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2025-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1169083

Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 for St Thomas' Children's Centre

Wright Vigar Limited Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers Northgate House Northgate Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 7BZ

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 3
Independent Examiner's Report 4
Statement of Financial Activities 5
Balance Sheet 6
Cash Flow Statement 7
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement 8
Notes to the Financial Statements 9 to 14
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 15

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims

The objectives of the charity are:

The charity works for the public benefit having as its objectives the development and education of children and young people in particular by:

6) To advance and develop the education and training of the staff and management team who provide the care, education and recreational facilities.

It is our duty to ensure all that we do works towards achieving these objectives by using the powers the constitution affords us.

We are very aware of our importance in the community for providing good quality care for children, to parents who need to go out to work and our status as an employer of 21 members of staff.

Public benefit

When reviewing the charity's objective's and aims in planning future activities the trustees have considered the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit.

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

The charity's activities are to provide a breakfast club, pre school and kids' club for children in the local area.

Demand for our services across the three sections was good and steadily increasing.

The Pre-school is registered by Ofsted to take 68 children per session.

We are pleased to report attendance for the holiday clubs is steadily increasing.

Employment

As at 31st March 2025 the number staff employed by the Centre is 21.

The National Living Wage levels were met and paid as from the 1st April 2024 and will also do so 1st April 2025. Auto enrolment pensions regulations are being complied with.

Staff ratios per child have been legally adhered to. When possible, the Centre Managers have reduced levels of staffing per session when possible to do so, in order to keep wages costs to a minimum.

Buildings

There have only been the expected routine maintenance costs incurred. All required inspections have been made (fire, etc.).

A thorough analysis of Health and Safety and Risk Assessments has been completed via our human resources consultants. This is an important aspect of the trustees legal obligations to ensure the safety and well-being of all of the children, parents and staff who use our building and as such will continue forever more.

During this year, the building was decorated and improvements to the outside ground play area. During 2025/26 it is hoped, subject to financial considerations to upgrade the kitchen. The idea of having a meeting room placed at the front of the building will not materialize due to planning regulation issues.

We have 'Possessory title' of the 'car park land' across the road from the Centre land and in 12 years' time (i.e. 2033) should apply for 'Absolute title'. The land can only be used as a car park and cannot be built upon.

We lease the building from Lincolnshire County Council on a ten-year lease. The lease has recently been successfully renewed to the 29th February 2032. The process of registering the lease with the Land Registry has been completed.

Page 1

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

For detailed figures, please refer to the Financial report prepared by our auditors - Wright Vigar. Figures in brackets are for the previous year 2023/2024 for comparison purposes.

Cash and Bank income and expenditure. The Children's Centre had excess expenditure over income for the year of £6,702 (£52,753 excess income over expenditure).

Our four main streams of income brought in £471,185 (£447,157) and other income £45,045 (£52,285), = total income of £516,230 (£499,442).

Wages costs and employer pension contributions for the year were £420,657 (£358,234). This constitutes 81.5% of our costs against our total income. This is within our target range of 80-85% of wages cost against our income.

All other costs amounted to £104,116 (£89,295). Total costs for the year £524,773 (£447,529).

Detailed financial monitoring has been taking place over the year to ensure the long-term financial viability of the Centre. Happily, this has been achieved.

The Fees, Wages and Finance Committee met in January 2025 to set the wage rates to be paid to staff as at 1st April 2025 and to agree the fees charged to parents, also to take effect on the 1st April 2025.

The current method of short-termly financial monitoring of the income and expenses of the Centre will continue by the Chairman, Managers and Committee in the coming year.

The growth in demand for our services this year : the Breakfast Club, Pre-school and after school Kid's Club has continued. These services have very nearly reached full capacity, meaning there is little room for further growth in numbers of children we can take for the coming year 2025/26. The Holiday Club has, at the moment, spaces available to take more children, although this has already also seen a significant rise in the number of children attending.

Reserves policy

The reserves policy of the charity is to maintain unrestricted funds at a sufficient level which enables the charity to be able to plan, organise and operate future activities. Reserves are also held in the event of having to wind down and/or close the Centre, for example redundancy payments and the cost, in a practical sense, of quitting the premises. The reserves at the year-end date are at a level which the trustees consider to be an adequate level. The trustees will continue to monitor the reserves held by the charity.

The 'contingency reserve fund' held with St James' Place, has now recovered in value to above our investment of £80,000, having initially been hit by service costs and by national political and international events. It is considered there is likely to be a more stable rise in the value of the fund from now on. The committee will constantly monitor how much money is in the HSBC deposit account and may, after receiving independent financial advice, transfer further funds to the St James Place fund when it is deemed prudent and in the best long-term interests of the Centre.

FUTURE PLANS

Initial indications of attendance numbers across the four 'departments' of the Children's Centre activities are good and, subject to our capacity numbers will rise for the coming year 2025/26

The fact we are reaching full capacity in the number of children we can take, will mean we cannot rely on rising numbers to expand the Centre nor to cover the growing costs of running the Centre. There is a limit.

All of this has been considered in our budgeting for the year. We have had to slightly increase our fees for the services we provide to our parents and carers in order to ensure the sustainability of the Centre.

The biggest impact on costs is the rise in the National Living Wage and the increase in employers national insurance contributions. We budget the increase in wage rates for the year 2025/26 will push our wages and pensions costs up a further £40,000, to £460,000.

As a result, the trustees have for the year 2025/26 felt it necessary to increase the fees payable by parents to come into effect on the 1st April 2025.

Monthly monitoring of income and expenditure will take place to ensure the long-term financial well-being of the Centre.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed according to its constitution and its registered number is 1169083. It was established on 8 September 2016 to take forward the work of the unincorporated charity which had the charity registered charity number of 1081559.

Page 2

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees are recruited from parents and Carers who express an interest in wanting to 'put something back into the community' by volunteering to be on the trustees committee.

Persons or organisations from the wider community not directly involved with the Children's centre are also considered for membership.

  1. Prospective trustees are interviewed by the Chairman and existing committee.

  2. If both parties are willing to proceed, then the induction process is started.

Organisational structure

The members of the committee shall meet not less than five times per year.

Conclusion

In the day-to-day work of the Centre, providing quality care, education and recreation for all of the children who use the Centre, we can no doubt look forward to another successful year 2024/25.

The staff, their dedication and quality of work are the most valuable asset of the Centre. The Centre's success is down to the hard work and dedication of the staff and management for which we are all incredibly grateful. The parents and children who use the Centre can be confident they are using one of the best child-care services in the area.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Charity number

1169083

Principal address

Wyberton Low Road Boston Lincolnshire PE21 7RZ

Trustees

Mrs A L Smith (resigned 6.5.25) S L Brown Mrs K L Wilkinson Mrs E L Martin E J Larkin Mrs E L Wright (appointed 31.3.25) Mrs S R Proctor (appointed 31.3.25)

Independent Examiner

James Sewell BA (Hons) FCA CTA Wright Vigar Limited Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers Northgate House Northgate Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 7BZ

18/06/2025

Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

Stephen Brown

Stephen Brown (Jun 18, 2025 06:51 GMT+1) ........................................................................

S L Brown - Trustee

Page 3

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of St Thomas' Children's Centre

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of St Thomas' Children's Centre

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of St Thomas' Children's Centre (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation 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 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

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 Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  2. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of 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 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.

James Sewell

James Sewell (Jun 18, 2025 08:26 GMT+1)

James Sewell BA (Hons) FCA CTA The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Wright Vigar Limited Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers Northgate House Northgate Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 7BZ

Date: .............................................18/06/2025

Page 4

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

2025
Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
516,230
Investment income
3
1,841
Total
518,071
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
4
Charitable activities
517,182
Other
7,591
Total
524,773
Net gains on investments
2,443
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
(4,259)
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
249,166
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
244,907
2024
Total
funds
£
499,442
840
500,282
440,555
6,974
447,529
8,003
60,756
188,410
249,166

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 5

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Balance Sheet

31 March 2025

2025
Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
9
33,256
Investments
10
84,650
117,906
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
11
10,832
Cash at bank and in hand
126,652
137,484
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
12
(10,483)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
127,001
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
244,907
NET ASSETS
244,907
FUNDS
13
Unrestricted funds
244,907
TOTAL FUNDS
244,907
2024
Total
funds
£
39,591
82,207
121,798
12,301
134,113
146,414
(19,046)
127,368
249,166
249,166
249,166
249,166

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by: 18/06/2025 Stephen Brown ............................................. Stephen Brown (Jun 18, 2025 06:51 GMT+1) S L Brown - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Cash Flow Statement

for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
1
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Interest received
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in
the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of
the reporting period
2025
£
(8,045)
(8,045)
(1,257)
1,841
584
(7,461)
134,113
126,652
2024
£
62,542
62,542
(7,037)
840
(6,197)
56,345
77,768
134,113

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Notes to the Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1. RECONCILIATION OF NET (EXPENDITURE)/INCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITIES
2025 2024
£ £
Net (expenditure)/income for the reporting period (as per the
Statement of Financial Activities) (4,259) 60,756
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges 7,591 6,974
Gain on investments (2,443) (8,003)
Interest received (1,841) (840)
Decrease/(increase) in debtors 1,469 (3,486)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors (8,562) 7,141
Net cash (used in)/provided by operations (8,045) 62,542

2.

ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

At 1.4.24 Cash flow At 31.3.25
£ £ £
Net cash
Cash at bank and in hand 134,113 (7,461) 126,652
134,113 (7,461) 126,652
Total 134,113 (7,461) 126,652

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, 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 Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

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.

Improvements to property - 10% on cost
Fixtures and fittings - 20% on cost
Computer equipment - 33% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from 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.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
Pre-school fees
Pre-school funding
Out of school fees
Hot dinners
Other income
2025
£
33,615
339,080
96,988
1,502
45,045
516,230
2024
£
40,948
319,500
83,246
3,463
52,285
499,442

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continued...

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

3. INVESTMENT INCOME

INVESTMENT INCOME
Deposit account interest
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
Charitable activities
SUPPORT COSTS
Charitable activities
2025
£
1,841
Support
Direct
costs (see
Costs
note 5)
£
£
514,250
2,932
Governance
Finance
costs
£
£
408
2,524
2024
£
840
Totals
£
517,182
Totals
£
2,932

4. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

5.

6. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

7. STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries
Other pension costs
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
Employees
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
8.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
Investment income
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Charitable activities
Other
2025
2024
£
£
402,703
342,710
17,954
15,524
420,657
358,234
2025
2024
21
22
Unrestricted
fund
£
499,442
840
500,282
440,555
6,974

Page 10

continued...

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

8. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued

Unrestricted
fund
£
Total 447,529
Net gains on investments 8,003
NET INCOME 60,756
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward 188,410
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 249,166

9.

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Improvements
Fixtures
to
and
Computer
property
fittings
equipment
£
£
£
COST
At 1 April 2024
42,747
13,091
8,382
Additions
-
1,257
-
At 31 March 2025
42,747
14,348
8,382
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2024
11,985
7,130
5,514
Charge for year
4,275
2,136
1,181
At 31 March 2025
16,260
9,266
6,695
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2025
26,487
5,082
1,687
At 31 March 2024
30,762
5,961
2,868
Totals
£
64,220
1,257
65,477
24,629
7,592
32,221
33,256
39,591

10. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
Unlisted
investments
£
MARKET VALUE
At 1 April 2024 82,207
Revaluations 2,443
At 31 March 2025 84,650
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2025 84,650
At 31 March 2024 82,207

There were no investment assets outside the UK.

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continued...

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

10. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS - continued

Cost or valuation at 31 March 2025 is represented by:

Unlisted
investments
£
Valuation in 2022 134
Valuation in 2023 (1,930)
Valuation in 2024 8,003
Valuation in 2025 2,443
Cost 76,000
84,650
11. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2025 2024
£ £
Other debtors 10,832 12,301
12. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2025 2024
£ £
Taxation and social security 6,038 4,346
Other creditors 4,445 14,700
10,483 19,046
13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
movement At
At 1.4.24 in funds 31.3.25
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 249,166 (4,259) 244,907
TOTAL FUNDS 249,166 (4,259) 244,907
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Gains and Movement
resources expended losses in funds
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 518,071 (524,773) 2,443 (4,259)
TOTAL FUNDS 518,071 (524,773) 2,443 (4,259)

Page 12

continued...

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net
movement At
At 1.4.23 in funds 31.3.24
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 188,410 60,756 249,166
TOTAL FUNDS 188,410 60,756 249,166
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Gains and Movement
resources expended losses in funds
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 500,282 (447,529) 8,003 60,756
TOTAL FUNDS 500,282 (447,529) 8,003 60,756

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Net
movement
At 1.4.23
in funds
£
£
188,410
56,497
188,410
56,497
At
31.3.25
£
244,907
244,907

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming
Resources
resources
expended
£
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
1,018,353
(972,302)
TOTAL FUNDS
1,018,353
(972,302)
Gains and
Movement
losses
in funds
£
£
10,446
56,497
10,446
56,497

Page 13

continued...

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Page 14

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Pre-school fees
Pre-school funding
Out of school fees
Hot dinners
Other income
Investment income
Deposit account interest
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities
Wages
Pensions
Rent
Water
Insurance
Light and heat
Telephone
Stationery
Sundries
Activity items
Children's gifts
Staff uniform
Premises expenses
Cleaning
Subscriptions
Training costs
Refreshments
Hot dinners
Other
Improvements to property
Fixtures and fittings
Computer equipment
Support costs
Finance
Bank charges
Card charges
Governance costs
Accountancy and payroll services
Total resources expended
Net (expenditure)/income
2025
£
33,615
339,080
96,988
1,502
45,045
516,230
1,841
518,071
402,703
17,954
5,500
1,547
2,094
7,504
1,025
3,297
3,697
10,501
341
162
28,352
4,732
9,258
1,251
10,184
4,148
514,250
4,274
2,136
1,181
7,591
195
213
408
2,524
524,773
(6,702)
2024
£
40,948
319,500
83,246
3,463
52,285
499,442
840
500,282
342,710
15,524
6,000
563
2,047
8,546
901
3,069
3,159
11,899
718
1,104
11,850
3,985
7,298
2,679
8,904
6,780
437,736
4,275
1,291
1,408
6,974
140
322
462
2,357
447,529
52,753

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 15