Trustees' Annual Report for the period
Period start date Period end date 01 September 2023 31 August 2024
From
To
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name Other names charity is known by
Chuckleberries Pre-School
N/A
Registered charity number 1099029 Charity's principal address St James’ C.E. Primary School Church Lane Coldwaltham, Nr Pulborough, West Sussex Postcode RH20 1LW ~~a~~
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luke Hughes | Chair / Ofsted Nominated Person |
||
| Samantha Hughes | |||
| Joanne McCulloch | Secretary | ||
| Katherine Smith | Treasurer | ||
Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
Name Dates acted if not for whole year Not applicable
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Names and addresses of adviser
| Names and addresses of adviser | Names and addresses of adviser | Names and addresses of adviser |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
||
| Independent Examiner | Morris Palmer Limited | Barttelot Court, Barttelot Road, Horsham, RH12 1DQ |
| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members | ||
| Mrs Juliet Kent – Supervisor |
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document
Constitution (eg. trust deed, constitution) How the charity is constituted Association (eg. trust, association, company) Trustee selection methods Elected by Committee
(eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
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policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Chuckleberries Pre-School has a full programme of induction for new trustees which includes being mentored by the Chair and Treasurer. A handbook is sent to the new Committee member and all documentation can be found on the Chuckleberries website. This details all the policies, structure and roles of the various committee members.
As a parent run committee charitable managed pre-school, Chuckleberries works hard within the local community to develop relationships to ensure the continuity of the Pre-School in years to come. The Pre-School has good relationships with the other nurseries and primary schools in the vicinity and is at the forefront in the area of developing new ideas and offering new initiatives for the children such as the introduction of Forest School, the use of tablets and a new online learning journal which will be accessible by the parents from home and enable them to keep track of their child’s progress. The trustees are all made aware of potential risks and conflicts that may arise and the manner in which these are to be handled. The Charity is also governed by the rules and regulations associated to adopting and implementing the Early Years Framework and is ultimately monitored by Ofsted. There is also a full operating policy manual in the setting and also on the website which details all the policies and procedures undertaken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children in our care.
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Section C Objectives and activities
| Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document 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 benefit) |
The aims of the Pre-School are 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 aims of the Pre-School are 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 and by: (a) offering appropriate play, education and care facilities, family learning and extended hours groups, together with the right of parents to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of such groups, ensuring that such groups offer opportunities for all children whatever their race, culture, religion, means or ability; (b) encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs in the local areas. (c) to assist and support parents with children with special education or learning needs and to assist when the resources of the council cannot stretch to help. |
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
We are grateful for the support of our parents who volunteer to act as You may choose to include parent helpers as and when required and support the Pre-School at further statements, where events. Without the help and support of parents and businesses within relevant, about: the local area we would not be able to provide the children with the extra fun activities.
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policy on grantmaking;
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policy programme related investment;
We are hoping to encourage more parents, friends and relatives of Chuckleberries to use the Easy fundraising app which allows Chuckleberries to earn points which turn into money every time you shop online at big stores such as Ebay and Argos.
- contribution made by volunteers.
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Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main The Charity submitted a response to a tender for the supply of a new achievements of the charity provision of Early Years’ childcare at St James’ C.E. Primary School, during the year Church Lane, Coldwaltham, Nr Pulborough in West Sussex in 2016. This was achieved and the new setting opened on 4[th] September 2017. This has led to a reduction in overheads, in particular rent which continues to benefit the nursery. Parents of the Committee along with our dedicated staff have organised small fundraising events throughout the year to support the extra-curricular activities that are so important to the children.
Up until the lockdown in March 2020, activities were operating as usual. From the commencement of lockdown through to 31[st] May 2020, the preschool was only open to children of key workers. From 1[st] June 2020, the school started to offer limited access to all children, initially on a one day per week basis. Since the pandemic, the pre-school is now fully back to normal and thriving in many ways Overall, the effect on income was minimal, as a result, no additional Government Support was utilised.
In August 2023 during the summer holidays, we created a lovely, enclosed garden within the grounds of the school the pre-school is located. This includes several pieces of play equipment, lots of flower beds to enable the children to learn through play. 30 hour funding continues to be implemented across the pre-school which has led to an increase in numbers throughout the year. We have introduced the new 30 hour funded places for working parents for 2 year olds in line with the Government scheme. This has had many benefits for the pre-school, but has bought some challenges with ratio numbers and the sudden increase in 2 year olds. Which require more support. We have not reduced our staff/pupil ratio numbers.
We had the wonderful and rewarding news of being upgraded by Ofsted from a 'Good' to an 'Outstanding' Preschool at the end of 2024. This is such a big achievement for the Preschool and we can't wait to see what the next year brings.
We are always looking at ways to improve the preschool either through new equipment or hiring outside educators such as boogie bounce to provide the children with new experiences.
Section E Financial review
Funds are held at a level to allow for the risk of operating for a full year with Brief statement of the a very low number of children or any unforeseen expenditure the charity charity’s policy on reserves may incur.
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Details of any funds materially Not Applicable in deficit
Further financial review details (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:
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the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
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how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
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investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
The Charity’s principal funds are derived from Early Years Funding and from additional fees payable by parents of the children at the Pre-School.
Fundraising is vital to the nursery’s success, especially following the introduction of 30 funded hours for 3 and 4 year olds being paid at a rate of £5.82 which is considerably lower than the minimum wage per hour for our trained staff.
- £8.27 is now being paid for 2 year olds which is very beneficial to the preschool as we have to employ staff to pupil ratio with this age of child, so this helps pay for the extra staff required to care for these children.
Funds were used to enhance the education of the practitioners with relevant training courses being attended throughout the year. All our staff are sent on regular courses to ensure training is kept up to date.
Funds were also spent to create a safe enclosed garden with raised flower beds and picnic benches to enhance the children’s outdoor play area.
Section F Other optional information
Mrs K Smith (Trustee) received £1,572 (2023 - £1,489) for services as Treasurer
Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Transactions with related parties and trustees: Mrs K Smith (Trustee) received £1,572 (2023 - £1,489) for services as Treasurer 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) Katherine Smith Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Treasurer etc) Date 11/04/2025
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CHUCKLEBERRIES PRE-SCHOOL
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
| 01/09/2023 To 31/08/2024 | 01/09/2023 To 31/08/2024 | 01/09/2023 To 31/08/2024 | 01/09/2023 To 31/08/2024 | 01/09/2023 To 31/08/2024 | 01/09/2022 To 31/08/2023 | 01/09/2022 To 31/08/2023 | 01/09/2022 To 31/08/2023 | 01/09/2022 To 31/08/2023 | 01/09/2022 To 31/08/2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Graduate | General | Total | Graduate | General | |||||||
| Funds | Leader Fund | Fund | Funds | Leader Fund | Fund | |||||||
| Income | ||||||||||||
| Donations | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | 500.00 |
£ | 500.00 |
||||
| Grants | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Fees from parents | £ | 17,590.96 |
£ | 17,590.96 |
£ | 17,390.93 |
£ | 17,390.93 |
||||
| Funded hours | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Funding from Early Years | £ | 67,552.67 |
£ | 67,552.67 |
£ | 59,994.51 |
£ | 59,994.51 |
||||
| Fundraising | £ | 229.88 |
£ | 229.88 |
£ | 923.54 |
£ | 923.54 |
||||
| Holiday Club | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Other Income | £ | 30.00 |
£ | 30.00 |
£ | 75.00 |
£ | 75.00 |
||||
| Molly Moo income | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Interest | £ | 262.29 |
£ | 262.29 |
£ | 153.49 |
£ | 153.49 |
||||
| Sweatshirts | £ | 96.00 |
£ | 96.00 |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | |||||||
| Total | £ | 85,761.80 |
£ | - |
£ | 85,761.80 |
£ | 79,037.47 |
£ | - |
£ | 79,037.47 |
| ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | |||||||
| Payments | ||||||||||||
| Accountancy Fees | £ | 1,497.00 |
£ | 1,497.00 |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Books | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Car, van & travel | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Cleaning costs | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Clothing | £ | 629.00 |
£ | 629.00 |
£ | 570.50 |
£ | 570.50 |
||||
| Computer and stationery costs | £ | 500.94 |
£ | 500.94 |
£ | 536.13 |
£ | 536.13 |
||||
| Consumables | £ | 170.44 |
£ | 170.44 |
£ | 726.72 |
£ | 726.72 |
||||
| Cost of sales - goods | £ | 369.44 |
£ | 369.44 |
£ | 339.65 |
£ | 339.65 |
||||
| Educational visits | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | 398.50 |
£ | 398.50 |
||||
| Employers NI contributions | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Employers pension contributions | £ | 1,108.64 |
£ | 1,108.64 |
£ | 1,223.64 |
£ | 1,223.64 |
||||
| Fees | £ | 515.00 |
£ | 515.00 |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Fixed assets | £ | 252.00 |
£ | 252.00 |
£ | 13,567.28 |
£ | 13,567.28 |
||||
| Food | £ | 366.12 |
£ | 366.12 |
£ | 453.71 |
£ | 453.71 |
||||
| Fund Raising costs | £ | 434.84 |
£ | 434.84 |
£ | 548.45 |
£ | 548.45 |
||||
| Gardening | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | 475.20 |
£ | 475.20 |
||||
| Gifts | £ | 501.50 |
£ | 501.50 |
£ | 748.55 |
£ | 748.55 |
||||
| Insurance | £ | 1,094.99 |
£ | 1,094.99 |
£ | 1,704.87 |
£ | 1,704.87 |
||||
| Licences | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Miscellaneous | £ | 2,760.05 |
£ | 2,760.05 |
£ | 3,737.64 |
£ | 3,737.64 |
||||
| Music lessons | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| PAYE Interest | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Phone & office costs | £ | 175.61 |
£ | 175.61 |
£ | 280.28 |
£ | 280.28 |
||||
| Premises | £ | 4,890.00 |
£ | 4,890.00 |
£ | 4,840.00 |
£ | 4,840.00 |
||||
| Printing | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Professional fees | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | 45.00 |
£ | 45.00 |
||||
| Publicity | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Repairs & Renewals | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Stationery | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Subscriptions | £ | 284.60 |
£ | 284.60 |
£ | 506.31 |
£ | 506.31 |
||||
| Training | £ | 469.80 |
£ | 469.80 |
£ | 262.80 |
£ | 262.80 |
||||
| Travel and Entertainment | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
||||
| Wages & staff costs | £ | 62,346.05 |
£ | 62,346.05 |
£ | 67,240.89 |
£ | 67,240.89 |
||||
| ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | |||||||
| Total | £ | 78,366.02 |
£ | - |
£ | 78,366.02 |
£ | 98,206.12 |
£ | - |
£ | 98,206.12 |
| ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | |||||||
| Surplus / (Deficit) | £ | 7,395.78 |
£ | - |
£ | 7,395.78 |
£ | (19,168.65) |
£ | - |
£ | (19,168.65) |
| Funds at 01.09.2024 | £ | 36,795.42 |
£ | - |
£ | 36,795.42 |
£ | 55,964.07 |
£ | - |
£ | 55,964.07 |
| Reallocation of fund | £ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
£ | - |
| ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | |||||||
| Funds at 31.08.2024 | £ | 44,191.20 |
£ | - |
£ | 44,191.20 |
£ | 36,795.42 |
£ | - |
£ | 36,795.42 |
| ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | |||||||
| Represented by: | ||||||||||||
| Current Account | £ | 23,350.55 |
£ | 11,799.26 |
||||||||
| Reserve Account | £ | 20,528.48 |
£ | 24,023.79 |
||||||||
| GLF Account | £ | 211.67 |
£ | 871.87 |
||||||||
| Petty Cash Float | £ | 100.50 |
£ | 100.50 |
||||||||
| ---------------- | ---------------- | |||||||||||
| £ | 44,191.20 |
£ | 36,795.42 |
| Fixed assets Trade debtors Total assets Liabilities Trade creditors Sales received in advance PAYE/NI Pension Total liabilities |
21,392.73 £ 2,730.00 £ 68,313.93 £ - £ - £ 4,045.16 £ 595.20 £ 4,640.36 £ |
21,140.73 £ 925.75 £ |
|---|---|---|
| 58,861.90 £ |
||
| 630.00 £ 62.75 £ 3,393.43 £ 129.62 £ |
||
| 4,215.80 £ |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Chuckleberries Pre School members of On accounts for the year 31 August 2024 Charity no 1099029 ended (if any) Set out on page 1 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/08/2024. Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts 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 connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Date: 23.04.25 ~~|~~ Name: Marti Stenton Relevant professional ICAEW qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: Morris Palmer Limited, Barttelot Court, Barttelot Road, Horsham, RH12 1DQ
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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 Nothing to disclose any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
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