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← Duchy Preschool And Playgroup

2025-08-31-accounts

DUCHY PRE-SCHOOL AND PLAYGROUP

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Charity Registration Number: 1157005

DUCHY PRE-SCHOOL AND PLAYGROUP TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees Annual Report 1 - 3
Receipts and Payments Account 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 5
Independent Examiners Report 6

DUCHY PRE-SCHOOL AND PLAYGROUP TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report along with the Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] August 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with current statutory requirements, the charity’s governing documents, and the recommendations of the Statement of Recommended Practice “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (SORP 2005) and complies with applicable law. We have also referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives for the year.

Objectives and Activities

Objectives

Nestled in the centre of Bradninch, The Duchy Pre-school is at the heart of our community, providing Early Years Education for all eligible children in the area.

As a non-profit organisation, we're proud of the service we provide to local families and the fun, nurturing, safe learning environment we offer our children. Parents can access our childcare in ways that fit in better with work.

How our activities deliver public benefit

The Duchy Pre-school and Playgroup is monitored by OFSTED and along with meeting all their requirements, the charity provides quality access to the national Early Years Curriculum for all eligible children, by:

Achievements and Performance

This year has been another successful one for our setting, with continued growth and positive feedback across all areas of provision.

Our Holiday Club, now in its third year, has gone from strength to strength. We received many excellent reviews from families, several children booked additional sessions. The club is now fully embedded into our academic calendar, providing a valued service for parents and children alike.

We were also delighted to welcome Ofsted this year. The inspection resulted in a glowing report, with the setting achieving an overall Good grading – a testament to the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of our staff team.

Attendance has continued to rise, with a 24% increase in attended hours compared to the previous year. This growth can be largely attributed to the introduction of the new government funding for 2-year-olds in April, which has enabled more families to access our services.

In addition to service expansion, we have made building improvements to enhance both the environment and accessibility. These include repairing windows, creating a new office space, and installing a gate in the playground to improve access between the playground and back garden for the children.

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DUCHY PRE-SCHOOL AND PLAYGROUP TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Overview and Future Plans

Looking ahead, we are preparing to open our new Baby Room in September 2025, which will welcome children from 9 months old. With parents now able to access government funding for children from 9 months, this development provides an excellent opportunity to increase child numbers, broaden our provision, and strengthen financial sustainability.

We also intend to continue investing in our facilities. Our focus will be on further enhancing the outdoor learning environment, ensuring that children benefit from engaging, well-resourced spaces. At the same time, we remain committed to maintaining the indoor areas to a high standard, creating safe, stimulating, and welcoming environments for all children in our care.

Financial Review

Total receipts for the year to 31 August 2025 amounted to £191,902 (year ended 31 August 2024 £158,367).

Total payments for the year to 31 August 2025 amounted to £185,162 (year ended 31 August 2024 £146,197).

The charity holds £48,104 in their bank account (year ended 31 August 2024 £41,328).

The charity’s principal source of funding is Early Years Entitlement Funding from Devon County Council. As a centre of excellence for Early Years Education in Devon, as also receive discretionary grants. Community fundraising activities are carried out to enable the charity to enhance the provision above the level funded by Early Years.

Other sources of funding include fees from parents for elective sessions.

Reserves Policy

The charity has a formal policy of holding sufficient working capital and contingency funds in reserve to ensure the sustainability of the charity. In addition, the policy requires the charity to work towards building sufficient reserves to cover statutory and contractual costs in the event of winding up.

Risk Management Policy

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those relating to the operations and finances of the Charity and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate their exposure to major risks.

Fundraising Policy

Fundraising is essential to the preschool. We host at least 2 coffee mornings a year, as well as the annual Christmas and Town Fayre, we also host other events such as children's discos at local music festival and help/participate at other local events, all with the aim of raising funds for the preschool.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Charity’s objects and regulations are set out in the charity’s Preschool Learning Alliance CIO Institution. The charity incorporated as a charitable organization on 12[th ] May 2014, with all undertakings from the unincorporated charity transferred on 1[st ] September 2016.

All Trustees are elected annually at the AGM and/or co-opted pending the AGM, with 50% retiring at each year.

The procedure for appointing of Trustees, is by an existing Trustees recommending a potential candidate.

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DUCHY PRE-SCHOOL AND PLAYGROUP TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Reference and Administration Details

Registered Charity Number: 1157005

Trustees and Members: John Porter (Chair) Jennifer Ryding (Treasurer) Rev’d Hannah Mears Lucy Alford Louise Heap Birdie Pilcher (to December 2024) Nicholas Wild (to November 2024)

Registered Address Millway, Bradninch, Exeter, EX5 4NL

Bankers CAF Bank, 25 Kings Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ Accountants Merlin Accountancy Services Ltd, 2[nd] Floor, 33 Longbrook Street, Exeter, EX4 6AW

25/11/2025

Approved by Duchy Pre-School and Playgroup on …………………………………….. and signed on its behalf by:

Trustee: John Porter, Chair ……………………………………………………

Trustee: Jenny Ryding, Treasurer ……………………………………………………

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DUCHY PRE-SCHOOL AND PLAYGROUP TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Receipts and Payments Account

Receipts
Fees
DCC Grants and Funding
Other Grants
Fundraising and Donations
Total Receipts
Payments
Wages and Salaries
Staff Training, Health & Safety and Other
Kitchen Costs
Play Costs
Rent, Rates and Premises Costs
Repairs and Renewals
Light and Heat
Insurance and Subscriptions
Telephone and IT
Printing, Postage and Stationery
Accountancy and Professional Fees
Fundraising Costs
Bank Charges
Miscellaneous
Total Payments
Excess of Receipts over Payments
Bank Balance at 1stSeptember 2024
Bank Balance at 31stAugust 2025		 2025
£
£
59,558
128,340
410
3,594
191,902
135,706

2,556
2,513
10,172
9,052
6,900
3,737
1,322
4,558
908
1,134
440
60
6,104
185,162
6,740
41,364
48,104		 2025
£
£
59,558
128,340
410
3,594
191,902
135,706

2,556
2,513
10,172
9,052
6,900
3,737
1,322
4,558
908
1,134
440
60
6,104
185,162
6,740
41,364
48,104		 2024
£
£
51,493
92,406
2,700
11,768
158,367
114,987
1,482
2,353
4,689
7,500
2,519
3,378
1,355
3,945
912
498
527
81
1,971
146,197
12,170
29,194
41,364		 2024
£
£
51,493
92,406
2,700
11,768
158,367
114,987
1,482
2,353
4,689
7,500
2,519
3,378
1,355
3,945
912
498
527
81
1,971
146,197
12,170
29,194
41,364
135,706
2,556
2,513
10,172
9,052
6,900
3,737
1,322
4,558
908
1,134
440
60
6,104
114,987
1,482
2,353
4,689
7,500
2,519
3,378
1,355
3,945
912
498
527
81
1,971

185,162		 146,197
6,740
41,364		 12,170
29,194
48,104 41,364

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DUCHY PRE-SCHOOL AND PLAYGROUP TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Statement of Assets and Liabilities at 31[st] August 2025

Unrestricted Funds
Cash Funds
Petty Cash
Bank Current Account
Current Assets
Debtors
Current Liabilities
Creditors
Other Creditors
SS & Other Taxes		 2025
Total
£
-
48,104
48,104
483
218
1,013
2,342
45,014		 2024
Total
£
36
41,328
41,364
713
-
191
1,960
44,228

25/11/2025 Approved by Duchy Pre-School and Playgroup on …………………………………… and signed on its behalf by:

Trustee: John Porter, Chair ……………………………………………………

Trustee: Jenny Ryding, Treasurer ……………………………………………………

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF

DUCHY PRE-SCHOOL AND PLAYGROUP

Year Ended 31 AUGUST 2025

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025, which are set out on pages 4 and 5.

Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The charity’s trustees (who are also the Directors of the company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 act) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view, and the report is limited to these matters set out in the statement below.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that:

  2. proper accounting records are kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and

  3. accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (revised 2005) have not been met; or

  4. to which in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

G M Corby BSc FCA Merlin Accountancy Services Ltd Signed: …………………………………… 2[nd] Floor 33 Longbrook Street 10/12/2025 Exeter Date: ……………………………………… EX4 6AW

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