2025-08-31-accounts - St John's Sunshine Pre-School

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Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Day Month Year 1[st] Sept 2024 To 31[st] August 2025

From

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name

ST JOHN’S SUNSHINE PRE-SCHOOL

Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1154193

Charity's principal address The Delmar Morgan Centre Copthorne Bank Copthorne Postcode RH10 3QX

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Jess Elvin	Chair
	Charlie Harradine	Treasurer
	Jo Moucarry	Secretary

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

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Name and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Name and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Name and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Name and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address




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

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Early Years Alliance Constitution Type of governing document

(eg. trust deed, constitution)

Association How the charity is constituted

(eg. trust, association, company)

Elected from Membership during the Annual General Meeting Trustee selection methods

(eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
relationship with any related parties;
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

Section C Objectives and activities

The aims of the Pre-school are 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:

Summary of the objects of the (a) offering appropriate play, education and care facilities, family charity set out in its learning and extended hours groups, together with the right of governing document parents to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of such groups, ensuring that such groups offer opportunities for all children whatever their race, culture, religion, means or ability;

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(b) encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs in the local areas;
(c) instigating and adhering to and furthering the aims and objects f the Pre-school Learning Alliance.

The charity advances education by supporting and promoting the learning and development of young children. The public benefit is to the children and parents receiving the charity’s services. The objects of the charity are achieved in the ways described below under the various headings.

The services are provided to children whatever their race, culture, religion means or ability. Any parents that are unable to afford the fees can apply to the local authority. As an Ofsted registered childcare provider, the charity also receives Government funding to enable all three and four year old children as well as disadvantaged two year olds to access free part-time childcare places. The charity also offers parents flexible hours at the childcare provision to help working parents to afford the fees. The service is available to any child that lives within the local authority.

▪ Promoting their care and safety:

The charity looks after the children and their safety by ensuring that the staffing ratios for the childcare provision that are required by law are adhered to. The setting has a good Ofsted report and only takes in the number of children that it is registered with Ofsted to care for.

▪ Promoting their education and promoting parental involvement:

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)

This objective is achieved through encouraging parents to be members and trustees of the charity so that they can have their say in how the childcare services are run.

Trained and qualified early years practitioners work with the children to support them in achieving the early learning goals for each of the seven areas of learning and development within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The opportunities provided are tailored to meet children’s personal learning and development needs in order to help them reach their full potential.

▪ Promoting their health and wellbeing:

The provision creates an atmosphere where the children feel at ease and are able to open up to trained and experienced practitioners about issues that concern them. Children are monitored closely to see if there are any underlying problems and they are encouraged to engage with the staff and other children. All children have one on one time with staff.

All food provided by the provision is healthy and no food that causes common allergies is allowed on the premises.

▪ Providing services of support to them and their families and carers:

The charity holds regular meetings with parents and on occasions holds specialist training where a need is identified.

Parents/carers and family members are also encouraged to speak to staff about any issues that concern them that may affect their child’s education or development.

The Trustees confirm that they have regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance where relevant.

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Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.

Section D Achievements and performance

See Attached AGM Minutes.

Section E Financial review

The Pre-school will hold in reserve a sum of money sufficient to pay statutory Brief statement of the compensation payments to each member of staff in the event of St John’s charity’s policy on reserves Sunshine Pre-school closing (if sufficient funds are available). This amount will be calculated and reviewed by the Treasurer on an annual basis considering the age, length of service and average weekly pay (in the previous year) of staff. In addition, contingency funds equivalent to 3 months running costs should be maintained if sufficient funds are available. Details of any funds materially in deficit

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Further financial review details (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Section F Other optional information

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Jessica Elvin Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Chair etc) Date 14/4/2023

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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 14[th] APRIL 2026

Attendees:- Jo Moucarry (secretary), Kim Brimelow, Jess Elvin (Chair), Charlie Harridane (treasurer), Jen Shepherd (Administrator), Kelly Simmons, Anthony Adkins, Kirsty Lane, Joanne De Rosa, Georgina Jackson, Stephanie Christopher, Sam Arnold

Apologies:-

The Chair of the meeting confirmed that a quorum was present.

Chair’s Report 2024-2025

In this financial year we made a loss of £8,656.79, compared to a £16,258.41 profit last year.

We started the year with an 94% percent attendance with a 33% attendance in the afternoons. The afternoons are for the older children so the numbers are kept lower so they have a better staff to child ratio. Our numbers didn’t change much over the course of the year.

In April Minimum wage went up to £12.21 which saw another 10% pay increase. On top of this, professional fees went up a substantial amount over the year. In this financial year, we finally used up all of our tax credits too so we can see we have begun to have costs associated with Tax/National Insurance that we didn't have last year.

Over the year we realised that all of our staff required updated First Aid Training and it was agreed by the committee that we could use some fund raising money to pay for this. This was a large amount of money that was necessary and couldn’t be avoided

As we increased our session fees last year, we didn’t feel it would be right to put them up again, despite the increase in costs and wages.

There seems to have been a substantial increase in ink and printing costs this year compared to last year which should be considered going forward.

Overall we have managed to spend just under £20k more than in the previous financial year, massively contributing to the overall loss we can see.

In fund raising we raised £1,591.41 which is slightly more than last year. This included £715 at Christmas, £144.71 for the Easter Egg Hunt, and the Summer Fair raised £645.35. Some of the fund raising was spent on sensory equipment, first aid training, new tablets and cases as well as lots of art supplies.

Ofsted Registration 2772149 ⚫ Charity Number 1154193

We spent less on equipment this year than last year, mostly purchasing supplies for various celebrations over the year such as Mother’s Day/Easter etc.

In staff news, we sadly said goodbye to Grace (although we then welcomed her back a couple of months later!) as well as Kayleigh who went to work as a TA at Fairway. Ann also moved over to our Bank Staff due to family commitments.

We have again kept fees the same this year but it is clear from the finances that although we took more overall in funding payments, we took a lot less in private payments due to the increase in funded hours for 2 year olds. It is likely we will need to increase session rates over the next year.

AOB

We had an unannounced inspection in September last year. There was a list of improvements to be made as a result. Along with this, Jo Taylor left in December. Kim very kindly stepped up in management and took on the role in January 2026. Near the end of January we had our second Ofsted inspection. Between the two inspections, the format of inspections has changed and now they report in a traffic light system. The inspector in January fed back to Kim that most of the areas within the setting were rated as Green, however due to a lack of knowledge on the process the staff would follow should another staff member come in under the influence of alcohol and the lack of mention of ‘LADO’, we unfortunately were put down as ‘Not Met’ for safeguarding. Since this inspection we have done a thorough revamp of the policies and have had a safeguarding INSET training day with the staff. One parent commented that they initially were alarmed by the mention of Safeguarding being flagged, however having read the details and knowing childcare and knowing her child was safe within Sunshine, she knew her child was safe.

We discussed the impact on funding. As of January new children have not been able to receive funding due to the first ‘inadequate’. We had some children start regardless and privately fund their children until the funding kicked back in. Unfortunately due to the second inspection not getting the result we expected and believe should have got, we then received a phone call to say that we would not get ANY funding from September on top of the new children still not receiving any funding.

Ultimately we are now in the position that we are requiring Ofsted to come out and publish the report before 31[st] August in order to get our funding back. The Chair has called Ofsted a lot to try and get them to commit to coming back as early as possible in the term but we haven’t had a response as yet. Following this news, the committee had a meeting to discuss a plan going forward. We initially set a date of May half term and agreed that if Ofsted hadn’t returned by then, we would sadly make the decision to close. However Kim held a meeting with staff on the last day of the Spring term and everyone unanimously agreed they did not want to give up and wanted to give it until the end of the Summer term before any decision is made.

Kim advised that as a parent herself, if Nate was staying at the pre-school, she herself would put his name down for another pre-school for September as a back up. If we then don’t get a report issued by Ofsted before 31[st] August, you won’t be without a pre-school place. If we do get the report published and our funding re-instated in time then you have the choice to stay with Sunshine or move; both of which we would totally understand. We have discussed the impact of a late Ofsted inspection on the state of Sunshine come September, and it could be that we need to reduce the number of days we are open as a result of the number of children we would have. This is due to us not being able to recruit new children now for September due to the lack of funding.

Ofsted Registration 2772149 ⚫ Charity Number 1154193

Devil’s Advocate was discussed regarding flagging to Ofsted the fact they haven’t followed up on a safeguarding concern by coming back out sooner – in order to get them out quickly.

Discussion was made about how West Sussex aren’t being very supportive and the impact Sunshine closing would have on the community.

The question was asked if there is anything more parents can do to help. It was recommended that you can contact West Sussex and Ofsted to try and push things forward. There would certainly be no harm in doing either or both of these! eyfe@westsussex.gov.uk enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. If you do email, please cc in the chair email: chair.sunshine.stjohns@gmail.com

A discussion was had on reducing fees in order to take on more children. Finances would need to be looked into for this. Once Ofsted come out we will be in a better position to come up with a plan for this.

Another meeting will be held once we know the outcome and are able to discuss it with people. Please bear with us and remember we are not allowed to discuss the result with anyone (even staff!) until the report is published. As soon as we can, we will update everyone.

The Committee thanked everyone for coming and for their support and time.

ELECTION OF THE COMMITTEE

Jo, Charlie and Jess have very kindly agreed to stay on in their roles. However, we are looking for a new chair and treasurer if anyone is wanting to join so that Charlie and Jess can step down. There was discussion between parents regarding taking on roles from September. We will hold another meeting at the end of the Summer Term to elect the new committee members.

NAME	POSITION
Jess Elvin	Chair
Jo Moucarry	Secretary
Charlie Harradine	Treasurer

The financial report follows:-

Ofsted Registration 2772149 ⚫ Charity Number 1154193

FOR COMPARISON TOTAL TOTAL 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2024 01/09/2024 - 31/08/2025 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS	FOR COMPARISON TOTAL TOTAL 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2024 01/09/2024 - 31/08/2025 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS	FOR COMPARISON TOTAL TOTAL 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2024 01/09/2024 - 31/08/2025 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
		TOTAL
OpeningBalance	48,519.73 £	32,261.32 £
INCOME
Fees WSCC Fees Transfer Fund Raising Credit Fundraising Interest	90,473.60 £ 8,861.44 £ 925.41 £ 666.30 £ 161.74 £	88,446.45 £ 16,155.76 £ 1,347.97 £ 1,382.03 £ - £ 202.04 £
TOTAL	101,088.49 £	107,534.25 £
EXPENDITURE
Advertising Bank Charges Court Costs Outing/Xmas Party/Entertainer DBS Equipment EYPP Equipment Fund Raising Costs Gifts Ink Cartridges Insurance Equipment Bought with Fund Raising Miscellaneous Mobile Phone Moving Costs Ofsted Payroll Pension Photographs Professional Fees Provisions Rent Postage/Stationary Tapestry Tax/NI Training Wages Website Transfer	68.40 £ 60.00 £ - £ 167.70 £ - £ 251.67 £ - £ 308.25 £ 59.49 £ 538.20 £ 836.20 £ 2,205.89 £ 363.44 £ 20.00 £ - £ 35.00 £ 254.40 £ 2,573.85 £ 36.50 £ 1,020.93 £ 488.85 £ 7,202.62 £ 379.50 £ 162.00 £ 1,197.92 £ 779.60 £ 90,389.27 £ 345.60 £	68.40 £ 60.00 £ 80.00 £ 265.00 £ 149.98 £ 1,180.76 £ 654.11 £ 534.68 £ - £ 321.76 £ 1,272.97 £ 33.94 £ 20.00 £ 421.94 £ 35.00 £ 276.00 £ 1,820.82 £ 58.70 £ 337.87 £ 579.46 £ 8,252.75 £ 180.04 £ - £ - £ 89.00 £ 73,105.23 £ 129.46 £ 1,347.97 £
TOTAL	109,745.28 £	91,275.84 £

BALANCE	8,656.79 -£	16,258.41 £
TOTAL FUNDS	39,862.94 £	48,519.73 £
REPRESENTED BY
CAF Main A/C	35,629.51 £	43,027.89 £
CAF Fund RaisingA/C	4,233.43 £	5,491.84 £
TOTAL	39,862.94 £	48,519.73 £

Devil’s Advocate was discussed regarding flagging to Ofsted the fact they haven’t followed up on a safeguarding concern by coming back out sooner – in order to get them out quickly.

Discussion was made about how West Sussex aren’t being very supportive and the impact Sunshine closing would have on the community.

The Committee thanked everyone for coming and for their support and time.

ELECTION OF THE COMMITTEE

NAME	POSITION
Jess Elvin	Chair
Jo Moucarry	Secretary
Charlie Harradine	Treasurer

The financial report follows:-

Ofsted Registration 2772149 ⚫ Charity Number 1154193

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 St John's Sunshine Prfrschool On accounts forthe year ended 31108r2025 Charity no (if any) 1154193 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above tharity fthe Trusf) for the year ended 31K)8r2023. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 fthe Acr). I report in respert of my examination of the Trusf s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicabte Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have comFAeted my eyamination. I conffinn that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disdosed below") in connection with the examination whith gives me cause to believe that in. any material respecL accounting records ere not kept in accordano wilh section 130 of the Act or the accL)unts do not accord with the aca>unting re(xYds Independent examinerfs statement I have no COnM$ and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be dmvn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Please delete the w0S in the brnckets rfthey do not apply. Signed: Date: Name: Relevant professional qualification{s) or body (if any): Address: 17 P&dK 2oAO Le/- LJC-sr SJSO 2HIo IER October 2018