2024-08-31-accounts - Crofton Early Learners

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator. This document is also available as Markdown.

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

	Period start date	Period start date			Period end date	Period end date
From	01	09	2023	To	31	08	2024

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Crofton Early Learners

Other names charity is known by

Registered charity number (if any) 1119285

Crofton Baptist Church 100 Crofton Lane, Orpington, Kent BR5 1HD ~~——~~

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
1 Catherine Jenson	Chair	Trustees of CEL
Karen Dungate	Ofsted Registered Person +Safeguarding	Trustees of CEL
3 Stuart Davis	Treasurer	Trustees of CEL
4 Naomi Beak		Trustees of CEL
5 Anne Shore		Trustees of CEL

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

~~Oo~~ Name Dates acted if not for whole year Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Virginia Brown (Leader/Manager)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Trust Deed established in November 2006 Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) Trust How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) ~~a~~

(eg. trust, association, company)

TAR

March 2024

Trustee selection methods

(eg. appointed by, elected by)

Existing trustees nominate additional trustees. Application is then made to Ofsted in line with their procedures to enable checks to be carried out that the proposed trustee is a fit person to form part of the registered body. Once Ofsted have given approval then the appointment is formalised at the next trustees’ meeting.

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
relationship with any related parties;
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

Trustees are provided with copies of the trust deed prior to appointment. They affirm their commitment to the belief statement set out in the trust deed. All trustees receive copies of policies. They are able to attend a pre-school session prior to appointment as observers to learn how the setting operates. Trustees are able to avail themselves of training provided by the Borough of Bromley as appropriate to their provision. They are also able to seek legal advice through Lawcall if appropriate to their needs.

The day-to-day management of the setting is delegated to the setting leader/manager and deputy manager. Financial matters are delegated to the setting Finance Officer. Both report to the Trustee Meeting. Trustees invite the pre-school leader and relevant staff to join the majority of their meetings to provide guidance on policy making and implementation of organisational matters. A parent representative liaises with parents and brings forward views and suggestions to the setting/meeting.

The Trustees ensure that the aims of the trust are fulfilled, have oversight of all educational and financial matters, the appointment and recruitment of staff and ensure adherence to current legislation. The nominated person for Ofsted purposes is the Chair of Trustees . One of the Trustees makes regular visits to the setting.

Crofton Early Learners is registered with Ofsted: Registered Setting EY364379. It is also affiliated to the Pre-School Learning Alliance. The Leader and Finance Officer regularly meet with Bromley Early Years Services and the SENCO liaises with outside agencies as appropriate.

As set out in the trust deed, Crofton Early Learners retains very close links with Crofton Baptist Church. Children and their families are regularly encouraged to become part of the wider church family.

Pastoral support is available to the staff, parents and children who attend the setting from pastoral staff employed by Crofton Baptist Church as and when it is requested. Pastoral staff also take an active involvement in key activities of the pre-school’s life such as the annual Nativity and leavers presentations.

Section C Objectives and activities

1) The advancement of the education (including spiritual development) of children below compulsory school age
2) The provision of facilities for recreation for such children in the interest
Summary of the objects of the of social welfare and with the object of improving their conditions of
charity set out in its life by: providing for any children without discrimination a safe and
governing document satisfying playgroup in a Christian environment where Christian beliefs and values are promoted and upheld and introducing the children and their parents to church life where appropriate.

TAR

March 2024

Crofton Early Learners seeks to provide outstanding pre-school education to children aged over 2 and a half years up to compulsory school age, following the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Summary of the main Stage. It seeks to provide a structured environment which enables activities undertaken for the children to learn through play and meet the guidelines issued by Ofsted public benefit in relation to for the Early Years. these objects (include within this section the statutory The setting is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all declaration that trustees have its children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this had regard to the guidance commitment. It makes reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of staff issued by the Charity and children who are disabled or who have additional needs. Commission on public In setting objectives and planning activities the trustees have given benefit) consideration to the guidance provided by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

You may choose to include The setting offers placements to appropriate individuals who are training further statements, where to work in a childcare setting and provides regular mentoring and relevant, about: support. • policy on grantmaking; Trustees all give their time voluntarily. • policy programme related investment; • contribution made by volunteers.

Section D Achievements and performance

During the period 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 the pre-school Summary of the main operated five days a week 09.00-16.00 for 37 weeks of the year. achievements of the charity One staff member gained Early Years Teacher status, making two Early during the year Years Teachers in the setting. Our one unqualified staff member gained her Level 3 qualification.

Once again parents responded well to the setting’s appeal to support “Reverse Giving” so rather than giving gifts to practitioners, parents brought in contributions for the local Food Bank.

Section E Financial review

The Trustees consider that sufficient reserves be built up such that no Brief statement of the trustee suffers personal loss. In effect there is a policy of holding three charity’s policy on reserves months operating costs in reserve. Details of any funds materially in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

TAR

March 2024

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Crofton Early Learners claims Free Early Education funding for eligible children, providing up to 30 hours free education each week. Parents pay for lunch-time supervision. During the period the setting has had one child on EYPP.

Expenditure primarily covers the cost of providing a high staff to children ratio, thus enabling outstanding interaction between staff and children to ensure that all children achieve their potential. A spacious environment and high-quality equipment are also key expenditure items. We have also purchased two systems and training to further support speech, language and communication within the setting.

The setting purchased 8 new tables for use by the children.

A number of children require additional support because of Special Educational Needs, particularly around speech and language. This involves at least 9 hours work per week by the setting SENCo and Deputy.

Further details are available in the statement of financial activities.

Section F Other optional information

In the coming year short term goals will include:

continued development of skills for staff within the setting
purchase of awning for shelter (for waiting children and parents/carers and allowing more activities outdoors when the weather is wet”.

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)

Karen Dungate

Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Acting Chair etc)

Rachel Bailey Secretary

Date

TAR

March 2024

	Charity Name					No (if any)	No (if any)
	Crofton Early Learners					1119285
01/09/2023 31/08/2024 Receipts and payments accounts Period start date Period end date To For the period from ~~ee~~ ~~ee ee~~								CC16a
Section A Receipts and payments
	Unrestricted funds		Restricted funds		Endowment funds		Total funds	Last year
	to the nearest £	to the nearest £	to the nearest £		to the nearest £		to the nearest £	to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Fees and Donations	72,892		-	-	-		72,892	48,077
Maintenance Grant, SIPS & LBB funded courses	-		-	-	-		0
Government Funding	138,133		-	-	-		138,133	119,937
Uniforms	1,238		-	-	-		1,238	1,065
Miscellaneous	1,774		-	-	-		1,774	941
Refunds	-		-	-	-		0
Bank Interest	1,267		-	-	-		1,267	376
	-		-	-	-		-	-
*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)	(Gross income for AR)215,304		-	-	-		215,304	170,396
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). - - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - *Total receipts* 215,304 - - 215,304 170,396 ~~—————~~
A3 Payments
Staff Costs	164,938		-	-	-		164,938	128,325
Admin and runningexpenses	2,818		-	-	-		2,818	2,645
Rent	16,000		-	-	-		16,000	16,000
Miscellaneous	9,612		-	-	-		9,612	9,641
Training	1,369		-	-	-		1,369	326
Snacks	2,097		-	-	-		2,097	1,983
Uniforms	1,085		-	-	-		1,085	986
Insurance	718		-	-	-		718	1,351
	-		-	-	-		-	-
**Sub total **	198,636		-	-	-		198,636	161,257
A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - *Total payments* 198,636 - - 198,636 161,257 ~~—————~~
*Net of receipts/(payments)* A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end *Cash funds this year end*	16,668 - - 16,668 - - - - 95,688 - - 95,688 112,356 - - 112,356 ~~SSSSS~~							9,139 - - 95,688	9,139 - - 95,688

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

09/06/2025

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets	Signature Details Cash at bank and in hand Protected deposits Premium Account Details *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details Details	Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 10,808 - 1,827 - 99,719 - 112,355 - Agreement Error OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name	Endowment funds to nearest £
			-
			-
			-
			-
			OK
			Endowment funds to nearest £
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			Current value (optional)
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			Current value (optional)
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			-
			When due (optional)






			Date of approval

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

09/06/2025

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Crofton Early Learners On accounts for the year ended 31 August 2024 Charity no (if any) 1119285 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 31108 12024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the 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 carying 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 ststement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or 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: 12 June 2025 Name: Stephen Higginbottom Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address.. 28 Ryecroft Road Petts Wood, Orpington BR5 1DR IER Oct 2018