2024-08-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From : 1[st] September 2023 Period start date To : 31[st] August 2024 Period end date

Charity name: Caterpillars Preschool

Charity registration number: 1137958

Objectives and Activities

Objectives and Activitiesjectives and Activitiesectives and Activities	Objectives and Activitiesjectives and Activitiesectives and Activities
	SORP reference
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 3rdconsecutive 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; Marks Tey ● 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 pre-school 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 practitioners.
•	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.

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•	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.

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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 Caterpillars 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	Para 1.38	N/A

investment
Contribution made by volunteers and Others	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 the organisation of fundraising events. The contribution of volunteers during this financial year to support both the committee and to develop new 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 require.

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.	Para 1.20	Marks Tey It was a positive start to the academic year with a strong register of children both returning to us and new starters. To support these numbers and help cover maternity leave another Early Years practitioner was recruited in February 2024. In February, we were approached by St Andrews Primary school to say they were know in a better position to progress discussions for us to move to a building on the school from September 2024. Work them progressed at an accelerated rate over the summer to ensure the building was suitable for our use. This required a huge effort from several committee members. Without their help, it would not have been possible to complete all the decoration and internal adaptations in time. Extra settling in sessions were arranged for new children joining in September to enable them to come and visit the new setting prior to them starting with us. In July we spent a week after the children left, moving our equipment to the new setting with help from parents, partners and everyone at Caterpillars, whose help was greatly appreciated. Birch The majority of the children settled quickly, some required additional support with varied needs. As for the previous couple of years since COVID, there has been an increase in the levels of additional support the children have needed. Delivery of this support is being provided by staff attendance at training events and working with parents and outside agencies. . We have continued to support children with speech and language difficulties using the Early Talk Boost and Speech Club programmes. All children placed on to the programme made progress upon completion. Those that made the greatest progress attended all sessions that were available.

The lack of internet access at Birch continues to create one of the biggest challenges both for the delivery of this programme as well as other areas. Training In January 2024, All staff completed their Level 2 safeguarding (Managers Level 3). 2 members of Staff at Birch have continued to attend training on Trauma Perceptive Practice (TPP) an approach developed by ECC to understand behaviour and supporting emotional well-being. This programme was commenced during 2022-23 and the staff have continued to attend further training modules as well as commence deliver of this training to other members of the team. All staff completed their L2 Food Hygiene certificates in July 2024 ready for the start of the new academic year. To cover a period of Maternity leave, another member of staff successfully undertook their SENCO training and achieved the Level 3 certification. Transition Arrangements Transition to school plans were put in place in the summer term across both settings. Teachers from the majority of schools the children were due to attend came to visit their new pupils at Caterpillars. The Birch team also offered their services to visit the schools but with the exception of Birch School, no other schools took up on this offer. Fundraising events & purchases As a charitable run pre-school, fundraising remains a very crucial means of raising additional income to pay for resources for children. A children’s Christmas party was held in November 2023 and the Quiz Night in June 2024 were the 2 main events held in this financial year. Both events where a huge success The Christmas party raised £574 and the Quiz night an amazing £824.10 All of the monies from the two fundraising events provided a much need boost to enable the purchase of new resources in preparation for the move to St Andrews school as well as new resources for Birch.

Priorities for improvement to the settings: Following the move to St Andrews school, there are a number of items of equipment and storage that are required for the Marks Tey setting now it is no longer a pack away preschool. For Birch, obtaining internet access and improving some of the storage units are the main priorities.

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, again, the low levels of funding alongside high minimum wage rises and the expansion of funded childcare hours has just increased this pressure further with over 80% if children now fully funded. These costs, along with the other financial impacts outlined above resulted in an overall drop in capital of £16,257 in this reporting period. Birch Community (current account – fundraising) - £1,263.82 Marks Tey Community (Main - current account) - £173.67 Birch Deposit account (Reserve for both settings)- £34,129.04 Marks Tey Deposit account (Savings for both settings) - £1,096.07 Total across all accounts as at 31stAugust 2023 –£36,662.60 This is a reduction of £16,257.53 (down from £52,920.13) in terms of capital from the end of August 2022 which almost mirror the deficit experienced at the end of this financial year.

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
	Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The total income across all accounts as at 31stAugust 2023 was £52920.13 The committee are working hard with the Preschool Administrator and Managers to address the reduction in capital to ensure that the preschool’s remain financially viable. Despite the ongoing financial challenges, Caterpillars remains a strong brand with substantial waiting lists at both settings. This along with the dedicated staff and good support from Parents and Carers helps ensure its ongoing viability. The support of parents is clearly demonstrated in the well attended events that raise much needed funds for new resources and projects at the two settings.

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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. The amount held in reserve has been increased slightly this year to reflect the increasing costs.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	Reserves as at 31/8/2023 - £34,129.04
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)	The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)
	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 fees (non-funded hours & consumables) as well as 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 such as pensions and national insurance contributions

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	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

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	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	Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees
	Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	We have a policy and procedures 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

Charity name	Caterpillars Pre-school
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1137958
Charity’s principal address	Caterpillars Pre-school, Mandeville Road, Marks Tey, Colchester, Essex, CO6 1HL

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)
Amber Pullen	Chair		Vote of members at annual AGM
Ria Hennessy	Treasurer		Vote of members at annual AGM
Sarah Lawrence	Secretary		Vote of members at annual AGM

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

Director name
Amber Pullen	Chairperson
Ria Hennessy (appointed Nov 2023)	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)

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

Signature(s)
Full name(s)	Sarah Lawrence	Amber Pullen
Position (for example	Pre-school Administrator & Secretary Chair, Management Committee	Pre-school Administrator & Secretary Chair, Management Committee
Secretary, Chair, etc)
Date	7thMay 2025

CATERPILLARS PRE4CHOOL UNALKXT&> FINANCI￿ STATEMENTS FOR YEAR El￿) 31 AUGUST 2024 (X)12JS

C•l•rplllarn Pv•4¢hool P•g• 4-5

Calarplllar• Prn4ehool Comwny Inforniall¢)n For Th• Y•r End•d 31 Augurt 2024 ornr20• Sl Anth•w• Crf E l¥fWy Sclx4 E•• IX)1 US

C•l•rplll•r• Pr•4chool For Th• Y••i End•d 31 2024 2023 144,954 7T2 110.024) 1139.875) 112.470) 134,794 483 16.5121 1140.8091 111.6741 116.6431 123.7181

Catsrplllarn Pr•4GIKM Balan￿ Sh••t As Al 31 Augu 2024 2024 2023 34.707 15.7391 19581 28.968 45.887 28.968 45.887 12401 15181 28.728 45.371 28.728 45.371 l. fj•ft•r￿ Inl•rn•tlon Cawws • w•t• cryvpwry, ty ww•nlet. inCNpLV8￿ n 67g1￿￿ & Walos. regi51ered nurrbor 07287209. The r•glv•d rfft • Sl Arwv ¥ Cd E S¥trrnry S¢￿ Ktsnd•vl• F)ad. kknrk8 Toy. cth￿ter. Esgex, c￿ 1FL. l Awt••• lthmb•r •f enplry•• Amg• the year was: 12 {2023". 101 C•fftp•y Ilm•d by •uv•nt•• vy ec¥bwty lo eontrknto lo ts assets of th• cortpgny. of a up. such an anK¥Jnt as rrny th• y•w 31 Awll 2024 • cwrywry w as enllsd friwnaMI* Ur￿lr ¥actrm 4T7 of C4)fTpaniBS Acl 2(￿ rektry - I14L NLryom&w aoaLk.

C•l•rplllarn Prn4chool D•lall•d Incom• arml Exp•ndltuM Account For Th• Y•ar End•d 31 2024 1024 2023 24,410 110,740 18,549 1.003 2.932 629 582 599 144,954 134.T94 712 772 145.726 135,277 703 628 1.939 1.014 429 925 2.623 19 259 2.371 110.0241 16.5121 136.94a 137.1(J) 2,426 501 2.761 948 2.927 3.709 1139.8751 I140.￿•) ,744 377 6,498 155 7.121 6,653 15 1,732 14 701 201 748 L•yl l• 102

C••arplllara Pv•4¢hool D•l•ll•d •nd Exp•nd1￿r• A¢coiint (¢onllnu•d) For Th• Y•ar FJMl•d 31 2024 5221 128 125 112,4701 (11.6741 123.7181 116,fA31

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner s Report Report to the trusteesl members of CATERPILLARS PRE SCHOOL (ESSEX) LIMITED On accounts for the year ended 311812024 Charity no {rf any) 1137958 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 Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordan￿ 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 carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed 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 believe that in. any material resFeCt: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's Statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Name: KAREN BARTLErr Relevant professional quallflcatlon(s) or body (if any): ICAEW Address: COLCHESTER BUSINESS CENTRE 1 GEORGE WILLIAMS WAY COLCHESTER, C01 2JS IER October 2018

Section B Disclosure Only Gomplete if the examinei needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief detalls of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018