Company Registration No.: 07307359 Charity Registration No.: 1137543
STANFORD IN THE VALE PRE-SCHOOL (COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
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STANFORD IN THE VALE PRE-SCHOOL (COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
GENERAL INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
TRUSTEES Amy Ireson Katie Amies Nina Stillion Claire Lewis James Robson Amanda Matthews Laura Woods Laura Bunning REGISTERED OFFICE Recreation Ground Huntersfield Stanford in the Vale Oxfordshire SN7 8LX CHARITY REGISTRATION NO. 1137543
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STANFORD IN THE VALE PRE-SCHOOL (COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The Trustees of Stanford in the Vale Pre-School present their report and financial statements for the period 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025, in line with the Charities SORP 2005 guidelines.
1. General information and administrative details
The following directors have held office during the year ended 31[st] August 2025:
Amy Ireson (Chair until 13 October 2025, appointed 12 October 2022) Katie Amies (appointed 22 November 2018) Nina Stillion (appointed 22 November 2018) Claire Lewis (appointed 18 November 2020) James Robson (appointed 12 October 2022) Amanda Matthews (appointed 12 October 2022, resigned 14 October 2024) Laura Woods (appointed 11 October 2023, Chair from 13 October 2025) Laura Bunning (appointed 12 November 2021, resigned 14 October 2024)
The following directors have resigned since 31[st] August 2025: Amy Ireson (resigned 13 October 2025) James Robson (resigned 13 October 2025)
The following directors have been appointed since 31[st] August 2025: Bonnie Clements-Moss (appointed 13 October 2025) Claire Church (appointed 13 October 2025)
Trustees’ responsibilities
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year, giving a true and fair view of the state of the company and of the income or expenditure of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
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Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
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Prepare the financial statements of the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for ensuring that proper accounting records are kept which disclose, with reasonable accuracy and at any time, the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Statement of disclosure to the independent examiner:
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a) So far as the trustees are aware, there is no relevant information of which the independent examiner is unaware; and
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b) They have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the company's independent examiner is aware of that information.
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Principal place of business and Registered Office
The principal place of business and Registered Office is Recreation Ground, Huntersfield, Stanford in the Vale, Oxfordshire, SN7 8LX.
2. Structure, governance, and management
Stanford in the Vale Pre-school is a company limited by guarantee (Companies House registration number 07307359), which was incorporated on 7 July 2010, and commenced the activities of operating the pre-school in Stanford in the Vale on 1 September 2010. Prior to this date, Stanford in the Vale Pre-school and Playgroup Association (The PSPGA) operated and managed the setting. All activities, assets and liabilities were transferred over to Stanford in the Vale Pre-school and due to the incorporation, the bank accounts from the old pre-school PSPGA were closed and monies transferred to new accounts (a current account and savings accounts with Lloyds TSB). Our financial year runs September 1[st] to August 31st, in line with the school year.
Stanford in the Vale Pre-school is a registered charity (registration number 1137543), and its governing document is its Memorandum and Articles of Association, dated 21 June 2010.
The trustees, who give their time on a voluntary basis, delegate the day-to-day running of the preschool to a sub-committee of volunteers, who work with the paid staff to manage the pre-school.
The trustee selection method is as follows:
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The vacant trustee position is announced to the sub-committee and all pre-school members.
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Nominations are put forward at a trustee meeting.
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All nominations require seconding.
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A vote is held if a quorum of trustees are present.
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The new trustee position is minuted and recorded in the company's registered books.
3. Objectives and activities
In line with the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the principal object of the charity is to enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age, by encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups and by offering appropriate play, education and care.
4. Achievements and performance during the year
This year has again seen a high number of children on the register and in session. There has been a continued high number of Pupil Premium children in setting. The continuing high number of children with social, emotional and educational needs has meant that we continue to keep staff to pupil ratios higher than the legal requirement, to provide our children with the best possible education and ensure the safety of all children in the setting.
We had a very successful year of fundraising activities and held several events for the children.
In this financial year, we employed nine members of staff, 7 of whom are qualified in childcare to Level 3, 1 at Level 2 and 1 unqualified bank staff member. One of the staff also works as an administrator. We also employ a cleaner.
The table shows details of the number of children in session. The capacity of the building approved by Ofsted is 30. As we take most children (except funded 2-year-olds) in the term they turn 3, our average number in session increases each term. This year, the numbers were as follows:
| Sept- Dec 24 |
Jan - Apr 25 |
May – Aug 25 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Average no. children per session |
15 | 18 | 21 |
| No. of children on the register |
29 | 35 | 40 |
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We would like to thank all the staff and all the volunteers who have given their time to the preschool over this past year. As a community-run organisation we are very appreciative of all the support we receive, and we are grateful to our fantastic staff for all their efforts.
Financial review
Principal funding sources
The principal funding source for the pre-school is the Government funding provided by Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) for all children over the age of 3, up to a maximum of 30 hours per week.
Financial performance for the year ended 31 August 2025
The statement of financial activities for the year ended 31 August 2025 showed a net deficit of £7,257 (expenditure exceeding income) in the period of compared to the prior year deficit of £81.
We maintain a robust approach to financial management. With the aim of balancing the books each financial year, we set a tight budget which aims to cover our operational costs with fees income and then allocate any grant and fundraising money to purchase of additional equipment and fund improvements to the setting. The government funding we receive does not cover our operational costs. The preschool can fall back on reserves that we have built up in previous years if necessary and we are fortunate to have the Public Purposes Charity in the village to which we can apply for funding towards equipment and resources.
Reserves policy
The trustees have put aside 2 separate reserves.
1) A reserve as advised by the Early Years Alliance to protect in the case of emergency foreclosure and to meet any unforeseen circumstances. This figure is 3 months expenditure and redundancy pay due to staff. We reviewed this amount in 2025 and maintained this reserve at £25,000. This is held in a separate account which attracts interest.
- 2) A reserve for building maintenance. As custodians of this building, the trustees are responsible for safeguarding its upkeep and maintenance. We ensure that we have adequate insurance cover for the building and contents, but in addition to this, it is considered good practice to have a maintenance fund. This sits in a separate account which attracts interest and is £8,045. In years where we have a surplus, we aim to increase this fund.
This comes to a total of £33,045 which we hold in a designated reserve on the balance sheet and is part of the cash we hold in our savings accounts.
Investments selection policy
The charity did not hold any investments for the period in question, and any monies not required immediately are held in either of our two savings accounts.
Plans for future years
The pre-school’s lease on the building is in place until 2035 and we expect to renew the lease with the Parish Council once it expires. The lease increases by RPI every 4 years; the Parish Council has kindly kept the lease at the original amount and grants the Preschool the difference between the lease and the new rent.
The government offers 30 hours of free childcare for children with two working parents. The PreSchool Committee continues to monitor the financial impact of this change. We make decisions that are in the best interests of the community and offer preschool education to as many children of Stanford in the Vale as we can, whilst operating with robust financial management. The pre-school
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is also registered for the tax-free childcare scheme which enables working parents to receive a taxfree top up from the government.
Automatic Enrolment into Workplace Pension Scheme
The pre-school is registered for NEST, the workplace pension set up by the government effective 1 September 2016. In this financial year, 5 members of staff were auto enrolled for this scheme and 1 opted in.
Marketing and Communications Aims
The Pre-School relies on its website, newsletter and closed (parents/guardians only) and open (community-focused) Facebook pages, which have brought substantial improvements to the ways in which we communicate with prospective and current families.
Events (Social and Fundraising) Aims
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We run events that raise monies (such as bake sales, village festival stall, car boot sales, Christmas bazaar)
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We run events for our children such as discos and trips
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We run events for parents to see preschool, view children’s work and meet other parents
The Preschool is a member of:
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The White Horse Community Lottery Fund
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Easyfundraising
Building Ownership Aims
We will execute building maintenance activities.
By order of the board
Claire Lewis
Treasurer of the Board of Trustees
Signed
Date 19[th] May 2026
STANFORD IN THE VALE PRE-SCHOOL (COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF STANFORD IN THE VALE PRESCHOOL
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the 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 the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which (1) gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities 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.
Name: Irene Tucknott FCCA
Relevant professional qualification or body: ACCA
Address: 3 Manor Green, Stanford in The Vale, SN7 8LU
Signature:
Date:
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STANFORD IN THE VALE PRE-SCHOOL (COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 AUGUST 2025
| INCOMING RESOURCES |
Notes | Unrestricted Funds £ |
Restricted Funds £ |
Total 2025 £ |
Unrestricted Funds £ |
Restricted Funds £ |
Total 2024 £ |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming Resources from charitable activities |
110,119 | 19,693 | 129,812 | 93,328 | 25,809 | 119,137 | ||||||
| Voluntary income |
1,510 | 1,510 | 6,196 | 6,196 | ||||||||
| Activities for generating funds |
5,633 | 5,633 | 5,409 | 150 | 5,559 | |||||||
| Investment income |
1,096 | 1,096 | 355 | 355 | ||||||||
| Other income | ||||||||||||
| 115,752 | 22,299 | 138,051 | 99,092 | 32,155 | 131,247 | |||||||
| RESOURCES EXPENDED |
||||||||||||
| Direct charitable expenditure |
140,427 | 4,832 | 145,258 | 124,443 | 6,777 | 131,220 | ||||||
| Other expenditure |
||||||||||||
| Costs of activities to generate funds |
50 | 50 | 108 | 108 | ||||||||
| Governance costs |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
| Total resources expended |
140,477 | 4,832 | 145,308 | 124,551 | 6,777 | 131,328 | ||||||
| Net income / (expenditure) for the period |
(24,725) | 17,467 | (7,257) | (25,459) | 25,378 | (81) | ||||||
| Fund balances brought forward |
270,619 | 54,625 | 325,244 | 296,078 | 29,247 | 325,325 | ||||||
| Fund balances carried forward |
245,894 | 72,092 | 317,986 | 270,619 | 54,625 | 325,244 |
The income and expenditure account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations. There are no recognised gains or losses other than those passing through the income and expenditure account.
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STANFORD IN THE VALE PRE-SCHOOL (COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2023
| Notes Fixed Assets Tangible Assets CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank (of which £33,045 is held as a designated reserve) Accounts receivable CREDITORS – Amounts falling due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES Unrestricted fund balance Restricted fund balance |
£ | 2025 £ 259,771 58,218 |
2024 £ £ 269,594 54,442 1,312 104 55,650 325,244 292,959 32,285 |
2024 £ £ 269,594 54,442 1,312 104 55,650 325,244 292,959 32,285 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57,230 | 54,442 | |||
| 1,765 | 1,312 | |||
| 777 | 104 | |||
| 317,989 | 325,244 | |||
| 284,942 33,045 |
292,959 32,285 |
For the financial year in question, the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 in relation to small companies. No members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities in complying with the requirements for the Act and with respect to accounting records for the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provision applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board on 19[th] May 2026
Signed
Claire Lewis Treasurer of the Board of Trustees
STANFORD IN THE VALE PRE-SCHOOL (COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
Accounting convention
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting convention
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention. In preparing the financial statements the charity follows best practice as set out in the Statement of recommended Practice no. 2 "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (SORP Revised 2005), applicable UK Accounting Standards and Companies Act 2006. The principle accounting policies in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.
The company has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard No 1 from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is a small company.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charitable company is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Resources expended
Expenditure is included on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Direct charitable expenditure relates to those costs directly associated with the provision of childcare within the setting.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
The pre-school capitalises all fixed assets with a value of more than £100. Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
Buildings 2%, straight line Computers 33.33%, straight line
Fixtures, fittings and equipment 10% straight line
Fund accounting
Funds held by the charity are either:
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Unrestricted funds: these are funds that can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.
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Restricted funds: these are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
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2. INCOMING RESOURCES FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Restricted | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Restricted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | 2025 | funds | 2025 | funds | 2024 | funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||||
| OCC grant for funded children | 96,973 | 79,195 | ||||||
| Fee income from unfunded children | 8,610 | 9,493 | ||||||
| Admissions – registration fees | 950 | 1,110 | ||||||
| Consumables fees | 3,586 | 3,530 | ||||||
| Other income (sales of Pre-School | 60 | 306 | ||||||
| branded products) | ||||||||
| OCC funding for Special Educational | 19,693 | 25,809 | ||||||
| Needs andPupil Premium |
3. VOLUNTARY INCOME
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | Restricted | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds 2025 | funds 2025 | funds 2024 | funds 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Donations and other grants | 5,573 | 5,252 | 6,196 | ||||
| Grant income for training staff | 1,510 | ||||||
| 5,573 | 1,510 | 5,252 | 6,196 | ||||
| 4. DIRECT CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE | |||||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | ||||
| funds 2025 | funds | 2025 | funds 2024 | funds | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Salaries and wages | 111,044 | 96,811 | |||||
| Rent and rates | 1,000 | 1,000 | |||||
| Material and equipment | 2,493 | 2,565 | 2,513 | 4,479 | |||
| Cleaning costs | 2,224 | 1,873 | |||||
| Depreciation | 8,691 | 1,134 | 8,907 | 727 | |||
| Gifts and donations | 0 | 250 | |||||
| Household Support Fund | 855 | 2,025 | |||||
| Insurance | 2,266 | 1,931 | |||||
| School branded items | 426 | 678 | |||||
| Miscellaneous expenses | 63 | 462 | |||||
| Office supplies and software |
759 | 362 | |||||
| Professional fees and subscriptions |
1,606 | 1,613 | |||||
| Refreshments and sundries | 87 | 238 | 193 | 273 | |||
| Repairs | 3,648 | 1,347 | |||||
| Security costs | 791 | 1,027 | |||||
| Telephone | 1,394 | 1,015 | |||||
| Training expenses | 237 | 40 | 500 | ||||
| Utilities | 3,748 | 3,341 | |||||
| 140,477 | 4,832 | 122,226 | 9,101 |
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5. STATEMENT OF MOVEMENTS ON RESERVES
| Brought forward balance (note) Surplus (deficit) for the period |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 270,619 (24,725) |
|---|---|
| 245,894 |
The above reserves include the following designated funds: (see Section 5 of the Trustees Report)
Report) |
|
|---|---|
| Contingency fund (three months' expenditure): | £25,000 |
| Building repair and maintenance fund: | £ 8,045 |
| Total | £33,045 |
These designated funds are held as cash in the balance sheet.
6. TANGIBLE ASSETS
| Cost At 1 September 2024 Disposals Additions At 31 August 2025 Depreciation At 1 September 2024 Charge for Year At 31 August 2025 Net book value At 31 August 2024 At 31 August 2025 |
Buildings Fixtures, fittings, and equipment Total £ £ 353,737 39,435 393,172 0 0 0 0 |
|---|---|
| 353,737 39,435 393,172 |
|
| (99,046) (24,531) (123,577) (7,074) (2,750) (9,824) (106,120) (27,281) (133,401) 254,691 14,904 269,595 247,616 12,155 259,771 |
7. CREDITORS – Amounts falling due in less than one year
| Invoices not yet paid | Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 777 |
|---|---|
| 777 |
8. DETAILS OF CERTAIN ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE
Trustees’ expenses
2025
2024
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Number of trustees who were 0 0 paid expenses Total amount paid 0 0
Fees for examination or audit of the accounts
The fee paid to the independent examiner of the accounts was £400.
Paid employees Staff Costs
| Unrestricted funds | Unrestricted funds | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Gross wages, salaries, and | 107,635 | 95,639 |
| benefits in kind | ||
| Employer’s National Insurance | 197 | 0 |
| costs | ||
| Pension costs | 3,212 | 1,172 |
| Total staff costs | 111,044 | 96,811 |
The average number of full-time equivalent employees in the year was 5, all of whom work in respect of the charitable activities of the Pre-School (staff members in the Pre-School).
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