## **Bramfield Stepping Stones Pre-School**
# **Report and Financial Statements**
**For the year ended**
**31 August 2022**
**Charity Registration Number 1109971**
## **Bramfield Stepping Stones Pre-School**
## **Financial Statements**
## **Year ended 31 August 2022**
|**Contents**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' annual report|1-5|
|Independent examiner's report to the trustees|6|
|Receipts and payments account|7|
|Statement of assets and liabilities|8|
## **Bramfield Stepping Stones Pre-School**
## **Trustees' annual report**
## **Year ended 31 August 2022**
The Trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 August 2022.
## **Reference and administrative details**
|**Registered Charity name**|Bramfield Stepping Stones Pre-School|
|---|---|
|**Charity registration number**|1109971|
|**Principal office**|Bramfield Village Hall|
||Bridge Street|
||Bramfield|
||Halesworth|
||Suffolk|
||IP19 9HZ|
|**The Trustees**||
|**Chairman**|Craig Moloney|
|**Treasurer**|Victoria Tubbritt|
|**Secretary**|Kelly Parker (Resigned 15/09/22)|
||Lauren Moloney (Appointed 15/09/22)|
|**Independent examiner**|Mr M C Waters ACA FCCA|
||Lovewell Blake LLP Chartered Accountants|
||The Wherry|
||Quay Street|
||Halesworth|
||Suffolk|
||IP19 8ET|
|**Bankers**|Barclays Bank plc|
||23A New Market|
||Beccles|
||Suffolk|
||NR34 9HD|
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## **Bramfield Stepping Stones Pre-School**
## **Trustees' annual report (continued)**
## **Year ended 31 August 2022**
## **Objectives and activities**
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) Instigating and adhering to and furthering the aims and objectives of the Pre-school Learning Alliance.
## **Summary of activities undertaken for public benefit**
The Charity is a Pre-school offering play, education and care facilities for children aged 2 to rising 5 years. It is open for full day-care from 9.15-15.15. Staff at the Pre-school also run the ‘out-of-school club’ at the adjoining primary school and are therefore able to accommodate children from 3 years whose parents may require them to be in extended care (from 8am to 6pm).
## **Achievements and performance**
After the previous few years of covid and unsettled times, I am pleased to say that 2022 has been a better year for us. We currently have nearly 20 children on role, with the majority looking to stay next year as well. There are areas where we need to improve such as adding more people to the committee and increasing our fundraising, but on the whole we are in a good position to take the pre school forward.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Craig , Anna, Elizabeth & Mel for their outstanding work they do and the joy they bring to the children attending. We have tried to reflect this with pay increases across the board, however it is not as much as we would like to be able to give to reflect the outstanding work you all do.
Currently within the setting Anna and Craig are supported by Elizabeth, however Elizabeth is due to undertake maternity leave starting in March. Whilst we are looking to find someone to temporarily fill Elizabeth's shoes I would like to thank Elizabeth for all her hard work in the setting and for all the help and happiness that she brings to the children. We wish Elizabeth all the best in her maternity leave and hope to see you again in the future. As we enter 2023 we have maintained the growth in attendance from 2022, from the rate at the end of 2021 we predicted to have nearly 26 children on the books by the end of 2022. We have nearly reached that target and hopefully we can maintain this and progress forward to try and reach 30 children on the books again by the end of 2023. To achieve this we will look to increase our activity on advertising and social media as this is something which has had great feedback from new parents joining. We would also like to try and add new members to the committee so that they can bring some new ideas of things we could do differently or how we can improve the setting and add new children.
On behalf of the committee I would like to thank the Village Hall Committee for their continued help and support to keep the Pre school running.
Accounts clerk Mel still continues to keep our funds and finances in order and remains a valuable asset to the Pre school, whilst Victoria Tubbritt has remained our treasurer and has worked excellently alongside Mel.
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## **Bramfield Stepping Stones Pre-School**
**Trustees' annual report (continued)**
## **Year ended 31 August 2022**
## **Achievements and performance (continued)**
Lauren Moloney has taken on the role of secretary temporarily as Kelly Parker resigned from the committee. Lauren has continued working with Craig and Anna to do staff appraisals and has also been an invaluable asset in assisting with the recruitment of someone to cover Elizabeth’s maternity leave.
I would also like to extend a welcome and thanks to our new committee member Charlette who is going to be taking on the role of committee secretary. It is great to have new members on board who can help with new ideas and running the committee.
As we are a committee managed pre-school we rely upon volunteers and parents to help run the setting and we would like to extend our thanks not just to Anna, Craig & the committee members but also to the parents of the children within the pre school and the help they provide, especially a member of the community who has allowed the children to start a vegetable patch in their garden.
Finally I would like to announce that this year was my last full year as chair of the committee, as of September our children will longer be attending the setting so I feel that the time is right to step aside and give someone else the opportunity to chair the committee and have a say in its development. I will stay on as acting chair until a replacement can be found. I would like to thank everyone involved with the pre school for allowing me to be chair and part of the committee. I would like to say a special thanks to Anna and Craig who have always made us feel welcome since the very first time we came to look at the setting. Our two children have been attending for several years now and have had such a fantastic time. We have seen them grow as people and learn so many new things and I think a large part of this is due to the fantastic care that you provide. I know that with two children attending for over two years there has never been a single day where either has come home and said they have had a bad day at pre school, I think this is testament to the joy that you bring to all children in the setting and is something that we can never thank you enough for.
I hope that in 2023 we can continue to maintain the excellent standard of the pre school, to grow and to introduce new members, and continue bringing so much to the children who attend.
## Chairman
Craig Moloney
## **Financial review**
The Charity had net receipts of £2,465 (2021 net payments £3,581) as shown on the Receipts and Payments account on page 7.
## _**Investment Policy**_
There are no restrictions of the Charity’s power to invest. The investment strategy is set by the Trustees and takes into account known expenses and allows for unforeseen demands. The Trustees also consider the income requirements.
## _**Risk Management Policy**_
The Trustees have examined the major strategic business and operational risks, which the Charity faces and confirms that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen the risks.
## _**Reserves Policy**_
It is the policy of the Charity to maintain sufficient funds to enable it to carry out its objectives and to meet periodic capital expenditure, repairs to the building and unforeseen circumstances.
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## **Bramfield Stepping Stones Pre-School**
## **Trustees' annual report (continued)**
## **Year ended 31 August 2022**
## **Structure, governance and management**
## _**Governing document**_
The Charity was founded by a trust deed dated 18 April 2005 and was registered with the Charity Commission on 13 June 2005 number 1109971.
It works to the Constitution recommended by the Pre-school Learning Alliance and approved by the committee.
## _**Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees**_
The Charity is administered by a Board of Trustees who has the power of appointing new Trustee/Trustees. Trustees are appointed by majority vote where unanimity has not been achieved.
Future Trustees shall be appointed for a minimum of one year.
In selecting persons to be appointed as Trustees, the Trustees shall take into account the benefits of appointing a person whose qualifications and employment of knowledge will make a contribution to the pursuit of the objects or management of the Charity.
## _**Induction and Training of Trustees**_
On appointment to the board, Trustees are provided with copies of:
- The Trust Deed and amendment thereto.
- Minutes of Trustee’s meetings held.
- - The latest set of statutory accounts.
In addition Trustees are encouraged to read Charity and other newsletters and to attend courses designed to keep them abreast of their duties and responsibilities.
## _**Organisational Structure**_
The Trustees meet at least three times a year to discuss all governance matters concerning the Charity. At these meetings the Trustees consider and make decisions on actions to be taken in accordance with the Charity’s objectives. Discussions are reached by majority vote where unanimity has not been achieved.
## _**Relationship with related parties**_
The Charity is registered with Ofsted to enable the setting to operate and with the Pre-school Learning Alliance, which provides any necessary social and legal advice. Support is also provided by Suffolk County Council Early Years Department by funding and general advice.
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## **Bramfield Stepping Stones Pre-School**
## **Trustees' annual report (continued)**
## **Year ended 31 August 2022**
## **Independent examiner**
A resolution to reappoint Mr M C Waters ACA FCCA will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.
Signed on behalf of the trustees on 25 April 2023
Mr Craig Moloney (Chairman)
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## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Bramfield Stepping Stones PreSchool**
## **Year ended 31 August 2022**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 August 2021 which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), balance sheet and the related notes.
## **Responsibilities and Basis of Report**
As the charity's trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) , you are responsible for the preparation of the finacial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the company are not required to be audited under part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your company's financial statements as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination i have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent Examiner’s Statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
- 2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
- 3 the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
- 4 the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
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.
Mr M C Waters ACA FCCA Independent Examiner
Lovewell Blake LLP Chartered accountants The Wherry Quay Street Halesworth Suffolk IP19 8ET
25 April 2023
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## **Bramfield Stepping Stones Pre-School**
## **Receipts and Payments**
## **Year ended 31 August 2022**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2021 2020
£ £
Receipts
SCC Early Years Funding 52,256 41,410
Fees and lunch club 6,607 8,390
Donations 55 124
Fundraising 81 -
Sundry receipts 62 89
- -
Furlough Scheme Grants
59,060 50,013
Bank interest 2 5
Total receipts 59,062 50,018
Payments
Wages 46,467 42,777
Pensions 2,484 2,427
Courses and training 399 154
Rent and electricity 2,059 2,177
Telephone 632 560
- -
Advertising
Insurance and OFSTED 716 754
Admin and sundry items 617 1,404
Lunches 1,563 1,279
Property repairs - 203
Independent examination fees 600 600
Professional fees 635 1,001
Equipment purchases 425 264
Total payments 56,597 53,599
Net (payments)/receipts 2,465 (3,581)
Cash funds at last year end 22,473 26,054
Cash funds at this year end 24,938 22,473
**----- End of picture text -----**
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## **Bramfield Stepping Stones Pre-School**
## **Statement of assets and liabilities**
## **Year ended 31 August 2022**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
£
Cash funds
Community Account 14,106
Business Saver Account 9,109
Active Saver Account 1,723
24,938
Assets retained for the Charity's own use £
Various furniture, computer/electrical equipment, kitchen appliances, toys, games, instruments
and materials for activities (at estimated secondhand value) 4,500
Liabilities £
Independent examination fees 678
Professional fees 766
PAYE 342
1,786
Signed on behalf of the trustees on 25 April 2023
**----- End of picture text -----**
Mr Craig Moloney (Chairman)
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