Netherthong Pre-School & Out of School Club
Year ended 31st August 2024
Registered Charity No. 1174100
NETHERTHONG PRE-SCHOOL AND OUT OF SCHOOL CLUB REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2024
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Netherthong Pre-School & Out of School Club
Year ended 31st August 2024
Contents 1. Charity’s Details and Trustees ................................................................................................ 3 2. Report of the Trustees ............................................................................................................ 4 3. Independent Examiner’s Report.............................................................................................. 7 4. Receipts and Payments Account ............................................................................................ 8 5. Statement of Assets and Liabilities ....................................................................................... 9 6. Notes to the Accounts ........................................................................................................... 10
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Netherthong Pre-School & Out of School Club
Year ended 31st August 2024
1. Charity’s Details and Trustees
Trustees: the trustees during the period and up to and including the date the report was approved were:
| Rachel Beatson (co-chair) | appointed January 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Louise Atkinson (co-chair) | appointed January 2024 | |
| Abbey Hill | appointed October 2021 | Resigned May 2024 |
| Rebecca Morgan | appointed October 2021 | Resigned August 2024 |
| Adam Morgan | appointed November 2022 | Resigned November 2024 |
| Katie Hazeldine (treasurer) | appointed November 2022 |
Charity Number: 1174100 Registered Office and Address: Netherthong Pre-School and Out of School Club School Street Netherthong Holmfirth HD9 3EB Accountants: Holme Valley Accountancy Ltd Chartered Accountants 50 Dean Brook Road Holmfirth HD9 3UF Bankers: HSBC UK Bank PLC Cloth Hall Street Huddersfield HD1 2ES
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Netherthong Pre-School & Out of School Club
Year ended 31st August 2024
2. Report of the Trustees
The trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the period ended 31 August 2024. Legal and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Netherthong Pre-School and Out of School Club is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, which was registered with the Charity Commission on 2nd August 2017. It is governed by the Early Years Alliance Model Constitution 2013 which was adopted on 29th September 2017.
Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees
The appointment of trustees is governed by the constitution and is based on the election by members or trustees. Prior to appointment as trustees, all candidates must pass the relevant disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
To enhance the development and education of children primarily under statutory school age by encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups and by:
a) Offering appropriate play, education and care facilities, family learning and holiday clubs, together with the right of parents to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of such groups, ensuring that such groups offer opportunities for all children whatever their race, culture, religion, means or ability;
b) Encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs in the local areas;
c) Instigating and adhering to and furthering the aims and objects of the Early Years Alliance.
Significant activities
Prevention or relief from poverty:
By provision of low cost and accessible early years education to local residents. This also helps make employment more viable for parents of young children. The pre-school provides a local platform for parents to take advantage of government funding for early years’ education. It is likely that less well-off families would be unable to use this funding if they had to travel to the nearest other early years’ providers which are at some distance.
The advancement of education:
By provision of early years’ education.
The advancement of health:
By provision of information about healthy living and exercise and outdoor activity for young children.
The advancement of citizenship or community development:
The trustees of the preschool are local volunteers who gain experience in running a community organisation. Training is provided in areas such as child safeguarding. Frequent fundraising events involve the wider community.
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Year ended 31st August 2024
Public benefit statement
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular the advancement of education.
Achievements and performance
The setting continues to be popular in the community. In In November 2023 there were 55 on roll, and the setting continues to operate almost at full capacity . Numbers for next year continue to look healthy and hopefully we will continue to operate at full capacity. Despite lengthy struggles with recruitment of staff members, we are finishing the year in a strong position with a larger staff body, and we also have a selection of ‘bank staff’ available to call on if needed. This year has seen a change in leadership in the setting, with Abby White joining us in July 2024. Abby has quickly established herself and made rapid improvements to areas of weakness. Significant improvements are being made to communication strategies within the setting, and new HR frameworks are being used effectively.
We have maintained strong links with the primary school to ensure a smooth transition for our Butterfly children, and we continue to build strong relationships with families and the community. The setting prides itself on teamwork, having a strong work ethic and putting children first. The current framework of trustees includes established and new members, who all work together closely to support the running of the setting.
Winter: December-February 2024
The nativity took place at All Saints Church in Netherthong raising just under £500 for our pre-school. We held a Christmas stay and play for all children and families where we put on activities to celebrate Christmas. The 9.8% living wage increase was introduced so a 5% increase in fees was introduced, alongside a 5% increase in funding, to cover the costs. A change in core hours took place from 9:0015:30 to 9:00-15:00 to enable more detailed handovers with parents/carers. Rachel Beatson and Louise Atkinson took the roles of Co-Chairs of Trustees, and a handover took place between old and new Chairs.
Spring: March-May 2024
At this point in the year, the number of students on roll had increased and the setting was confirmed as full for the upcoming academic year. As such, Becca proposed a change in leadership structure by suggesting a Lead Caterpillar and Lead Butterfly role. The aim was to grow leadership from within the current staff body, and utilise practitioners strengths. Difficulties began with staffing, with some established staff leaving and low numbers of applicants for new posts. A number of other local childcare settings were advertising for practitioners at the same time, and competition was high. The leadership and Trustee team maintained optimism and worked well together to change tactics and find new ways to recruit effectively. We had the most success with using Kirklees jobs site as base for the roles, advertising through Holmfirth jobs, and promoting through word of mouth and social media.
A ‘mock Ofsted’ took place and feedback from Clare Cawthra was positive. The setting was judged as ‘good with outstanding features’. This was a real credit to the team, considering the pressures from low staffing levels. Abbey Hill stepped down as secretary and trustee, Rachel and Louise picked up the secretary role in the interim period.
We celebrated world book day by welcoming all children and families into setting for a Supertato themed Stay and Play. We held a Mother’s Day Stay and Play welcoming all mothers/grandmothers into setting for an afternoon tea and craft activities. We also held a gardening project one weekend and completely renovated the front garden area of the setting providing us with raised and low beds for growing our own produce for snack in setting. Thank you to everyone who helped us!
Summer: June-August 2024
Rebecca Morgan left her post as Pre-School manager and accepted a role as a primary school teacher. Abby White was recruited as the new manager, and a handover period began. The pre-school staff have been particularly warm and accommodating to help Abby settle in quickly. Gillie Crozier was a huge support during the transitional period. Abby also gave up a significant amount of her own time to ensure a smooth handover, for which we are really grateful. Abby has shown a real focus and
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Year ended 31st August 2024
determination to challenge and improve the weaknesses and inconsistencies, particularly with communication. A package with the Famly app was purchased to streamline communication, accident logs, permissions and invoicing. A package with Howarths was also purchased to outsource HR support. We ran our June half term holiday club at full capacity. We had many staff and children off sick this month with covid, chicken pox, hand foot and mouth and slapped cheek.
We planned a Father’s Day Stay and Play but unfortunately weren’t able to run this due to staff illness. We held a photography fundraising morning with our parent photographer Jodie Cross volunteering her time to take all the children’s photos. This raised nearly £400 for the setting. Thank you Jodie. A sports day took place on the school field, and the Trustees organised a successful leavers party for the Butterfly children. We were able to run our holiday club every week over the 6 weeks holidays providing our families of the setting with much needed summer childcare.
Autumn: September-November 2024
New computers and software were purchased through GlobalCS, who will also provide ongoing ad-hoc support. Gillie Crozier worked tirelessly to find the best possible packages for the pre-school. The government announced another increase in living wage, so further work was started to determine how this impacts the pre-school. Claire Cawthra came in to do a health and safety audit and the pre-school began work on advice she offered. Adam Morgan decided to step down from his trustee role and promotional material was created to try to recruit more trustees. This year’s nativity was booked in and preparations for the festivities began.
Building
Katie Hazeldine’s father, an architect, did a walk around the building and highlighted gutters as the an issue which needed solving. Improvements were made to the guttering, as well as the installation of new doors, new outdoor lighting and a new shed.
There is still a long-term aspiration to replace the building to include fundraising and possible finance of a new building, with a temporary relocation of the preschool during the building work.
Looking forward
This year has seen a large focus on leadership and management due to turbulence with staffing and the introduction of new policies and procedures. Moving forwards, we hope to be able to focus on 3 additional key areas to help move the setting towards an outstanding Ofsted judgement: behaviour and attitudes, quality of education and personal development.
Financial Overview
Significant work has been undertaken in the previous financial year to increase pupil numbers and we are at pupil capacity for the full financial year. Pupil numbers have been reviewed for the next financial year and advertising is currently taking place to ensure pupil numbers remain high.
The charity currently holds reserves of £85k and the aim of the charity is to at least break-even on operational costs without needing to subsidise running costs with these reserves. This has been achieved in the current financial year and the shortfall in the prior year has been made up as planned.
The Trustees have agreed that the Pre-School should ideally have unrestricted reserves equal to the sum of 6 months running costs. This is in order to protect the Pre-School against any unforeseen changes in funding, pupil numbers or other events. Any amounts built up above this are to be used against the capital repairs and maintenance of the Pre-School building which requires significant investment over the next few years. Staff pay was increased in April 2024 by 9.8% across the board in line with the increase in the national living wage, a pay review for existing staff will again be conducted in Spring 2025.
Signed on behalf of the board of trustees:
Signed: Name: Rachel Beatson and Louise Atkinson (Co-Chairs of Trustees)
Date: 07/01/25
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Year ended 31st August 2024
3. Independent Examiner’s Report
I report on the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 August 2024, which are set out on pages 9 to 11.
Respective responsibilities of the trustees and the examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under charity law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act, follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act and state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
- 2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
…………………………………
Holme Valley Accountancy Ltd Chartered Accountants
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Netherthong Pre-School & Out of School Club
Year ended 31st August 2024
4. Receipts and Payments Account
| Receipts and payments | Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds |
Total | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Receipts | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
| Early Education Funding | 162,810 | - | 162,810 | 69,268 | ||||
| Parents fees | 73,775 | - | 73,775 | 46,831 | ||||
| Fundraising | 937 | 937 | 933 | |||||
| Grants and donations | - | - | - | 375 | ||||
| Bank interest | 800 | - | 800 | 305 | ||||
| Total receipts | 238,322 | - | 238,322 | 117,712 | ||||
| Payments | ||||||||
| Employment costs | 150,370 | - | 150,370 | 98,510 | ||||
| Training and staff welfare | 566 | - | 566 | 732 | ||||
| Bank charges | 60 | 60 | 64 | |||||
| CRB checks | 566 | 566 | 507 | |||||
| Rent and rates | 1,425 | - | 1,425 | 1,425 | ||||
| Utilities, water and waste disposal | 7,451 | - | 7,451 | 5,900 | ||||
| Insurance | 1,364 | - | 1,364 | 1,177 | ||||
| Premises repairs and maintenance | 7,968 | 7,968 | 9,322 | |||||
| Catering | 10,344 | - | 10,344 | 4,741 | ||||
| Consumables | 1,334 | - | 1,334 | 2,568 | ||||
| Marketing | 138 | - | 138 | 267 | ||||
| Telephone | 2,235 | - | 2,235 | 2,124 | ||||
| Subscriptions and licenses | 1,373 | - | 1,373 | 1,287 | ||||
| Printing, stationary and photocopier | 1,827 | - | 1,827 | 1,554 | ||||
| Equipment | 22 | 22 | 206 | |||||
| Children's resources | 1,282 | 1,282 | 939 | |||||
| Setting resources | 3,164 | 3,164 | 1,723 | |||||
| Trips and activities | 3,699 | 3,699 | 924 | |||||
| Total payments | 195,188 | - | 195,188 | 133,969 | ||||
| Net receipts / (payments) | 43,134 | - | 43,134 | -16,257 | ||||
| Balances brought forward | 41,747 | - | 41,747 | 58,003 | ||||
| Balances carried forward | 84,881 | - | 84,881 | 41,747 |
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5. Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| Unrestricted Funds Restricte d Funds Total Total Cash Funds 2024 2024 2024 2023 HSBC current account 28,306 28,306 16,352 HSBC deposit account 56,011 56,011 25,211 Cash in hand 564 564 184 Total cash funds 84,881 - 84,881 41,747 ~~a~~ ~~eeeee~~ ~~ee~~ ~~ee ee~~ ~~ee~~ ~~ee~~ ~~0~~ ~~ee~~ ~~ee~~ ~~ee~~ ~~ee~~ ~~0~~ ~~ee~~ ~~ee~~ ~~ee~~ ~~ee~~ ~~0~~ ~~ee~~ ~~ee~~ ~~ee~~ |
|---|
| Unrestricted Funds Restricte d Funds Total Total Liabilities 2024 2024 2024 2024 ~~a~~ ~~eeeee~~ ~~Od~~ ~~OQ~~ |
| Nest pension 927 - 927 319 ~~pt~~ |
| HMRC 554 - 554 1,177 ~~pt~~ |
| 1,481 - 1,481 1,496 ~~pt~~ |
Assets retained for the charity's own use
The charity holds a number of items of equipment for use within the playgroup, including the modular building which houses the charity and computer equipment.
Approval of the accounts
The financial statements were approved at a meeting of the trustees and signed on its behalf by:
Signed
Name: Rachel Beatson and Louise Atkinson (Co-Chairs of Trustees)
Date: 7/1/25
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Netherthong Pre-School & Out of School Club
Year ended 31st August 2024
6. Notes to the Accounts
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The trustees have taken advantage of section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 and have prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis.
Taxation
As a registered charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
Fund accounting
All funds currently held are unrestricted funds, which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
2. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS
| Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds |
Total | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Gross salaries | 147,397 | - | 147,397 | 96,278 | ||||
| Social security costs |
657 | - | 657 | - | ||||
| Pension | 2,316 | - | 2,316 | 2,232 | ||||
| 150,370 | - | 150,370 | 98,510 |
The average number of employees during the year was 1 full time and 11 part-time (2023: 1 full time and 6 part-time). There were no employees with emoluments above £60,000.
3. TRUSTEE EXPENSES
There were no trustees' expenses paid neither for the period ended 31 August 2024 nor for the period ended 31 August 2023.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There were no related party transactions neither in the period to 31 August 2024 nor for the period to 31 August 2023 other than those detailed below.
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name of Trustee | Legal Authority | £ | £ | ||
| Rebecca Morgan | Constitution | 27,412 | 25,381 |
Remuneration and benefits
No employee, who is also a trustee, shall vote or sit in any trustee meeting at which any matters concerning or relating to the provision of their services to the Pre-school is considered by the trustees.
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Year ended 31st August 2024
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