Report 2024/25
The elected Duckling’s Trustees were Sandra McConnell-Tait (Chair), Dee Gomm (Treasurer), Daphne Tyler (Secretary), Julie Welsh and Deborah Ingram.
The team at Ducklings continued to be led by Deborah Ingram as Manager, supported by Jenny Roberts as her Deputy. Heather Culmer as Administrator and Lead Practitioner, Emily Brand as SEN and Lead Practitioner, Helen Woodland and Joanna Perry both Nursery Practitioners. During this year Melissa Kiff left Ducklings.
We offer places in the morning session to children who have turned 2 years and 9 months, and in the afternoon session to children who have turned 2 years. Once children reach 3 years they are able to access a full day session.
During the year the number of children on our roll increased until the summer term our afternoon sessions became very busy.
We continued with our termly themes, during the Autumn term we learnt about ourselves, how we grow, our families and where we live. We also explored nature during the autumn season, collecting the leaves and using Eye Spy tick charts.
In the Spring term we learnt about all sorts of transport, travelling on airplanes from our airport, creating trains, cars and boats all out of boxes. We then thought about all the people who help us, and turned our home corner into a vets.
Finally, in the Summer term we went around the world, from France to Japan, learning how to greet each other in different languages. Learning about different cultures, what food they eat and landmarks. We also learnt about different creatures, from mini-beasts to wild animals, pets and birds of the air and fish in the sea.
We continued to enjoy our outside space throughout the year, with lots of sports, gardening, picnics and much more.
Sandra McConnell-Tait, Chair of Ducklings Management Committee
5 March 2026
We shared our Sports Day with Sarratt School's Reception Class, this proved a success for both classes, giving the children the opportunity to experience being part of the school. We continue to forge links with the school, and regularly use the school hall for PE.
We held our annual Nativity in the Ducklings class room to a packed audience of parents and family, the children rose to the occasion and put on a magnificent performance. We also celebrated Christmas with a party, and were visited Mr Marvel and Father Christmas.
At the end of the year we held our Graduation Ceremony for the children who were leaving Ducklings and moving on into Reception.
As a charity, Ducklings does not aim to make a profit, but reinvests any profit into the running the nursery and funding it's activities. Unfortunately, this year there was a small loss of £11,421 and our cash assets are now £76,614.
Sandra McConnell-Tait
Chair of Sarratt Ducklings Management Committee
5[th] March 2026
Sandra McConnell-Tait, Chair of Ducklings Management Committee
5 March 2026
Registered Charity number 1048712
SARRATT DUCKLINGS PRE-SCHOOL
Receipts and Payments Account Year ended 31 August 2025
SARRATT DUCKLINGS PRE-SCHOOL
Schedule to the Receipts and Payments for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Receipts and Payments Account Fundraising publicity Payments for generating funds Charitable payments Charitable activities Costs of goods and services Costs of classroom activities Jubilee expenses Display boards Garden boxes Equipment Staf costs Rent payable Training costs Children's milk & groceries |
2025 2025 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ - - - - - - - - Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds Prior period Total Funds |
|---|---|
| - - - - | |
| 8 - 8 175 2,047 - 2,047 1,519 - - - - - - - - - - - - 252 - 252 607 111,538 - 111,538 97,782 11,001 - 11,001 6,334 224 - 224 1,282 853 - 853 1,270 |
|
| 125,923 - 125,923 108,969 |
SARRATT DUCKLINGS PRE-SCHOOL
Schedule to the Receipts and Payments for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Receipts and Payments Account Support costs Computers Insurance Telephone & fax Postage Stationery & printing Subscriptions & licences Maintenance Advertising & PR Website support Sundry expenses Microwave, pushchair Management and administration Independent Examiner's fee Other accountancy fees Registration fees (OFSTED,DBS) |
2025 2025 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ - - - - 3,362 - 3,362 999 1,731 - 1,731 1,588 - - - - 1,204 - 1,204 1,288 576 - 576 997 210 - 210 801 - - - - 24 - 24 288 499 - 499 603 - - - Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds Prior period Total Funds |
|---|---|
| 7,606 - 7,606 6,564 | |
| 408 - 408 384 1,091 - 1,091 1,194 130 - 130 235 |
|
| 1,629 - 1,629 1,813 | |
| 135,158- 135,158117,346 |
SARRATT DUCKLINGS PRE-SCHOOL
Schedule to the Receipts and Payments for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Prior period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Total Funds | |
| 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Receipts and Payments Account |
Donations, legacies etc
| Donations | - - | - | - |
|---|---|---|---|
| - - | - | - | |
| Operating activities to further the charity's | objectives | ||
| Local Authority Grants | 105,099 - | 105,099 | 99,353 |
| Sarratt Parish Council Grant | 2,500 - | 2,500 | - |
| Charities Trust Grant | - - | - | - |
| 107,599 - | 107,599 | 99,353 | |
| Operating activities to generate funds | |||
| Fund raising events | - - | - | - |
| Fees charged | 14,179 - | 14,179 | 17,836 |
| Luncheon club receipts | - - | - | - |
| Sale of goods | - - | - | 88 |
| 14,179 - | 14,179 | 17,924 | |
| Investment income | |||
| Deposit interest | 1,959 - | 1,959 | 2,124 |
| Other income | |||
| Milk refunds | - - | - | - |
| 1,959 - | 1,959 | 2,124 | |
| Gross income | |||
| Other receipts (not counting as Gross Income) | - - | - | - |
| Overpayments recovered | - - | - | - |
| Total Receipts | 123,737 - | 123,737 | 119,401 |
SARRATT DUCKLINGS PRE-SCHOOL
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 August 2025
| Cash Assets Lloyds TSB Bank current account COIF Charity Fund Petty Cash Total Cash Funds Other Monetary Assets Debtors - Insurance prepaid Total Liabilities Independent Review Payroll, PAYE & NI Rent Total |
2025 2025 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ 30,877 1,146 32,023 45,402 44,675 - 44,675 42,717 - 84 - - 84 - 84 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds Prior period Total Funds |
|---|---|
| 75,468 1,146 76,614 88,035 | |
| 2,052 - 2,052 - | |
| 2,052 - 2,052 - | |
| 429 - 429 408 373 - 373 - 3,667 - 3,667 3,667 |
|
| 4,469 - 4,469 4,075 |
Signed on behalf of all the trustees
Sandra McConnell Chair
SARRATT DUCKLINGS PRE-SCHOOL
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 August 2025
| Receipts and Payments Account Donations, legacies and similar income Operating activities to further charity's objectives Operating activities to generate funds Investment income Gross Income Other receipts (not counting as gross income) Total Receipts Payments Payments for generating funds Charitable expenditure Charitable activities Support costs Management and adminstration of the charity Total Payments Net Receipts/(Payments) Cash funds brought forward Cash funds carried forward |
2025 2025 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ - - - - 107,599 - 107,599 99,353 14,179 - 14,179 17,924 1,959 - 1,959 2,124 123,737 123,737 119,401 - - - - Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds Prior period Total Funds |
|---|---|
| 123,737 - 123,737 119,401 | |
| - - - - 125,923 - 125,923 108,969 7,606 - 7,606 6,564 1,629 - 1,629 1,813 |
|
| 135,158 - 135,158 117,346 | |
| - 11,421 - - 11,421 2,055 88,035 88,035 85,980 |
|
| 76,614 - 76,61488,035 |
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Report to the trustees/ members of Sarratt Ducklings Pre-School ~~oo~~ On accounts for the year 31.08.2025 Charity no 1048712 ended ~~rr~~ Set out on pages 6 - 8 ( ~~pO~~ Respective The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The responsibilities of charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section trustees and examiner 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
Independent examiner's statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
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have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Date: 03.03.2026 Signed: ~~—_~~ Name: Justin Smith-Milne ~~pC~~ Relevant professional FCCA qualification(s) or body Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (if any): ~~a~~ Address: 23 Church Street, Rickmansworth ~~OO~~
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WD3 1DE
| Section B | Disclosure |
|---|---|
| Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. |
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems. |
| N/A |
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3