ST MARYS NURSERY ASHFORD ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 CHARrrY NUMBER 1132245 CONTENTS PAGE Report of the Trustees Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Accounts ST MARY'S NURSERY ASHFORD REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES The trustees are pleased to present their annual retK)rt together with the acrnunts of the charty for the year ended 31 August 2024. ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Charity registration number 1132245 Principal address Westem Avenue, Ashford. Kent, TN23 1 ND Trustees G Mccoy M L R Butler S Cosier l Killeen C Millen MAPout S Orpin F O A Russell J Elvy chair appointed 1411112024 appointed 1411112024 resigned resigned resigned Bankers National Westminster Bank plc Independent examiner Rithard Abel FCA CTA of Edwards & Co GOVERNANCE Governin Document The charity is an unincorporated association governed by its constitution adopted on registration in 2009. It follows the 2008 model used by the Pre-school Learning Alliance. ointment of Trustees The trustees, described in Ihe governing document as Committee members, are elected for one year at the annual general meeting. Retiring trustees are eligible for re-eledion unless they have already served on the Committee in any capacity for four consecutive years. The Committee may co￿pt members but they shall retire at the next annual general meeting. At least 60 per cent of the Committee members shall at the time of their election be parents or guardians of children in groups run by the charity. Parents and carers of children attending the nursery are invtied to join the Committee when they first attend the nursery. Potential new trustees are nominated by other parents or carers and approved by current trustees. Affiliations The charity is a member of The Pre-school Leaming Alliance and is required by its constitution to remain a member Ihereof and seek their approval for certain changes in its own constitution. ST MARYS NURSERY ASHFORD REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Ob'ectives The object of the charty is to enhance the development and education of children primarity under statutory school age by encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups and by". offering play facilities and training courses, together wth 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. regardless of race, cultura. religion or means. encouraging the study of Ihe needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs in the local area. Public Benefit In accordance with section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011, the trustees have had due regard to the guidance published by the Charity Commission on the requirement that the objectives and work undertaken by the charity are in line with charitable objects and do provide benefit for the public. This, like other pre-schools, provides young children with a pla￿ to leam and play close to their homes. They learn how to socialise vrfith other children and they further benefit by acquiring skills useful for a good start in school. Activities and Achievements St. Mary's Nursery is sttuated in a purpose built unit with its own facilities and playground. We aim to: provide a secure and caring environment with the appropriate adult I child ratio of trained staff. ensure that the environmant provided meets the appropriate health and safety requirements for the age group., provide suitable equipment and experiences to help young children to achieve outcomes as described in the slatutory framework for The Early Years Foundation Stage - staying safe and being healthy, enjowng and achieving, making a positive contribution. We encourage parents and carers to become involved in their children's care and education by inviting them to spend time in the nursery. meet and speak wilh their child's key person on a regular basis and attend meetings and events within the nursery. There are no restrictions on the children that can access our facilities, including religion, disability or ethnicity or geographical restrictions. Families in poverty are not excluded. Those who cannot afford to pay for extra sessions have the same chances to access our nursery as those who can pay. We do, however, have to adhere to restrictions in numbers. The nursery is currently licensed by Ofsted to provide 24 places per session for children aged between three and five. We are able to offer free grant-funded sessions for children from the first temi after their third birthday for a full 38 weeks of each school year. In order to claim these funded hours you will need to do nothing other than to show your child's birth certificate or passport- we will claim the funding on your behalf. We currentty run a six-term year as operated by Ashford St. Mary's C.E. Primary School and holidays are usually run in line with the School too. The qualifications of our staff are above those required by the Early Years Foundalion Stage. Staff continually take part in training courses in order to keep up to date wylh education. health and safety and safeguarding ISSU8S. More information can be found on our website http:Ilstmarysnursery.co.ukl. ST MARY'S NURSERY ASHFORD REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FINANCIAL REVIEW Review of the Financial Position Total income increased from £118.781 to £126.928. The largest component is fees and KCC support which increas8d by 50A. Expenditure increased from £101.629 to £118.521 due to staff costs 17°/0 higher and a general increase in other costs. The detailed list of expenditure can be found in notes 3 and 4 on page 8 with wages being the largest cost. The result is that income exceeded expenditure by £8.407, increasing funds carried forward to £31.754. Reserves Poli The truslees would like to have sufficient funds to enable expenses to be met for three months should there be 8 delay or reduction in receiving income. The amount required woukl be approxlmately £30,000. Therefore the cash funds held are inadequate at present. Trustees, Res onsibilities The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Tnjstees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom A¢countiTKJ Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources for the financial period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required lo: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistendy; observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP: make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent- and prepare the financial statements on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. Tha trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose wth reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them lo ensure that the financial statements comply wilh the Charities Act 2011. the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for tsking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Approved by the trustees on 26 June 2025 and signed on Iheir behalf G Mccoy Trustea INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ST MARYS NURSERY ASHFORD I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the St Maws Nursery Ashford ('the Chariv) for the year ended 31 August 2024. which are set out on pages 5 to 9. R8S onsibilities and basis of re ort As the charity trustees of the Charity, 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 Trustee'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 2011 Act. Inde end8nt examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with tha examination giwng me cause to believe that in any material respect- accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act. or the accounts do not accord with those records: or the accounts do not comply wth the applicable requirements concerning the fomi 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 ￿lch is not a rnatter 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 reach6d. Richard Abel FCA CTA Edwards & Co Chartered Accountants Unit 1 Goat Lees Trinity Road Ashford. Kent TN25 4AB 26 June 2025 ST. MARY'S NURSERY ASHFORD STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 note 2024 2023 INCOME FROM: Charitable activities pre-school 126.782 118,763 Interest received 146 18 TOTAL INCOME 126,928 118.781 EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities pre-school 114,875 98.454 - support costs 3.646 3.175 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 118.521 101,629 NET INCOME AND NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 8.407 17,152 Total funds brought forward 23.347 6,195 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 31.754 23,347 The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All incoming resources and rosources expended derive from continuing aclivittes. The notes on pages 7 to 9 forni part of these financial statements. ST MARY'S NURSERY ASHFORD BALANCE SHEET AT 31 AUGUST 2024 2024 2023 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors and prepayments Cash at bank and in hand 16.402 19.325 13,500 12,826 35,727 26,326 CREDrroRS: amounts falling due withln one year Taxation and social security Accruals and deferred income 2,031 1.942 2,085 894 3,973 2,979 NET CURRENT ASSETS 31,754 23,347 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 31,754 23,347 TOTAL FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Unrestricted funds 31,754 23,347 The notes on pages 7 to 9 fomi part of these financial statements. Approved by the trustees on 26 June 2025 and signed on their behalf G Mccoy Trustee ST MARY'S NURSERY ASHFORD NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (a) Basis of accountin The financial statements of the charty, which is a public benefft entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015),, Financial Reporting Slandard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£). nificant ud ements - oin concem When preparing the financial statements, the Trustees have assessed whether there are significant doubts about the charivs ability to continue as a going concem. There are no material uncertainties of which the Trustees are aware in making their assessment. The Trustees consider that the charity has sufficient cash reserves to enable it to meet its obligations as they fall due for a period of at least 12 months from the date of signing of these financial statements. As such. the Trustees are satisfied that the chaiity has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future and they continue to adopt the going con￿rn basis for preparing these financial ststements. (c) Incomin resources All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income wll be rerEived and the amount can be measured reliably. Debtors are recognised at the settlement amount. (d) Volunteers and donated services and facilities No value is incorporated inlo these financial statements for trbe services provided by volunteers or where services are provided to the charfty as a donation that would nomially be purchased from suppliers. (e) Resources ex ended Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings thal aggregate all ￿sts related to the category. ible fixed assets Assets which cost less than £500 are not capitalised. Ig) Financial instruments The charity enters into basic financial instruments that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other accounts receivable and payable, loans io and from banks. other third partles and related parbes. Basic financial instruments are recognised at amortised cost. with changes recognised in the Statement of Financial Acliwties. (h) Rental a reements Rentals payable are charged to expenditure evenly throughout the terni of the agreement. ST MARY'S NURSERY ASHFORD NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 (i) Pension costs and other ost-retirement benefits The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Aclivrties in the period to which they relate. 2. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES 2024 2023 Fees and vouchers for the rendering of services School meals Other income 124.241 1,764 777 126,782 117,870 45 118,763 3. EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTivrriES 2024 2023 Salaries (see note 5) Rent Business rates Meals and refreshments Equipment and toys Training and publications Insurance Hire of equipment Repairs Cleaning Trips and parties Photography Sundry costs 97,010 6.000 908 2,744 2,767 1,265 836 1,118 941 579 463 82,752 6,000 902 2,778 3,160 74 246 260 494 433 192 315 98,454 244 114,875 4. SUPPORT COSTS 2024 2023 Telephone and intemet Postage and stationery Subscriptions Payroll fees Computer costs Bank charges and interest 1,380 163 332 397 71 313 2,656 995 39 303 447 497 2,281 Govemance costs Independent examination 990 3,646 894 3,175 ST MARY'S NURSERY ASHFORD NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024 5. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS 2024 2023 Wages and salaries Social security costs Employerfs contributions to defined contribution pension scheme 93.677 1.496 80.948 398 1,837 97,010 1,406 82,752 The average number of full time employees was 5 (2023 - 5). none of whom earned above £60,000. 6. TRUSTEE REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES None of the charity trustees have been paid any remuneration or re￿IVed any other benefits from this charity or a related entity in this or the previous year. 7. RELATED PARTIES There are no related party transactions. 8. TAXATION The nursery is a registered charty and no provision is considered necessary for tsxation.