Trustees' Annual Report
From: 01/09/2020 To: 31/08/2021 Charity's full name Heslington Pre-School Registered Charity number 1171372
Objectives and activities
Summary of the purposes of the charity set out in its governing document
To enhance the development and education of children by offering appropriate play, education and care facilities.
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
Provision of ten pre-school sessions per week throughout the school year. Sessions included focused educational play and enhancement of skills (e.g. gross and fine motor skills). Pre-school children were placed into groups with their keyworker to enhance social interaction as well as to provde individual support, including English language skills, especially to those children who have a different first language. The learning journeys of children were recorded via photographs and accompanying observations.
The trustees consider that they have complied with their duties to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
The help of volunteers formed a very important part in Heslington Pre-School's activities. The committee is made up entirely of volunteers, aimed at achieving the best possible provision for the children and work environment for our staff members. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the activities which used to be held in the past no longer took place. The help of volunteers outside of the committee was now extremely limited with improvements to the outside area being one of the only activities where non-committee members helped as well.
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Achievements and performance
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.
Every year we see a confident cohort of children transition to primary school. Through our sessions we have continued to help children to learn and develop important social skills such as taking turns, staying safe, basic hygiene, communication and language development, teamwork and conflict resolution. These are skills that they will take with them into school and beyond. In addition, the pre-school sessions provide childcare giving an opportunity for parents/carers to take on other activities e.g. return to work, volunteer, provide focused care for (an)other individual(s). Sadly, due to the pandemic, the toddler sessions were closed.
Many thanks to all those who have supported us in whichever way during this period.
Financial review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period
We are glad to have finally transferred to a CIO. The transfer took place at midnight on 31 August 2020 and so our income is artificially high - receiving finances/assets from the unincorporated charity (charity number 1018521). Numbers started off very low then increased significantly during a period of ca. 6 months. The need for professionals for varying issues (e.g. payments after becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation) meant expenses in this area remained relatively high.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held
We continued to hold a reserve to enable us to cover our assessment of final costs in the event of setting closure, including staff redundancy pay entitlements, payments due on early termination of the licence agreement and other winding down costs.
Amount of reserves held
£21,963 of unrestricted reserve
Reasons for holding zero reserves
N/A
Funds materially in deficit
N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern
N/A
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Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity's trusts
Type of governing document Constitution (e.g. trust deed, royal charter) How the charity is constituted (e.g Charitable Incorporated Organisation unincorporated association, CIO) Trustee selection methods including details Apart from the first Trustees, every Trustee must be appointed for a of any constitutional provisions e.g. term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened election to post or name of any person or meeting of the Trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as body entitled to appoint one or more Trustees, the Trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and trustees experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
Reference and administration details
Charity's full name Heslington Pre-School (a CIO) Other names the charity is known by Charity’s principal address c/o Lord Deramore's Primary School School Lane, Heslington York Postcode YO10 5EE
Names of the trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Majimcha de Lange | Treasurer | |||
| Fiona MacDonald | Chair | |||
| Jenny Precious-Young | ||||
| Bev Ward | Secretary |
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Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee | name | Dates | acted | if | not | for | whole | year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A |
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Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Names and addresses of advisers (OPTIONAL)
Type of adviser Name Address
Independent Examiner To follow with accounts Bankers
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees Annual Report and Accounts
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees
Signature Full Name Enter full name here Position e.g. Secretary, Chair etc Date Enter date of signing
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