COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 08474053 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1152029
Chesterton Playgroup Company Limited by Guarantee Unaudited Financial Statements 31 July 2025
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Financial Statements
Year ended 31 July 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' annual report (incorporating the director's report) | 1 |
| Independent examiner's report to the trustees | 4 |
| Statement of financial activities (including income and | |
| expenditure account) | 6 |
| Statement of financial position | 7 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 8 |
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)
Year ended 31 July 2025
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2025.
Reference and administrative details
Registered charity name Chesterton Playgroup Charity registration number 1152029 Company registration number 08474053 Principal office and registered Village Hall office Alchester Road Chesterton Bicester OX26 1UN
The trustees
Ms J Shillito Ms C Massey (Resigned 30 January 2025) Mr C Hawes (Resigned 10 August 2025) Mrs J A Neal (Resigned 31 May 2025) Mr J Nelson (Resigned 8 September 2025) Mr C Robertson (Resigned 8 September 2025) Ms E Warner (Appointed 8 September 2025) Ms C Franklin (Appointed 8 September 2025) Ms E Smith (Appointed 8 September 2025)
Independent examiner
N J Cadwallader FCCA For and On Behalf of David Cadwallader & Co Limited Suite 3 Bignell Park Barns Chesterton Bicester Oxon OX26 1TD
1
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2025
Structure, governance and management
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and registered under the charities act 2011. The Charitable Company is governed by it's memorandum and articles of association. The charity was incorporated as a company on the 4th of April 2013 and registered by the charities commission on the 14th of May 2013.
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, and who served during the year are listed on page 1.
New director/members are appointed by resolution of the board members. Board members shall hold office for a period of three years.
The playgroup is run by 4 volunteer trustees (directors), who ensure the setting is run in accordance to the adopted Articles of Association and the Department of Education's EYFS statutory framework.
Objectives and activities
The charities objectives are the provision of pre-school services catering for children aged 2-5 years in the surrounding community. The policies adopted in furtherance of these objectives are as outlines in the Articles of Association and the Department of Educations EYFS statutory Framework.
The Trustees have paid due regard to the guidance issued by the charity commission on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
The activities undertaken in the year is the provision of pre-school education for children aged 2-5 years.
Strategic report
The following sections for achievements, performance and financial review form the strategic report of the charity.
Achievements and performance
Chesterton Playgroup has continued to support the local community providing childcare.
This financial period we have worked hard to provide continuity for the setting and will use any additional funds to improve the setting and buy resources. We are working with the CIO who own the building to gain a successful long term lease and finalise plans for our garden improvement. We aim to maintain our budget but recognise the importance of retaining staff who have had their wages increased in line with recommended guidance.
Financial review
During the year the Charity made a surplus of £12,451.
This financial period has seen an increase in income which has resulted in the surplus for the year. Unrestricted funds at the year end totalled £66,616 (2024: £54,165).
2
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2025
Plans for future periods
The year ahead continues to provide uncertainty with the rising costs of bills and staff wages. There is a small government increase in funded hours but these often are to small to make a vast difference so maintaining rising costs can be difficult. The minimum wage is due to be increased and we recognise the importance of staff costs in an industry that struggles with staff retention nationwide. We have increased staff hours due to additional one to one funding but this is a temporary measure at present and we are fortunate to retain our staff team.
Despite challenges, we remain positive as a setting. We see the importance of providing a service for the local community and take pride in providing a good service.
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.
The trustees' annual report was approved on 16 April 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
Ms C Frankin Trustee
3
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Chesterton Playgroup
Year ended 31 July 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Chesterton Playgroup ('the charity') for the year ended 31 July 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
-
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
-
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
-
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
4
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Chesterton Playgroup (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2025
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
N J Cadwallader FCCA Independent Examiner
For and On Behalf of David Cadwallader & Co Limited Suite 3 Bignell Park Barns Chesterton Bicester Oxon OX26 1TD
17 April 2026
5
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Statement of Financial Activities (including income and expenditure account)
Year ended 31 July 2025
| 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | ||||
| funds | Total funds | Total funds | ||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments | ||||
| Donations and legacies | 5 | 107 | 107 | 1,158 |
| Charitable activities | 6 | 97,262 | 97,262 | 97,391 |
| Investment income | 7 | 673 | 673 | 380 |
| �������� | �������� | �������� | ||
| Total income | 98,042 | 98,042 | 98,929 | |
| �������� | �������� | �������� | ||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 8,9 | 85,591 | 85,591 | 83,666 |
| �������� | �������� | �������� | ||
| Total expenditure | 85,591 | 85,591 | 83,666 | |
| �������� | �������� | �������� | ||
| �������� | �������� | �������� | ||
| Net income and net movement in funds | 12,451 | 12,451 | 15,263 | |
| �������� | �������� | �������� | ||
| Reconciliation of funds | ||||
| Total funds brought forward | 54,165 | 54,165 | 38,902 | |
| �������� | �������� | �������� | ||
| Total funds carried forward | 66,616 | 66,616 | 54,165 | |
| �������� | �������� | �������� |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 8 to 15 form part of these financial statements.
6
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Statement of Financial Position
31 July 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |
| Fixed assets | |||
| Tangible fixed assets | 14 | 12 | 298 |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 15 | 2,887 | 1,432 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 66,227 | 55,131 | |
| �������� | �������� | ||
| 69,114 | 56,563 | ||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 16 | 2,510 | 2,696 |
| �������� | �������� | ||
| Net current assets | 66,604 | 53,867 | |
| �������� | �������� | ||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 66,616 | 54,165 | |
| �������� | �������� | ||
| Net assets | 66,616 | 54,165 | |
| �������� | �������� | ||
| Funds of the charity | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 66,616 | 54,165 | |
| �������� | �������� | ||
| Total charity funds | 17 | 66,616 �������� |
54,165 �������� |
For the year ending 31 July 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
-
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
-
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 16 April 2026, and are signed on behalf of the board by:
Ms C Franklin Trustee
The notes on pages 8 to 15 form part of these financial statements.
7
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year ended 31 July 2025
1. General information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Village Hall, Alchester Road, Chesterton, Bicester, OX26 1UN.
2. Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.
3. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
Going concern
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
Disclosure exemptions
The entity satisfies the criteria of being a qualifying entity as defined in FRS 102. Its financial statements are consolidated into the financial statements of (enter name of group financial statements) which can be obtained from (enter detail). As such, advantage has been taken of the following disclosure exemptions available under paragraph 1.12 of FRS 102:
(a) No cash flow statement has been presented for the company.
(b) Disclosures in respect of financial instruments have not been presented.
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
8
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
-
income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably.
-
legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established.
-
income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers.
-
income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.
9
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:
-
expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, noncharitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods.
-
expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.
-
other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.
Tangible assets
Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Equipment - 25% straight line
Impairment of fixed assets
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
10
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Impairment of fixed assets (continued)
For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cashgenerating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.
For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the charity are assigned to those units.
Financial instruments
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs.
Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.
Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.
Where investments in shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in income and expenditure. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment.
Other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, unless payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate, in which case the asset is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Other financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised in the statement of financial activities, with the exception of hedging instruments in a designated hedging relationship.
Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial activities in which the initial gain was recognised.
For all equity instruments regardless of significance, and other financial assets that are individually significant, these are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets are either assessed individually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics.
11
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Financial instruments (continued)
Any reversals of impairment are recognised immediately, to the extent that the reversal does not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised.
4. Limited by guarantee
The Charitable Company is limited by guarantee. Every member shall contribute a sum not exceeding £1 to the assets of the Company if it is wound up during his/her membership, or within once year after he/she cease to be a member.
5. Donations and legacies
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2025 | Funds | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Donations | |||||
| Donations | 107 | 107 | 393 | 393 | |
| Grants | |||||
| Grants receivable | – | – | 765 | 765 | |
| ���� | ���� | ������� | ������� | ||
| 107 | 107 | 1,158 | 1,158 | ||
| ���� | ���� | ������� | ������� | ||
| 6. | Charitable activities | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | ||
| Funds | 2025 | Funds | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Other income from charitable activities | 97,262 | 97,262 | 97,391 | 97,391 | |
| �������� | �������� | �������� | �������� | ||
| 7. | Investment income | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | ||
| Funds | 2025 | Funds | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Bank interest receivable | 673 | 673 | 380 | 380 | |
| ���� | ���� | ���� | ���� | ||
| 8. | Expenditure on charitable activities | by fund type | |||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | ||
| Funds | 2025 | Funds | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Playgroup activities | 83,479 | 83,479 | 81,120 | 81,120 | |
| Support costs | 2,112 | 2,112 | 2,546 | 2,546 | |
| �������� | �������� | �������� | �������� | ||
| 85,591 | 85,591 | 83,666 | 83,666 | ||
| �������� | �������� | �������� | �������� |
12
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2025
9. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type
| Activities | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| undertaken | Total funds | Total fund | |||
| directly Support costs | 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Playgroup activities | 83,479 | – | 83,479 | 81,120 | |
| Governance costs | – | 2,112 | 2,112 | 2,546 | |
| �������� | ������� | �������� | �������� | ||
| 83,479 | 2,112 | 85,591 | 83,666 | ||
| �������� | ������� | �������� | �������� | ||
| 10. | Net income | ||||
| Net income is stated after charging/(crediting): | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Depreciation of tangible fixed assets | 286 | 625 | |||
| ���� | ���� | ||||
| 11. | Independent examination fees | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Fees payable to the independent examiner for: | |||||
| Independent examination of the financial | statements | 730 | 650 | ||
| ���� | ���� | ||||
| 12. | Staff costs | ||||
| The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as | follows: | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Wages and salaries | 62,656 | 63,356 | |||
| �������� | �������� |
The average head count of employees during the year was 7 (2024: 7). The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| No. | No. | |
| Number of staff | 7 | 7 |
| ���� | ���� |
No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).
13. Trustee remuneration and expenses
No trustees were remunerated during the year under review.
13
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2025
14. Tangible fixed assets
| Equipment | ||
|---|---|---|
| £ | ||
| Cost | ||
| At 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025 | 21,778 | |
| �������� | ||
| Depreciation | ||
| At 1 August 2024 | 21,480 | |
| Charge for the year | 286 | |
| �������� | ||
| At 31 July 2025 | 21,766 | |
| �������� | ||
| Carrying amount | ||
| At 31 July 2025 | 12 | |
| �������� | ||
| At 31 July 2024 | 298 | |
| �������� | ||
| Debtors | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Trade debtors | 1,637 | 810 |
| Prepayments and accrued income | 925 | 604 |
| Other debtors | 325 | 18 |
| ������� | ������� | |
| 2,887 | 1,432 | |
| ������� | ������� | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Trade creditors | 1,277 | 598 |
| Accruals and deferred income | 730 | 915 |
| Social security and other taxes | 503 | 1,183 |
| ������� | ������� | |
| 2,510 | 2,696 | |
| ������� | ������� |
15. Debtors
16. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
14
Chesterton Playgroup
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 July 2025
17. Analysis of charitable funds
Unrestricted funds
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 1 August | At | |||
| 2024 | Income | Expenditure | 31 July 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 54,165 | 98,042 | (85,591) | 66,616 |
| �������� | �������� | �������� | �������� | |
| At 1 August | At | |||
| 2023 | Income | Expenditure | 31 July 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 38,902 | 98,929 | (83,666) | 54,165 |
| �������� | �������� | �������� | �������� | |
| Analysis of net assets between funds | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | |||
| Funds | 2025 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Tangible fixed assets | 12 | 12 | ||
| Current assets | 69,114 | 69,114 | ||
| Creditors less than 1 year | (2,510) | (2,510) | ||
| �������� | �������� | |||
| Net assets | 66,616 | 66,616 | ||
| �������� | �������� | |||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | |||
| Funds | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Tangible fixed assets | 298 | 298 | ||
| Current assets | 56,563 | 56,563 | ||
| Creditors less than 1 year | (2,696) | (2,696) | ||
| �������� | �������� | |||
| Net assets | 54,165 | 54,165 | ||
| �������� | �������� |
18. Analysis of net assets between funds
19. Related parties
Ms Julia Shillito was appointed as a trustee in the year 2020.
Ms Shillito also works as the playgroup manager for which she received remuneration totalling £17,817. Her remuneration is solely linked to her role as the playgroup manager and no element relates to her work as a trustee of the charity.
Ms Shillito was appointed to the board of trustees in order to provide knowledge and additional insight to the other board members relating to the playgroups day to day activities.
15