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2026-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1169083

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

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 2026

Page
Report of the Trustees 1 to 4
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Cash Flow Statement 8
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 to 15
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 16

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2026. 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:

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.

ACHIEVEMENTS 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 2026 the number staff employed by the Centre is 21.

The National Living Wage levels were met and paid as from the 1st April 2025 and will also do so 1st April 2026. 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.

Page 1

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Buildings

Normal, expected routine maintenance costs have been incurred. All required inspections: fire, legionnaires, electrical, gas etc. have been made.

A thorough analysis of Health and Safety and Risk Assessments has been completed via our human resources consultants. The committee and mangers will continue to monitor and comply with of all aspects of health and safety matters concerning the building and the safety of staff, children and parents. We recognise this is an important aspect of the trustees legal obligations, particularly with regard to safeguarding, and as such will continue forever more.

During the year, the kitchen was improved with a new layout of cupboards and utilities. For this coming year 2026/27 there is to be an upgrade in the storage facility arrangements and layout of the Staff room and air conditioning units to be installed in each of the two classrooms.

The idea of having a quiet meeting room placed at the front of the building is being reconsidered.

We have 'Possessory title' of the 'car park land' across the road from the Centre. In 7 years' time (i.e. 2033) we 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.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

For detailed figures for the 2025/2026 year, please refer to the Financial report prepared by our auditors - Wright Vigar.

Figures in brackets are for the previous year 2024/2025 for comparison purposes.

Cash and Bank income and expenditure. The Children's Centre had excess expenditure over income for the year 2025/2026 of £40,959 (£6,702 excess expenditure over income).

Our four main streams of income brought in £536,347 (£471,185) and other income £61,994 (£45,045), = total income of £598,341 (£516,230). An increase of 15.9%.

Wages costs and employer pension contributions for the 25/26 year were £462,627 (£420,657). This constitutes 80.9% of our costs against our four main streams of income. This is within our target range of 80-85% of wages costs against our four main income streams.

All other costs amounted to £87,333 (£96,525). Total costs for the year £549,960 (£517,182). An increase of 6.3%.

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

The Fees, Wages and Finance Committee met in February 2026 to: set the wage rates to be paid to staff as at 1st April 2026 and to agree the fees charged to parents, also to take effect on the 1st April 2026.

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 2026/27. 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'. The trustees are content that the £140,000 invested with St James' Place, plus its growth of approximately £8,900 is adequate to cover the costs as defined by the Reserves policy above. The trustees may, after receiving independent financial advice, transfer further funds to the St James Place fund if it is deemed prudent and in the long-term best interests of the Centre.

Page 2

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

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 2026/27.

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.

The biggest impact on costs is the rise in the National Living Wage and employers national insurance contributions. We budget the increase in wage rates for the year 2026/27 will push our wages and pensions costs up approximately £20,000, to around £480,000.

All of this has been considered in our budgeting for the year. As a result, the trustees have, for the year 2026/27 felt it necessary to slightly increase our fees for the services we provide to our parents and carers - to come into effect on the 1st April 2026 in order to ensure the sustainability of the Centre.

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.

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 in 2026/27. The Ofsted Inspection in July 2025 proved that we are GOOD at doing this.

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 Mrs S R Proctor

Page 3

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Independent Examiner

James Sewell BA (Hons) FCA CTA Wright Vigar Limited Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers Northgate House Northgate Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 7BZ 16/06/2026 Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:

Stephen Brown

Stephen Brown (Jun 16, 2026 09:20:23 GMT+1)

........................................................................

S L Brown - Trustee

Page 4

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 2026.

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 16, 2026 12:10:42 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: .............................................

Page 5

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

2026
Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
2
598,341
Investment income
3
1,340
Total
599,681
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
4
Charitable activities
549,960
Other
8,762
Total
558,722
Net gains on investments
6,508
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
47,467
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
244,907
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
292,374
2025
Total
funds
£
516,230
1,841
518,071
517,182
7,591
524,773
2,443
(4,259)
249,166
244,907

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Balance Sheet

31 March 2026

2026
Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
9
37,472
Investments
10
148,908
186,380
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
11
9,021
Cash at bank and in hand
117,928
126,949
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
12
(20,955)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
105,994
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
292,374
NET ASSETS
292,374
FUNDS
13
Unrestricted funds
292,374
TOTAL FUNDS
292,374
2025
Total
funds
£
33,256
84,650
117,906
10,832
126,652
137,484
(10,483)
127,001
244,907
244,907
244,907
244,907

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by: 16/06/2026 Stephen Brown .............................................Stephen Brown (Jun 16, 2026 09:20:23 GMT+1) S L Brown - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Cash Flow Statement

for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
1
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of fixed asset investments
Interest received
Net cash (used in)/provided by 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
2026
£
60,664
60,664
(12,978)
(57,750)
1,340
(69,388)
(8,724)
126,652
117,928
2025
£
(8,045)
(8,045)
(1,257)
-
1,841
584
(7,461)
134,113
126,652

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 8

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Notes to the Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

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

ACTIVITIES
2026 2025
£ £
Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the
Statement of Financial Activities) 47,467 (4,259)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges 8,762 7,591
Gain on investments (6,508) (2,443)
Interest received (1,340) (1,841)
Decrease in debtors 1,811 1,469
Increase/(decrease) in creditors 10,472 (8,562)
Net cash provided by/(used in) operations 60,664 (8,045)

2.

ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

At 1.4.25 Cash flow At 31.3.26
£ £ £
Net cash
Cash at bank and in hand 126,652 (8,724) 117,928
126,652 (8,724) 117,928
Total 126,652 (8,724) 117,928

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 9

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

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
2026
£
50,293
395,237
90,817
-
61,994
598,341
2025
£
33,615
339,080
96,988
1,502
45,045
516,230

Page 10

continued...

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

3. INVESTMENT INCOME

INVESTMENT INCOME
Deposit account interest
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
Charitable activities
SUPPORT COSTS
Charitable activities
2026
£
1,340
Support
Direct
costs (see
Costs
note 5)
£
£
544,654
5,306
Governance
Finance
costs
£
£
2,605
2,701
2025
£
1,841
Totals
£
549,960
Totals
£
5,306

4. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

5.

6. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2026 nor for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2026 nor for the year ended 31 March 2025.

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.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
Investment income
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Charitable activities
Other
2026
2025
£
£
444,162
402,703
18,465
17,954
462,627
420,657
2026
2025
21
21
Unrestricted
fund
£
516,230
1,841
518,071
517,182
7,591

8. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

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continued...

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

8. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued

Unrestricted
fund
£
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

9.

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Improvements
Fixtures
to
and
Computer
property
fittings
equipment
£
£
£
COST
At 1 April 2025
42,747
14,348
8,382
Additions
-
12,978
-
At 31 March 2026
42,747
27,326
8,382
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2025
16,260
9,266
6,695
Charge for year
4,274
3,352
1,136
At 31 March 2026
20,534
12,618
7,831
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2026
22,213
14,708
551
At 31 March 2025
26,487
5,082
1,687
Totals
£
65,477
12,978
78,455
32,221
8,762
40,983
37,472
33,256

10. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
Unlisted
investments
£
MARKET VALUE
At 1 April 2025 84,650
Additions 57,750
Revaluations 6,508
At 31 March 2026 148,908
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2026 148,908
At 31 March 2025 84,650

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 2026

10. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS - continued

Cost or valuation at 31 March 2026 is represented by:

Unlisted
investments
£
Valuation in 2022 134
Valuation in 2023 (1,930)
Valuation in 2024 8,003
Valuation in 2025 2,443
Valuation in 2026 4,258
Cost 136,000
148,908
11. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2026 2025
£ £
Other debtors 9,021 10,832
12. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2026 2025
£ £
Taxation and social security 8,978 6,038
Other creditors 11,977 4,445
20,955 10,483
13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
movement At
At 1.4.25 in funds 31.3.26
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 244,907 47,467 292,374
TOTAL FUNDS 244,907 47,467 292,374
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 599,681 (558,722) 6,508 47,467
TOTAL FUNDS 599,681 (558,722) 6,508 47,467

Page 13

continued...

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

13. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparatives for 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
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 518,071 (524,773) 2,443 (4,259)
TOTAL FUNDS 518,071 (524,773) 2,443 (4,259)

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

Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS
Net
movement
At 1.4.24
in funds
£
£
249,166
43,208
249,166
43,208
At
31.3.26
£
292,374
292,374

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
1,117,752
(1,083,495)
TOTAL FUNDS
1,117,752
(1,083,495)
Gains and
Movement
losses
in funds
£
£
8,951
43,208
8,951
43,208

Page 14

continued...

St Thomas' Children's Centre

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2026

14. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2026.

Page 15

St Thomas' Children's Centre

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
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Support costs
Finance
Bank charges
Card charges
Governance costs
Accountancy and payroll services
Total resources expended
Net income/(expenditure)
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
2026
£
50,293
395,237
90,817
-
61,994
598,341
1,340
599,681
444,162
18,465
6,000
1,708
3,191
4,872
923
3,273
3,503
19,056
477
606
11,227
5,103
9,140
1,417
11,186
345
544,654
8,762
2,297
308
2,605
2,701
558,722
40,959
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
7,591
195
213
408
2,524
524,773
(6,702)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 16