REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1070081 Report of the Trustees And UnAudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 for Stepping Stones of Chester Haines Watts Military House 24 Cas11¢ Street Chester Cheshire CH12DS
Stepping Stolle8 of Chester Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 Page Report of the Trustee$ Independent Examiner'5 Report Statement of Financial Activities Statement of Financial Position Note$ to the Financiol Statements 6 to 10 Det411ed Statement of FinAnclal Actlvltlts
Steppiug Stones of Chester Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 D¢¢emb¢r 2023 The ttuslees present Il)eir report with the financial statements of the cliarity for the year ended 31 December 2023. Tlie trustees have adopt¢d the provisions of AeLOUtiting and Reportiiig by Charities.. Sialetnent of ReLotnmeiided PraLti¢¢ applicable to charities prepariiig IIiLir accounts in accordance with the FinanLial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102} (effective l January 2019). OBJECTIVES AND ACTlVtTIES Objectives and aims The objective of th¢ charity is the provision of childcare. Public beneflt Th¢ Trustees ¢onfirni that they have referred lo the yuidanLe ¢ontain¢d in the Charity Commission's general guidanLe on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aim and objectives, and in planning fvture a¢livitie5. FINANCIAL REVIEW Financial position As al 31 DeLember 2023 Ilierc was lash al bank and in hand of £35.750 (2022 £48,502). During the year there was a n¢t of inLom¢/(¥xp¢ndilure) of (£12,532) (2022.. £19,36L)). PrlnclpAI fundlng suur¢¢$ Tl)e prinLip(Il Sou¢ of funding is grants. Duriny the year alS tolalling £225,537 12022 £152.622} were received. STRUCTURE, GOVEILNANCE AYD WAGEMENT Governing doLument -IhL' Lhiirily is controlled by ils governing document. a deed of Irusl and conslitules an unincorporated charity. IiEFEREL¥CE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charlty number 1070U81 Principlll gddre$$ J H Godwin CP SLhool MLlboume Road BlaLon Cheslcr Cheshi CFI15JG Trustees Mrs L S Jones Ms E Roper Ms L Evans Ms H Edwards Independent Examiner Steven Mark Greensill FCA Haines Watts Military House 24 Castle Street Chester Cheshire CHI 2DS Page I
Stepping Stones of Chester Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 Approv¢d by order of the board of tDJslees on ............................................. and signed on ils behalf by-. Mrs L S Jones - Trustee Page 2
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Stepping Stones of Chester Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Stepping Stones of Chester I report lo the charity trustees on my examination ol- the accounts ot Stepping Stones of Chester (the Trust} for the year ended J l December 2023. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the acLounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('Ihe Act,). I report in respect of my examtnation of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carying ou¢ my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Cl)arity Commission under SeLlion 14515){bl of the Acl. Independeot examiner's $t4tement I have compleled my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe Ihat in any material respe¢t'. accounting records We not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Aut. or the a¢¢ouiits do not accord with those records; or the accounts do not coniply with the applicable reqiiirements coiiceming Ihe fomi aiid ¢onteiil of accouiils set out in the Charities (Accouiiis aiid Reports) Regulations 2008 otl)¢r Ihaii any requirement that the accouiils give a true and fair view which is nol a matter considered as part of an independent examinalion. I have no Loncems and have Lome a¢ross no other matters in conne¢tion with the examination lo whiLh attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper uiiderstaiiding of the accounts lo be reached. Steven Mark GensI1[ FCA Haines Watts Military House 24 Castle Street Chester Ch¢s1iire CHI 2DS Dale: ............................................. Page 3
Stepping Stones of Chester Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 31.12.23 31.12.22 Desigiiated fund - Building rental Unrestricted fund Total funds Total nds Notes ILNCOME FROM Grants 215,007 215.007 15?,621 Other trading activities Investment income 17,289 17.289 134 58,059 18 134 Total 232.296 134 232,430 210,698 EXPENDITURE ON Oilier trading aclivilies 209,955 209,955 171,984 Support costs 35,007 35,007 19,345 Total 244,962 244,962 191,329 NET INCOME/{EXPELNDITURE) (12,6661 134 (12,532) 19,369 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Tol£11 tunds brolighi fvrw41rd 28,955 15.328 44,283 24,914 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 16,289 15,462 31,751 44,283 The notes forn] part of these financial statements Pag¢ 4
Stepping Stones of Chester Statement of Financial Position 31 December 2023 31.l2.23 31.12.22 Designated fund - Building rental UleStrIcted fund Total fi]nds Total funds Not¢s CURRENT ASSETS Cash al bank and in hand 20,288 15,462 35,750 48.502 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year (3,9991 {3,999) (4.219) NET CURRENT ASSETS 16,289 15.462 31,751 44.283 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES l6,289 15,462 31,751 44,283 I ET ASSEI'S 16,289 15.462 31,751 44,283 riUNDS Unr¢stri¢ted funds 31,751 44,283 TOTAL fuNDS 31.751 44,283 The fiiiaii¢ial siaiemenls were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue and were signed on ils behalf by.. on L S Jones - Trustee The notes forni part of these finarLcial statements Page 5
Stepping Stones of Chester Notes to the Financial Stgtements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Ba$is of preparing the fmancinl statements The financial statement5 of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounling and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing tl)eir accounts in accordance with Ilie Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 (effeLlive l January 2019),, FinaiiLial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and the Charities Alt 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the hisloriLal ¢ost convention. The financial slalemenis are presented in sterling which is the n¢t1017a1 cUencY of the company, rounded to the nearest £1. lllcome All income is recognised in the Siatem¢nt ot Financial Activities once the charity has enlitlemeiil lo the nds, it is probable that Ilie iiicome will be received and Ilie amount can be measured reliably. Expenditure Liabilities are re¢ognised as expenditure as sooii ds there is a legal or conslruclive obligdtioii ¢ommilling the ¢harity to that eXpendIre, il is probable thal a transfer of economic benefits will be required in seiilenienl and Ilie amount ot the obligation can b¢ measured reliably. Expellditu is accouiiled for on ali accruals basis and l)a8 been clabsified und¢r hcadin¥s that aggregate all iosl related lo the category. Wh('.re LO.¥ts ¢annoi be directly IlribulL4d to particular headin8s they hav¢ be¢n allocated to activities on a basis Consistent willi the use of resourLes. Taxation The Lh&rity is exLmpl from lax on ils Lharilable activities. Fund #ccountlng Ui)restri¢ted fuiids can be used iti accordance willi the charitable objectives at tlie dis¢reiioii of the tNsle: Reslricled ndS can only be used for partiLular restri¢ted purposes within the objects of the ¢harity. ReslriLlions llris¢ when.$p¢¢ifi¢d by Ilie donor ur wlien tiiiid5 ar¢ i'aisLd for partlLLilai' re5tri¢t¢d purposLs. Further explanation ol'the nare aiid purpose of ea¢tt tiind is included in the iioles to the financial slal¢menls. OTHER TIL4DING ACTIVITIES 31.12.23 31.12.22 Fee income Milk incoine 16,263 1,026 57,386 673 17,289 58,059 Page 6 continued...
Stepping Stones of Chester Notes to the Financial Statements- continued for the Year Ended Jl December 2023 INVESTMEINT INCOME 31.12.23 31.1? 22 Deposit account interest 134 18 OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES Investment man#gement costs 3l.12.23 31.12.22 Property repairs 2,147 2,600 TRUSTEES, REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no Iruslees, remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2023 nor for the ye ended 31 December 2022. Tru$ttes' expenses There w¢rt no lThslees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 DeLember ?023 nor for the year ended 31 De¢emb¢r 2022. STAFF COSTS The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows.. 31.12.23 10 31.12.22 10 Support staff No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. COMPA114TIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FIYANCIAL ACTIVITIES Designated fund- Building rentsl Unrestricted fund Total funds INCOME FROM Grants 152,621 152,621 Other trading activities Investment income 58.059 58,059 18 18 Total 210,680 18 210,698 EXPENDITURE ON Oilier trading activities 171,984 171,984 Support costs 19,345 19,345 Total 191.329 191,329 NET INCOME 19,351 18 19,369 Page 7 continued...
Stepping Stones of Chester Notes to the Finaneial Statements - continued for the Y¢llr Ended 31 December 2023 COMPAIL4TtVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES- contÉnued Designated fund - Building rental Unrestricted fund Total funds RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total ndS brought fonvard 9,604 15,310 24,914 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 28.955 15,328 44,283 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLtNG DUE WtTHIN ONE YEAR 31.12.23 31.1? ?? Taxation and social security Other creditors 2,499 1,500 1,624 2.595 3,999 4,219 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement in funds At 31.12 ?3 A¢l.1.23 Unrestrlcted funds Geiieral ftind Designated nd- Building renial 28,955 15.328 112,666) 134 16,289 15,462 44,283 (12,532) 31,751 TOTAL FUNDS 44,283 112,532) 31,751 Nei movement in funds, included in the above are as follow$'. Incoming resources Resour¢¢s expended Movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund Designated fvnd - Building rental 232,296 134 (244,962) (12,666) 134 232,430 (244,962) (12,5321 TOTAL FUNDS 232,430 (244,962) (12,532) Page 8 continued...
Stepping Stones of Chester Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2U23 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued Comparatlve$ foT movement in fund8 Net rnovemenl in funds At 31.12.22 At 1.1.22 Unrestricted funds Gelleral nd Designated fillid - Building rental 9,604 15,310 19,351 18 28,955 15,328 24.914 19.369 44,283 TOTAL FULNDS 24,914 19,369 44,283 Cornparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows.. Incoming resources Resources expended Movement in tiu)ds Unrestricted funds General fund Designiiled tiind - Building rental 210,680 18 (191,329) L9,351 18 210,698 (191,3291 19,369 TOTAL FULYDS 2IO,698 (191,329) 19,369 A current year12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows.. Net movement in tund5 At 31.12.23 At 1.1.22 Unrestricted funds General fund De5ign<iled Fund - Building rental 9,604 15,310 6,685 152 16,289 15,462 24,914 6,837 31,751 TOTAL FUNDS 24,914 6,837 31,751 Page 9 continued...
Stepping Stones of Chester Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in th¢ above are as follows.. Incoming resources Resources expend¢d Movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund Designated fund - Biiilding rental 442,976 152 {436,291) 6,685 152 443.128 (436,291) 6,837 TOTAL FUIYDS 443,128 (436,291) 6.837 io. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2023. Page 10
(HARITY Trustees. Annual Report for the period Period start date Period end date From Section A Reference and administration details Charity name Stepping Stones Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1070081 Charity's principal address Stepping Stones Melbourne Road Blacon Chester Postcode CH15JG Names of the charlty trustees who manage the charity Oates acted If not for whole aar Trustea namo Offlco {If any) Name of person (or body) entitled toa olnt trustee Ifan Linda Jones Laura Evans Emma Roper Heather Edwards Janett8 Trenholm Chair 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees) Name Dates acted if not for whole ear TAR March 2012
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) e of adviser Name Address Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Section B Structure, overnance and mana ement Description of the charity's trusts Pre School Alliance constitution Type of governing document How the charity is constituted Trust Trust88 selection methods 3ppcipIAe alpc.ec i., Parents are invited to AGM. trustees are invited to stand and then appointed by election and check procedures. Addltlonal governance Issues (Optional information) Stepping Stones Pre school is registered with OFSTED reg No 305344 and is a member of the Pre School Learning Alliance. You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about.. Stepping Stones Pre school offers child care and education to the local community and has been operating for in excess of 30 years. policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees. the charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works,, relationship with any related parties., trustees, consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. We are registered as Early Years Providers with OFSTED. Our average sessional numb8r of children is approximately 60. The pre school reviews all current policies and procedures on a regular basis. The review process is ongoing. The Pre school has a child protection policy in place which includes safer recruitment procedures and statutory requirements. Staff DBS checks are carried out in line with recommended guidance (every 3 years). All committee members give there time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or benefits. The Pre school is led by an enthusiastic, committed and dedicated team of qualified staff. The group is supported by a voluntary management committee made u arents. Section C Ob"ectives and activities The Pre school receives support from Cheshire west and Chester Early Years team. Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document The Preschool has good relations with the onsite local primary school. The locality ensure good practice and the smooth transitions for children from the pre school environment in to full time education. The Pre School aims to provide high quality, affordable and accessible child care to re school children ed 2 - statuto school a in a safe TAR March 2012
and supportive environment and to work in partnership with parents and all stake holders involved in the child care profession. The Pre school is open Monday to Friday during term time, providing sessional day care in a caring and learning environment for children aged 2 to statutory school age. Children are cared for and educated by highly qualified skilled staff who are dedicated and committed to the pre school. The Pre School is active in encouraging parental involvement in the management of the Pre school and the development of their children, both within the setting and the home. Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public beneflt) The Pre school offer support and advice on a range of issues regarding children's development and wellbeing. We offer literacy open mornings to develop a love of literature also stay and play opportunities. Parents meet regularly with their child's key person to discuss their progress and d8velopment. This practice benefits children and parentslcarers alike by developing confidences and understanding of child development. The setting welcomes all families regardless of background, ability, gender faith or ethnicity. Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information) TAR March 2012
The committee is run on a voluntary basis with all members willingly giving their time. Parents are able to join at any time. Particular thanks to Janette Trenholm manager of the Pre School and the committee members for their time. Thanks are also given for the invaluable support and guidance that the setting receives from the Early Years Advisory Service. You may choose to include further statements, where relevant. about.. policy on grantmaking,. policy programme related investment,. contribution mad8 by volunteers. Section D Achievements and performance TAR March 2012
Section D Achievements and performance Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year The preschool operates from 2 sites. A classroom in the main school building which is used as a preschool room with children aged 3-4 years and a modular build on the school grounds is used for children aged 2-3 years of age. Numbers of children on roll have continued to increase throughout the year. The staff have been committed to keeping up to date with mandatory training and framework updates. All staff have successfully completed safeguarding training. alongside several other online courses relevant to early years and the curriculum. Throughout the year, our team has experienced several changes. Our two apprentices successfully achieved their Level 3 qualifications, but both have opted to pursue careers in different fields. In their place, we have welcomed a new apprentice. who is expected to complete her course and qualify as a Level 3 next year. Additionally, we have appointed a full-time Level 3 team member and part-time inclusion workers to strengthen our staff. We have continued to build our strong parent partnership by inviting families to watch our preschool nativity in December. We had play and stay opportunities in both 2-3 room and preschool room and we had many families turn up and spend time with their children exploring many different activities. We collaborated once more with JH Godwin Primary School to host a literacy morning for our preschool parents, providing them with insights into what their children learn in preparation for joining reception. In July, we organised our sports day, which saw a fantastic turnout from parents and families, contributing to a vibrant and joyful community event. We have partnered with an Early Years Worker from Balcon Children's Centre to offer termly 'Ready Steady Read, sessions for our 2 to 3-year- old children. These engaging sessions invite parents and families to partake in storytelling and related activities. Furthermore, the Early Years Worker is available to provide additional support or advice to any parents who may require it. TAR March 2012
Section E Financial review Brief statement of the charity's policy on reserves Details of any funds materially in deficit Further financial review details (Optional information) You may choose to include additional information. where relevant about.. the charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising). how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity. investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. Section F Other optional information Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Linda Jones Chair Date 18.10.24 TAR March 2012
Stepping Stones of Chester Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 31.12.23 31.12.22 INCOlE Grants Graiits in¢luding NEG Funding 215,007 152,621 Other tradlng activities Fee iiiconie Milk incorne 16,263 1,026 57,386 673 17,289 58.059 Invc$tmhnt income Deposit account interest 134 18 Toial ii,. Lomln¥ rL4sourees 232,430 210,698 E>"PENDtTURE Otliei. tra¢&lng nciii'ities A¢iivit,ps and mftterials 14.414 189,695 5,034 1,146 871 821) 501 5,696 17.917 148,268 384 71g8 0g)qLEniiI bles (loodl l*qilK cost Coiiiscvjmcelings Iti.%iiriri¢¢. U:iili)irn remis¢s M.Kpei)ses E4ank Io<li) inlcir,%l 1,357 332 338 218.337 169,3811 .'meTkt maK#gement cost5 Propci i}, repair 2,147 2.600 Supporl. ::o<ts Flffi)anr.e Administration expeneS C()nsulian15 Other expeiiJeS 12.351 1,400 10,7?.7 9,867 9,478 24,478 19,345 Total rcsources expended 244,962 191,329 L et (expeaditure}lincome (12,5321 19,369 This page does not fonn part of th¢ statutory financial statements Page 11