Noah's Ark Christian Pre-School (Buckhurst Hill) Report and Accounts
Year ended 31st August 2025.
NOAH'S ARK CHRISTIAN PRE-SCHOOL (BUCKHURST HILL)
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE St. Stephen's Church Albert Road Buckhurst Hill IG9 6FD GOVERNING DOCUMENT CIO Constitution dated 03 April 2018 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1177779 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR Joy Barter (Chair) MANAGING THE CHARITY Lisa Darby (Treasurer) Joanne Coates Clair Lucy Stephen Lockley Hannah Ambler-Stuart INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Christine Luckett
INDEX
Page 2 Legal & Administrative Details Pages 3 - 5 Trustees' Report Page 6 Receipts and Payments Account Page 7 Statement of Assets & Liabilities Page 8 - 9 Notes to the Accounts Page 10 Independent Examiner's Report
Page 2
NOAH'S ARK CHRISTIAN PRE-SCHOOL (BUCKHURST HILL)
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Objects of the charity
The charity is governed by a constitution and is constituted as a charitable incorporated organisation. The charity's principal objects, as set out in its governing document, are to advance education within our local community of Buckhurst Hill. The charity seeks to achieve its objectives in particular, but not exclusively by:
a) the provision of pre-school facilities, toddler groups and parenting Information sessions to enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age directly and by working with their families.
b) the provision of a Community Hub to provide our local community with educational and social welfare activities to advance public learning to improve the conditions of life for local residents.
Summary of the charity's main activities and achievements
To further the above objects and vision, the charity's main activities for theyear werethe theoperation of a term time pre-school provision and a Community Hub in Buckhurst Hill, Essex.
During 2024-2025 the pre-school continued to develop its provision with special focus on supporting children's languageand communication development through planned adult focussed activities and freeplay. Thetrustees aregrateful to the staffteam who have been dedicated to the children's development during this time.
The Community Hub continued to grow its outreach services which include the Community Pantry, a Knit and Natter group and Community Lunches. Our Hub Manager has continued to build relationships across the community and develop our services. Our Community Pantry Provisions Manager has been able to source food supplies more effectively and is continuing to develop our offerings to our clients. The trustees are grateful for the ongoing financial support of the Friends of Noah's Ark, the local council, local organisations and charities that have supported us this year. We are also thankful to have been blessed with wonderful group of volunteers who enable our provision of services to the local community to be possible.
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Looking ahead
In September 2025, the UK government completed its roll outof its expansion of funded childcare for working parents in England, providing up to 30 hours of free childcare per week for eligible families. Our pre-school provision of mainly morning only sessions has therefore experienced a drop in the number of children attending, particularly at our younger age group. With our register for 2026-27 looking at a further reduction, the trustees have recently made the difficult decision to close the pre-school facility at the end of the current school year (July 2026).
The Community Hub continues to develop its provision of services with attendance at our various services increasing consistently. We have also developed our hall hire offer, and as a result have a more regular stream of income from this service. Our Provisions Manager, with the help of our volunteers, facilitates the inflow of stock for our Community Pantry making a big impact to the level of service we can provide to our local community. Our numbers of regular customers continues to rise as we serve our local community in this way.
Financial review
During the year the charities operating income was £241,384 (2024: £194,951), and its expenditure was £208,850 (2024: £199,981) giving a net surplus for the year of £32,534 (2024: Deficit £5,030). As a result the cash held by the charity at the 31st August 2025 increased to £128,786 (2024: £96,252). Of these funds £107,425 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose as set by the CIO constitution. (2024:£90,173)
Reserves policy
At theyear end, thecharity held unrestricted cash of£107,425 and thereforethe charity is complying with its reserves policy which is to hold at least a terms expenses in reserve.
Governance
Responsibility for setting policy and for determining theparameters within which thecharity should operate rest with thetrustees who meet regularly to monitor the activities of thecharity. Thetrustees aresupported by a pre-school committee who are members of the CIO. Responsibility for the day to day operation of the charity has been delegated to themanager ofthepre-school setting. New trustees arerecruited and appointed by the existing trustees, by a majority vote.
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Responsibilities of trustees
Charity law requires us as Trustees to preparefinancial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Joy Barter
………………………………………………………..
Joy Barter (Chair)
Date: 19th May 2026
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NOAH'S ARK CHRISTIAN PRE-SCHOOL (BUCKHURST HILL)
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| Notes Income receipts Early Years Government Funding Fees Fundraising (Inc GA) Community Hub Income 2 Other Total receipts Payments 3 Total payments Transfers between funds 5 Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Net of receipts / (payments) before transfers Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Purchase of fixed assets |
Unrestricted Funds £ 129,154 14,468 1,350 - 1,038 146,010 128,958 128,958 - 128,958 17,052 200 17,252 90,173 107,425 |
Restricted Funds £ 8,290 - - 87,084 - 95,374 76,573 76,573 3,319 79,892 15,482 (200) 15,282 6,079 21,361 |
2025 £ 137,444 14,468 1,350 87,084 1,038 241,384 205,531 205,531 3,319 208,850 32,534 - 32,534 96,252 128,786 |
2024 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 107,407 11,600 2,775 71,729 1,440 |
||||
| 194,951 | ||||
| 199,981 | ||||
| 199,981 | ||||
| - | ||||
| 199,981 | ||||
| (5,030) - |
||||
| (5,030) 101,282 |
||||
| 96,252 |
The notes on page 8 form part of these accounts.
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NOAH'S ARK CHRISTIAN PRE-SCHOOL (BUCKHURST HILL)
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
| A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access Deposit Account Petty cash B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity Prepayment Rent Deposit C Non-Monetary Assets Uniform Stock Pantry Food D Liabilities Fees received in advance Creditors Accrued expenses Payroll Taxes and Pensions due E Assets retained for charity's own use Community Hub Furniture |
Unrestricted Restricted funds funds £ £ 18,790 6,361 88,178 15,000 458 - 107,425 21,361 16,756 - 1,145 1,500 - 1,250 17,901 2,750 150 - 100 - 250 - - - 3,753 - 600 - 2,255 - 6,609 - Fund to which asset belongs Community Hub |
2025 2024 £ £ |
|---|---|---|
| 25,150 29,289 103,178 66,875 458 87 |
||
| 128,786 96,252 |
||
| 16,756 3,061 2,645 148 1,250 1,250 |
||
| 20,651 4,459 |
||
| 150 300 100 100 |
||
| 250 400 |
||
| - - 3,753 689 600 2,200 2,255 1,322 |
||
| 6,609 4,211 |
||
| Cost £ 3,319 3,319 |
F Guarantees and secured debts
The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf
by Joy Barter date 19th May 2026 -------------------------------------------------------Joy Barter (chair)
The notes on page 8 form part of these accounts.
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NOAH'S ARK CHRISTIAN PRE-SCHOOL (BUCKHURST HILL)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
1 Accounting policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
| Unrestricted funds £ 2 Community Hub Income Donated Income - Grants Income - Fundraising & Events income - Community Pantry Income - Other Income - - Unrestricted funds £ 3 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Staff Costs 107,292 Hire of premises 10,084 Resources, Supplies and Play Equipment 4,098 Administration costs 4,059 Insurance 1,951 Fundraising Events Cost - Community Hub Set Up Expenses - Community Hub Operational Costs - Community Hub Hire of Premises - Community Pantry Food Costs - Community Pantry Management - Other costs 1,474 128,958 |
Restricted Funds £ 58,828 13,000 5,810 8,245 1,201 87,084 Restricted Funds £ 29,402 - - - 29 972 5,450 20,000 8,023 12,698 - 76,573 |
Total 2025 £ 58,828 13,000 5,810 8,245 1,201 87,084 Total 2025 £ 136,694 10,084 4,098 4,059 1,951 29 972 5,450 20,000 8,023 12,698 1,474 205,531 |
Total 2024 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 53,041 7,195 2,142 8,158 1,193 |
|||
| 71,729 | |||
| Total 2024 £ |
|||
| 134,201 13,801 6,048 6,202 - 400 318 4,560 20,000 5,029 8,916 506 |
|||
| 199,981 |
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NOAH'S ARK CHRISTIAN PRE-SCHOOL (BUCKHURST HILL)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
4 Transactions with related parties
Lisa Darby provided accountancy, HR and payroll services and was paid £2,357 (2023/24: £4,018) during theyear for serving in that capacity, not for serving as a trustee; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.
Apart from the reimbursement of expenses incurred on behalf of the charity, there have been no other payments made to Trustees.
5 Movement of funds
| Unrestricted General funds Restricted funds SEN Grant Funding DAF Grant Course Grant Community Hub Total funds |
Balance at 01.09.2024 £ 90,173 - 1,404 - 4,675 6,079 96,252 |
Receipts £ 146,010 8,090 - 200 87,084 95,374 241,384 |
Payments £ (128,958) (8,090) (1,404) (70,398) (79,892) (208,850) |
Transfers £ 200 (200) - (200) - |
Balance at 31.08.2025 £ 107,425 - - - 21,361 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21,361 | |||||
| 128,786 |
Restricted Funds:
The SEN Grant Funding are funds received from the local authority for use for supporting specific children with additional needs.
The DAF Grant is funding given for Disability Access expenditure.
The Course Grant is funding given to help fund the payroll costs of two members of staff attending professional courses.
The Community Hub fund is our outreach community project. Donations and grants to this work are restricted on receipt.
Transfers in the year were as follows:
- The Course Grant fund made a transfer to the General Fund to offset the payroll costs of the employees time whilst training.
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
NOAH'S ARK CHRISTIAN PRE-SCHOOL (BUCKHURST HILL)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Noah's Ark Christian Pre-School ('the charity') for the year ended 31 August 2025 on the pages 6 - 9.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect ofmy examination ofthecharity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have cometo my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Christine Luckett
Name: Christine Luckett
Address:
- 12 Roding View Buckhurst Hill Essex IG9 6AQ
Date: 4th June 2026
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