2025-03-31-accounts - Marlow Opportunity Playgroup

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Trustees Annual Report for the period 1 April 2024 — 31 March 2025

Charity Name: Marlow Opportunity Playgroup Registered Charity number: 1177581

Charity's principal address :

Scout HQ

Watery Lane

Woburn Green

HP10 ONE

Names of the charity Trustees who manage the charity:

Paul Finch, Chair
John Prout, Vice-Chair
Sherida Atherton, Treasurer (retired November 2025)
Catherine Austin, Governance, Treasurer
Susan Smith, Secretary
Jane Gibbons

Structure, Governance and Management

The year ended March 2025, was our fourth full financial year as a CIO. Marlow Opportunity playgroup operated for many years as an unincorporated charity with all assets moved to the CIO effective January 1st 2021.

The CIO operates under a Foundation Model Constitution and currently holds an Outstanding Ofsted rating (Ofsted URN 2576749, last inspected on 22 November 2022).

Objectives and Activities

Our objectives and activities remain to provide a safe, caring and stimulating environment where children, primarily with special needs, can learn through play. To operate under charitable status managed by a voluntary committee and run by qualified staff.

The main activities undertaken for the public benefit are:

To advance the education of children, in particular but not exclusively, those with special needs through the provision of nursery and pre-school care.

To advance the education and training of persons in the provision of such pre-school care.

Achievements and Performance

The year ended March 2025 was successful and rewarding for Marlow Opportunity Playgroup (MOP), delivering a full and varied programme to our current cohort of special children.

The children on MOP’s register have a wide range of complex physical, learning and medical needs that require a high staff to child ratio (often 1:1) and lots of therapeutic input. This is very expensive and only the generous donations we receive from organisations and individuals make this possible. MOP is very fortunate to receive fantastic financial support from the local community as well as from national grant-making bodies.

Demand for places at MOP is high. We currently have 68 places per week, with 25 children on our register. There are currently fifteen children on the waiting list, to whom we are currently unable to offer a place.

We always look for ways to enhance the playgroup by offering a variety of rich and diverse experiences that help to develop each child’s potential. Donations and grants help MOP to offer a full programme of music therapy as well as all the essential opportunities for these special children to learn through play and therapy.

Future Outlook

Over the course of the financial year in review, Bucks Council ceased to provide the High Needs Block Funding (HNBF), which formed an essential component of our sustainability over the past few years. HNBF provided additional financial support to MOP for children who do not have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and as such, are not provided with additional funding. MOP works with the families and therapists involved to develop EHCPs, but these are often in place only in time for the child to move onto their next setting. The High Needs Block Funding was effectively ‘topping up’ the Early Years Funding in recognition that MOP provides a vastly different level of support to mainstream settings. In the year to March 2024, the HNBF received by MOP was £20,473 and from September 2024 this had ceased completely. Bucks Council have however identified a new funding source, and in November 2025 MOP has received both a sustainability grant and an Exceptional Support Request payment in recognition of the higher needs of our children, and the essential community resource MOP provides.

The Trustees have also been pursuing alternative funding opportunities, and a huge amount of support was provided by other organisations in the year ended March 2025. In particular, the Bernard Lewis Family Charitable Trust donated £30,000 and have pledged the same for the next two years. The Rothschild Foundation have also committed £10,000 per year for three years, and The National Lottery Community Fund (finalised in August 2024) provides £30,000 per year for five years. We are therefore confident that Marlow Opportunity Playgroup remains a viable going concern.

Financial Performance

MOP received income over the financial year of £337k, of which 68% comes from grants and donations. Expenses for the year were £308k resulting in an operating surplus of £29.7k. This small boost to our reserves covers the prior year’s deficit.

Reserves

It is the intention of the Trustees to build a reserve equal to nine months’ operating costs. Based on the year ended March ’25, the intended reserve equates to £228k. Our ambition is to ensure that if one of our main funding sources is discontinued, we could remain open until alternative provision is found for the children on the register. At year-end, reserves stand at £183k, which is £45k short of our target.

Independent Examination

The accounts have been reviewed and approved by an Independent Examiner, in line with Charity Commission guidance. Michelle Heer was appointed as our Independent Examiner for the year ended March 2025.

Declaration

The Trustees declare that they have approved the trustee's report above. Signed on behalf on the charity's trustees

Signature(s)

Full name(s) Paul Finch Position CHAIRMAN TRUSTEE

MARLOW OPPORTUNITY PLAYGROUP

Registered Charity number 1177581

Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Income 3[a] Activities for generating funds 3[b] Investment income 3[c] TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES USED Charitable activities 4 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED NET INCOMING RESOURCES / [EXPENDITURE] TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD AT 1 APRIL BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT 31 MARCH	Unrestricted funds 287,968 16,986 2,057 307,011 277,267 277,267 29,744 - 29,744	Restricted funds 30,400 30,400 30,400 30,400 - - -	Total funds 2025 Total funds 2024 318,368 275,994 16,986 14,085 2,057 2,071 337,411 292,150 307,667 314,480 307,667 314,480 29,744 (22,330) - - 29,744 (22,330) 153,839 176,169 183,583 153,839

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

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Notes 2024-25 2023-24
FIXED ASSETS - -
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash in bank and in hand 13,956 9,824
Short term deposits 172,561 130,504
Debtor - BCC Spring Term payments 5 - 16,595
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 186,517 156,923
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Sundry creditors and accruals 6 2,933 3,083
Deferred income 7
NET CURRENT ASSETS 183,584 153,840
TOTAL NET ASSETS 183,584 153,840
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For the year ending 31 March 2025, the organisation was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.

Signed: ............................................ Paul Finch

Notes to the accounts

Note 1 Basis of preparation

1.1 Basis of accounting

These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost (except that investments are shown at market value) in accordance with:

Accounting and Reporting by Charities – Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2005);

• and with*  Accounting Standards; or Financial Reporting Standards for Smaller Enterprises (FRSSE);

and with the Charities Act.

1.2 Change in basis of accounting

There has been no change to the accounting policies (valuation rules and methods of accounting) since last year

1.3 Changes to previous accounts

No changes have been made to accounts for previous years

Notes to the Accounts (continued)

3. INCOMING RESOURCES

Restricted Funds

Unrestricted funds represent the funds of Marlow Opportunity Playgroup that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use, and are available for application on the general purpose of the paygroup.

Restricted funds represent donations and grants received for a specific objective, and may only be expended on the specific objective for which they were given. Any balance remaining unspent at the end of each year must be carried forward as a balance on that fund.

Restricted funds recognised in these accounts relate to: [1] The Big Lottery fund. We received £30,400 between April '24 - March '25 to fund the role of Playgroup Supervisor.

INCOMING RESOURCES Unrestricted 3[a] Voluntary income Funding 47,549 Support Assistance 24,436 Grants 128,772 Fees 8,350 Donations 69,999 Other 8,863 287,968 3[b] Activities for generating funds Fundraising 16,986 3[c] Investment Income Bank deposit interest 2,057 3[d] Incoming Resources 4. RESOURCES USED Unrestricted Charitable activities Staff Costs 237,337 Transport Rent 7,253 Services 9,022 Training 1,482 Equipment & materials 10,870 Expenses 750 Other 10,553 277,267 5. DEBTORS Current Debtors - Spring Term receipt from BCC 6. CURRENT LIABILITIES (Creditors and Accruals) [a] Sundry creditors and accruals PH Cleaning HMRC - PAYE	Restricted Big Lottery 30,400 30,400		2025 2024 47,549 37,716 24,436 74,191 159,172 58,561 8,350 4,690 69,999 90,798 8,863 6,271 318,368 272,228 16,986 7,879 2,057 690 337,411 280,798 2025 2024 267,737 268,963 - - 7,253 7,695 9,022 9,089 1,482 725 10,870 18,233 750 679 10,553 9,095 307,667 314,480 2025 2024 - 16,595.09 2025 2024 - 2,933 3,083 2,933 676 Total Funds Total Funds
	- - Restricted Big Lottery 30,400 30,400

7. RESERVES

It is the intention of Marlow Opportunity Playgroup to operate with a reserve equal to nine month's operating costs in order to build financial resilience. Our income varies depending on a number of factors and we aim to cover costs and sustain playgroup places for children in the event of a funding shortfall for at least nine months.

Notes to the accounts (cont)

Note 8 Details of certain items of expenditure

8.1 Trustee expenses

Number of trustees who were paid expenses Nature of the expenses Total amount paid

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This year Last year
None None
£0 £0
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8.2 Fees for examination or audit of the accounts

Independent examiner’s or auditors' fees for reporting on the accounts

Other fees (for example: advice, consultancy, accountancy services) paid to the independent examiner or auditor

	This year £ None	Last year £ None
	None	None

Note 9 Paid employees

9.1 Staff Costs

Gross Wages, Salaries and Benefits in Kind Employer's National Insurance costs Pension costs	This year £ Last year £ 219,425 218,567 34,865 38,284 13,447 12,112
	267,737 225,387

9.2 Average numberof full-time equivalent employees in the year

All paid employees at Marlow Opportunity Playgroup work in the playgroup setting.

Fundraising Charitable activities Governance Other	This year Last year 0 0 10 10 0 0 0 0
	10 10

9.3 Defined contribution pension scheme

A defined contribution scheme is operated (using Nest Pensions), in accordance with employment law. If an employees earns £10,000 per year they are automatically enrolled, but all employees have the option to join. Playgroup contributes 3%, employee pays 5%.

The costs of the scheme to the charity in the year The amount of any contributions outstanding at the end of the year The amount of any contributions prepaid at the end of the year	This year Last Year N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report lo the trustees 'knAIILotrI offoLfKINIry PLAYo£ouP S l Loir On accounts for the year ended Charlty no (If any) Iiiirf(I Set out on pag8S I report to the trusl8es on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for th6 year end8d ' 11 131 LO'LI- As the charity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charit18s Act 2011 {°the Act"). Responslbilitle8 and basis of r&port I report in rgspecl of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all th8 applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5Kbl of the Act. Independent The charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and l am qualifi8d lo examiner's statem•nt und6rtake th8 examination by being a qualified member of ACL I have complel8d my examination. I confirm that no malerial matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination {other than that disclosed below "I which gives me cause lo believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with s8Ction 130 of the Charities Act- or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements oncerning the fom and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirément 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 connedion with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this r8PQrt in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Please delele the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: Name". Relevant professional qualification(s) or body {if any}- lthP &oSf7£q

Address: Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight material mallers of concern {see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brief detalls of any items that thè examiner wlshes to disclose.