## `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 provideaccommodation and equipment;` 

- `to raise money to pay for the Pre-school's activities;` 

- `to make such payments as shall be necessary; to fix and collect the fees payable in respect of children attending groups run by the Preschool; subject to adherence with all applicable legislation, to control the admission of children to the groups run by the[pre-schooland] if appropriate, require parents or guardians[to][withdraw][them][as][a][member][of][the] Preschool Learning Aliance to send an accredited representative to vote at local Branch and/or County meetings and to the national Annual General Meeting of the Preschool Learning Alliance: toborrow money and to charge the whole or any part of the property the Pre-school assecurity for any money borrowed subject to complying with the provisions of sections 38 and 39 of the[Charities] Act 1993 if is proposed to mortgage land to hire[or acquire assets of any][kind;] to buy,lease or rent[any][land][or][buildings] and to maintain and equip[it][for][the][use][of][the][Pre-school;] to sell, lease or otherwise[dispose][of][all][or][any] part of the Preschool's property subject to complying with the provisions of sections[36][ and][37][ of][the][Charities] acts 1993; to set aside[funds][for] special purposes[or][as][ reserves][ against] future expenditure; to maintain and pay for membership of the Pre-schoolLearning Alliance; to insure the property and assets of[the][Pre-school][ against][any][foreseeable][ risk][and][to][take][out][other] insurance policies to protect the Pre-school as required to provide[indemnity][insurance][to][cover][the] liability of the Committee[members][which][by][virtue] of any rule of law would otherwise[attach] to them in respect[of][any][negligence,] default, breach of trust or breach[of][duty][of] which[they][ may][be][guilty] in relation to the Preschool provided[that][any][such][insurance][ shall] not extend to any claim arising from any act oromission which the Committee membersknew to be a breach trust or breach of duty or which was commited by the Commiteemembersin reckless disregard to whether was a breach` 

- `of trust or breach duty or not provided also that any such insurance shall not extend to the costs of any unsuccessfuldefence to a criminal prosecutionbrought againstthe Committee members in their capacity as Committee members of the Pre-school;` 

```
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`<br>`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`<br>`via the committee`||||
|`details`<br>`of any constitutional`|||||`provisions`|||||
|`e.g.`<br>`election`|`to post or name of any`|||||||||
|`person or body entitled`||||`to appointone`||||||
|`or more trustees`||||||||||
|`Haveany`<br>`trustees`|||`received`|||||||
|`remuneration,payments`||||`or benefits`||`The charity's`<br>`constitution`<br>`permits a paid`<br>`employee`<br>`to serve as a`||||
|`from the charity?`||||||`Committee`<br>`member/trustee where`<br>`certain`<br>`conditions`<br>`are met.`||||
|||||||`Jennifer Cribb and`<br>`Lisa Thomassonare employed`<br>`by the charity`|||`as`|
|||||||`Manager`<br>`and Deputy Manager respectively`<br>`and were appointed `|||`as`|
|||||||`trustees`<br>`in March 2025duringa period`<br>`of governance`<br>`instability.`||||
|||||||`Theiremployment`<br>`is covered by written`<br>`agreements, their`||||
|||||||`remuneration relates`<br>`only to their`<br>`staff`<br>`duties`<br>`and not to`<br>`their`|`trustee`|||
|||||||`roles, and the trustees`<br>`consider the remuneration to be reasonable`||||
|||||||`and`<br>`in line with`<br>`comparable`<br>`staff`<br>`roles. They`<br>`form a minority`|`of the`|||
|||||||`Committee`<br>`and do not attend or vote on any matters relating`|`to`|`their`||
|||||||`employment,`<br>`pay, performance or other conflicts`<br>`of interest.`||||
|||||||`Thetrustees have continued to`<br>`actively`<br>`recruit`<br>`additional`||||
|||||||`independent trustees. A parenthas expressed`<br>`willingness`<br>`to`||||
|||||||`becomeTreasurer,`<br>`and two local`<br>`residents`<br>`have also agreed `|`in`|||
|||||||`principle`<br>`tojoin the committee. They are currently`<br>`completing DBS`||||
|||||||`checks and Ofsted suitability processes, with the aim of`||||
|||||||`appointment before the end of term.Oncesufficient`<br>`trustees`|`are `||`in`|
|||||||`place,`<br>`Jennifer`<br>`Cribband`<br>`Lisa`<br>`Thomasson`<br>`are expected to step`||||
|||||||`down astrustees while continuing`<br>`in their employed`<br>`roles.`||||





```
Namesofthecharity[trustees]who [manage][ the][charity]
```


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


## `Declarations` 

```
The trustees declarethat theyhave approvedthetrustees'report above.
```


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




## `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`<br>`/ Grants`||`1,915.84`|
|`Funded Hours Income`||`92,610.72`|
|`Fundraising`||`7,165.57`|
|`IdACi`||`584.80`|
|`Interest Income`||`170.57`|
|`Pre-School`<br>`Invoice`|`Fees`|`19,679.45`|
|`Pre-School`<br>`Uniform`||`48.00`|
|`Pupil Premium`||`683.68`|
|`Sen Higher Needs`||`2,685.29`|
|`Total`||`125,543.92`|
|`Total Income`||`125,543.92`|
|`Expenditure`|||
|`Employers`<br>`National`|`Insurance`|`5,169.29`|
|`General`<br>`Expenses`||`2,682.58`|
|`PensionsCosts`||`3,755.02`|
|`Printing & Stationery`||`330.35`|
|`Salaries`||`73,660.18`|
|`Snacks`||`1,192.92`|
|`Staff`<br>`Training & Staff Renewals`||`372.31`|
|`Subscriptions`||`1,800.92`|
|`Telephone& Internet`||`973.86`|
|`Village`<br>`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`<br>`Computer Equipment`<br>`Indoor furniture & equipment`||||||`800.00`<br>`300.00`|
|`Sheds & Outbuildings`||||||`1,000.00`|
|`Outdoorequipment`<br>`Other`||||||`200.00`<br>`200.00`|
|`Total`<br>`TangibleAssets`<br>`Total`<br>`FixedAssets`||||||`2,500.00`<br>`2,500.00`|
|`Current Assets`|||||||
|`Cash`<br>`at bank and in hand`|||||||
|`Bank Reserve Account`||||||`20,090.47`|
|`Bank Fundraising`<br>`& Donations `||`Account`||||`3,320.63`|
|`Bank Current`<br>`Account`||||||`25,142.28`|
|`Petty Cash`||||||`88.72`|
|`Total`<br>`Cash`<br>`at bank and in hand`||||||`48,642.10`|
|`Accounts Receivable`||||||`864.75`|
|`Total`<br>`Current Assets`||||||`49,506.85`|
|`Creditors: amounts faling`||`due`|`within`|`one`|`year`||
|`Barclay`<br>`Card - Credit Card`||||||`734.16`|
|`Total Creditors:`<br>`amounts`|`falling due within`|||`one year`||`734.16`|
|`Net Current`<br>`Assets(Liabilities)`||||||`48,772.69`|
|`Total`<br>`Assets`<br>`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`<br>`Examiner's`<br>`Report`||||||||||||||
|`Report`<br>`to `<br>`members `||||`the `<br> `of`|`trustees/`||||`Nacton & Bucklesham`<br>`Under`<br>`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`<br>`of the `|`accounts`||`of `||`the `|`above `||`charity`||`("the`||||
||||||||||`Trust") for the year ended`<br>`31/07/2025.`||||||||||||||
||||||||||`As the charity's trustees, you are responsible`<br>`for `|`the preparation`|||||`of the `||`accounts in`||||||
||||||||||`accordance with the`<br>`requirements`<br>`of the Charities`<br>`Act 2011`<br>`("the Act").`||||||||||||||
|||`Responsibilities`||||||`and`|||||||||||||||
|||||`basis`|||`of report`||`report in respect`<br>`of my examination`<br>`of the Trust's `||`accOunts `|||`caried out under `|||||`section`||||
||||||||||`145`<br>`the 2011`<br>`Act and in carrying out myexamination,`|||`have`|||`followed`<br>`all the `|||||`applicable`|||
||||||||||`Directions`<br>`given`<br>`by the Charity`<br>`Commission`<br>`under `||`section`||`145(5) (b) `|||`of `|`the Act.`||||||
||||||||||`Ihave completed my examination.`<br>`confirm`<br>`that `|`no material`||||`matters`||`have come`||||`to my`|||
||||||||||`attention`<br>`in connection`<br>`with the examination`<br>`(other `||`than`<br>`that `|||`disclosed`|||`below`|||`which`|||
||||||||||`gives mecause to believe`<br>`that in, any material`<br>`respect:`||||||||||||||
||||||||||`the accounting`<br>`records`<br>`were not kept`<br>`in accordance with`||||`section`<br>`130 `||||`of `|`the Charities`|||||
||||||||||`Act or`||||||||||||||
||||||||||`• the acoounts did not accord`<br>`with`<br>`the accounting`|`records;`|||`or`||||||||||
||||||||||`•the accounts did not comply with the applicable`|`requirements`||||`concerning the `|||||`form`||`and`||
||||||`Independent`||||`content`<br>`of accounts set out`<br>`in the Charities`<br>`(Accounts and `||||`Reports) Regulations`|||||||`2008`|||
||`examiner's`|||||`statement`|||`other than any requirement`<br>`that the accounts give`||`a`<br>`true `|`and fair view `|||||`which is not `||||`a`||
||||||||||`matter`<br>`considered`<br>`as part of an independent examination.`||||||||||||||
||||||||||`have no concerns and have come across`<br>`no other`||`matters`|||`in connection`||||`with `|`the`||||
||||||||||`examination`<br>`to which attention`<br>`should be drawn`|`in `|`this report`|||`in `|`order`|`to enable `||||`a proper`|||
||||||||||`understanding`<br>`ofthe accounts to be reached.`||||||||||||||
||||||||||`"Plegse delette`<br>`words in the brackets`<br>`ifthey`|`do `|`not apply.`||||||||||||
||||||||`Signed:`||||||||||||||`Date: `|`22MAYZE`|
||||||||`Name:`||`Vian`<br>`Robert`<br>`Gray`||||||||||||||
|||`Relevant `||||`professional`|||||||||||||||||
||`qualification(s)`||||||`or `|`body`|||||||||||||||
|||||||||`any):`|||||||||||||||
||||||||||`THE OOHoUSE`||||||||||||||
|||||||`Address:`|||`GUCCLESHAM`<br>`ROK`<br>`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:`<br>`directions and `|||||`guidance for examiners).`|||||||||
|`Give`|`here brief details of`||||||||||||||||||||||
|`any`|`items that `||||`the`||||`None`||||||||||||||
|`examiner`|||`wishes`|||`to`|||||||||||||||||
|`disclose.`|||||||||||||||||||||||