2025-08-31-accounts

Trustees. Annual Report for the period Period stsrt date PencJ end date From 01 Sep¢embei 2024 To 31 August 2025 Section A Reference and administration details Charlty name Potten End Pre-school Assoclatlon Oth•f narn•s ¢harlty Is known by R•glstered charlty number Ilf any) 1168430 Charltys prlnclpal addrnss The June Farnery Building Water End Road, Potten ErKI B8rkhamsted. Hertfordshire Postcod• HP4 2QW Nam•s of th• charlty trust••s who manag• th• charlty Dt•s A¢t•d fil ntst lor Thol• Trust•• nam• Offlc• Ilf any) Nm• of p•rnon l<>r Imxlyl •ntitl•d Int trust•• Ifan Stev8n Haydon Treasurer 1 September 2024- 4 March 2025 1 Septemb8r 2024- 4 March 2025 Tom Gough Chair Nykkol Phillips Sarah Dalton Pre-school Manager Co-chair RebecrA Robinson Mutton Jason Bosworthick Felix Beeson 22 October 2024- Co-chair Treasurer 27 November 2024- 22 October 2024- 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 TAR Document Classification.. Internal Use- Trusted Parties March 2012

Section B Structure, overnance and mana ement Dèserlptlon of the charlty's trusts Type of goveming document Constiiution How the Charity is constituted Charita￿e Incorporated Organisats'on (CIO) Trustee selection methods Elected by Trust88s at any tim8, or by M8mb8rs at a General Meeting Addltlonal gov•rnanc• Issu•s (Optlonal Infomutlon) You may Choo￿ to include additional infomiation, where relevant, about.. policies and procgdurgs adopted for the induction and training of trustees., the charity's organisalional structure and any wider netsvork wtth which the charty works., relationship with any related parties., trustees, consideration of major risks and the systern and procedures to manage them. NIA Section C Ob"ectives and activities The charity works for the public b8r￿frt having as its objects th8 de￿loPMent and education of children and young p8ople in particular by.. 1. promoting their care and safety 2. promoting their education aTrJ promoting parental involvement 3 prcvnoting their health and wellbeing 4. providing servi￿5 to supwrt them and their families and carers 5. providing servi￿5 to individuals holding membership of the CIO and 6. furthering the aims of the Pr8-s¢hool Leaming Allian Summary of th• obJ•cts ofth• ¢harity set out In Its govornlng do¢ument TAR Document Classification.. Internal Use-Trusted Parties March 2012

The development and education of chikdren and young people in particular by: 1. promoting their care and safety 2. promoting their education and promoting parental involvement 3. promoting their health and wellbeing 4. providing seTri(%s to support them and their families and car8rs 5. providing se￿i￿S to indivKluals hokling membership of the CIO and 6. furthering the awns of the Pre-school Leaming Allian Summary ol the maln actfvitles undertaken for the public bgnefit in relation to these objects {Include wlthln this section th• statutory declaratlon that trustses hav• had regard to the guidan¢• l$su•d by the Charity Commission on publlc noflt) In considering these actimties the trustsos have had regard to thé guidanco issuod by the charlty commission on public benoliL Additlonal d•tai1s of obj•ctiV•s and actlvlti•s (Optlonal infomiatlon) NIA You may choos• to indude further statements, where relevant, about.. policy on grantmaking., policy programme related investment., contribution made by volunteers. TAft March 2012 Document Classification: Intefnal Use- Trusted Parties

Section D Achievements and performance Trustees of Potten End Pre-school Association Annual Report for the period 1st September 2024 to 31st August 2025 Committee Co-chairs. Report Over the course of the year, the P￿ 4¢hod has continued to provide a safe. nurturing and stimulating environment for the children and this would not have been possible wtthout the cOmmrtn￿nt of our staff. families and trustees. We were pleased to welcokrn three nly trustees to the Committee this year. hvo new Co£hairs and a TreaSU￿r. This enabled Tom Gough and Steven Haydon to step ¢Jiywn from the Committee during the course of the year. We recognise the valuable contributs'on they made to the pre4ch¢)ol during th￿r extended time as part of the committee, and we thank them for their lime and commitment. During this transitional year, It was important for the nthv trustees to work in conjunction with Sarah Oatton and the outgolng tnjstees to ensure a smooth transition and their support was much appreclated as we worked to settle into the po$￿'0n$. Despite our tést efforts. we were unable to fill Ihe Secretary robe thls year aThJ as such, oJrMt trustees have wort<ed to ensure the necessary responsibilities have been ¢arried out while the ro￿ remains open. At the end ofthe year, vm experienced a further¢*tange within our manaqementteam as Sor8h prepared to go on matemity leave. UnfortLtnalely, we were unable to recnjit a manager to cover the maternty leave pericd. Akhough we did make an offer to a Strong candidate, we were unable to ffoet their financial expectatfv?ns and. following this, we had no SUC￿$5 with advertising fof the position. Our Deputy Manager, Kay, stepped forn¥ard to cover the Manager ro￿ and agreed to take on the position of Acting Manager during Sarah's absenL%. She will be supported by Sharon Kinder, who will be takn'ng on various administrative and operational duties, while also ¢ontinuing her role as the Room Leader in upper pre-school. Beth Sanchez will also take on additional reswnsib51ities as the Rcom Leader in I￿er pre-schcol. for example, providlng cover and malntaining r3Jnllnulty in the room when Sharon is worting in the office and whèn settling new Child￿n and new stafl members. Helen Rowe resigned from her P)Sltion as Level 2 Practitioner at the end of the summer lem. She left to pursue 8 tDle In a school with more favourable working hours fcrf her situation. Recruitment IN the role trKk place over th• summer holidays but was unsu¢¢essful at that point.. With changes to the stsffing and a period of uncertainty when recwilment was proving truilless, we recognise that the situation will have been unsettling al tsmes. We would like to thank the stsff team for their support and Pfofessionalism throughout the process. They have continued lo work hard to ensure a $ft￿oth transstion lo the new arrangements, and their teamwork and le￿bilIty have been invaluable. Pay scale changes were implemented during this year. These included increases in line with the National Minimum Wage, as well as pay Increases for senlor staff, restoring greater differentiats.on to the pay structure. Pay rates across staff grades had been converging in previous years due to budget constraints and minimum wage increases. The feedback from the committee suggested that Improved flnan¢ial stability, driven by higher intake, has allowed thi5 to be addressed. The Trustees have ¢C￿tinued to manage the pre-schcM)I's finances responsibly, ensuring that availabte fijnds are used to directly benefit the chlldren and improve the setting. One signifi¢ant investment this year was the installation of a new extemal door, whi¢h has improved both sec#Jnty and access, helping us lo maintain a safe and wekoming environment ft)r our families and staff. We were delighted to receive funds from the l¢fal councillorfs locality budget to part-fvnd this and enable the project to be completed. In Septernber 2024. we were thrilled to receive £5,000 from the Tesco Stronger Starts xheme. The original applkallon was for up to £1,500 for a range of outdoor equiptront - but one of our families drew the golden coin from the bag during their shopping trip and wewon the £5.000 award. The applicatN)n was updated to indude using the addibonal funds towards pla¢ing the playground sutsce. The mney from this grant was yet to be spent al the end of the yeart". In tem5 of the improvements lo the outdoor area. there has been much progress in obtaining quotes and understanding what types of proiects might be possible in the space that we IMie. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessfijl in a large funding appli¢ation this year. bul efft)rts continue to ensure that this is a fccus for future spending at the pre-school. TAR Document Classification.. Internal Use- Trusted Partie5 March 2012

On tehalf of the Trustees, we woukl like to thank the staff for their continued commitrnent and our families for their ongoing support. We look forward to the year ahead and continuing to provide a happy pre-school envIronn￿nt for Our children to leam and grow. FY26 Outlook . We su￿$$fUl￿ recruited a Level 3 Prxtitioner in Octoter 2025. ' An extension to the Tes¢0 Stronger Starts furKling was granted in September2025, fthvever, once we beoan researching the ¢ost of ￿p1acing the surface, we realised that rt was much greater than we had anticipated so we needed to raise further monie5 or change the project entirdy. We are n¢)w installing an awning to cover the area outside of the upper pre-school door. This will provide valuable shading in the sumffr and a covered area dunng light fain x) that the outside space can be uts'lised throughout the year and in rrv)st weathers. We are In the proces5 Of appOIn￿Trg a trusiee to ftKus on Fundraising for the pre-sth001. R•b•ee# Robln84)n Mutton & Jason 8•sworthi¢k Committ•• Co4halrs Pre￿ChoOl Manager's Report We have seen some slgnificant Changes and development for the pre-sd)ool this year, alongside contr'nued demand for the provision, As forecast in the 2023r24 Managerfs ￿Port. the 2024125 autumn teTh saw an increased take-up of places, with noticeable rise in the number of ¢hildren attending on a fvll-lirnt basis. This is in part due to the Changes in Government funding forworking families. We welcomed 15 new children to pre-school in the autumn lemi. Demand for sessions remains high and, al the end of the academsc year, the pre-school was operabng al fijll capacity for ils staffing levels. As a result, wo wer• unabl• lo offer additional session5 to existsng chiklren in the 5prin9 and summer terms. despite requests from families. Sarah Dalton. the Pre-school Manager, ¢omffonced matemty leave on 19th June 2025. Sarah, Stuart and bio brother Sonny now have a baby boy, who they have named Gene. Although we advertised for matemity cover for the role, after an unsuccessful offer, the ¢Je¢ision was taken not lo appoint a temporary ￿placement Instead, as Deputy Manager, l stepped up into the role of Acling Manager. The hvo senior r¢x)m leaders have also stepped up to provide support and share the workload to maintain continuity for the children. This transition has been managed as smoothty as possible - the decision has allowed us to be consistent in our offering and has also ha¢J the benefit of allowing us to manage costs responsibly. Further staff changes saw a resignation from Helen Rowe {Level 2 practstionerl, who left at the end of the summer term, Re¢Tuilment commenced during the summer holidays to ensure appropriate staffing levels were in place for the new academic year, but this was unsuccessfvl following interyiews". Rebecca took a leading rolo in providing support and assistance to the staff during this busy penthy and it was really appYeLyated by all of the staff. The p￿-S¢h¢)01 has experienced challenges relating to Staff sickness and the need forcoverthis year. This required ftexibility from the team when covering absences to make sure ratios were maintained and Ihai the children's routlnes were dlsrupted as little as possible. The Commitment from the staff team during these periods has teen 9￿atlY appreciated as they have recognised the inconvenience that would te caused to parents if we neede(I to temporarily close or teduce the number of hildren as last re50rt 501utiOn5. We managed to remain fulty operational durlng the year and thank the staff team for this being possible. The staff Continue lo recognise that the budget is very limited and only Pufchase resources which are necessary for the setting, as well as the children's well-being and development. The parental donations of fruit and basi¢ deaning supplies is much app￿cIated by the staff as il provides a constant and varied supply of Perishab￿ items for the children al snack time. Overall, the pre-s¢h¢)ol continues to be well supported by families. arld the hard work and dedication of the staff team has ensured we continue to provide a safe. caring and wekg)ming environment for all children who attend the pre-school. FY26 Outlook Gemma Vivieros joined the team in October 2025. We continue to be very gratefvl to the staff team for their flexibility during the pericJs Whe￿ we our staff numbers have been low. TAR Document Classification.. Internal Use-Trusted Parties March 2012

Kay Dlbb•n A¢ting Pr•4chool Manag•r Section E Financial review Brlef slatomant of tho charlty's pollcy on reseNos Th8 charity keeps sufficient reserves lo fund the orderly closure of the Pre-school in the event its ongoing op8ration ceases to remain financially viable. Details of any fund$ mat•rfalty In deflclt NIA. Treasurer's Report For the period 1° Sept•mb•r 2024- 31 August 2026 The Pre-school has A Main fund wh￿h is used for collection of fees and to pay salaries arKI ongoing running costs,. and A Deposit fund which holds all surplus cash which is reviewed regularty with transfers matje in and out of the maln fund to ensure 5uffiGient lunds aFe available for day-tlxlay operabons. Interest is earned on the deposit fund. Maln Pund For the year ending 31 August 20251'FY25"1 the Main fvnd opened a balance of £4,762 and had closing balance of £11,996. This represents a [￿t increase in fijnds of £7,233. £4.910 was translerred to the Deposit a¢￿Unt during t1￿ year to oam interest and provide for commltted expenditu￿ in FY26. O•poslt Fund Fof the year ending 31 August 2025 the Deposit fvnd opened with a balance of £42,944 and increased by £9,974 during the year. induding £4,910 transf6rrnd from the Main Account Th8 Deposit xcounl closed wilh a baknce of £62,918. P•tty C*$h Pety cash opening balance wa5 £222 and closed with £166, r•presenting a net r•duction in funds of £66, Flninclal p•rformanc• Overall financial Ferfomiarsce was strong for the year, wtth a net surplus of £17,142 reported IFY24.' deficit of £16,168). Of this, £5,000 relates to the Stronger Starts grant received frorn Tesco, which must be spent in FY26. The remaining surplus was driven by the p￿-School being well4ubs¢ribed throughout the ffina￿al year, enabling income to outstrip costs. Fee income overall was £143.498. compared to £109.550 for the prior year. repfesenting an increase of £33,498. The increased incorrE was driven by the pre-school being well•subscribed throughout the finan￿al year, compared to low intakes in the Autumn and Spring tems of FY24. Wthin fee inc0ft￿. we also saw a shift from private fees lup 170 compared to FY241 to Hertrorilshire County Council income (up 35%). due to the expansion of funded places provision. Fundraising in¢ome was £4,236 in the year. up £2.317 on prior year income of £1,919. Being well-subscribed, wrth a group of supportive. pr¢>actNe families sending their children to the Setting has helped us to redouble our fvndraising efforts this year. TAR March 2012 Document Classification- Internal Use- Trust￿ Parties

Total income was £163.914. compared to £113.116 in prior year, an increase of£40.798. The other incon items making up this total are.. £5,302 in donations and grants1£5.000 of whKh came from Tescol. £233 unifom income", and £645 interest received on the Deposit Fund. Staff costs for the year were £119,467, eompaod to £111.692 for the prior year., an increase of £7,775 or 7%. The National Minimum Wage increased by 6.7% in April 2025. and we look the opportunty to recalibrate senior slaff pay at the Same lime, increasing the differenb'al to the minirnum wage, as the gap had been closing over recent years. Offsetting these increases, staff availability was regularly lower than budget. largety due to sickness. generating some financial Savings while plaGing the remaining staff under greater p￿SsUre. Total expenditure was £136,722 compared to £129,284 for the prior year. an increase of £7.488 or 6%. The Increase In staff costs was marginally offset by a small reduction in othercosts. This was driven ty a £1,466 ￿d￿CtIOn in maintenance costs as the onerffencing replaceTrtht cost in FY24was not repeated. offset 8galnst infiationary increases In Insurance, subscriptions and utslities costs. FY26 Outlook Looking ahead, we expect a significant one4)ff increase in maintenance expenditure in FY26 as the £5,000 Tesco Stronger Starts grant receNed this year is disbursed. At the start of FY26, our intake was d(yNn compared to September 2024, which has so far been offset by staff cost savings.. we were unable to find maternity cover for our manager al the end of FY25, though we have now replaced the o deparbng pr¥til￿nels in FY26. As we enter the Spring temi, we a￿ seeking to ￿tuM the setting to a full complement of both children and staff. Ind•p•nd•nt Examlnatlon The Independent examin'on of our accounts has been approved and signed by Strnets Chartered Accountants. F•llx B••$•n Tr•asur•r Section F Other optional information TAR March 2012 Document Classification: Internal Use- Trusted Parties

Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Slgned tsn b•half of thè ¢harity's trust••s Slgnaturè($ Full nam•lsl Posltlon (•.g., S•Gr•tary• Chalr, •tc} Rebecca Robinson Mutton Felix Beeson Chair Treasurer Dat• 2310112028 TAR t)ocument Classification.. Internal Use- Trusted P•rties Marth 2012

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGIANO ANO WALES 1184830 Recei ts and ments accounts CC16a For th• p•rlod from 01n)9r2024 To 31h)812025 Section A Receipts and payments Maln fund D•poslt fund Petty cash l• th• n•rnt ¢ t• th• n•w•#¢ •• th• n•&rn¥t£ Total funds Last y•ar t• th• nMrtst¢ t•th• n•r•Bt t A1 Ro¢•1 ts Fee income Oonalione Grant$ 143,823 25 143,490 302 109.550 242 UnifoTm Income Other Income 12 645 171 233 384 665 tota ross incon7e AR) 148.784 163.914 113,116 Ass•t and Inv•slm•nt MIM, ••• tabl•l. Sub total 140,704 108.•14 113,11¢ A3Pa ments In•ur•n¢¢ & Subicri Unilorrn Expendrture ConSUTnabio8ISlaivJn•ryicitranlno arden rnainlena Renl and rates ind c¢unC￿ lax Payroll and li Staff coils 3,122 3,122 288 J,too 3.823 2,017 132 3.799 3.483 86e 2.017 $90 119.487 304 1.382 119.467 111.892 881 1,199 2.711 84 962 129.284 Telephone and Inl8rne¢ and water rt Fundrai8ing colts Olher e ntsèi 1,382 971 136.640 •71 136.772 Sub lotal 132 A4 Asset and Inv•stm•nt urch48￿. 80• t*bl• Sub total 132 130772 Net of receipts/(payments) AS Transf•rs b•tsv••n funds A6 Cash funds last ywr end Cash fiinds thls year end 12.1 4,910 4,762 11.ts6 134 17.142 16.168 ,110 42,944 62.91 200 222 47,927 16,069 166 16,168 CCXX R1 acts)unls ISS)

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Catggorfes Detalls Maln fund D•po$lt fund Pgty ¢¥$h t• MrnSt£ t• n￿1•61 ¢ 81 Cash funds 11,995 52.918 Cath in HaTrJ 106 Total cash lunds 11,996 52,918 ￿￿￿$}1 OK Unr•strlct•d fund¥ OK Endowm•nt funds R•strlct•d fvnds Fund towhboh CMt Igptbonlll ¢urr•ntv•lu• Fund to t b•1• Cost 1•pu￿•1) C¥rr•nt v•1 B4 Ass•ts r•taln•d forth• chrlty's own us• Fund t• whJ•h Amount Wh•n d¥• lon*1 B6 Liabillti•s Tel￿ Granl to bg sperl by erKI 2025 Fund Signed by one or tnJsl8OB on boh4W of all tha tr¥&ta08 natsjre Print Name Dale of roval Fol￿ Boeson 22101r2026 Rebecca Robinson Mutton 22101r2026 CCXX R2 aceounts ISSI

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ Charity Name Potten End Pre School Association members of On accounts for the year 31 August 2025 Charity no 1164830 ended (if any) Set out on pages

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/08/2025.

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 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

• accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or

• the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

• Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

Date: 02/01/2026

Signed: Name: Alan Endersby Relevant professional FCA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: Streets S J Males Limited, Suite B1, Building 210, Butterfield, Great Marlings, Luton LU2 8DL

October 2018

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IER

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

None.

October 2018

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IER