2025-08-31-accounts - Blues Pre-School Nursery

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Blues Pre-School and Nursery Charity Number: 1156613 Report and Accounts For the Year Ended: 31/08/2025

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Blues Pre-School and Nursery Report and Accounts Year Ended: 31/08/2025

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Trustees Registered O�ice Independent Examiner
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Trustees Registered O�ice Independent Examiner	Trustees Registered O�ice Independent Examiner	Trustees Registered O�ice Independent Examiner

J Guy – Manager S Eves – Chair R Eves E Je�ries P Je�ries S Largen L Ling K Ramsay	Cox’ Gardens Bishop’s Stortford Herts CM23 3GX	Ascott Blake 11 Ducketts Wharf Bishop’s Stortford Herts CM23 3AR

Contents
Trustees Report	3
- Governance + Structure	3
- Review of Activities	3
- Public Beneft	5
- Financial Review	6
Independent Examiners Statement	7
Statement of Financial Activities	8
Balance Sheet	9
Notes to the Accounts	10
Detailed Statement of Financial Activity	11

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Blues Pre-School and Nursery Report and Accounts Year Ended: 31/08/2025

Trustees Report

The Trustees present their report and accounts for the academic year ended 31/08/2025.

Governance + Structure

The charity is registered as a CIO and our constitution is based on the Pre-School Learning Alliance Model CIO Constitution for Childcare Providers 2013.

Membership of the CIO is open to all parents/carers of pre-school children but they are not automatically members of the charity. Parents/carers sign a declaration if they wish to join. A�iliate membership is also open to anyone interested in furthering the purposes of the charity. The Trustees (min 3, max 12) are all members of the charity. Their function is to manage the a�airs of the CIO and meet monthly to fulfil this function. They are appointed at the AGM and serve for 2 successive years. Every year one-third of the trustees shall retire from o�ice but can be reappointed for 5 successive terms. After a break of one year, the trustee may re-stand.

At the end of this academic year (2024/25) Blues has 8 trustees; this includes 1 member of sta� who is the Manager at the setting. The 8 trustees, along with 2 other members of sta�, form the Management Committee which oversees all business aspects of the CIO.

The Trustee Committee has been strengthened this year with the onboarding of 5 new trustees. Whilst G Varnam stepped down from her role, this did not a�ect the minimum number of 3 trustees needed. K Craythorne also stepped down as a Trustee in March 2025 in line with her retirement. J Guy filled this position as the new Manager and, consequently, as a Trustee.

Review of Activities

Blues Pre-School and Nursery is an educational setting for children who are not yet of statutory school age. Whilst children are at our setting, they make good progress from their starting points and in line with their own unique developmental.

We (the Trustees, Management, and Practitioners) want to ensure that every child feels valued and welcomed in our setting; this extends to their families, also. We acknowledge that for children to reach their full potential a solid partnership must be in place between the setting (Blues) and the caregivers at home.

Our aim as Trustees is to support Blues Pre-School and Nursery by making it sustainable and keep it as a much-needed option for our local families. As a non-profit pre-school and nursery, we o�er an educational setting for families who would not otherwise be able to access a�ordable childcare. The provision o�ered at Blues allows family members to engage in employment opportunities whilst ensuring that the children are in an educationally supportive environment.

Listed below are our achievements from the academic year 2024/25. As a new board of trustees, we are proud of our accomplishments and believe that the next few years will see considerable growth for Blues Pre-School and Nursery.

Autumn Term

Successful AGM in November which, after advertising on social media and the local newspaper, saw 5 people wishing to join the trustee committee. All 5 people were successfully onboarded by 6[th] May 2025 (https://register-of-

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Blues Pre-School and Nursery Report and Accounts Year Ended: 31/08/2025

charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charitydetails/5045934/trustees)

Blues held their Christmas Bazaar at their setting (Cox’s Gardens, CM23 3GX) which although was well attended, had minimal support in organising and running.

Spring Term

K Craythorne was always mindful of her retirement in March and was continually organising her handover ready for the new manager; this role was advertised externally for potential candidates. There was some interest in this role but it was J Guy, the current Deputy and SENCo who was successful. J Guy began her role in March 2025.
Blues continues to be a setting that has children attending with SEN, EYPP funding, and some applications for Inclusion Funding. The money that we receive for this is used to further develop and enhance the learning opportunities of that individual child’s needs and ensures that they make at least good progress from their starting points whilst they are at the setting;
Some of the money received as part of that SEN funding has been spent to develop a Sensory Room; this is still early days and resources are being continually added but already there is an obvious benefit for those children who need some time to self-regulate and have some quiet time away from the main room. This will prove to be a great addition to Blues and to the children who use it.
J Guy and A Ra�erty attended ‘EHCP Training’, and I Nese-Webb completed training for ‘Anxiety leading to Behavioural Issues’; this training will be invaluable to supporting the children at Blues and their families.
The ‘Pancake Flip’ raised £400 in sponsorship from our families – we are now questioning whether Christmas and Summer Fayres our worthwhile if we can fundraise so much with very little organisation.
Parents were also invited in as part of a ‘stay and play’ week; a great opportunity to see their child at Blues and have an informal chat with their key worker as to how they are progressing. Key Workers are invaluable; they are the main contact for the children they work with and their guardians, and we are so fortunate with the practitioners we have here at Blues Pre-School and Nursery.
The biggest news of the Spring Term was our Ofsted visit on 27[th] January 2025. This was a one-day inspection which judged us to be ‘Good’ across all areas (https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50268982). We, as Trustees, are immensely proud of the work that the sta� do at Blues and are pleased that this was reflected in the written report. It was a big occasion, too, for most sta� who had not experienced an Ofsted inspection before.

Summer Term

As a new Board of Trustees, we took part in some training o�ered by Sally Gridley who manages ‘The Dinky Ones Early Years Consultancy’. This was very insightful and supportive of new trustees and we have signed up to her membership with access to her website and articles, and on hand advice.
The main ‘children’ events this term were the annual Sports Day, and Graduation 2025. Both events were very well attended by families and were a real showcase of our setting and what a joyous place it is for the children who attend.
There were visits from the EHCP specialist, and the Inclusions O�icer; it is worth noting this as it shows how committed we are to the needs of our children and making sure that

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Blues Pre-School and Nursery Report and Accounts Year Ended: 31/08/2025

our provision is well suited to them and o�ers exactly what they need to feel safe and valued whilst they are here.

We made links with ‘Men’s Shed’; a local charity who primarily take on woodwork projects. They kindly made a lid for the sandpit outside which was very reasonably priced, and we are keen to keep in touch with them for any future projects we might have. We also sent this project to the local paper to publish which was good publicity for both of us.
The decision was made for Blues Pre-School and Nursery to take part in the Town Carnival this year instead of having our own Summer Fayre. The carnival was a success, and having a pitch afterwards enabled us to hand out flyers and chat to parents about what we o�er. We had the opportunity to speak to Josh Dean, MP for Hertford and Stortford, and tell him about the upcoming Small Charities Week that we had been selected to take part in. He kindly mentioned this in Parliament asking for support; a real highlight of our year to have Blues Pre-School and Nursery mentioned in the Houses of Parliament!
Blues Pre-School and Nursery were successful in their application to take part in Small Charities Week in June 2025. Big Give, Global’s Make Some Noise, and NCVO match funded any donations we received through this. We managed to raise £5,020, with Gift Aid added on top of this. This money is going to be used to transform the outdoor area at Blues, hopefully in the Autumn Term.
We were successful in our grant application to Stansted Airport; this will give us a further £5,000 to use towards our garden project.
The initial forecast for September intake looks good; up by 5% on numbers. We are going to be taking 2yr olds with the possibility that some will be entitled to 30hrs of funding meaning that they could attend all day rather than just the afternoons; management sta� are looking at what this will look like in terms of sta�ing and ratios.
With the intake of younger children and more parents/carers returning to work, we have made the decision to o�er wraparound care for Blues children, o�ering both a Breakfast and an After School Club. We are aware that this could start o� small and run at a loss but we believe that we need to explore these options to make Blues an appealing setting for working parents.
We ran a Holiday Club over the Summer Holidays, open to children 2yr-5yr olds who attend Blues and to those who do not. Whilst we are keen for this to be a yearly o�ering, we are going to review what worked well and what changes can be made moving forwards.
- T Giles (bank sta�) left Blues after many years; we have recruited bank sta� to replace her.
R Eves will step down from his role as Trustee at the next AGM; he will be a loss to the Committee and we thank him for all his e�orts over the past few years.

When planning Blues activities for the year, the Committee has considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and is satisfied that Blues activities continue to meet the principles laid out in that guidance. This matter was very carefully reviewed as part of the process of when we initially applied for CIO status. The children who receive care and education are the main beneficiaries of our charity.

We will always continue to work closely with our families; by keeping them well informed of their child’s progress, but also by supporting them in financial matters where possible – paying fees in instalments or signposting them to wider support if necessary.

We have a duty within our local community to o�er more reasonably priced fees compared to the prices of private day care that we are up against. We recognise that this is a big task because private nurseries take children from under the age of one, and parents likely keep at the same

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Blues Pre-School and Nursery Report and Accounts Year Ended: 31/08/2025

nursery until school age. We will continue to market and advertise Blues Pre-School and Nursery to remain sustainable, and keep as an option for local families.

Financial Review

smallest over the last 5 years, comparing to £11,410 (2024), £37,292 (2023), £27,491 (2022) and £4,804 (2021). Small improvements in expenditure figures, plus significant grant and fundraising income (albeit for restricted expenditure yet to happen) have contributed to minimising the loss. If we ignore the £5.3K restricted funding income (which has not yet been spent), the loss can be considered as £8.3K over the year.

Blues income has grown by £18K (on 2024). This is attributable to the government childcare funding expansion, plus higher levels of EYPP, inclusion and SEN funding (child specific), and £9.5K raised as donations / grants. Of this £9.5K, £5.3K was solely Big Give Small Charities week (restricted funding). Voluntary snack contributions and other fundraising initiatives added £4.2K over year.

Funding income provided 85% of Blues overall income (the same as last year). EYPP, inclusion and SEN funding provided 7% of Blues overall income. Session Fee income dropped by £2K to £11K. This is reflected by more children now eligible for government funding.

Following the trend over 5 years, expenditure has increased again this year (by £9.5K). Increases in SEN/EYPP/Inclusion related expenditure, insurance, and general supplies costs have all contributed to this rise. The inflationary impact of supplies cost remains high. Sta� costs increased by 4% this year (compared to 18% last year).

Blues has now had a second full year of running the new building. The repair and maintenance costs remain around £3K, with utilities (electric, water, waste, telephone/internet) around £5K each year.

Reserves

The charity ordinarily aims to put aside 10% for the contingency/sinking fund each year but for the fifth year running Blues has not made any profit to action this. Reserves have decreased slightly on last year £107K (compared to £110K) with £89K of that in cash. Note that of the £89K cash, £5.3K is ringfenced for restricted expenditure on the outdoor area in 2025/2026. There will also be a cost contribution for Blues towards to the outdoor area upgrade in 2025/2026 of at least £7K, which it is hoped further grants and fundraising initiatives can be successfully obtained. The charity aims to keep its general reserves at a level equivalent to 3-6 months of running costs. As Blues expenditure increases, the running costs have also risen to around £80K (for 6 months). Therefore, our reserves currently just cover a full 6 months requirement. Continued annual net losses will weaken this position more. The Trustee Management Committee have been keen to get new initiatives such as (breakfast and afterschool club) underway to generate more income in the long term. It is hoped that after an initial short-term hit, additional income streams can be successful. Blues continue to give thought to how income can be maximised going forward.

This report was approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 20[th] October 2025.

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K. Ramsay ( On behalf of the Trustees of Blues Pre-School and Nursery)

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Blues Pre-School and Nursery Report and Accounts Year Ended: 31/08/2025

Independent Examiners Statement

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Blues Pre-School and Nursery Report and Accounts Year Ended: 31/08/2025

Statement of Financial Activities

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31/08/2025

			2025	2024
Unrestricted Funds		Restricted Funds	Total	Total
	£	£	£	£
Income
Donations, funding and
legacies	147,611	5,734	153,345	135,541
Income from investments	3,896	-	3,896	3,739
Total income and
endowments	151,507	-	157,242	139,280
Expenses
Costs of generating funds
Expenditure on raised funds	13,293	-	13,293	9,945
Expenditure on charitable
activities	146,965	-	146,965	140,745
Expenditure relating to move
to new premises	-	-	-	-
Total Expenses	160,258	-	160,258	150,690
Net gains on investments
Net income	(8,751)	5,734	(3,017)	(11,410)
Gains/(losses) on
revaluation of fxed assets
Net movement in funds:
Net income for the year	(8,751)	5,734	(3,017)	(11,410)
Total funds brought forward	109,912	-	109,912	121,322
Net funds carried forward	101,161	5,734	106,894	109,912

income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

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Blues Pre-School and Nursery Report and Accounts Year Ended: 31/08/2025

Balance Sheet

BALANCE SHEET AT 31/08/2025 2025 £ FIXED ASSETS Note Tangible fxed assets 2 22,821 CURRENT ASSETS Other debtors 3 0 Cash at bank and in hand 88,883 88,883 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year 4 4,810 NET CURRENT ASSETS 84,073 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 106,894 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Unrestricted funds General fund (1,422) General fund – prior year adjustment Designated funds 102,942 Restricted funds Restricted fund 5,374 106,894	1,015 86,293	2024 £ 25,199 84,712
	87,308 2,596

		109,912
		1,595 108,316 0 109,912

For the year ending 31/08/2025 the CIO was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.

Approved by the board of trustees on 10[th] October 2025 and signed on their behalf by

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K. Ramsay - Trustee

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Blues Pre-School and Nursery Report and Accounts Year Ended: 31/08/2025

Notes to the Accountants

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1a. Basis of Accounting

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with FRS102 - The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities.

1b. Incoming Resources

All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

1c. Resources Expended

aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

1d. Allocation and Apportionment of Costs

All costs relate to the single activity of the charitable company and are recognised accordingly.

1e. Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Designated funds are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted general funds for the specific future purposes or projects.

1f. Depreciation

Depreciation has been provided at the following rates in order to write o� the assets over their estimated useful lives.

Fixtures and Fittings straight line 15%

White Goods / Outdoor Shed straight line 20%

ICT equipment straight line 33%

Other plant and machinery straight line 33%

Contribution to development agreement for new building 4% to cover 25yr lease term

1g. Financial Instruments

of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other debtors and creditors, loans from banks and other third parties, loans to related parties and investments in non-puttable ordinary shares.

Financial assets that are measured at cost and amortised cost are assessed at the end of each reporting period for objective evidence of impairment. If objective evidence of impairment is found, an impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

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Blues Pre-School and Nursery Report and Accounts Year Ended: 31/08/2025

Financial assets and liabilities are o�set, and the net amount reported in the Balance Sheet when there is an enforceable right to set o� the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities

2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Cost At 01/09/2024 Additions At 31/08/2025 Depreciation At 01/09/2024 For the period At 31/08/2025 Net Book Amounts At 31/08/2025 At 31/08/2024	Short leasehold Properties O�ice Equipment ICT grant funded equipment / computers Plant and machinery Total £ £ £ £ 21,874 176 313 7,009 29,372 0 0 503 129 632
	21,874 176 816 7,138 30,004
	1,648 59 122 2,344 4,173 1,234 117 202 1,457 3,011
	2,882 176 324 3,801 7,183
	18,992 0 492 3,337 22,821
	20,226 117 191 4,665 25,199

3. DEBTORS

Prepayments and accrued income	2025 2024 £ £ 0 1,015 0 1,015

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Blues Pre-School and Nursery Report and Accounts Year Ended: 31/08/2025

4. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Taxation and social security Pension Accounts Payable Deferred Income Accruals Other creditors Charge Card	2025 2024 £ £ 988 135 393 255 0 35 1,194 0 1,382 1,674 160 498 692 0 4,810 2,596

5. LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

The company is limited by guarantee and does not have a share capital. Each member gives a guarantee to contribute a sum not exceeding £0, to the company should it be wound up. At 31/08/2025 there were 8 members.

6. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the year Kim Craythorne, a Trustee of the Blues Pre-School Nursery, received remuneration amounting to £13,222. This related solely to her salaried position as Manager of the pre-school. The role of Trustee is a voluntary one. Employer pension contributions of £288 were made into a defined contribution pension scheme during the year. Kim received no other benefits in the period.

Kim retired at the end of March and Jordan Guy took over as Manager, and became a voluntary Trustee (replacing Kim). During the year Jordan received remuneration amounting to £9,114. This related solely to her salaried position as Manager of the pre-school. The role of Trustee is a voluntary one. Employer pension contributions of £195 were made into a defined contribution pension scheme during the year. Jordan received no other benefits in the period.

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Blues Pre-School and Nursery Report and Accounts Year Ended: 31/08/2025

INCOMING RESOURCES - FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31/08/2025

2025 £ 119,561 10,691 130,253 2,397 5,374 1,780 9,551 11,120 1,946 475 13,541 153,345 3,896 3,896 3,896 157,242	2024 £ 118,169 118,169 2,995 0 0 2,995 13,939 268 717 14,377 135,54 1 3,739 3,739 3,739 139,28 0	2024 £ 118,169 118,169 2,995 0 0 2,995 13,939 268 717 14,377 135,54 1 3,739 3,739 3,739 139,28 0
11,120 1,946 475	13,939 268 717
3,896	3,739
		135,54 1
		3,739

		3,739 139,28 0

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Blues Pre-School and Nursery Report and Accounts Year Ended: 31/08/2025

EXPENSES - FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31/08/2025

Expenses Costs of generating funds Costs of generating voluntary income Fundraising costs Playgroup supplies (snacks, cleaning/ hygiene, play items, arts & crafts, other consumables) EYPP / DAF expenditure items Equipment rental DBS Costs / Reimbursements Charitable Activities Rent Marketing & publicity Water Rates Waste removal Heat & light Repairs & renewals General wages Pension Training Sta� well-being Sta� uniform Insurance Stationary, o�ice supplies & printing Telephone Subscriptions Professional Services (HR Consultancy) Sundry expenses Depreciation of fxed assets Expenditure relating to move to new premises Governance Costs Accountancy Bank charges	2025 £ 361 4,467 7,617 593 255 13,293 13,293	2024 £ 397 5,336 3,620 593
		9,945 9,945
	1,214 148 216 410 3,299 2,937 125,232 3,864 858 161 133 937 1,234 897 1,021 0 213 2,893 0 145,667 1,234 64 1,298 160,258	1,214 314 (224) 365 3,233 3,007 120,277 3,734 656 196 0 815 923 802 1,134 1,308 152 2,328 0
		140,235
		422 87
		509 150,690

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