The Village Hall, Rook Lane, Chaldon, CR3 5BN. Tel: 01883 343866
Registered Charity No: 1185107
Trustees' Annual Report for Chaldon Preschool (1185107)
Year ending 31 August 2025
Chaldon Preschool is a member of the Preschool Learning Alliance. It operates in accordance with the Preschool Learning Alliance Foundation Model Constitution; This was approved by the Trustees of Chaldon Preschool at a General Meeting held on 23 October 2019.
The objective of Chaldon Preschool is to enhance the development and education of children primarily under statutory school age.
During this financial year, the following were trustees for the Preschool:
Sheena Mann
Anita Mills
Lucy Veness Guy Blakeburn
Michelle Lane (Appointed 20[th] January 2025)
Trustees are parents or guardians of children who attend Chaldon Preschool or individuals with a vested interest in the Preschool. Trustees are generally elected to hold the roles of Chair, Treasurer and Secretary at the Annual General Meeting held during the spring term of each year.
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Activities and Achievements
General
Chaldon Preschool has a reputation for providing exemplary levels of childcare. Due to the friendly, family nature of the Preschool, places continued to be in demand during the 2024/2025 academic year. However, it appears that the expansion of funded childcare for children from 9 months old, which has been introduced in phases, has had an impact on demand from September 2024 onwards. The Preschool has been proactive in advertising locally, including on local social media forums, and regular open mornings have been held.
Chaldon Preschool caters for children with SEN and additional funding is applied for to support children with SEN as appropriate. An existing member of staff previously undertook SENCO training to meet the increased need for SEN support and continues to take up training and development opportunities on a regular basis to ensure best practice.
The Preschool has continued to offer 30 hours funded places during this year, for which there continues to be good take up.
The partnership with a local farm, introduced last year, has continued. This has given Preschool children valuable hands-on learning experiences that support their emotional, social, and cognitive development. Interacting with animals helps foster empathy, confidence, and respect for living creatures, while the sensory-rich environment encourages language development and curiosity. The visit also enhances children's understanding of the world around them, linking to early learning goals in areas such as communication, physical development, and knowledge of nature and the seasons.
This year also saw the return of the popular ‘Living Eggs’ chick hatching experience, which offered the children the unique and enriching experience of watching the life cycle unfold in real time, supporting early science education through hands-on observation and discussion whilst also encouraging gentle behaviour, teamwork, and awe—laying the foundations for a lifelong respect for living things.
Yurt & Forest School
The Yurt has continued to be used for provision of Forest School sessions in all weathers.
A change of ownership of the land used for Forest School led to some uncertainty about whether the land would continue to be available for use by the Preschool however this was resolved positively.
The yurt enables Forest School sessions to be provided for small groups of children every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday throughout the year. Forest School is offered to all children at some point during the year on an ‘opt-in’ basis. Parents/guardians of those children attending pay an additional cost (to cover the cost of staffing and resources) and Forest School sessions have continued to be in high demand, popular with parents and children alike.
Staff Wellbeing
Our committed and hard-working staff is the Preschool’s biggest asset, and staff health and wellbeing is a priority for the Trustees. To promote staff wellbeing, in April 2023 the Trustees introduced a health cash plan for staff through Medicash, a form of insurance that covers the cost of everyday healthcare for staff such as optical and dental treatments, physiotherapy appointments, private screenings, complementary therapies, and more. Workplace wellbeing is an essential aspect of any organisation and benefits that centre around health help demonstrate to our staff that they are valued. The cost of this
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insurance to the Preschool is minimal and staff members have continued to make good use of the plan this year.
Financial performance
The final cash balance was £71,013.88.
The final cash balance of £71,013.88 is £15,295.08 up on the previous year’s final cash balance. The improved financial position of Preschool has largely been down to the increase in hourly rates for funded places from April 2024.
The Trustees remain focused on ensuring the future financial stability of the Preschool by maintaining a good level of cash reserves.
Income
Fees - the Preschool provides care and education for children aged from 2yrs to 4yrs and therefore the primary source of income is from school fees. Of these fees, the majority were received from Government funded hours.
Fundraising - as a Charitable Trust, the Preschool relies on fund-raising as an additional source of income. During the year, fundraising activities have enabled the purchase of equipment, toys and other necessary resources.
With support from the staff, trustees and parents there was a good level of income generated through fundraising events during the year, with very positive feedback and high demand from parents and children.
Expenditure
Salaries - the main expenditure is staff salaries. Due to the flexible nature of the childcare provided, the Trustees continue to task the Preschool manager with ensuring that staff rotas align as closely as possible to daily attendance levels. As with the majority of childcare providers, the Preschool was impacted by the rise in minimum wage in April which added increased pressure to the underlying cost base. There has been minimal turnover of staff which contributes to the family feel of the Preschool and the Trustees appreciate the hard work all the Staff have put in this year.
Hall Hire – The Preschool operates from Chaldon Village Hall which it hires on an hourly basis. The hourly rate increased from 1[st] September 2022 (an increase of 7.5% on the previous year). The Trustees negotiated no further rate increases for a period of 2 years and the hall has not sought to increase the hall hire costs this year.
Reserves
The aim is to have sufficient reserves to assist in any unexpected situations, for example, maintaining Preschool operations should there be a significant drop in funding or pupil numbers. The Trustees are happy to report that the focus on ensuring the financial stability of the Preschool coupled with the increase in funded hours rates has helped to once again increase reserves compared to the previous financial year. The reserve balance of £71,013.88 is £15,295.08 greater than last year, highlighting the hard work of the Trustees and Staff in improving the operations of the Preschool.
A reduction in income from private fees this year (as a result of the expansion of Government funded hours) has been largely offset by increased Government funded hours and hourly rates. However, maintaining pupil numbers now that fully funded childcare places are available from 9 months may be a
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challenge, given that our setting can only take pupils from age 2 onwards. Trustees and Staff will need to monitor this carefully moving forwards.
A. Mills – Treasurer
G. Blakeburn – Chairperson
26 June 2026
Chaldon Pre-School (Charity Number: 1185107)
Year ended 31 August 2025
Income and Expenditure
£GBP
Year to 31 Year to 31 August 2025 August 2024
4
| Income Fees Government Funding (Surrey) Fundraising Interest Total Income Expenditure Staf salaries & pension Staf annual functons & benefts Hall Hire Equipment & materials Training Telephone & broadband Professional fees Maintenance & other Total Expenditure Net Income/(Expenditure) for the year |
27,789 154,590 2,826 988 186,193 135,325 2,724 17,793 11,404 1,691 892 1,069 0 170,898 15,295 |
40,069 145,350 3,149 0 |
|---|---|---|
| 188,568 | ||
| 136,210 1,835 17,793 9,737 38 834 1,262 0 |
||
| 167,710 | ||
| 20,858 |
5
Chaldon Pre-School (Charity Number: 1185107)
Year ended 31 August 2025
Statement of Financial Position
| £GBP Current Assets Cash at bank and in hand Total Current Assets Current Liabilites Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Total Current Liabilites Net Current Assets/(Liabilites) Non-Current Liabilites Creditors: amounts falling due afer one year Total Non-Current Liabilites Net Assets |
Year to 31 August 2025 71,014 71,014 0 0 71,014 0 0 71,014 |
Year to 31 August 2024 55,719 |
|---|---|---|
| 55,719 | ||
| 0 | ||
| 0 | ||
| 55,719 | ||
| 0 | ||
| 0 | ||
| 55,719 |
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Appendix
Year ending 31 August 2025
Total income 2025
| Category | Total 2025(£) |
|---|---|
| Fees | 27,789.06 £ |
| Surrey funded | 154,589.88 £ |
| Fundraising | 2,826.49 £ |
----- Start of picture text -----
Total Income
2%
15%
Fees
Surrey funded
Fundraising
83%
----- End of picture text -----
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Total Expenditure 2025
| Category | Total 2025(£) |
|---|---|
| Staf Pay & Pension | 135,325.08 £ |
| Rent | 17,793.16 £ |
| Supplies & Services | 11,404.15 £ |
| Other | 6,376.01 £ |
----- Start of picture text -----
Total Expenditure
4%
7%
10%
Staff Pay & Pension
Rent
Supplies & Services
Other
79%
----- End of picture text -----
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Summary 01.09.24 - 31.08.25
| United Trust BaCo-op | Pety Cash | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surrey |
- 154,589.88 | 154,589.88 | ||
| Child |
- 27,750.31 | 38.75 | 27,789.06 | |
| Fundraising/do | - 1,386.37 | 1,440.12 | 2,826.49 | |
| Pay (inc. HMRC | - - 130,713.37 | - 36.63 | - 130,750.00 | |
| Pension |
- - 4,575.08 | - | 4,575.08 | |
| Staf annual fun - - 1,060.01 | - | 1,060.01 | ||
| Rent (hall hire) | - - 17,793.16 | - 17,793.16 | ||
| Supplies & Serv | - - 10,998.86 | - 405.29 | - 11,404.15 | |
| Phone |
- - 892.20 | - | 892.20 | |
| Insurance |
- - 1,068.90 | - | 1,068.90 | |
| Training |
- - 1,691.00 | - | 1,691.00 | |
| Staf Benefts |
- - 1,663.90 | - | 1,663.90 | |
| Savings | - | |||
| Account |
- - | - | ||
| Interest | 988.05 - | - | 988.05 | |
| Pety Cash | 1,036.15 | - 1,036.15 | - | |
| Balance sheet | - | |||
| Movement | 988.05 14,306.23 | 0.80 | 15,295.08 |
P&L Summary
| 2024 | 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees | 40,069.17 | 27,789.06 | |
| Government funding | 145,349.79 | 154,589.88 | |
| Fundraising | 3,148.67 | 2,826.49 | |
| 188,567.63 | 185,205.43 | ||
| Staf salaries & pensi | 136,210.44 | 135,325.08 | |
| Hall hire | 17,793.16 | 17,793.16 | |
| Supplies &services | 9,737.45 | 11,404.15 | |
| Training | 37.50 | 1,691.00 | |
| Staf functons & bene 1,834.63 | 2,723.91 | ||
| Telephone & Broadba 834.40 | 892.20 | ||
| Professional fees (ins | 1,261.96 | 1,068.90 | |
| Maintenance & other - | - | ||
| 167,709.54 | 170,898.40 | ||
| Interest | - | 988.05 | |
| 20,858.09 | 15,295.08 | ||
| Check |
15,295.08 |
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| Category | Total 2025(£) |
|---|---|
| Fees | £ 27,789.06 |
| Surreyfunded | £ 154,589.88 |
| Fundraising | £ 2,826.49 |
----- Start of picture text -----
Total Income
2%
15%
Fees
Surrey funded
Fundraising
83%
----- End of picture text -----
| Category | Type | Total Expenditure(£) |
|---|---|---|
| Staf salaries &pension | Staf Pay& Pension | £ 135,325.08 |
| Hall hire | Rent | £ 17,793.16 |
| Supplies & materials | Supplies & Services | £ 11,404.15 |
| Training | Other | £ 1,691.00 |
| Staf functons & benefts | Other | £ 2,723.91 |
| Telephone & Broadband | Other | £ 892.20 |
| Professional fees(insurance) | Other | £ 1,068.90 |
Total Expenditure
----- Start of picture text -----
4%
7%
10%
79%
----- End of picture text -----
| Category | Total 2025(£) |
|---|---|
| Staf Pay& Pension | £ 135,325.08 |
| Rent | £ 17,793.16 |
| Supplies & Services | £ 11,404.15 |
| Other | £ 6,376.01 |
Staff Pay & Pension Rent Supplies & Services Other
| Balance Sheet Current Assets Cash at bank and in hand Total Current Assets Current Liabilites Net Current Assets/(Liabilites) Non-Current Liabilites Total Non-Current Liabilites Net Assets Check Opening net assets Change in cash Closing net assets Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Total Current Liabilites Creditors: amounts falling due afer one year |
2024 2025 55,718.80 71,013.88 55,718.80 71,013.88 -- - - 55,718.80 71,013.88 - - - - 55,718.80 71,013.88 55,718.80 15,295.08 71,013.88 1 |
|---|---|
Bank reconcilliation
| Per bank statement @ 1 September 2024 Natwest (closed) United Trust Bank (Savings) Co-op opening Pety Cash opening TOTAL OPENING CASH Per bank statement @ 31 August 2025 Natwest (closed) United Trust Bank (Savings) Co-op closing Pety cash closing TOTAL CLOSING CASH Movement in year Check P&L movement |
- 20,000.00 35,562.48 156.32 55,718.80 - 20,988.05 49,868.71 157.12 71,013.88 15,295.08 15,295.08 1 |
|---|---|
| Fundraising summary Fundraising direct into Coop Account Fundraising paid in cash TOTAL FUNDRAISING |
1,386.37 1,440.12 |
|---|---|
| 2,826.49 |
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WAIES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Chaldon Pre-school On accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 Charity no {If any) 1185107 Set out on pages 5-6 I report to the Iruslees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trust.) for the year ended 31108 12026. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wilh the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the A¢t"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2D11 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(bl of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ') which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 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 conceming the foTh and Gontent of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports} Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a mattèr 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. Please delete th8 words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Data: 231612026 Name: Mike Gittins Relevant professlonal qualificationls) or body (If any): Chartered Accountant {ICASI Address: Salmons Lane, Whyteleafe. Surrey IER Oct 2018