**REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 09140875 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1158321**
## Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
## for
## Sherwood Preschool Limited
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Sherwood Preschool Limited
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
||Page|
|---|---|
|Report of the Trustees|1 to 4|
|Independent Examiner's Report|5 to 6|
|Statement of Financial Activities|7|
|Balance Sheet|8 to 9|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|10 to 15|
|Detailed Statement of Financial Activities|16 to 17|
Sherwood Preschool Limited
## Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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) (effective 1 January 2019).
Page 1
Sherwood Preschool Limited
## Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims**
BACKGROUND AND HISTORY OF MULBERRY PRE-SCHOOL AT HOWARD
Mulberry Pre-School at Howard was established on 21st July 2014 as a company for the purpose of running an independent pre-school. This followed the decision by an existing pre-school, The Mulberry Bush, to cease trading at Howard Primary School.
Following detailed discussion and negotiation, supported by legal and professional advisers, the trustees, with some start-up funding from The Hive, Croydon, formally took over the premises and resources at the site, previously occupied by The Mulberry Bush on 27th March 2015. They managed the successful transfer of all the staff, through TUPE, to ensure as smooth a changeover as possible, with the minimum of disruption to the children and their families using the facility. Since then, Mulberry Pre-School at Howard has continued to provide an excellent, early-years learning environment for children aged 2 to 4, for local families.
The primary activity of the trustees, in the period covered by this report, was to ensure that the routine operation of the pre-school was maintained to a high standard with financial stability and sustainability guaranteed in the wake of the pandemic. During this period, the trustees were pleased to see the pre-school returning to normal, high standard of provision.
## POLICIES
During this period, policies were routinely reviewed following and up-dated with different trustees taking responsibility for re-drafting linked policies.The safeguarding policy was reviewed and updated in line with the latest guidance. The pre-school continued to operate, on a day to day basis, in accordance with its policies. These served the staff well, enabling them to continue to provide a high-quality service to local children and their families under a fresh management team. All staff and visitors are issued with a colour-coded lanyard for easy identification.
Two trustees have joint responsibility for overseeing safeguarding and monitoring the pre-school’s response to the annual up-dating of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).
## STAFFING
Throughout this period, the trustees ensured that the pre-school remained fully staffed with appropriately qualified practitioners appointed. The annual appraisal scheme for pre-school practitioners, now well established, continued under the auspices of the Manager. Targets focussing on development work in line with the current development plan.
.
## MEMBERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIPS
Trustees continued to subscribe to local professional networks to ensure that the staff are aware of current developments.
The management team continued to work closely with Croydon Local Authority, particularly as far as children with special educational needs or disabilities were concerned. The relationship with Howard Primary School continued to be sound.
Communication with parents for whom English was not their first language continued to be monitored. Support was always given to the parents for whom English was their second language, in applying for either their 2 years old funding, 30 hrs or child-care vouchers. A ‘Translator App’ for the staff to be able to communicate with parents who did not speak English was used.
Page 2
Sherwood Preschool Limited
## Report of the Trustees
## for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
The trustees recognised that the pre-school’s continued success was due to the strong links it had in the local community and the positive relationships staff developed with families attending. The time spent by the manager and her team, at the end of this reporting period, Carrying out home visits for all children due to start in September 2025 was an indication of how seriously the staff took forging these positive, supportive relationships.
## SUMMARY
Sherwood Preschool continues to provide high-quality early years education and care for children aged 2 to 4 within the local community. The setting also offers wrap around care, including breakfast and after-school provision, supporting children and families beyond the core pre-school day. The setting remains committed to delivering a nurturing, inclusive and play-based environment, supporting children’s individual development and needs, including those with additional needs. Throughout the year, the pre-school has maintained strong partnerships with families and external professionals to ensure children receive consistent and appropriate support. The charity continues to operate effectively and in line with its aims and objectives.
The trustees confirm they are satisfied with the operation of the setting and approve this report for submission to the Charity Commission.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document**
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number**
09140875 (England and Wales)
## **Registered Charity number**
1158321
## **Registered office**
7 Nottingham Road Croydon Surrey CR2 6LN
## **Trustees**
S Amichund Teacher K S Baker Chef De Partie, Caterham School M M C Jackson Teacher D N Matthews Retired R Ramakrishnan Teacher I P Blamires Teaching assistant (appointed 11.3.25) R R P Gourlay Teaching assistant (appointed 11.3.25)
## **Company Secretary**
Page 3
Sherwood Preschool Limited
## Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Independent Examiner**
Simon Maddox FCCA Maddox & Maddox Limited 9 Commercial Yard Barnard Castle Co. Durham DL12 8FE Approved by order of the board of trustees on 21 May 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
D N Matthews - Trustee
Page 4
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Sherwood Preschool Limited
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Sherwood Preschool Limited ('the Company')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 August 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts 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 your 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.
Page 5
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Sherwood Preschool Limited
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
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:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts 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
4. the accounts 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)).
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.
Simon Maddox FCCA The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
Maddox & Maddox Limited 9 Commercial Yard Barnard Castle Co. Durham DL12 8FE
21 May 2026
Page 6
Sherwood Preschool Limited
## Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
|Notes
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
Other trading activities
2
Investment income
3
**Total**
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|31.8.25
Unrestricted
fund
£
272,955
83,153
2
356,110
391,948
(35,838)
68,677
32,839|31.8.24
Total
funds
£
233,864
114,253
-
348,117
380,276
(32,159)
100,836
68,677|
|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
Sherwood Preschool Limited
## Balance Sheet
## 31 August 2025
|Notes
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
8
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
9
Cash at bank
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
10
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
**NET ASSETS**
**FUNDS**
11
Unrestricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|31.8.25
Unrestricted
fund
£
510
-
133,645
133,645
(101,316)
32,329
32,839
32,839
32,839
32,839|31.8.24
Total
funds
£
1,686
480
71,325
71,805
(4,814)
66,991
68,677
68,677
68,677
68,677|
|---|---|---|
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 August 2025.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
- (a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
- (b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 8
continued...
Sherwood Preschool Limited
## Balance Sheet - continued
## 31 August 2025
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 21 May 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
D N Matthews - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 9
Sherwood Preschool Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
## **Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
## **Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that 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.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Plant and machinery - 25% on cost Computer equipment - 25% on cost
## **Taxation**
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
## **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.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Hire purchase and leasing commitments**
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.
Page 10
continued...
Sherwood Preschool Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits**
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
## **2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**
|After school fees
Top up fees
Holiday club
Events|31.8.25
£
57,515
25,304
-
334
83,153|31.8.24
£
70,048
43,216
543
446|
|---|---|---|
|||114,253|
## **3. INVESTMENT INCOME**
|**INVESTMENT INCOME**|||
|---|---|---|
||31.8.25|31.8.24|
||£|£|
|Interest receivable - trading|2|-|
|**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**|||
|Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):|||
||31.8.25|31.8.24|
||£|£|
|Depreciation - owned assets|1,445|1,378|
|Other operating leases|26,884|26,368|
## **4. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**
## **5. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.
## **Trustees' expenses**
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.
Page 11
continued...
Sherwood Preschool Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
## **6. STAFF COSTS**
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
|||31.8.25|31.8.24|
|---|---|---|---|
||Staff|18|20|
||No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.|||
|**7.**|**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL**|**ACTIVITIES**||
||||Unrestricted|
||||fund|
||||£|
||**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**|||
||Donations and legacies||233,864|
||Other trading activities||114,253|
||**Total**||348,117|
||**EXPENDITURE ON**|||
||Raising funds||380,276|
||**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**||(32,159)|
||**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**|||
||Total funds brought forward||100,836|
||**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED**|||
||**FORWARD**||68,677|
Page 12
continued...
Sherwood Preschool Limited
## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
|**8.**
**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
Plant and
machinery
£
**COST**
At 1 September 2024
8,544
Additions
-
At 31 August 2025
8,544
**DEPRECIATION**
At 1 September 2024
7,408
Charge for year
973
At 31 August 2025
8,381
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 31 August 2025
163
At 31 August 2024
1,136
**9.**
**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Other debtors
**10.**
**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Social security and other taxes
Other creditors
Deferred government grants|Computer
equipment
£
2,124
269
2,393
1,574
472
2,046
347
550
31.8.25
£
-
31.8.25
£
5,170
1,274
94,872
101,316|Totals
£
10,668
269
10,937
8,982
1,445
10,427
510
1,686
31.8.24
£
480
31.8.24
£
3,728
1,086
-|
|---|---|---|
|||4,814|
Page 13
continued...
Sherwood Preschool Limited
## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
## **11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
|Net
movement
At 1.9.24
in funds
£
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
68,677
(35,838)
**TOTAL FUNDS**
68,677
(35,838)
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
Resources
resources
expended
£
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
356,110
(391,948)
**TOTAL FUNDS**
356,110
(391,948)
**Comparatives for movement in funds**
Net
movement
At 1.9.23
in funds
£
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
100,836
(32,159)
**TOTAL FUNDS**
100,836
(32,159)
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
Resources
resources
expended
£
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
348,117
(380,276)
**TOTAL FUNDS**
348,117
(380,276)|At
31.8.25
£
32,839
32,839
Movement
in funds
£
(35,838)
(35,838)
At
31.8.24
£
68,677
68,677
Movement
in funds
£
(32,159)
(32,159)|
|---|---|
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continued...
Sherwood Preschool Limited
## Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
## **11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
|Net
movement
At 1.9.23
in funds
£
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
100,836
(67,997)
**TOTAL FUNDS**
100,836
(67,997)|At
31.8.25
£
32,839|
|---|---|
||32,839|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
704,227
704,227|Resources
expended
£
(772,224)
(772,224)|Movement
in funds
£
(67,997)
(67,997)|
|---|---|---|---|
## **12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Page 15
Sherwood Preschool Limited
|Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
**Donations and legacies**
Donations
Subscriptions
**Other trading activities**
After school fees
Top up fees
Holiday club
Events
**Investment income**
Interest receivable - trading
**Total incoming resources**
**EXPENDITURE**
**Other trading activities**
Resources
Food
**Support costs**
**Management**
Wages
Social security
Pensions
Advertising
**Other**
Other operating leases
Insurance
Light and heat
Carried forward|31.8.25
£
-
272,955
272,955
57,515
25,304
-
334
83,153
2
356,110
8,753
10,199
18,952
287,979
12,078
8,795
117
308,969
26,884
1,665
3,985
32,534|31.8.24
£
500
233,364|
|---|---|---|
|||233,864
70,048
43,216
543
446|
|||114,253
-|
|||348,117
7,672
8,587|
|||16,259
280,839
11,523
8,062
-|
|||300,424
26,368
1,423
3,724
31,515|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 16
Sherwood Preschool Limited
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025
|**Other**
Brought forward
Telephone
Postage and stationery
Repairs and renewals
Cleaning
Professional fees
Staff training
Sundries
Accountancy
Computer and IT costs
Uniforms
Travel and motor
Staff welfare
Legal fees
School trips
Plant and machinery
Computer equipment
Total resources expended
**Net expenditure**|31.8.25
£
32,534
1,037
1,216
9,228
8,459
814
2,223
401
3,240
1,985
1,274
66
-
105
-
973
472
64,027
391,948
(35,838)|31.8.24
£
31,515
1,245
986
6,495
5,622
436
1,023
176
3,264
1,597
1,148
45
180
8,369
114
973
405
63,593
380,276
(32,159)|
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 17