LAUREL FARM STEINER KINDERGARTEN
Charity number: 1163992
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
LAUREL FARM STEINER KINDERGARTEN
CONTENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustee Annual Report | 1 - 4 |
| Independent Examiners Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 - 10 |
LAUREL FARM STEINER KINDERGARTEN
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Charity Name: Laurel Farm Steiner Kindergarten
Charity Number: 1163992
Charity address: 17 Carlingcott Peasedown St John Bath BA2 8AN
1. Introduction
This report outlines the activities, achievements, challenges, and financial performance of Laurel Farm Steiner Kindergarten (LFSK) during the year from September 2023 to August 2024.
2. Structure
LSSK operates as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with a board of trustees. LFSK is an early years setting for children aged between 2.5 - 7 and is guided by Steiner Waldorf principles in alignment with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
Trustees (during the period)
Tania Orgil (resigned July 20, 2024) Jessie Kazak (resigned as trustee in February 2024) Maysa Marques Claire Peeters Elodie Rummage
Staffing
The Kindergarten employs: Two Lead Teachers (job share) Two Teaching Assistants One Operations Manager
Operations Manager Jessie Kazak resigned from her staff role in August 2024 following a two month handover period. She was succeeded by Sally Cook, a former parent and active member of the community. The transition was carefully managed to ensure continuity and a smooth leadership shift.
3. Activities and Objectives
LFSK continues to provide a rich early childhood education that integrates all seven areas of the EYFS learning and development framework:
Prime Areas
1) Communication and Language 2) Physical Development 3) Personal, Social and Emotional Development
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LAUREL FARM STEINER KINDERGARTEN
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Specific Areas
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4) Literacy
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5) Mathematics
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6) Understanding the World
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7) Expressive Arts and Design
Pedagogical Approach
The kindergarten seeks to nurture the whole child — physically, socially, academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Activities include storytelling and puppet plays, craft, cooking, baking, seasonal celebrations, and daily rhythms aligned with Steiner principles.
4. Curriculum and Daily Rhythm
A significant development this year was the introduction of a revised daily rhythm designed to support the children’s transitions and natural energy flow. The new structure introduced a clear “inbreath and out-breath” pattern:
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Morning : The day begins with a snack at the Ark.
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Mid Morning : Children move into the inside kindergarten for play, lunch, and a rest period.
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Afternoon : The group goes to the Magic Glade for outdoor play and closing activities.
Staff observed increased calm and flow throughout the day, with improved transitions and engagement among the children.
5. Achievements and Community Engagement
Festivals and Events
LFSK continued its strong tradition of celebrating the changing seasons and natural cycles. Festivals held this year included:
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Lantern Festival
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Advent Spiral
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Candlemas
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May Day
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Summer Fair
Attendance at community events increased, supported by proactive engagement from Lead Teacher Elodie Rummage. The Summer Fair raised £1,800, the highest total to date, with £400 raised online prior to the event.
Green Sprouts Group
The Green Sprouts toddler group was led this year by assistant and teacher-in-training, Emma. Attendance was lower than previous years, but a committed group returned each week. Suggestions for improvement included better advertising and a review of pricing. Despite its small size, the group remains an essential feeder into the main Kindergarten.
6. Ofsted and Compliance
This year, Elodie Rummage successfully re-registered LFSK with the appropriate Ofsted registration status, becoming a trustee in the process. A follow-up inspection confirmed the new status; a full rated inspection is expected in the next two years.
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LAUREL FARM STEINER KINDERGARTEN
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
7. Financial Review
LFSK ended the financial year with a strong balance of £18,996
Income
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Income increased from both government funding and higher attendance, with local funding rising in May 2024
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The Summer Fair and donations also contributed to overall income.
Expenditure
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Salary costs rose, enabling long overdue pay increases and the introduction of pension contributions.
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Food costs continued to rise, in line with inflation and the Kindergarten’s ongoing commitment to 100% organic lunches and snacks.
Outstanding Matters
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The board still needs to claim historic Gift Aid donations going back four years.
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Expert advice is needed to review commercial rent rates and lease terms.
8. Enrolment and Outreach
Three Open Days were held during the year and were well attended. Having all teaching staff present helped foster interest and trust among prospective families, leading to several new signups.
9. Challenges and Opportunities
Challenges
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Ongoing pressure due to rising rent
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Gaps in trustee expertise, especially regarding fundraising and lease negotiations
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Still awaiting historic Gift Aid claim processing
Opportunities
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Continued strong leadership and staff collaboration
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Higher levels of parent engagement and fundraising
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Smoother rhythm and improved transitions for children
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New Operations Manager with energy and experience
10. Looking Ahead
The board and leadership team plan to:
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Review the format and marketing of the Green Sprouts group
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Strengthen trustee recruitment, particularly with legal or property experience
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Continue efforts to secure rent advice and long-term lease clarity
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Process historic Gift Aid claims
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Deepen community and fundraising engagement through expanded event offerings
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LAUREL FARM STEINER KINDERGARTEN
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
This report has been approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Signature: Date:
Name:
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LAUREL FARM STEINER KINDERGARTEN
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
I report on the accounts of Laurel Farm Steiner Kindergarten for the year ended 31 August 2024 which are set out on pages 6 to 10.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The Charity’s Trustees 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 Act) but that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 considerations of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
I 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.
David Courtier FMAAT AATQB for and on behalf of:
Community360
Winsley’s House, High Street, Colchester, Essex
Date 24th June 2025
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LAUREL FARM STEINER KINDERGARTEN
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| Note Incoming resources Donations Charitable activities 2 Total incoming resources Resources expended Charitable activities 3 Total resources expended Net incoming resources Funds at 1 September 2023 Funds at 31 August 2024 |
2024 Total £ 1,755 94,834 96,589 92,846 92,846 3,743 17,060 20,803 |
2023 Total £ 1,686 78,865 |
|---|---|---|
| 80,551 71,385 |
||
| 71,385 9,166 7,894 |
||
| 17,060 |
Notes on pages 8 to 10 form part of these financial statements
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LAUREL FARM STEINER KINDERGARTEN
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024
| Note Fixed Assets Tangible fixed assets 5 Current Assets Cash at bank and in hand Debtors 6 Current Liabilities Creditors 7 Net current assets Net assets Funds Unrestricted funds |
2024 Total £ 499 499 21,564 1,638 23,202 2,898 2,898 20,304 20,803 20,803 20,803 |
2023 Total £ - |
|---|---|---|
| - 16,702 4,376 |
||
| 21,078 4,018 |
||
| 4,018 | ||
| 17,060 | ||
| 17,060 | ||
| 17,060 | ||
| 17,060 |
The trustees declare that they have approved the accounts above.
Signed Date Claire Peeters Trustee
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LAUREL FARM STEINER KINDERGARTEN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
1. Accounting Policies
Basis of the preparation of the accounts
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement on Recommended Practise 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). (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Rebulic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Cash flow statement
The directors have taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard 1 (revised) from including a cash flow statement in the financial statements on the grounds that the company is small.
Income
Income from donations and grants, including capital grants, is included in incoming resources when these are receivable, except as follows:
When donors specify that donations and grants given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods, the income is deferred until those periods.
When donors impose conditions, which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred and not included in incoming resources until the pre-conditions have been met.
When donors specify that donations and grants, including capital grants, are for particular restricted purposes, which do not amount to pre-conditions regarding entitlement, this income is included in the incoming resources of restricted funds when receivable.
Expenditure
Expenditure on projects is treated as direct charitable expenditure. All expenditure is unrestricted.
Going concern
These accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis.
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LAUREL FARM STEINER KINDERGARTEN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| 2. Incoming resources from charitable activities Funding Fees 3. Costs of charitable activities Salaries Advertising Computer costs Professional fees Dues and subscriptions Repairs and maintenance Food, supplies, etc Insurances Printing, postage and stationery Rent or lease of buildings Telephone Training Depreciation Sundry expense 4. Staff An average of 4 (2023:4) staff were employed during the year. No employee earned over £60,000 during the year. 5. Fixed Assets Cost as at 1 September 2023 Additions Cost as at 31 August 2024 Depreciation as at 1 September 2023 Charge for year Depreciation as at 31 August 2024 Net Book Value as at 31 August 2024 Net Book Value as at 31 August 2023 |
2024 £ 51,884 42,950 |
2023 £ 41,734 37,131 |
|---|---|---|
| 94,834 | 78,865 | |
| 2024 £ 66,032 44 542 1,217 1,524 4,967 4,136 534 23 12,365 129 750 166 417 |
2023 £ 53,516 25 - 490 469 - 2,635 1,090 721 11,549 87 545 - 258 |
|
| 92,846 | 71,385 | |
| Fixtures & Fittings 2024 £ - 665 |
Total 2024 £ - 665 |
|
| 665 | 665 | |
| - 166 |
- 166 |
|
| 166 | 166 | |
| 499 | 499 | |
| - | - |
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LAUREL FARM STEINER KINDERGARTEN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| 6. Debtors Debtors 7. Creditors Creditors & accruals Income in advance PAYE |
2024 £ 1,638 |
2023 £ 4,376 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,638 | 4,376 | |
| 2024 £ 1,983 101 814 |
2023 £ 1,175 - 2,843 |
|
| 2,898 | 4,018 |
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