2025-07-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1[st ] August 2024 Period start date To 31[st ] July 2025 Period end date

Charity name: Whitsers Pre-School Playgroup

Charity registration number: 1165455

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The playgroup aims to enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age. This is achieved by offering appropriate play and learning facilities while ensuring equal opportunities for all children, promoting the playgroup within the local community and adhering to the Pre-School Learning Alliance Code of practice.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	Whitsers Pre-School Playgroup provides public benefit by: Offering playgroup sessions for local children aged 2.5 – 4 years. Sessions are offered 5 mornings and 3 afternoons per week in term time. Providing a caring, stimulating and fun environment for play, creative and learning activities in accordance with the Early Years curriculum. Organising occasional outings locally, and playgroup events. Providing each family with a Key Worker, responsible for ensuring the child’s welfare and recording their development. Working closely with local schools to ensure a smooth transition. The Playgroup is OFSTED registered and employs five members of staff (part time). It is led by a playgroup leader, and two deputy playgroup leaders.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have	Para 1.18	The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the

had regard to the guidance Charity Commission's general guidance on issued by the Charity public benefit when reviewing the charity's Commission on public aim and objectives and in planning future benefit activities.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	The playgroup relies on volunteers to fulfil roles on the committee and organise fundraising, which is often key to the playgroup's financial survival.
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	This year the staff and committee have risen to the challenge of rising costs again this year. Admissions: September 2024 opened with 18 children on the register, 9 of those were under 3. Year ended with 27 children attending, with 4 under 3. Children: Some of our highlights of the year included the theme of light and dark. The children learned about road safety and had a visit from the local police officers, they arrived in their police cars, and we had the chance to see a stinger. We celebrated Halloween and had our own haunted house, carved pumpkins and dissected a sweetcorn plant. The children were fascinated by the car park relaying and enjoyed watching the big diggers and ‘wackers’ at work. We marked Remembrance Day by visiting the village war memorial to lay the Whitsers wreath. The children showed great respect as we talked about the importance of remembering others. As always, Christmas brought sparkle and joy — and plenty of

glitter! The children put on a truly wonderful nativity play, with a record number of families joining us to watch and celebrate together. We welcomed the New Year with a celebration of the Lunar New Year, making a vibrant dragon’s head for our dragon dancing. The children helped prepare vegetables for a stir-fry snack, exploring new tastes and traditions. Valentine’s Day filled Whitsers with pink, red, and plenty of love-themed crafts and activities. For Mother’s Day, the children created special surprises, and our Easter egg hunt was a huge success — helped by the generous donation of eggs Summer brought warmer weather, time spent exploring our outside area. We enjoyed a fantastic outing to Audley End, where we discovered dinosaurs, fairy houses and explored the grounds with all of our families. During VE Day, we honoured the occasion with cream teas for snack, learning a little about history while enjoying a special treat. The children also took an interest in the Women’s Euros, exploring maps and flags from around the world to learn about different countries. We ended our year with our End of Term Party before saying goodbye to our preschoolers, who were off to “Big School.” Overall, this year we raised £2,156.10

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set Performance of fundraising Para 1.41 activities against objectives set Investment performance Para 1.41 against objectives Other

Financial Review

**Financial Review **
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Total Reserves stand at £44,388.
Statement explaining the	Para 1.22	Reserves currently equate to approximately

policy for holding reserves stating why they are held		48.69% of the charity's annual expenditure.
Number of reserves held	Para 1.22	As above.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal Para 1.47 sources of funds (including any fundraising) Investment policy and Para 1.46 objectives including any social investment policy adopted A description of the principal Para 1.46 risks facing the charity Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution of the Pre-School Learning Alliance.
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated	Para 1.25	Charitable Incorporated Organisation (ClO).

association, CIO)
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Trustees are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures Para 1.51 adopted for the induction and training of trustees The charity’s organisational Para 1.51 structure and any wider network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Whitsers Pre-School Playgroup
Other name the charity uses	Whitsers
Registered charity number	1165455
Charity’s principal address	Memorial Hall Mill Lane Whittlesford Cambridgeshire CB22 4NE

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
Anna Genevier	Chair
Jessica Reeve	Secretary
Kim Holtby	Treasurer
Diane Thorburn	HR
Kate Thorburn	Ofsted

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how these falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustee

Signature(s)
Full name(s)	Catharine Thorburn	BeverleyArnold

Position (eg Ofsted Trustee/Playleader Administrator Secretary, Chair etc)

Date:

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