ST MARY'S PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Charity number: 1072893

ST MARY'S PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
CONTENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Page
Report of the Trustees
Receipts and Payments Account
ststement of Assels and Liabilities
Independent Examiner's Report

ST MARY'S PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
The Trustees are pleased to present their report, together with the financial statements for the year ended 31
August 2024.
Reference and administration details
Charity name:
St Mary's Pre-school Playgroup
Charity registration number:
1072893
Address of Charity:
St Mary's Church Hall
322 Woodbridge Road
Ipswich
Trustees:
T Underwood
(Chair) (Resigned and re-appointed
3110812024)
(Treasurer) (Resigned and re-appointed
3110812024)
(Secretary) (Resigned and re-appointed
3110812024)
J Sloggell
L Underwood
Committee members:
J Wilkie
J Al Kero
(Resigned 3110812024)
(Resigned 3110812024)
Support team:
E Jessop
H Stoggell
P Crabb
(Pre-school Manager)
(Pre-school Deputy Manager
{p￿School Business Manager)
Independent examiner:
A Robinson FCA
Lovewell Blake LLP
First Floor Suite
Unit 2 Hillside Business Park
Bury St Edmunds
IP32 7EA

ST MARY'S PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Objectives and activities
The primary purpose of the Charity is to help children and young people with educational training, by providing
pre-school care for children aged two to five years old for eight sessions per week. Each session lasts for Ihree
hours and a lunch club is also provided, if required. three days per week.
The Charity aims to enhance the development and education of children primarily under statutory school age
by encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups.
The Charity raises additional funds from the public to support the actFVities of the Charity but does not work with
ommercial participators. The purposes of the Charity are exclusively charitable and the financial stalements
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charilies Act 2011 ('the Act.).
In planning the objectives and activities of the Charily. Ihe Truslees have reviewed the guidance provided by
the Charity Commission.
A¢hievements and performance
It gives me great pleasure to reflect on what has been a successful and rewarding year for the preschool. Once
again, the dedication and collaboration of our staff, management, and committee have enabled us to build on
our strengths while identifying and addressing areas for further development. Our continuous efforts have been
driven not only by the aim of achieving high standards and ratings but, most importantly. by our commitment to
providing the very best for the children in our care.
Throughout the year, the preschool has continued to offer a safe, stable. and nurturing environment for children
and their families. This consistency has b8en at the heart of everything we do. l am immensely proud of the
way our team has remained focused on the needs of the children, demonstrating care, professionalism. and
genuine passion for early years education.
As we look ahead, we do so with confidence and oplimism. knowing that we have a strong foundation, a clear
vision, and a dedicated team ready to meet the cha118nges and opportunities of the year to come.
Public beneflt
The Trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. They confirm that in
planning and carrying out the Charity's activities they have had regards to this guidance.

ST IAARY'S PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Financlal review
The financial year ending 31 August 2024 presented a number of challenges, yet we are pleased to report a
strong and positive outcome. Although we initially budgeted for a deficit of £1,146, we ultimately closed the year
with a healthy surplus of £29,617. While starting the year with a projected deficit is not uncommon. we have
strong track record of improving our position over time
and this year was no different.
This turnaround can be attributed to several key factors. Most notsbly, we welcomed a higher number of new
children to the preschool, reflecting our growing reputation within the community. Our increased income was
further supported by the extension of our opening hours from September 2023, allowing us to offer 30 hours of
childcare
an additional 6 hours per week for families. This enhancement not only provided greater flexibility
for parents bul also strengthened the setting's financial position. In addition, we benefited from an unexpected
but much-appreciated increase in funding rates from Suffolk County Council. However, it is important to note
that such funding adjustments remain unpredictable and cannot be reliably incorporated into our initial
budgeting, due to the uncertainty surrounding both their timing and scale.
Reserves poli¢y
The Charity's reserves policy is to maintain reserves at a level adequate to protect its ongoing work froTn
significant fluctuations in service income. This policy is reviewed annually. The Charity aims to hold sufficient
reserves to cover three months, runnlng costs plus statutory redundancy costs. Thls value is set aside in a
separate bank account which totals £48,436 (2023: £42,874> at the date of review post year end. The
committee recommend that £7,310 12023.. £3,626) be transferred from the year end surplus to top up the
reserve account to the requirecl level of £55,746 (2023: £47.500).
Trustees consider that the Charity will continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future. There are no
material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue.
Plans for future periods
It is tho Trustees, intention that the Charity will continue to provide services in line with the objectiV8s and
activities as noted in these financial statements.
The Chartty is focused over the next financial year on a number of key areas aimed at protecting the pre-
school's financial position, improving the quality of provision and d8v8loping opportunities for growth and
stability.
Looking ahead, lh8 financial outlook for the year commencing 1 September 2024 appears significantly rnore
promising. We remain cautiously optimistic that this posilive trajactory will continue, supported by strong
enrolment, commilled staff, and ongoing community trust in our provision.
Structure, governance and management
Governlng document
st Mary's Pre-school Playgroup was established on 10 December 1988. Its constitution: the 'Pre-School
Learning Alliance Constitution Document January 2016, was registered with the Charity Commission
(registration number 1072893) on 29 February 2016.

ST MARY'S PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Appointment and recrultment of Trustees
Trustees are appointed at the Annual General Meeting and the Trustees can co-opt up to 3 further Trustees
any time after the AGM. The minimum numbers of the Committee, including Trustees and Members is 5 and
the maximum is 12, together with up to a further 3 co-opted members. The Trustees of the Charity are currently
all parents of current children or parents of previous children. The one exception to this is, the current Treasurer
who was co-opted in March 2020 due to his background in finance and following the resignation of the previous
Treasuier.
Trustees
The current Trustees are shown in the reference and administration details of these accounts, including those
who have served dvring the year and any appointment and resignation dates as required.
Trustees, Induction and training
All new Trustees will be provided wtth a Committee Welcome Pack which includes copies of:
The Charity's constitulion
The latest aGcounts of the Charity
Code of conduct
Confidentiality agreement
Trustees are encouraged to read Charity Commission guidance notes CC3 - 'The Essential Trustee, what you
need to know, what you need to do. and PB3 -"Public benefit.. Reporting".
In addition, Trustees are encouraged to read Charity Commission and other newsletters and to attend courses
designed to keep them abreast of their duties and responsibilities.
Organlsatlonal structure
The Trustees administar the Charity and meet regularly thought-out the year. During these meetings all
charitable matters are discussed including the raising of fvnds, income structure, ongoing performance and to
approve forthcoming charitable expenditure.
The Charity monitors performance against budgeted tsrgels and reports annually at the Annual General
Meeting where Trustees, resignation and appointments are made in line with the necessary roles and
requirements of the foreseeable futura.
Rlsk management
Management has reviewed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed. Where appropriat8, Systems or
procedures have been 8stablished to mitigate these risks. St Mary's Pre-school Playgroup benèfits from a
diligent and dedicated team of Trustees. Costs are closely mcnitored to ensure the Charity operates within its
means whilst taking into account other key factors including quality of provision. The Charity maintains a
separate bank account to cover its reserves. all of which minimise its exposure to risk.

ST MARY'S PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
The Charity's internal policies in place to mitigate risk are listed on the Charity's website and summarised
below:
Children's right and entitlements.
Safeguarding children, young people and
vulnerable adults.
Looked after children.
Uncollected children.
Missing child.
Online safety policy including use of mobile
phones and cameras.
Employment.
Student placements.
Induction of employees and vo5unte8rs.
First aid.
The role of the key person and settling in.
Staffing.
Administering medicines.
Managing children who are sick, infectious
or with allergies.
Recording and reporting accidents and
incidents.
Nappy changing.
Food and drink.
Food hygiene.
Promoting positive behaviour.
Health and safety general standards.
Risk assessments.
Maintaining children's safety and security
on premises.
Supervising children on outings and visits.
Fire safety and emergency evacuation.
Animals in the setting.
Smoking.
Staff safety includirbg home visits.
Valuing diversily and promoting inclusion
and equality.
Supporting children with SEND.
Brilish values.
Admissions policy.
Parental involvement.
Children's records.
Provid8r records.
Transfer of records to school.
Confidentially and client access to records.
Infomiation sharing.
Working in partnership with other agencies.
Making a complaint.
Payment policy.
Financial reserves policy.
Trustee's expenses policy.
Conflict of interest policy.
Related party transactions
During the year the charity paid H Stoggell amounts for employment seNices £14,363 {2023.. £11,187)- H
Stoggell is related to the Trustee J Stoggell. There was no other related party transaction in this cr Ihe prior
year.
Independent examiner reappolntment
A resolution to appoint A Robinson FCA of Lovewell Blake LLP as independent examiner will be proposed at
thé next Annual General Meeting.
The Trustees, annual report was approved on
by:
and signed on behalf of the board of Trustees
T Underwood (Chairl
Trustee

ST MARY'S PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
2024
Unrestricted Restricted
2023
Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Total
Recelpts
Fees and grants
Fundraising
Interest reGeived
Higher tariff needs
Other
151,578
151,578
99.498
74
65
99,498
74
65
5.380
47
373
373
11,765
11.765
5,380
47
Total Receipts
Payments:
Rent and rates
Wages
Consumables
Management and admin
Enrolment and insurance
Fundraising expendilLJre
Training expenditure
Small equipmant
Other
11.784
92.602
3.186
2,741
2,553
11,784
104,367
3.186
2,741
2,553
8,497
81,649
3,180
3.152
2,247
8,497
87,029
3,180
3.152
2.247
11,765
5,380
550
3,783
5.135
550
3,783
5,135
356
527
5,264
356
527
5,264
Asset and other costs
Total Paymants
Nèt
re¢elptsl(payments}
Transfer tol(froml funds
Surplusl{deficlt) for the
year
29,617
29,617
{5,188)
15,188}
Cash and bank l)alanc8S
at 31 August 2023
81,263
81,263
86.451
86,451
Cash and bank
balances at 31 August
2024

ST MARY'S PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024
Unrestricted Funds
2024
2023
Cash funds
Bank currenl account
2024
2023
other monetary assets
Prepayments
2024
2023
Assets retained for the Charity's own use
Furniture and equipmenl
At cost
At Net book valu8
10,414
10,414
2024
2023
Llablllties
Trade creditors
Accruals
Other creditors
Deferred income
927
2,518
2.582
200
These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on
and are signed on their behalf by:
T Underwood (Chair)
Trustee

ST MARY'S PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
I report to the Charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 August
2024 which are set out on the afore mentioned pages of these financial statements.
Responsibilities and basis of report
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,).
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in
carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 14515){b) of the Act.
Independent examinerfs statement
I have completed my examination. I confimi that no materlal matters have come to my attention in connection
with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect..
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act-
or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records,. or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicab18 requirements concerning the form and content of accounls
set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connectlon with the examination to which
attention sheuld be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be
reached.
A Robinson FCA
Independent examiner
Lovewell Blake LLP
First Floor Suite
Unit 2 Hillside Businèss Park
Bury St Edmunds
IP32 7EA
801061202f