## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** ## **From : 1[st] September 2021 Period start date To : 31[st] August 2022 Period end date** ## **Charity name: Caterpillars Preschool** ## **Charity registration number: 1137958** ## **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 Early Years 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 Ofsted inspections in January 2020 for the Marks Tey setting
and in June 2022 for the Birch Setting, remain the most recent
inspections. At these times, both settings achieved a 3rd
consecutive Outstanding rating.
All Caterpillars staff remain incredibly committed, hardworking and
innovative to reflect and maintain these high standards and strive
to continual improve on these achievements.
The full OFSTED reports are available to view on our website
(Marks Tey Report – EY422628 & Birch - EY422633). These
independent reports continue to demonstrate how our core
activities continue to meet our main objectives as detailed above.
Staff work extremely hard to ensure that they keep the key
comments from the reports at the forefront when planning
activities for the year. The key comments from the reports are
detailed below;| 1 **Marks Tey** ● those children who learn best from being outdoors are able to do so. ● Staff observe children as they play and engage them in exciting and purposeful play. Children's individual needs are at the heart of everything staff do. Children respond positively to the high expectations of staff and make rapid progress in all the preschool management team monitors the quality of the provision exceptionally well. They are highly effective in driving improvement. Staff are extremely motivated, enthusiastic and demonstrate a strong commitment towards maintaining excellence in all areas. ● Staff provide a superb range of activities, both indoors and outside, that promotes all areas of learning. They give thorough attention to planning for outdoors. ● Children's language and communication skills are given high priority. Staff skilfully talk with children and challenge their thinking. They engage children in conversation, actively listen to what children have to say and skilfully extend and develop their vocabulary. ● Children feel extremely safe in this exceptionally warm and welcoming pre-school. They develop incredibly secure emotional attachments to their key person and other staff. ● Partnerships with parents are extremely friendly and trusting. Parents are actively encouraged to remain involved in their child's learning, both in the pre-school setting and at home. The key-person system is implemented exceptionally well, to help ensure that each child's individual care and learning needs are precisely met. **Birch** ● The quality of education is outstanding. The manager and her team of practitioners are highly ambitious and passionate about what they do. They recognise the importance of the role they play in children succeeding and having the best possible start in the early years. Practitioners are outstanding role models. Their morale is exceptionally high, and their well-being is a priority for the manager. They attend extensive professional development and training, reflecting on their practice and the impact it has on children's learning outcomes. Children are making excellent progress and, in some cases, they are exceeding in their learning and development. Children are very well prepared for the next stages of their education. • Books and stories are brought to life by imaginative practitioners. Children are exposed to extensive new vocabulary, such as 'consistency, discovery', and 'hydration'. Practitioners encourage them to ask questions and share their own ideas. Children eagerly make contributions, and these are valued by attentive Inspection report: Caterpillars Pre-School 28 June 2022. • Children are exposed to a language-rich environment, giving them an excellent start with their communication skills. Children vote to make decisions as a group and their voices, thoughts and feelings are heard. Practitioners use imaginative ways to support this. They encourage children to line up for the choice they have made, stand up or sit down. • Practitioners use number language in everyday opportunities, supporting an introduction to early mathematics. Children count confidently up to 10 and beyond. Children use writing and experiment with mark making in their play. Practitioners write messages on notes and invite children to share these and write back with messages. • Children show consistent interest and engagement in exciting and creative experiences. They explore the creation station and extend this into imaginative role play. The children dress up in school uniforms and pretend they are going to their new school. Children say, 'I am going to school' as they pack rucksacks and jump on the pretend play bus to travel to school. These unique opportunities support children to prepare for school. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities thrive in the inclusive environment and they achieve the best possible outcomes. • Partnership working is outstanding. Parents praise the practitioners and have the highest regard for their caring and nurturing relationships with children. They say practitioners are kind, approachable and helpful. The key person and manager carry out home visits to support children settling and have completed home visits since the COVID-19 pandemic to swiftly identify any learning needs. Parents share that their children thrive and grow at the pre-school. They are complimentary about how much progress they can see at home from the learning that takes place at pre-school. All of these statements remain key drivers at both Caterpillars settings and are at the forefront of the planning and development of activities for the children attending the Preschools. . 2 |Statement
confirming
whether the
trustees have
had regard to
the
guidance issued
by the Charity
Commission on
public benefit|Statement
confirming
whether the
trustees have
had regard to
the
guidance issued
by the Charity
Commission on
public benefit||| |---|---|---|---| ||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: |||| |---|---|---| ||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
Other|Para 1.38|Caterpillars has always relied on a strong and committed committee
of volunteers who help support the running of the Pre-schools
through both the management committee and through the
organisation of fundraising events. The contribution of volunteers
during this financial year to support both the committee and to re-
establish fundraising activities was invaluable.
The Pre-schools themselves would not continue to succeed without
the support of the volunteer committee members who work
tirelessly with the staff to ensure they provide the support both the
staff and families of the children who attend the Pre-schools.| ## **Achievements and performance** |Summary of the
main
achievements
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.|Summary of the
main
achievements
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.||| |---|---|---|---| ||Summary of the
main
achievements
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:**
**Marks Tey**
• When Preschool reopened after the holidays in September 21,
due to ongoing covid restrictions, parents were still dropping
children off at the door instead of coming into setting due.
However, staff felt that the children settled in quicker by saying a
quick goodbye to parents at the door which allowed them to feel
grown up and independent. The speedier drop off did make it
harder to communicate with parents so the use of e-mails and
phone was increased to help build and maintain relationships
with families.
• There have been a number of staff changes over this year with
the Manager leaving after 20 years in March 22. A new manager
was appointed in May 22 along with a 2ndDeputy manager who
joined just before in March 22. There was also a further internal
promotion for another member of staff to fill the remaining
deputy position in April 22. All appointees have settled in well
and both staff and children have responded positively to the new
appointments.
• Discussions continued with St Andrews Primary school over the
year with regards to a potential move and both Managers,
Deputies and the Chairperson have all visited the school.
However, as the school have only been able to make limited
progress with their discussions with the LA this has not moved as
far forward as both sides would have liked.
• For the first time in a couple of years, in July 2022 we were able
to welcome parents at our sports day which was a great success
with many parents commenting on what an enjoyable time they
had.
**Birch**

• The new intake of children at the start of the year was high and
attendance was regular from the majority of children.
• Due to ongoing restrictions with being on a shared site we were
still unable to have parents in to the setting at Christmas so staff
developed Christmas craft packs so the children had an
opportunity to do these activities at home with their families.
• Due to not being able to have parents on site, a second round of
home visits was offered to all families. These proved extremely
useful to personally share achievements and any concerns.| - Resources to support children’s learning needs were increased over this year and by doing this, we were able to share these in the parent’s weekly home learning packs. - • In February 22 we were able to reintroduce a preschool provided snack which is proving to be as successful activity as it was before the pandemic and helps to teach the children great life skills. - • In the June 22 the first sports day and leavers party was held since the pandemic with parents on site. This was a wonderful day in which we received lots of positive feedback from. 4 • The setting was fortunate to obtain another outdoor mud kitchen for free which has been the most popular resource throughout the year. **Training** • Staff have continued to access various available training including amongst others, safeguarding, speech and language, special educational needs and disabilities and equal opportunities. **Transition arrangements Marks Tey** • Transitions began in the summer term with teachers visiting from a number of local schools. Staff have also visited the schools to aid the children during their transition days. **Birch** • Transition to school plans were put in place in the summer term. In addition to our teaching, we were able to visit a number of the primary school our children would be attending to support their transitions. In some cases, repeat visits were organised for those children who would benefit from additional support from Caterpillars . The reception teachers from these schools also visited Caterpillars which both sides find to be extremely beneficial. **Priorities for improvement to the settings:** • Discussions with a local primary school to potentially move to buildings on the school site are at an early stage. This could be an exciting opportunity for Caterpillars Marks Tey as this could offer the Preschool a permanent home. **Fundraising events & purchases** • Birch received a new tool bench made by one of the parents from resources purchased from fundraising monies. This new resource has proven to be very popular with the children. • Another key fundraising purchase has been a ‘worry monster’ which is used to support the children’s emotional development. by enabling them to share their concerns through writing/drawing their worries and feeding it to the worry monster. **General** • Waiting lists at both settings remain strong helping to ensure the preschools ongoing sustainability. ## **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** |**Financial review**|**Financial review**||| |---|---|---|---| |Review of the
charity’s
financial
position at the
end of the period|||| ||Review of the
charity’s
financial
position at the
end of the period|Para
1.21|Wages and training remain the biggest area of expense for Caterpillars.
Whilst the numbers at both settings remain strong, the pressure to
balance income against expenses becomes more challenging year on year
against a backdrop of substantial minimum wage rises and increases to
pension contributions set against small increases, in the government
funding levels.
Despite these ongoing challenges, Caterpillars remains a strong
brand with great staff and good support from Parents and Carers,
this is reflected in well attended events that raise much needed
funds for various items and projects at the sites.
The account balances as at 31stAugust 2022 were as follows;
Birch Community (current account – fundraising) - £1,308.74
Marks Tey Community (Main - current account) - £16,018.33
Birch Deposit account (Reserve for both settings)- £28,576.11
Marks Tey Deposit account (Savings for both settings) -
£24,193.18
**Total across all accounts as at 31stAugust 2022 -£70,096.36**| 6 |||6| |---|---|---| |||| |Statement
explaining the
policy for
holding
reserves
stating why
they are held|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.| |Amount of
reserves held|Para
1.22|Reserves as at 31/8/2022 - £28,576.11| |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
going concern|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 funded places, with a
smaller percentage from direct fees (non-funded hours) and uniform
sales.| |Investment
policy and
objectives
including any
social
investment
policy adopted|Para 1.46|**N/A**| |A description of
the principal risks
facing the charity||| |---|---|---| ||Para 1.46|The biggest risk to the charity is the Governments funding rates failing
to keep up with the increasing costs facing the charity in terms of wages
and other staff costs.| ## **Structure, governance and management** |||| |---|---|---| |Description of charity’s trusts:||| |Type of governing
document: for example,
trust deed,
memorandum and articles
of association etc|Para
1.25|1.25 Articles and Memorandum of Association| |How is the charity constituted?|Para
1.25|The charity is registered as a limited company with effect
from 1stNovember 2010| 7 ||7|7| |---|---|---| |||| |for example limited
company, unincorporated
association, CIO||| |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
training of 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|Para
1.51|| |||| |---|---|---| |charity works||| |Relationship with any
related parties|Para
1.51|| |Other||| ## **Reference and administrative details** ||| |---|---| |Charity name|Caterpillars Pre-school| |Other name the charity uses|| |Registered charity number|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 who manage the Charity** ||||| |---|---|---|---| |**Trustee Name**|**Office (if any)**|**_Dates acted if not all_**
**_year_**|**Name of person**
**(or body) entitled to**
**appoint trustee (if any)**| |Cerise Upham|Chair|September 2021 –
January 2022|Vote of members at AGM| |Amber Pullen|Chair|January 2022-August
2022|Vote of members at AGM| |Rachel Marsh|Treasurer|September 2021 –
January 2022|Vote of members at AGM| |Alex Brenig-Jones|Treasurer|January 2022-August
2022|Vote of members at AGM| |Sarah Powell|Secretary|September 2021 – March
2022|Vote of members at AGM| |Sarah Lawrence|Secretary|March 2022- August
2022|Mid year Vote of members
following resignation of S
Powell| Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved ||| |---|---| |**Director name**|| |**Amber Pullen**|**Chairperson**| |**Alex Brenig-Jones**|**Treasurer**| |**Sarah Lawrence**|**Secretary**| ||| Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity ||| |---|---| |**Trustee name**|**Dates acted if not for whole year**| |**N/A**|| ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** Description of the assets held in this N/A capacity Name and objects of the charity on N/A whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe N/A custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets ## **Additional information (optional)** ## **Names and addresses of advisers (optional information)** ## **Type of adviser Name Address** ||Accountants|Axis Accounting|Colchester Business Park, 1 George Williams Way,
Colchester, Essex, CO1 2JS| |---|---|---|---| ||Banker|HSBC|26 High Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1DQ| **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (optional information)** 9 Becky Barber – 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.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees/directors** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Signature(s)
Amber Pullen
Full name(s) Sarah Lawrence
Position (for example Pre-school Administrator & Chair
Secretary, Chair, etc) Secretary
Date
5 [th] May 2023
**----- End of picture text -----**
CATERPILLARS PRE4CHOOL UNAUDtrED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2022 Axls AL)Y￿￿tI￿ & Bwkkaeplw Ltd Cc4theslw 8wn8ss Centrv I G8¢Yyg Williams Way cole1￿19r C01 2JS C•t•rplllarn Pr•-School Comp•ny InlonNtbon For Th• Ymf End•d 31 Augult 2022 • Kk¥ty K•fflp M• Kwsty K•mp 072aT209 Mw*s Tey C081LW Bu￿r￿S C•A C07 2JS Cat•rplll•r• Pl￿8¢hO01 Proflt •nd Loss Account For Th• Y•ar End•d 31 Augu•t 2022 X*22 1T3,221 132 16.0791 I111,￿22> 116,156 3.26S 14.6471 (99.1￿} 16741 110.5631 14,914) 4,377 Pag8 2 C•t•rpllhrn Pr￿Chool B•l•nc• Sh••t A• at 31 August 2022 22 2021 70,032 13421 18011 74,$04 11261 13761 69,089 74,003 69,089 74,003 69.089 74.￿2 69.089 74.003 A*Yag• thckn¥. duTrng tho year w•$ as I(￿.. 1012021.. 101 Prtrsthd a • F¢rAt• LY*npgny, Ilmw by sh•rns. inct¥pJraled th Engl8nd & Walej. rngl$1ornd numbw 07287209. The rnty51ered r•<• • St Clmurh Pla• Churc* Lana. f•y. C(*he$ier. Essex. C06 ILW Fw thè 31 W 2022 c4JmpaThyw98 entstred to exompts'on Irtym 4uOrf under 5ectyJn 477 of the Corwnlei Acl 2006 iol•ling to Tl* ti4*r4Jws hll¥o req￿j the Cryy to obl8ln on ￿ll In acwdan¢• with 476 ollh8 Corrwnw Aci 20W. Thi rV5pN￿1IIIIOI fry wmpfyty wlih th• i•qulren%rynt8 ol I￿ Act *Slh rn8p•d •iX￿u￿￿￿g r•corf8 and ¢h• Tlwt hwve wvp•vd in qryordarK* ¥iilh th• fflKrw￿ty p¥ow5tyJn5. Ckn b•haff d tho board Psge 3 Catsn>lllar• Prtrsehool Tradlng Profit and Loss Account For Tho Y•ar Endgd 31 Au9USt 2022 2022 2021 19.801 99.590 15.304 99.703 486 252 624 2.11YJ 748 123.221 116.156 120 12 123,353 1t9.421 COST OF IiAW IAATERIALS A140 CONSUMABLES 370 2.194 2.380 7T1 Snacks 342 2.155 926 16.0791 14.6471 sT￿P COSTS 108,154 95,037 AdnwNstrnlm' Ernt4oyers Nl 1,642 1.e45 816 1,797 1.071 Staff tyaining 4,123 1111.0221 199,1801 DEPRECLATION AND OThER AMOUNTS WRITfEN OFF ASSETS 874 16741 ..CONTINUED Page 4 Th• Y••T En¢l•d 31 A￿9￿1 2022 5.703 fg 15 J.122 120 781 1,D49 12 12 15 1231 121J 110.563) 4.37T Pago 5 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examlnerfs report on the accounts Sectioi) A IRL.'lJOrt Report to the trustea•i mombern of CATERPILLARS PRE SCHOOL (ESSEX) UMITED On accounts for th• year ended 311812022 Charlty no (If any) 1137958 Set out ¢)n pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the ar£ounts of the above Charity {Ihe TrusV)'ft)r the year ended , . Rosponslbililles and As the charity trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparation basls of r•port of the accounts in accordance ¥￿th the requirernents of the CharFties Acl 2011 {'￿0 Acr). I rep)rt in respect of my examination of the Trusvs accounts canied out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in ￿TryIng out my examination, I have followed the applicablé Directions given by the Charity C￿nmISSIon under section 145(5){b) of the ACL I have comploted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below.) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to bdieve that in, any matertal respect.. accounting records wern not kept in accordance thith section 130 of the Act or the accoLMts do not accord wlth the accounting records I have no concems and have come acro￿ other matters in cmnection with the examination to which attention should b8 drawn in order to enabbe a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. ' Please (knte the wa￿$ in the brnck8ts Mthey do not apply. Indopendent •xamlnerfs statement Slgrnd: Name: KAREN BARTLE Relevant professional qualif￿atIOn(S) or l)ody (If any): ICAEW Address: COLCHESTER BUSINESS CENTRE 1 GEORGE WILLL4MS WAY COLCHESTER, C012JS IER October 2018 Section B Disclosure Only complète if Ihe examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brlof details of any items that the examiner wlshos to dIsclo￿. IER October 2018