Trustees. Annual Report for the period
Period stsrt date
Penc*J 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
D*t•s A¢t•d fil ntst lor T*hol•
Trust•• nam•
Offlc• Ilf any)
N*m• 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 sumff*r 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 peric*Js 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 r*t
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• M*rnSt£
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•
ch*rlty'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** 

1 

**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** 

2 

**IER**