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2025-07-31-accounts

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES

Trustees'AnnualReport
Periodstartdate:01/08/2024Period[end][date:][31/07/2025]
Charityname:Nacton& BuckleshamUnderFives(NBU5s)
Charity'sprincipaladdress:[Nacton]VillageHall,[The][Street,]Nacton,Ipswich[IP10][0EU]
Charityregistrationnumber:1050924

Objectives and activities

The aimsofthePre-schoolare toenhancethedevelopmentandeducationofchildren,primarilyunderstatutory
school age,byencouragingparentstounderstandandprovidefortheneedsoftheirchildrenthroughcommunity
groupsandby:offeringappropriate play,education andcare facilities,familylearningandextendedhoursgroups,
togetherwiththerightofparentstotakeresponsibilityforandtobecomeinvolvedin theactivitiesofsuchgroups,
ensuring thatsuchgroupsofferopportunitiesforallchildrenwhatevertheirrace, culture,religion,means orability:
encouragingthestudyof the needsofsuchchildrenandtheirfamiliesandpromotingpublicinterestin andrecognition
ofsuchneedsin thelocalareas; InstigatingandadheringtoandfurtheringtheaimsandobjectsofthePre-school
LearningAlliance.
Weofferpre-schoolsessions tochildrenagedbetween2yearsto5yearsold.Sessionsruneachweekdayfrom
08.45-12:15and12.15-15.15 Monday-Friday.
TheoverallmanagementandcontrolofthePre-schoolwillrestwiththeindividualmembersofthePre-school's
managementCommittee("the Committee"). Aswellas beingresponsibleforthe managementofthePre-school the
Committeemembersarealso thecharitytrusteesofthePreschool.

To further it aims the Pre-school has the following powers:

to employsuchpaid andunpaidstaff, agentsandadvisors asmayberequiredfromtime totime;
todo anyother iawfulthingswhicharenecessaryor desirabletoenablethePre-schooltoachieveitsaims.

Manager's Report

Introduction

IjoinedthesettinginAugust2024andwasinstantlywelcomedaspartof the team.At thattime,the organisationwas
undergoingaperiodofsignificantchange,includingthe appointmentofanewcommittee.Thisnaturallycreated some
uncertaintyaboutthe yearahead,especlallywithanOfstedinspectionexpected.Despitethis,theteamquicklyformed
strongworkingrelationships,andwebegantooperateconfidentlyandcohesively.

Team Development and Start of the Academic Year

Fromtheoutset,weworkedhardtobuildon ourstrengthsasateamandtocontinuouslydevelopourpractice.We
adaptedandredesigned ourenvironmenttobestmeettheneedsofthe childrenonroll.Septembersawan amazing
numberofchildrenjoinus,placingthesettingin astrongandpositivepositionfortheyearahead.Bythe summer
term, wehadanincredible32 chidrenonroll andfivefantasticstaffmembers.This growthprovidedastrongfinancial
foundation,whichwasespeciallyimportantas we preparedtosay goodbyeto18childrenwho werereadytobegin
theirschool journey at the endofJuly.

Supporting Transitions and Fundraising

Tosuppotthislargenumberofchildrenleaving,webenefitedfromseveralsuccessful fundraisingevents.These
included popularrafflesandourChairperson'simpressivecompletion of the Orwell Walk.Theseeffortshelpedus
continue providinghigh-qualityresources andenrichingopportunitiesforthechildren.Theyear 2024-2025 was an
incredibleoneforoursetting--atruereflectionof the dedicationandteamworkshown bothday-to-dayandbehind the
scenes.Ifeelhonouredtobe partofthissettingandtowitnessitscontinuedgrowthandsuccess.

Ofsted Inspection

InJanuarywereceived notificationthatOfsted wouldbe visiting.Althoughthe teamhadnot beenworkingtogether
long,oursharedcommitmenttoprovidinga safe,secure,andnurturingearlyyears environmentmeantwewere
ready.Ofstedrecognised thepassionwithintheteamandpraised our strongconnectionswiththe children,aswellas
ourrefiectivepracticeandabilitytoidentifyareasforimprovement. Weweredelightedtoreceiveaglowing reportwith
Goodinallareas,whichwas atestamenttoeveryone's hardwork.

Updates: August 2025–January 2026

Althoughoutside the financialyear,itisimportanttohighlightseveralkeyachievementsfromAugust2025onwards.

Garden Transformation

InAugust,afantasticgroupof volunteerscame togethertotransformourgardenspace. Thisprojectwasledand
made possiblebyour Chairperson,andIwouldliketothankhimsincerelyforhisdedicationandhardwork. The
improvedareais nowmoreaccessible,welcoming,andfullofnewlearningopportunities.Ahugethank-youalsogoes
totheincrediblevolunteers-parents,grandparents, andcommitteememberswho gavetheirtimeandefforttomake
thispossible.

AutumnTerm and Enrolment

We beganthe autumntermquietly,whichunfortunatelymeantstaffhours hadtobe reducedtoensurefinancial
stability.However,Iampleasedtoreportthat we have since receivedanexceptionalnumberofenquiries.ByApril
2026,we areprojectedtohave 30childrenonroll,placingusinamuchstrongerpositiononceagain.

Plans[Moving] Forward

Lookingahead, wehaveseveralexcitingprojectsplanned:
-EnhancingthePlayroom:Weaimtoupdateandrefreshourfurnishingsto make evenbetteruseofthe space.
- CreatingaSensorySpace:Weplantointroduceadedicatedsensorylquietareawithintheplayroom, offering
childrenacalmspace forreflectionandrelaxation.
-TransformingtheGrowingPatch:We hopetoredevelopouroutdoorgrowingareaintoamoresustainable,
year-roundlearningspace.Wewillbeseekingvolunteerstohelpusbringthisprojecttolife.

Conclusion

Thepast year hasbeenoneoftransformation,teamwork,andtremendousachievement.I amincrediblyproudofwhat
wehaveaccomplishedtogetherand excitedforthe directionthesettingismovingin.Ilookforwardtoanother
amazingyearaheadwiththe NBU5team.

Chairman'sTjoineddeparting,themultiplecommitteeReportstaffinresignations,July 2024[during] and financesa[period] stillof significant[recovering] instability,post-Covid. withThereall trustee[was][ a] officers[real] riskandof theclosure.manager

A new[trustee]officerteam[was][formed,][including]Marie[Ford][(Treasurer),]
DanaHarris(Secretary),andmyself.
The[Autumn][Term][focused][on]stabilisationandcontinuity,as acompletely[new][leadership]team[worked]tounderstand
operations[and][keep][the][preschool][running]smoothly.
InJanuary,[Ofsted inspected and]ratedthe[preschool][Good,]highlightingthewarm,[nurturing]environment.[Clear]
improvementactionswereidentifiedandarebeing[progressed.]
By[the][ Summer][ Term,][the][impact][of][the][team's][work][was][clear.]Jenny,[Lisa,]andthe[staff][have]built a[supportive,]
collaborativeculturereflectedin[the][children's]happinessand[engagement.]
As[a][parent]ofthreechildrenwhohave[attended,][ including]lvywho[started]lastterm,[I've][seen][first-hand]howspecial
thepreschool[is][and][how][much][the][children]thrivehere.
Atatime[when many][ settings]feelincreasinglyimpersonal,NBU5[ remains][a]caring,[community-focused]preschool
thattrulyputs[children]first.
ChildJennynumbers[and]Lisainto2024/25workinratio[were]while[exceptionally][managing]strong,administration,with[many]which[ sessions][they]full.[handled]This[added][with]greatpressure,professionalism.[often]requiring
TheThank[summer]youto[garden][everyone][makeover][who][ helped.][has][made]hope[a][we][huge][can][difference,][now][focus]particularly[on][improving]the[the]newinteriorartificial[and]grass[making][and]better[the][playhouse.]use[of][ the]
playhouse,alongside[plans][Jenny][and]Lisaaredeveloping.
JennyandLisahavebeeninstrumentalinturningthepreschoolaround, [and]we[ are][incredibly]gratefulfortheir
leadership.
Mysincerethanks[to][Jenny,][Lisa,][the][staff][team,][and]fellowtrusteesfor[their][commitment]overthepast18months.l'm
proudtobepart[of][the][preschool and][excited]foritsfuture.
Weareseekingadditionaltrusteestostrengthengovernance.We[are][particularly]lookingfor[a][Treasurer,as]am
coveringthisroletemporarily.

Financial Review

2024/25[was][ a strong][financial]year,drivenbyhighoccupancy,especiallyinSpringandSummer.[Funded]Hours
incomerose[to][£93k][(+£24k][YoY),][with]higherSENgrants[and]additionalfees.Totalincomewas £126k[(vs £98k]last
year).
Fundraising[and][donations][totalled]£9,081,including~£5k[from][the][Three][Peaks][Challenge,£1k][from][the][Rotary][Club,]
andtheremainderfrom[seasonal][events.Thank]youtoeveryone[who][contributed.]
Staffsalariesremained[the][main][cost][ at][£73,660.][Costs][were]carefullymanagedwhilestillprovidingamodest
inflationarypayriseinApril2025,withasimilarincrease expectedthisyear.
Othercosts[increased][with]inflation.Some[expenses](e.g.VillageHallhire)appearlower [due][to][payment]timing,not
reducedrates.
Year-endsurpluswas £26,282,[increasing]reserves abovethe£20ktarget.Excludingfundraising,theunderlying
operatingsurplus[was][ £17,201.]
Futureyearsmay[not][be][ as][ strong.]LowerAutumntermnumbershavealreadyledtoashort-termoperating loss,with
Springexpectedtobreakeven. Thishighlightstheimportanceofmaintainingreserves.
Totalcashinhandandat bankatyearendwas £46,642.Thisreflectsanunusuallystrongyearof occupancyand
fundraising.Thetrusteesminimumreservestargetremains£20,000,butthe higheryear-endbalanceprovidesshort
termprotectionagainstlowerAutumnocupancy,risingstaffingcosts,andplannedinvestmentinthepreschool
environment.
Theaccountshavebeenpreparedandwillbesubmitted tothe CharityCommissionby therequireddeadline.
Thanksto MarieFordforherwokasTreasurer.WithXeroandstreamlinedprocesses,theroleis nowmuchlighter
thaninprevious years.

Structure, governance andmanagement

Description of charity's of charity's of charity's trusts: trusts:
Type of
governing document: for
Constitution
example, trust deed, memorandum
and articles of association etc
How is the charity constituted? Membership
for example limited company,
unincorporated association, CIO
Trustee selection methods including Election
via the committee
details
of any constitutional
provisions
e.g.
election
to post or name of any
person or body entitled to appointone
or more trustees
Haveany
trustees
received
remuneration,payments or benefits The charity's
constitution
permits a paid
employee
to serve as a
from the charity? Committee
member/trustee where
certain
conditions
are met.
Jennifer Cribb and
Lisa Thomassonare employed
by the charity
as
Manager
and Deputy Manager respectively
and were appointed
as
trustees
in March 2025duringa period
of governance
instability.
Theiremployment
is covered by written
agreements, their
remuneration relates
only to their
staff
duties
and not to
their
trustee
roles, and the trustees
consider the remuneration to be reasonable
and
in line with
comparable
staff
roles. They
form a minority
of the
Committee
and do not attend or vote on any matters relating
to their
employment,
pay, performance or other conflicts
of interest.
Thetrustees have continued to
actively
recruit
additional
independent trustees. A parenthas expressed
willingness
to
becomeTreasurer,
and two local
residents
have also agreed
in
principle
tojoin the committee. They are currently
completing DBS
checks and Ofsted suitability processes, with the aim of
appointment before the end of term.Oncesufficient
trustees
are in
place,
Jennifer
Cribband
Lisa
Thomasson
are expected to step
down astrustees while continuing
in their employed
roles.
Namesofthecharity[trustees]who [manage][ the][charity]

----- Start of picture text -----
Date of Name person (orbody)
Trustee name Office (if any) entitled to appoint trustee (if
appointment any)
1 Nicholas Gray Chair 2 October [2024] Committee
2 Marie Ford Treasurer 16 July 2024 Committee
3 Dana Harris Secretary 4 March 2025 Committee
Jennifer Cribb 11 March [2025] Committee
5 Lisa Thomasson 11 March [2025] Committee
6 Helen Mickelsen 11 July 2019 Committee
7
----- End of picture text -----

Declarations

The trustees declarethat theyhave approvedthetrustees'report above.

----- Start of picture text -----
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustées
Signature(s)
J�tt
Full name(s) Nicholas Gray Jennifer Cribb
Position (forexample Chair of Trustees Trustee
Secretary, Chair, etc)
Date
2\/05/26
----- End of picture text -----

Statement of Financial Activities Nacton & Bucklesham[Under][5's]

For[the][year][ended][31][July][2025]
For the year en ded 31 July 2025
Account 2025
Income
Donations
/ Grants
1,915.84
Funded Hours Income 92,610.72
Fundraising 7,165.57
IdACi 584.80
Interest Income 170.57
Pre-School
Invoice
Fees 19,679.45
Pre-School
Uniform
48.00
Pupil Premium 683.68
Sen Higher Needs 2,685.29
Total 125,543.92
Total Income 125,543.92
Expenditure
Employers
National
Insurance 5,169.29
General
Expenses
2,682.58
PensionsCosts 3,755.02
Printing & Stationery 330.35
Salaries 73,660.18
Snacks 1,192.92
Staff
Training & Staff Renewals
372.31
Subscriptions 1,800.92
Telephone& Internet 973.86
Village
Hall Hire
9,324.00
TotalExpenditure 99,261.43
Net Income 26,282.49

BalanceSheet

Nacton & Bucklesham Under 5s

Asat31July2025
Account 31 Jul 2025
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets
Computer Equipment
Indoor furniture & equipment
800.00
300.00
Sheds & Outbuildings 1,000.00
Outdoorequipment
Other
200.00
200.00
Total
TangibleAssets
Total
FixedAssets
2,500.00
2,500.00
Current Assets
Cash
at bank and in hand
Bank Reserve Account 20,090.47
Bank Fundraising
& Donations
Account 3,320.63
Bank Current
Account
25,142.28
Petty Cash 88.72
Total
Cash
at bank and in hand
48,642.10
Accounts Receivable 864.75
Total
Current Assets
49,506.85
Creditors: amounts faling due within one year
Barclay
Card - Credit Card
734.16
Total Creditors:
amounts
falling due within one year 734.16
Net Current
Assets(Liabilities)
48,772.69
Total
Assets
lessCurrent Liabilities
51,272.69
Net Assets 51,272.69
CHARITY CHARITY CHARITY CHARITY CHARITY
COMMISSION Independent examiner's reporton the
FOR ENGLAND AND accounts
WALES
Section A Independent
Examiner's
Report
Report
to
members
the
of
trustees/ Nacton & Bucklesham
Under
5's
On accounts for the year Charity no 1050924
ended 31st July 2025 (if any)
Set out on pages
report to the trustees on my examination
of the
accounts of the above charity ("the
Trust") for the year ended
31/07/2025.
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible
for
the preparation of the accounts in
accordance with the
requirements
of the Charities
Act 2011
("the Act").
Responsibilities and
basis of report report in respect
of my examination
of the Trust's
accOunts caried out under section
145
the 2011
Act and in carrying out myexamination,
have followed
all the
applicable
Directions
given
by the Charity
Commission
under
section 145(5) (b) of the Act.
Ihave completed my examination.
confirm
that
no material matters have come to my
attention
in connection
with the examination
(other
than
that
disclosed below which
gives mecause to believe
that in, any material
respect:
the accounting
records
were not kept
in accordance with
section
130
of the Charities
Act or
• the acoounts did not accord
with
the accounting
records; or
•the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and
Independent content
of accounts set out
in the Charities
(Accounts and
Reports) Regulations 2008
examiner's statement other than any requirement
that the accounts give
a
true
and fair view which is not a
matter
considered
as part of an independent examination.
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
ofthe accounts to be reached.
"Plegse delette
words in the brackets
ifthey
do not apply.
Signed: Date: 22MAYZE
Name: Vian
Robert
Gray
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
any):
THE OOHoUSE
Address: GUCCLESHAM
ROK
ROKA
ISwiCH, IPIOONA
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32,
Independent examination of charity accounts:
directions and
guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of
any items that the None
examiner wishes to
disclose.