Locking Stumps Preschool
Address: Village Room, Locking Stumps Community Primary School, Glover Road, Birchwood, Warrington, WA3 7PH Email: lockingstumpspreschool@hotmail.co.uk Tel:07729591399
Locking Stumps Preschool Commitee Annual Report 2024-2025
Structure and Management
Locking Stumps Preschool is run as a charity for the public benefit of the children in the local area with the purpose of advancing their education, specifically during their preschool years, so that they are well prepared for statutory schooling.
The charity has been in operation since 1982 and the Manager, together with the Preschool Committee, is responsible for the work of Locking Stumps Preschool.
Locking Stumps Preschool is run by its Manager, Charlotte Cooper and it’s Committee members. The Committee will serve the charity until they choose to resign, or a new member is appointed at an AGM meeting.
Committee members have not taken any remuneration or expenses during the year but volunteer their services in the interests of ensuring first class preschool provision for the children of Locking Stumps. The Committee have kept an eye on financial matters, and were able to increase wages for the staff, and are confident that the Preschool will continue to provide good value for money.
In order to safeguard our children, all Committee members are checked under the Disclosure and Barring Scheme.
A full set of Policies and Procedures are in place which are reviewed regularly and meet any legal requirements.
The Preschool is currently in the late stages of becoming a CIO. The CIO has been registered with the charity commission; we just need Ofsted approval to operate under the new entity. Once gained all assets and liabilities will be transferred and the old charity will cease to operate.
Objectves of the Preschool
Locking Stumps Preschool aims to advance the development and education of children aged two to four, in such ways as the charity’s Committee think fit, including:
By offering children aged two to four living in the local area a high-quality preschool that meets all national standards for preschool provision.
By instigating and adhering to the aims and objectives of the Preschool Learning Alliance.
By working with parents and carers to ensure that preschool age children have access to a range of learning activities, within the setting.
To be a non-profit making organisation where any profits made are used to extend and develop the preschool provision.
To work with Locking Stumps Primary School, local Children’s Centres and other agencies to ensure that the education given by the preschool links to the children’s future learning and supports other areas of their development.
Who serves on the Preschool Commitee?
The day-to-day running of Locking Stumps Preschool is the responsibility of the Preschool Committee. The Committee makes decisions about things like when the Preschool is open, staffing levels and how the Preschool is run. The Committee’s Ofsted Nominated Person is currently Faye Gaskell.
The following people serve on the Committee: Gemma Antell (Chair), Thomas Chapman (Treasurer), Charlotte Cooper (Manager) and Faye Gaskell (Deputy Manager).
Thomas Chapman, Charlotte Cooper, Faye Gaskell, Laura Maclean, Tracy Lynskey and Katrina Worthington all intend to serve the new CIO as its board of trustees.
Achievements and Performance
For the year 2024-2025 the Preschool had 28 children attending and currently has 26 children attending. During 2024-2025 the provision had a small number of spaces available, but every effort was taken to fill as many spaces as possible. The Preschool also has a healthy waiting list for children wanting to take places in the following years and current 2 year olds are beginning to confirm sessions for next year.
Last year we raised funds to build a new summer house. In September this was completed and has this year been used to create a year-round versatile space. This space can be used to take small groups of children out of the main room for specific activities or to provide a quite space away from the main rooms hustle and bustle.
Financial review
Our main source of funding is fees paid to us by parents which are charged termly, and the Free Early Years Entitlement (FEYE) given to parents of children between 2 and 4 years. The majority of the children who attend now receive funding due to the introduction of the working parent funding which increased to 30 hours from September 25.
Despite increased staffing costs—primarily driven by rises in the National Living Wage—and limited scope to increase income due to our reliance on FEYE funding (with rates set by the local authority), the Preschool achieved a surplus of £646.24 for the 2024–2025. We continue to maintain a healthy level of reserves to protect against unexpected costs or to support any future deficits.
However, we recognise that if current trends persist, our financial position may come under increasing pressure. Ongoing monitoring will be essential, and we will continue to try to identify and explore opportunities for additional funding.
What do the Preschool staf and Commitee want to do next?
Continue to work closely with school to ensure the smooth transition of children from Preschool to Reception
Make links and continue to work with the local community - visit to Birchwood Forest Park for Preschool Graduation. We entered the duck race, a local festival attended by many families, with ducks decorated by the Preschool children.
Work towards sustainability, we are hoping to source planters to grow our own fruit and veg and a water butt to collect water for watering plants.
Thomas Chapman Treasurer of Locking Stumps Preschool
Overview Acedemic Year 2024-2025
| Outgoings | |
|---|---|
| Wages | £87,050.13 |
| Agency | £0.00 |
| Rent | £6,873.24 |
| PreSchool LearningAllience | £1,559.77 |
| HMRC | £14,367,33 |
| Nest Pensions | £4,334.30 |
| Food | £1,974.92 |
| Stationary | £233.06 |
| Training | £661.50 |
| Equipment | £4,098.51 |
| Memberships | £750.07 |
| Other outgoings | £7,003.06 |
| DBS | £179.50 |
| TotalOutgoings | £129,085.39 |
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Income
Government Funding £104,385.80
Fees £17,400.14
DLA Funding £910.00
SENDIF £5,201.74
Other Income £1,383.95
Welcome Fee £450.00
Interest £368.25
Total Income £130,099.88
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Total for Year £1,014.49
YEARLY MOVEMENTS
| Opening bank balances 1st Sept. 2024 | £21,570.19 | |
|---|---|---|
| Opening bank balances istSept. 2024 | £25,545.38 | |
| Income | £130,099.88 | |
| Expenditure | -£129,085.39 | |
| Closing balance 31st August2025 | £48,130.06 | |
| Represented by: | ||
| Bank balance 31stAugust2025 | £20,216.43 | |
| Bank balance 31st August 2025 | Premium | £27,913.63 |
| £48,130.06 |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
| certify that | have examined the books and records relating to Locking Stumps Pre-School for the year ended 31st August 2025 and the above Statement of Accounts as at 3ist August 2025.
| have checked the Receipts and Payments and confirm the above Statement of Accounts is in accordance with the books and vouchers and explanations given to me.
A . Cunha* > bh‘y
Tony Craddock ACMA
Chartered Management Accountant AC Accounting Solutions
31st October 2025