PIED PIPER PRE-SCHOOL
ANNUAL REPORT
7 OCTOBER 2025
www.piedpiperpreschool.org.uk
Chairperson’s Report
By Mark Worrell
Although, I have only been the chair since May this year. I have been impressed with the dedication and commitment shown by the staff to the pre-school as expressed in the manager reports, during committee meetings. I would also like to thank Zanabella and Melissa for their efforts to keep families and children in touch during the holidays and for their attendance at varying markets/events to get the pre-school’s name into the wider community.
I thank the other committee members for welcoming me onto the committee and for all their help since I took the role as chairperson. I am confident we will continue to make decisions in the best interest of the pre-school, which will continue to help the children thrive in a settled environment that will ultimately aid their transitions into their future settings.
Manager’s Report
Since joining the preschool in February we welcomed Melissa as Deputy, who has brought some great SEN knowledge and suggestions into the preschool on top of the knowledge that was already here.
The staff have managed the transition from Eva to myself well and have worked through and supported changes that have been brought in.
Physically there has been changes to the preschool including the starting of the transformation in the garden, the new shed, and sand pit with more work being carried out next weekend with a sensory walkway. We held a working party to paint the new shed before it was installed, thank you to Natalie, her friend, Charlie, Melissa and Aurora that came to paint it over a few days. Thank you to Lee Denton and Shaun Lenihan for ensuring the base for the shed was level and suitable for the shed to be on, and for also creating our sandpit, new path alongside it and new path up to the shed. The children have created a lovely flower bed next to the path and helped to fill the sandpit up along with the staff, prior to the remainder being done over the weekend. The children grew some beautiful sunflowers which Linda came and did a planting session with them before the summer.
We sent out parental questionnaires which required actual answers for the majority of questions then some ratings ones, and a full report was compiled. All in all it was a really positive outcome and was really nice to read the comments, that were fed back to all the staff.
All paperwork has been updated and risk assessments implemented. There has been challenges faced with IT issues including the contact form on the website not working since the end of June, which meant potential parents were unable to contact us to arrange viewings, add on the issue with poor phone line quality however since Melissa looked at the website it has begun a complete overhaul, this includes immediately sorting out the issue with the contact form, since this was sorted we have had 3 children start and 2 book to view over the next 7 days, this proves the invaluable impact that having a working website has!
The website has then begun its face lift, and it’s a lot more eye catching and shows the fun that the children have here. We will be putting up key policies rather than one document of them all {far too much for potential parents to look at to find the key policies like admission, settling in, safeguarding and behaviour
management policies}. We will also be adding the parent questionnaire report, and making a gallery too, as well as links to support information like PEEPLE, HENRY and the CBEEBIES parenting app.
We have been busy having more of a face in the community having stalls at Thatcham markets, staff now have uniforms that look amazing, plus if out and about the preschool is being advertised. Thank you to Melissa for creating these.
This year the fundraising has paid for Zoo Lab and Ducklings.
Over the next year we have several fundraising events planned including an October party, 40[th] birthday party, Thatcham lights and more.
I am so proud of Alison and Emily both completing their level 3’s, they worked incredibly hard to achieve this.
The staff are all strong and have such a wealth of knowledge, each and everyone of them. Alison is now our ECAT lead, Emily is our Sustainability lead both I know will do an amazing job and have a drive to do the best that they can.
The team really are amazing and want the best for every child we care for, they go above and beyond to support interests and consider what the benefits are that they would like the children to gain.
With the new EYFS that has come in and Ofsted inspection framework which becomes implemented in November staff have all registered for the Ofsted briefing on the 17[th] of October, I attended the initial potential briefing back in April and it has slightly changed since then.
The staff have completed any additional training asked of them and completed it quickly too.
Again I am proud and thankful for the proactive and supportive team that we have here at Pied Piper.
Administrator’s Report
We had a quiet start to the year, but managed to end the year in a better position as new children joined and existing children picked up more sessions. The pre-school continues to be recommended by previous and current families.
I continued to support the manager with general admin throughout the year and to produce monthly accounts for the treasurer and committee. As the pre-school contact for the Charity Commission, I upload the annual reports and accounts to their website and update trustee details after our AGM. There were no significant updates from the Charity Commission this year. In May, we were asked to take part in the ONS Annual Business Survey, which we haven’t done before. I completed this to the best of my knowledge (it’s not designed for small charities like ours).
After being pre-school administrator for a decade, I handed in my resignation at the end of the year. Rebecca Elsmere has been appointed by the committee to take over from me and I am sure she will do an excellent job.
Treasurer’s Report By Jonathan Ramcharan Date: 07/10/2025
1. Introduction
As Treasurer of Pied Piper Preschool, I am pleased to present the financial report for the year ending Sept 30[th] 2025. This report outlines our financial performance, key expenditures, income sources, and overall financial health.
2. Financial Overview
-
Opening Balance (as of Sept 2024): £33,526.97
-
Total Income: £125,607.73
-
Total Expenditure: £120,605.91
-
Closing Balance (as of Sept 2025): £38,528.79
3. Income Sources
Our income for the year came from the following sources:
-
WBDC : £106,526.98
-
Parental Income : £5834
-
Enrolment Deposits : £260
-
Fundraising events: £1422.54
-
Grants: £7798.50
-
Interest : £1099.02
-
Donations : £1258
-
Other income (e.g., merchandise, services): £1408.69
4. Expenditures
Major expenses during the year included:
-
Operational costs (e.g., rent, utilities, operational costs ): £109,470.47
-
Event costs: £33.75
-
Equipment and supplies: £605.76
-
Marketing and communications: £0
-
Miscellaneous: £894.77
5. Financial Position
We maintained a stable financial position throughout the year. The closing balance of £38,528.79 ensures we have sufficient reserves to support our planned activities for the upcoming year. We continue to manage our finances prudently and seek opportunities to diversify our income.
6. Audit and Compliance
Our accounts will be audited and reviewed to make sure that there are no discrepancies found. We remain compliant with all relevant financial regulations and reporting standards.
7. And Investment Policy
The Pre-school currently holds £37,599.70 in reserve funds to cover approximately one terms-worth of costs in the event of a significant / unforeseen event or where a smaller instance occurs, such as the requirement for redundancy or recruitment in a given year. The target for the coming year will be to increase these funds as best possible by around £12,000. Expenditure against these funds is at the express permission of the committee only and, whilst not in use, these funds have been allocated to a high-street bank to generate what interest is available as per the pre-schools Combined Reserve and Investment Policy.
8. Looking Ahead
In the coming year, we aim to:
-
Strengthen our fundraising efforts
-
Explore new grant opportunities
-
Improve financial tracking and reporting systems
-
Ensure continued transparency and accountability
The budget for the next academic year has been approved for use by the committee following reviews with the Treasurer, Chair and Pied Piper Manager. The budget does not include any income that is not guaranteed and allowed for all foreseeable expenses based on experiences gained from the previous financial year.
The budget doesn’t include any surplus funds from previous years so long term decisions on costs could be made independently from assumptions of surplus funds that can not be guaranteed year after year.
Income from West Berkshire District Council has been incorporated and includes standard funding as well as additional inclusion and disability funding. With a few places left available at the beginning of the year, we can expect the funding to increase as these places are filled.
Salaries have increased inline with the minimum wage rise and hourly rate reviews have taken place outside the necessary changes required. The wage rate will be re calculated during the year and this will affect the budget.
- Conclusion
I would like to thank the committee, members, and supporters for their continued trust and cooperation. Please feel free to ask any questions or request further details.
Respectfully submitted, Jonathan Ramcharan Treasurer, Pied Piper Pre School 6/10/2025
Fundraising Report
Fundraising for the year got off to its usual fun start with the Toddle Waddle in October, which raised £354. This is a lovely opportunity for families to chat to each other and to the staff. We also received Gift Aid of £61.75 from this event.
At the Thatcham Lights in December, the staff once again filled gift bags, raising £165. Also in December, the raffle and stalls following the Nativity performance raised £134.50.
We held our annual Easter bonnet parade and Easter Fayre in the pre-school hall in March, raising £99, and the raffle and stalls after the Sports Day in July raised £129. It was decided not to take part in the Thatcham Fun Day again this year as it is a lot of work and doesn’t usually raise much money.
Zanabellla and Melissa took the opportunity of running a stall twice at the Friday market, raising £155 through raffle ticket sales and donations, and promoting the pre-school in the community.
Thanks goes to all the staff for their efforts, particularly to Sylvia who is so good at making raffle prizes look amazing, and to Louise Canning for selling raffle tickets. Also to all the pre-school families for their donations and for supporting our events.
(See summary on next page)
Fundraising Events 2024-25
Waitrose Toddle Waddle Sponsored obstacle course Thatcham fun day West Berks Lottery Thatcham Lights Xmas Nativity Leavers Photos Photos (commission) Sports Day Easter fayre Bags 2 School Accrued cash from fundraising Friday market stall
Total Expenses TOTAL
Grants Report
We received grants of £1,000 from Moto, £1,500 from Greenham Trust and £500 from Newbury Building Society. These grants enabled the pre-school to buy the new water cascade, playhouse, basketball hoops, and other outdoor resources; also a hammock swing and other resources to support children who have additional needs.
We also received a capital grant of £4,145 and an expansion grant of £294 from the government via West Berkshire District Council, to improve our outdoor space (this money is part of the government’s expansion of childcare provision).
Pied Piper Pre-School : Registered Charity 1115893
:
income and Expenditure account
For the year ended 31 August 2025
==> picture [334 x 348] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|INCOME|2025|2024|
|€|£|
|Fees WBDC|106,527|109,845|
|Fees|-|Parents|:|5,834|7,093|
|Interest|1,099|1,057|
|Enrolment|260|380|
|Clothing|108|140|
|Children's special|events|732|1,393|
|Fundraising|1,423|2,199|
|Snacks/Cooking|418|424|
|Other funding|1,258|3,130|
|Miscellaneous|106|185|
|Grants|7,798|
|Total|income|125,563|125,846|
|EXPENSES|
|Rent|10,710|11,150|
|Wages|95,046|78,343|
|insurance|965|848|
|Annual|subscriptions|123|346|
|Courses|918|185|
|Stationery/postage/Consumables|883|788|
|IT|0|8|
|Snacks/Cooking|536|559|
|Children's special|events|2,042|2,161|
|Fundraising expenditure|2,048|1,032|
|Fundraising expenses|34|59|
|Equipment|607|468|
|Miscellaneous|894|5,941|
|CRB checks|153|94|
|Grant|expenditure|5,511|125|
|Marketing and|signage|0|240|
|Clothing|222|131|
|Total|expenditure|120,692|102,448|
|Excess of income over expenditure|4871|23,398|
----- End of picture text -----
Pied Piper Pre-School Registered Charity 1115893
Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025
2025 2024 £ £
Current Assets Stock - Clothes
Bank balances
785 67%
.
Pied Piper Pre-School Registered Charity 1115893
:
income and Expenditure account
;
For the year ended 31 August 2025
==> picture [353 x 348] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|INCOME|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Fees WBDC|106,527|109,845|
|Fees|-|Parents|‘|5,834|7,093|
|Interest|1,099|1,057|
|Enrolment|260|380|
|Clothing|108|140|
|Children's special|events|732|1,393|
|Fundraising|1,423|2,199|
|Snacks/Cooking|418|424|
|Other funding|1,258|3,130|
|Miscellaneous|106|185|
|Grants|7,798|
|Total|income|125,563|125,846|
|EXPENSES|
|Rent|10,710|11,150|
|Wages|95,046|78,343|
|Insurance|965|848|
|Annual|subscriptions|123|346|
|Courses|918|155|
|Stationery/postage/Consumables|883|788|
|IT|0|8|
|Snacks/Cooking|536|559|
|Children's special|events|2,042|2,162|
|Fundraising expenditure|2,048|1,032|
|Fundraising expenses|34|59|
|Equipment|607|468|
|Miscellaneous|894|5,941|
|CRB checks|153|94|.|
|Grant|expenditure|5,511|125|
|Marketing and|signage|0|240|
|Clothing|222|131|
|Total|expenditure|120,692|102,448|
|Excess of income over expenditure|4871|23,398|
----- End of picture text -----
Pied Piper Pre-School Registered Charity 1115893
Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025
2025 2024 £ £
Current Assets Stock - Clothes
Bank balances
785 671
.
,
.
==> picture [362 x 474] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Current 250 250
Reserve 37,600 33,277
Bonus Saver 30,109 29,474
67,959 63,001 .
68,744 63,672
Current liabilities
Creditors 481 394
Net Assets less liabilities 68,263, 63,278
Financed by:
General Fund
Balance at 1 September 2024 62,607 39,209
Add: Surplus for year 4,871 23,398
Balance at 31 August 2025 67,478 62,607
Clothing Fund
Balance at 1 September 2024 671 662
Clothing purchases 222 140
Clothing sales 108 131
Balance at 31 August 2025 785, 671
Total Funds 68,263 “63,278.
Independent Accountant statement
As described below, | have approved the financial statements for the year ended 31st August 2025
set out in the Income & Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet. In accordance with your instructions,
(have compil udaydited financial statements from the accounting records and explanations provided to me.
Gillian Down Bsc 23-Sep-25
Treasurers approval certificate
|smssgesspoeapprove the financial statements and gonfirmpreparation. that Pied Piper Preschool has made available
ca BE ma a © [{25]
----- End of picture text -----
: