases

Rents under operating leases are charged on a straight line basis over the lease term or to an earlier date if the lease can be determined without financial penalty.

10

North Leeds Community Nursery

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 May 2025

2 Staff costs and numbers
Gross salaries
Social security costs
Employment allowance
Pensions		 2025
£
250,390
20,188
(7,237)
3,677
267,018		 2024
£
220,617
14,830
(5,433)
2,935
232,949

The average number of employees during the year was 12.4, being an average of 10.6 full time equivalent (2024: 10.3, 8.3 FTE). There were no employees with emoluments above £60,000.

3
**4 **		 Defined contribution pension scheme
Costs of the scheme to the charity for the year
Amount of any contributions outstanding at the year end
Tangible assets
Cost
£
£
At 1 June 2024
-
-
Additions
-
-
Disposals
-
-
At 31 May 2025
-
-
Depreciation
At 1 June 2024
-
-
Depn reversed re. disposals
-
-
Charge for year
-
-
At 31 May 2025
-
-
Net book value
At 31 May 2025
-
-
At 31 May 2024
-
-
Debtors and prepayments
Debtors
Prepayments
Other debtors
Class 3
Class 4		 £
12,392
-
-
12,392
4,850
-
1,130
5,980
6,412
7,542
Furniture &
Fittings		 2025
£
3,677
-
£
49,960
-
(8,448)
41,512
40,509
(7,571)
1,286
34,224
7,288
9,451
2025
£
2,626
3,606
1,360
7,592
Office
equipment		 2024
£
2,935
624
Total
£
62,352
-
(8,448)
53,904
45,359
(7,571)
2,416
40,204
13,700
16,993
2024
£
5,478
3,019
-
8,497

11

North Leeds Community Nursery

Notes to the accounts continued

for the year ended 31 May 2025

5 Creditors and accruals
Bank loans and overdrafts
Creditors
Accruals
Funding received in advance
Taxation and social security
Other creditors		 2025
£
2,887
9,402
32,720
11,794
2,644
6,425
65,872		 2024
£
2,757
10,029
19,484
1,643
1,431
7,049
42,393

6 Related party transactions

Trustee expenses

No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.

Trustee remuneration and benefits

No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.

Remuneration and benefits received by key management personnel

The total employee benefits received by key management personnel were £30,687 (previous year: £27,935).

7 Operating leases
Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive
8 Funds held as agent
Balance b/f
Incoming
£
£
Epilepsy fundraiser
-
1,418
-
1,418
Expected future minimum lease payments over the remaining life of the
lease, analysed into the period in which the commitment falls due:		 2025
£
277
-
277
Outgoing
£
1,418
1,418		 2024
£
475
277
752
Balance c/f
£
-
-

Fund name Additional information Epilepsy fundraiser Money raised and subsequently donated from a fundraiser.

12