## **High Cross Playgroup – Trustees Report Year Ending 31 March 2025** ## **Introduction** This Trustees’ Annual Report and the independently examined accounts have been prepared for the year ending 31 March 2025 in accordance with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 (as amended), and the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2005) – Accounting and Reporting by Charities. The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit while carrying out their duties. ## **Aims and objectives** High Cross Playgroup is a charity providing safe, nurturing, and educational sessional and full ‑ day childcare for children aged two to five within our local community. Our aims are to: - Offer affordable childcare in an inclusive, equal ‑ opportunities environment. - Support children’s early learning and development, preparing them for school. - Work in partnership with families to help children achieve their full potential. - Facilitate access to additional services where extra support is identified. ## **Structure and Governance** The charity operates as an unincorporated association governed by a written constitution. Trustees have overall responsibility for the management and strategic direction of the organisation. Prospective trustees undergo DBS and Ofsted vetting before appointment. Trustees work closely with the staff team and an elected management committee, which has delegated responsibility for ensuring the group meets its statutory requirements. ## **Year in summary** Despite increased promotional activity, new enrolments have not risen as expected. Feedback indicates that changing working patterns, increased financial pressures, and demand for longer childcare sessions have influenced families accessing childcare services. We continue to provide support to families, including signposting to external agencies where needed. The integration of ESOL (English as a Second Language) families remains a success, with strong improvements in children’s language development. The trustees intend to focus on increasing enrolment, strengthening partnerships with local families, reviewing session structures to meet demand, and exploring additional funding ‑ sources to support long term sustainability. ## **Financial overview** Our income is primarily derived from fees and local authority funding. Trustees aim to preserve unrestricted reserves equivalent to three months of operating costs to ensure financial stability. To retain flexibility, reserves are not placed in long ‑ term investments. Rising sector-wide costs have outpaced feasible fee increases, which has impacted reserves, particularly during a period of lower enrolment. Debts and Liabilities: The charity held no outstanding debts or liabilities at year end. The financial report for the group has been independently assessed and is submitted alongside this report following approval on behalf of the trustees. This sets out the financial position of group. ## **Declaration** Signed on behalf of the trustees: N. Willocks-Briscoe Signed: Date: 26 January 2026 HIGH CROSS PLAYGROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND TRUSTEES REPORT FOR TWELVE MONTHS PERIOD ENDED 31 March 2025 CHARITY REGISTERED NO. 1117901 HIGH CROSS PLAYGROUP ADI￿NISTI￿1IVE DETAILS The trustees present their annual report and tinancial review for the year ended 31 March 2025. The accounts comply with the statutory requirements of the charity's goveming document. Registered and Postal Address Colsterworth Road Tottenham London N15 4BN Tel: 0208 216 9111 Sandria Willocks Status? governing document, and constitution The Playgroup is constituted as charitable organisation registered with the Charity Commission. It is administered under a constitution, which has been approved by the charity Commission. Charity Registration No.. 1117901 Trustees Janine Stolz Natalia Willocks-Briscoe Management Committee Natalia Willocks-Briscoe Janine Stolz Latoya Hall Angela Lazurus Tracy Reid Nadine Brown Chairyerson Treasurer Vice Treasurer Fundraiser Vice Fundraiser Secretary Bankers Alliance and Leicester Commercial Bank BBAM, Bridle Road Bootle Merseyside GIR OAA Independent Examiners Atta & Co. Chartered Certified Accountants J2 K¢ir Hardie Estate, Springfield. London E5 9AT Page l of9 HtGH CROSS PLAYGROUP Report of the trustees For the year ended 31 March 2025 The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees who served during the year and up to th¢ date of this report are set out on page l. Structure? goi'ernance, and management High Cross Playgroup is a registered charity, registered from 8 February 2007 and the charity registration number is l 117901. Objectives and activities High Cross Playgroup is a multi-cultural Playgroup which provides sessional day care and pre- school education for children under five years ot.age wlthin the London Borough of Haringey. We aim: l. To provide a high quality of childcare in a safe, caring and stimulating environment. 2. To work in partnership with Parents, Carers, Ofsted - Early Years and Haringey Council as part of the Children's programme in planning the care and provision of services to childreii. To provide an educational and recreational resource for children under tive, including those with special needs, and their parents/carers in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving their conditions of life ￿]d giving them experience of and access to a wider environment (through outings etc) 4. To advocate the policy of learning through plav and to enable the children to become independent learners through the activities provided, thereby preparing the children for school and everyday life. 5. To promote and encourage an inclusive childcare practise that is implemented throughout the Nursery by parents and stafy and is shown in the admissions policy, equal opportunities policy, play equipment, activities organised, food, events and outings etc. 6. To identify and monitor the individual needs of each child and develop appropriate childcare practices according to their needs. This is implementcd through the Keyworker system. Achievements and performance High Cross Playgroup has spaces for approximately 40 children all with their individual needs and the nursery charitable tunds are used to advance the educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities to the children. Financial revie The attached financial statement shows the current state ot fEnances, which the committee consider to be satisfactory. During the period a loss of £14,359 was made, which reduced the surylus brought fonvard of £36,489 (see note 9) resulting in a sury)lus of £22,130 to be carried fonvard and will fund future developmental activities for the children. Risk management The management committee examine the major risks that the nursery faces each financial year when preparing and updatiiig th¢ strategic plan. The charity has developed systems to monitor and control these risks to mitigate any impact that they may have on the nursery in the future. Page 2 of 9 HIGH CROSS PLAYGROUP Report of the trustees, responsibilities Charity Law requires the Board to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the end of the financial year and of the sury)lus or deficit of the charity. In preparing those financial statements the Board is required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The trustees are also responsible for inaintaining proper accounting records which disclos¢ with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position ot" the charity and which are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with regulations made under the Charities Aci 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and henee for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of" fraud and other irregularities. On behalf of the board Natalia Willocks-Briscoe Date: Page J of 9 HIGH CROSS PLAYGROUP Independent Examiner's report to the trustees on the unaudited financial statements of High Cross Playgroup. I report on the financial statements of High Cross Playgroup for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the balance sheet and the related notes. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance wilh the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008), under the historical cost convention and the accounting policies set out therein. Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiner As the charities trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, you consider that the audit requirement of section 4J(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (th¢ Act), as amended by s.28 of the Charities Act 2006 does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 43 of the Act, as amended, to follow procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43(7)(b) of the Act as amended, whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiner's report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by th¢ charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent Examiner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 41 of the 1993 Act: and to pr¢pare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 Act have not been met: or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. F. J. Atta-Dankwa, Independent examiner Page 4 of9 HIGH CROSS PLAYGROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Notes Unrestricted Funds 2025 2024 Incomin resources Voluntary Income Investment income 53,600 53,600 59,672 Total incoming resources 53,600 53,600 59,672 Resources ex ended Charitable expenditure: Direct charitable expenditure 67,959 67,959 72,962 Total resourees expended 67,959 67,959 72,962 Net incomingl{outgoing) resourees before transfers (14,359) {14,349) (13,289) Funds balanee as at l April 2024 36,489 36489 49,778 Funds balances as at 31 Marcb 2025 10 22,130 22,130 36,489 There were no reeognised gains or losses for 2025 or 2024 other than those included in the Statement of th¢ Financial activities The charity's income and expenditure all relate to continuing operations. Pave 5 of9 HIGH CROSS PLAYGROUP BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Notes Current Assets Debtors and prepayments Cash at bank and in hand 22,779 37,139 22,779 37,139 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net current Assets 650 22,130 650 36,489 Total assets less current liabilities 22,130 36,489 Funds: Income funds Unrestricted funds: 22,130 22,130 36,489 36,489 The financial statements were approved by the trustees and signed on its behalf by Natalia Willocks- Briscoe Trustee ate". Page 6 of 9 HtGH CROSS PLAYGROUP Notes to the Financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 Accounting policies 1.1 Accounting convention The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008), the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities issued in March 2005 (SORP 2005) and the Charities Act 2006. 1.2 Incoming resources All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The t'ollowing specÉfic policies are applied to categories of income: Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable. Grants where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific perfom]ance by the charity arc recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant. Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included. Income from investments is included in the year in which it is receivable. 1.3 Resources expended Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incu￿ed. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovcred and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Page 7of9 HIGH CROSS PLAYGROUP 2025 2024 Notes to the Financial statements for the year ended 31 Mareh 2025 Voluntary income Fees and Grants Receivable Fees Received FundraisÉng Total 50,847 2,753 52,048 7,625 53,600 59,673 Investment income Bank interest receivable Expenses in furtherance of Cbaritable Objects Direct Charitable Cost Food & Drinks Staff Emolument Training Rent Security Check Administrative Expenses Workplace pension Subscription and Inspection Staff Unifoms Printing, Postage and Stationery Telephone Outing & Fun Day Insurance Nursery Equipment & Play Material Bank Charges Professional Fees - Accountancy 2,808 55,340 3,275 55,783 3,928 5,516 100 1,488 2,205 50 633 2,324 361 1,215 243 2,390 584 678 700 650 67,959 650 No employee received emolument more than £60,000 either in 2025 or 2024 Page 8 of9 HtGH CROSS PLAYGROUP Notes to the Financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 2025 2024 No of Employees Debtors Accruals and Prepayments Creditors Payable Ivithin lyear Accruals & Deferred Income Other Creditors 650 650 650 650 Summary of Funth Movements Balance at 01.04.24 Inconiing Resources Outgoing Resources Balance at 31.03.25 General Reserves 36,489 53,600 (67,959) 22,130 Restricted Reserves Total 36,489 53,600 (67,959) 22,130 Page9of 9