OpenCharities

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

2020-08-31-accounts

Trustees’ annual report (including Directors’ report) for the period

From: Period start date - 1[st] September 2019 To: Period end date - 31[st] August 2020

Charity name: Caterpillars Pre-school

Charity registration number: 1137958

Company number: 07287209

Objectives and activities

SORP
referenc
e
Summary of the
purposes of the
charity as set out in
its governing
document		 Para 1.17 The objectives of both Caterpillars Pre-schools is to enhance the
development and education of children, primarily 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 facilities and
training courses, together with the right of parents to take
responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of
such groups, ensuring that they offer opportunities for all
children whatever their race, culture, religion, means or ability.
● Encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their
families and promoting public interest in the recognition of such
needs.
● Instigating, adhering to and furthering the aims and objects of
the Pre-School Learning Alliance.
Summary of the
main activities in
relation to those
purposes for the
public benefit, in
particular, the
activities, projects
or services
identified in the
accounts.		 Para 1.17
and 1.19		 The Birch setting was rated outstanding for the 2ndtime by Ofsted in
October 2014. This report/inspection remains the most recent for the
Birch setting but the setting at Marks Tey was reinspected in January
2020 where it received its 3rdOfsted Outstanding rating. This is a
significant achievement and reflects the continuing hard work and
dedication of staff, not just to maintain standards but to remain
innovative to ensure that the settings keep moving forward with fresh
ideas and not just standing still.

1

Marks Tey

● Excellent systems are in place to meet the care and learning needs of all children. The manager and staff keep very good track of children's progress through highly effective observations and assessments. These clearly show children's individual abilities and areas for development. Staff obtain resources aimed at supporting children's individual learning needs. They successfully plan activities for one-to-one or group sessions. They ensure that children's priorities for learning are targeted exceptionally well. ● Children demonstrate extremely high levels of engagement and concentration. They work collaboratively and are extremely patient and kind to each other. ● Staff provide children with rich experiences. They offer an abundance of extra activities to support children's understanding of diversity and what makes them unique. Children enjoy opportunities to use maps and participate in discussions and creative opportunities. They celebrate their own and other customs from around the world. ● The deployment of staff is highly effective. Children are supervised closely, and staff maintain a safe and secure environment to protect children from harm. Robust assessments of all areas used by the children ensure their safety is maintained. Appropriate risk taking during planned activities enables children to learn about keeping themselves safe. ● The manager and staff continually reflect on all aspects of their practice, and there is a continuous drive for excellence. The manager and staff pay superb attention to enhancing their

2

professional development. Together, they demonstrate a real
commitment to provide the highest level of teaching. All aspects of
the pre-school environment are thoughtfully reviewed. This helps
to promote children's practical development of communication and
language, phonics and mathematics.
Birch
● Children consistently make exceptionally good progress because
extremely high quality of teaching ensures that they have engaging,
stimulating and imaginative learning opportunities at all times,
both indoors and outside, as they play, investigate and explore.
● Children develop firm, meaningful attachments to their Keyperson
and the other adults caring for them, enabling them to play and
learn confidently, with increasing independence. The highly
effective partnerships with parents are recognised as key to the
development of the children’s emotional well-being.
● All children are safe and free from harm as all staff have a secure
understanding of safeguarding and child protection matters. They
work tirelessly and efficiently as a team to create a safe, complete
child-centred environment in which children thrive and flourish.
● Leadership is inspirational and contributes to the outstanding
quality of the pre-school. The overarching ethos and vision for an
exceptional standard of care is consistently embedded and applies
to all aspects. A reflective approach and the meticulous evaluation
of all activities ensures that constant improvements are made, to
benefit children and raise their achievement levels.
● Outdoor learning is a key feature which contributes to every child's
outstanding progress. Children are confident, enthusiastic learners
who use their imagination and creative thinking to structure their
own play and learning. They are eager to explore and actively
investigate their surroundings and talk about their discoveries.
All of these key statements remain a key driver and are at the
forefront of the planning and development of activities for the
children attending our settings.
Statement
confirming whether
the trustees have
had regard to the
guidance issued by
the Charity
Commission on
public benefit		 Para 1.18 Both in the planning of activities and decision making at our committee
meetings we have full regard to the Charities Commission’s Guidance
on public benefit.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

3

SORP
reference
Policy on grant
making		 Para 1.38 N/A
Policy on social
investment
including program
related investment		 Para 1.38 N/A
Contribution made
by volunteers		 Para 1.38 Caterpillars relies on a strong and committed committee of volunteers
who help support the running of the Pre-schools through both the
management committee and in normal years, the organisation of a
programme of fundraising events.
Neither the Pre-schools themselves, nor the fundraising events
normally organised to support them, would succeed without the
support of the volunteer committee members who work tireless with
the staff to help plan and run them along with the support of the
families and friends of the children who attend the Pre-schools.
Other

Achievements and performance

Summary of the
main achievements
of the charity,
identifying the
difference the
charity’s work has
made to the
circumstances of
its beneficiaries
and any wider
benefits to society
as a whole.		 Para
1.20



















Settings:
Numbers at both settings have remained strong, despite the interruption
caused by the preschools closure during Lockdown 1 because of the
Covid 19 Pandemic. Staff close working with parents ensured their
continued support during a very difficult year.
Staff at both settings remained incredibly committed, hardworking and
innovative to enable them to support all the families and continue to
deliver excellent childcare and maintain the delivery of the high
standards of early years education that parents have come to expect.
Marks Tey
The staff found it difficult to deal with the suddenness of the forced
closure in March due to the Covid 19 Pandemic as well as the uncertainty
as to how long the closure would last. Despite this, staff pulled together
to produce home learning packs for all the children to support them in
their early years education from home. Daily activities were uploaded to
the Facebook page to give parents ideas how to continue their children’s
early years development at home.
Birch
Throughout the first lockdown, staff continued to provide support to all
the children. Daily activities were emailed to parents which initially all
members of staff contributed. When 2 of staff were furloughed, this was

4

continued by the Managers and Deputy. Home learning packs were delivered to children’s homes.

The Manager and Deputy also produced over 40 videos reading stories and singing for a newly created You Tube channel. This received incredibly positive feedback including children using them for their bedtime stories. The link was also sent to new starters so they could see staff to help with their transition. The channel has also been shared with the Talk Listen Cuddle campaign run by Essex who may choose some of the material for their website.

Across both settings there was some anxiety as to how the children would cope with the necessary changes to routine and equipment that had to be introduced when the Preschools reopened after Lockdown 1. However, the children adapted really well, and this enabled Staff to provide those children due to start school in September with some of the usual activities to aid their transition to Primary school.

Some great achievements have been:

All staff were incredibly pleased to achieve a 3[rd] successive outstanding rating from Ofsted in January 2020. For a pack away Pre-School that is an amazing achievement and a reflection of the staff’s commitment and hard work.

One member of staff has achieved her Level 4 qualification with the Open University and continues to study for a full degree in Early Years Education.

Training

During lockdown staff used the closure as an opportunity to complete a variety of online training and webinars. In July, all staff completed socially distance paediatric first aid training in July.

Transition arrangements

For those children who returned in June, transition reports and passports using observations taken over the year, including lockdown and these were then sent on to parents and primary schools.

Priorities for improvement to the settings:

Fundraising

Due to the Covid 19 pandemic in 2020, the normal programme of fundraising events that would normal have been held were postponed.

General

5

Both settings are desperately in need of some dedicated office space to provide Managers with a place to undertake paperwork on site, as well as a private space to meet with parents or carry out online meetings. Circumstances allow, this will be the key priority for the committee.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements
against objectives
set		 Para
1.41
Performance of
fundraising
activities against
objectives set		 Para
1.41
Investment
performance
against objectives		 Para
1.41
Other

Financial review

Review of the
charity’s financial
position at the
end of the period		 Para 1.21 Wages, training and hall hire remain the biggest areas of expense for
Caterpillars. Whilst the numbers at both settings remained strong at the
start of the 2019/20 financial year. However, the impact of the closure of
the Pre-school in March 2020 due to the Covid 19 Pandemic and then the
limited reopening in June and July placed significant financial pressures on
Caterpillars meaning it had to rely solely on the confirmed government
funding as there was no additional fee income between March and July
2020. As the preschool closures coincided with the annual impact of the
minimum wage increase in April, and with only a small increase in the
Government funding levels for 2019/20, this made the remainder of this
reporting period particularly challenging year.
The pandemic and social distancing restrictions also restricted the ability
to hold any fundraising events after March 2020 but fortunately, the
fundraising monies already held meant there were sufficient monies
available for fundraising purchases for the remainder of the year.
At the end of the financial year the account balances were as follows;
Fundraising Money - £1,201
Running accounts;
Caterpillars main current account – £14,975.92
Caterpillars Savings(exl reserves)- £24,175
Statement
explaining the
policyfor holding		 Para 1.22 The charity holds three months running costs in a separate account as a
contingency for redundancy and other liabilities in the event of closure.

6

reserves stating
why they are held		 The amount held in the Caterpillars Reserve Account as at the 31st
August 2020 was £28,501
Amount of
reserves held		 Para 1.22 Reserves as at 31/8/2020 - £28,510
Reasons for
holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22
Details of fund
materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24
Explanation of
any uncertainties
about the charity
continuing as a
goingconcern		 Para 1.23

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s
principal sources
of funds
(including any
fundraising)		 Para 1.47 The majority of income comes from government grant funded places, with
a smaller percentage from direct fees (non-funded hours) and uniform
sales.
In normal years, fundraising events are held to raise money to purchase
additional resources solely for the benefit and enhancement of the
children’s time at Caterpillars.
Investment policy
and objectives
including any
social investment
policyadopted		 Para 1.46 N/A
A description of
the principal risks
facing the charity		 Para 1.46 The biggest risk to Caterpillars is always a reduction in income due to a
fall in the number of children attending. Currently, despite the disruption
and some parental concerns regarding attendance caused by the Covid
19 pandemic, numbers at both settings have remained strong as this
looks set to continue into the 2020/21 reporting year with both settings
currently hold waiting lists for the next academic year.
Managing the transition of new Directors/ Trustees to the management
committee remains an ongoing challenge, particularly after such a
difficult year. However, the current Treasurer is putting themselves
forward to step up to the role of Chair at the next AGM which will help
mitigate the risk.
Other

Structure, governance and management

Description of charity’s trusts:

7

Type of governing document:
for example,trust deed,
memorandum and articles of
association etc		 Para
1.25		 Articles and Memorandum of Association
How is the charity constituted?
for example limited company,
unincorporated association,CIO		 Para
1.25		 The charity is registered as a limited company with effect
from 1stNovember 2010
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of any
person or body entitled to
appoint one or more trustees		 Para
1.25		 Election at the Annual General Meeting. The charity is
committed to engaging a diverse committee of trustees
which reflects the society in which we operate.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction and
trainingof trustees		 Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction and
trainingof trustees		 Para
1.51		 We have a policy and for the induction of trustees and
volunteers.
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the charity
works		 Para
1.51
Relationship with any related
parties		 Para
1.51
Other
Reference and administrative details
Charityname Caterpillars Pre-school
Other name the charityuses
Registered charitynumber 1137958
Charity’s principal address Caterpillars Pre-school, St Andrews Church Hall, Church Lane, Marks Tey,
Colchester,Essex,CO6 1LW

Names of the charity trustee’s who manage the Charity

Trustee Name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for
the whole year		 Name of person (or body)
entitled to appoint trustee (if
any)
Laura Smith Chair Sep 2019-Nov 2019
(Resigned at Nov 2109
AGM)		 Voted by members of the
committee following midyear
resignation in Mar 2019
Jacqui Collins Treasurer Sep 2019 - Nov 2019
(Resigned at Nov 2019
AGM)		 Voted by members of the
committee at the AGM in Nov
2018

8

Natalie Shana Secretary Sep 2019-Nov 2019
(Resigned at Nov 2019
AGM)		 Voted by members of the
committee at the AGM in Nov
2018
Matthew Doonan Trustee
Chair		 Sep 2019-Nov 2019
Nov 2019-Aug 2020		 Voted by members of the
committee at the AGM in Nov
2018 as Trustee and as Chair at
AGM in Nov 2019
Cerise Upham Treasurer Nov 19– Aug 2020 Vote of members at AGM in Nov
2019
Sarah Powell Secretary Nov 19-Aug 2020 Vote of members at AGM in Nov
2019
Kate Moore Trustee Nov 2019- Aug 2020 Voted by members of the
committee at the AGM in Nov
2019

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved.

Director name
Cerise Upham Chairperson
Rachel Marsh Treasurer
Sarah Powell Secretary
Kirsty Kemp Trustee
Kate Moore Trustee

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity.

Trustee name Dates acted if not for wholeyear
**N/A **

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others.

Description of the assets held in this
capacity		 N/A
Name and objects of the charity on
whose behalf the assets are held and
how this falls within the custodian
charity’s objects		 N/A
Details of arrangements for safe
custody and segregation of such assets
from the charity’s own assets		 N/A

9

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (optional information)
Type of adviser
Name
Address
Accountants Axis Accounting 4a Lodge Court, Lodge Park, Langham, Colchester CO4
5NE
Banker HSBC 26 High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1DQ

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

Sarah Powell – Pre-school Manager - Marks Tey

Chrystal Clark – Pre-school Manager - Birch

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The company has taken advantage of the small companies’ exemption in preparing the report above.

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report (including directors’ report) above.

on behalf of the charity’s trustees/directors

Signature(s) Cerise Upham Full name(s) Sarah Lawrence Position (for example Pre-school Administrator Chair Secretary, Chair, etc)

Date 19[th] March 2021

10

CATERPILLARS PRE4CMOOL DIRECTORS. REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 L*tyhknl ¢04 SNE

D￿•th￿. Il•port Ind Un•udlt•d Fln•ncl•l 8tAt•m• PorTh• Y•ar End•d 31 Auqurt 2010 74

For Th• Ymr Enthd 31 Auqwt 201 072872 COQ 11W Lr•h*n

Cat•rpllknrn Prn4chool Comp•ny No. 07287209 Dlr•ctarn' R•port For Th• Ymr End•d 31 Augwt 2020 •nd fvlf ¥ rfth• •t•t• ol •ff•lrn ollh• thnd Drl)M olh COn¥￿y •)rth•l F￿￿1. In fin1nd￿ dlr•ctor•r• n4ulrwJto.' builnM•. rDonth lethracy at ny th• f1)•n(￿ OJTWny If￿4n￿b￿ Ih•m ￿ •nWJrnihd1￿ fin•W nptywm lh• •M •0 tDy)ro1• fot mI•quatd￿ th• ••wl• ofts ¢¢fflyny •nd h•rt￿ )r l•kJTrJ M•4on•t4• Th•dlr•#ornwho h•hJ Mrn SAr•h pu￿11 L•uf• Smrth Mrn Sh•n Jwul CoHln• Mr M•lthw Ooon•n APPOIPITED 271111201B APPOINTED 27111n019 APPOINTEO 27M112019 CMts• Upknm rnport b8•n pr•p•Md u• tr¥ trj •m•i P•rt 15￿th• C￿n￿Art 2[(•. th• bo•[ - I I" NEJoNbJJ

Cat•rplllarn Pvfvkhool Proftt and Lou Account For Th• Ymr End•d 31 Augu•t 2020 101,483 195,3WI tro.702 I1￿,71n CNtofMI 8.193 14,980 11J,7961 110.230 12.0131 67 r•L•l¥abl•nd ￿mmIr In￿m• LOBS THE F￿ANCIAL YtAR 11,9041 11941 nol•B on p•pi 8 toe brni ￿rtIfI￿A•IIn￿ncW •ttsMThts. 9•3

Cat•rplllarn Prfvschool Balanc• Sh••t A• al 31 Augu•t 2020 X2D 674 1,348 674 1,348 2.442 fje,578 C••h at b•nk In 71,020 17971 ¥￿T 1038} NET CURHEpn A8•Ef8lLL4o1unE81 70,221 TOTALA88eT8 LU•¢UIIRENT UAIIILITI 19,822 Y1,670 71.578 NET ￿ET¥ 89,822 71.570 89.022 71,516 8IARENIXDER8' FUND• Ftyth•ywr•ndlw 31 Auou•t2020 fvfuryny %fv• •udlurth 477 0lth• r•W ¥J . Th• hm rnqulrnd cwnyto obtsln In ¥￿adIn07 %th 476 ofth• compn1••￿ 2DX. th• prnpwrth)n Of•￿￿ts. . Th•M •ctyunt• h•¥• b•M pr•p•r•d In arMTrlan¢tswb￿ wo¥WOM4pplt4bWbts c•Yp4n wJWtrJ rmIn￿. haWthth• OPY I IK NCJJQMW ￿￿) pw5 ¥Tr6 ltsm ￿rt01t￿tt4 flMnLI P•y• 4

14ot•• to th• FIMn¢l•l 81•t•ry* For Th• Ymr Efid•d JI AugU•t zoa) 740 .740 aJ•2 674 874

C•t•rplll•rn Pr•4ch¢)ol Not•• to lh• Flnncl•l Stat•m•nts I￿ntInu•d) For Th• Y••r End•d 31 Au9U•t 2020 2019 22S5 187 724 Xlg 271 299 2J8 792 k<• Ib Chwtth H•1 ¢hur¢h L•n•, M•th• T•y. Cc4ch•B*r, Ewx, Co8 1LW.

Catsrplllars PrfvSch¢)ol Tradlng Profft and LO￿ Ac¢ount For Th• Y￿1 End•d 31 Auou•t 2020 2019 12,39S 8.318 18.212 FurvJiro4 11.400 2,06D 345 Fundr• 320 420 101,663 123.702 441 1.274 758 557 9.947 123 59 111)8.71n 14,9$5 4,12 5.4B3 12B 142 724 879 104 267 1.107 204 1,216 533 674 Sub•>Wni 874 t,105 253 940 EqU￿￿￿t 113.79B 1152381 coKriNUEO

Cat•rplll•rn PM&hool Profft and LOB• A￿￿t Iconllnu•d) ForTh• Y•Ar End•d 31 Auou•t 2020 12,0431 07 11,9541 11041