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2026-07-31-accounts

Docusign Envelope ID: 341AB3F7-5D46-827D-8141-AC21423B8E5D

Charity number: 1186340

DUCKLINGS PRESCHOOL CREATON CIO

Unaudited annual report

Period ended 31 July 2026

Docusign Envelope ID: 341AB3F7-5D46-827D-8141-AC21423B8E5D

DUCKLINGS PRESCHOOL CREATON CIO

CONTENTS

Page
Reference and administrative details of the Charity 3
Report of the Trustees 4
Independent Examiner’s Report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance Sheet 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10

Docusign Envelope ID: 341AB3F7-5D46-827D-8141-AC21423B8E5D

DUCKLINGS PRESCHOOL CREATON CIO

Reference and administrative details of the Charity for the financial period ended 31 July 2026

Trustees

Mrs H Mercer Mr M Dando Mrs H Smith (appointed 9 October 2025) Mrs F Perrin

Registered office Ducklings Preschool Creaton CIO 18 Welford Road Creaton Northampton NN6 8NH Registered charity number 1186340 Bankers HSBC 22 Abington Street Northampton NN1 2AN Glen Bott FCA

Independent Examiner

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Docusign Envelope ID: 341AB3F7-5D46-827D-8141-AC21423B8E5D

DUCKLINGS PRESCHOOL CREATON CIO

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

The Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of Ducklings Preschool Creaton CIO (the “ Charity ”) for the 11 month period to 31 July 2026. The Trustees confirm that the report and financial statements of the Charity comply with the Charities Act 2011, the requirements of the Foundation’s governing documents and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (“ SORP ”) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities”, applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Structure, governance, and management

The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, governed by a Trust Deed dated 14 November 2019.

Method of appointment or election of Trustees

The setting is regulated by Ofsted and governed by a board of trustees. The trustees oversee the work of the setting manager and officer manager, who are responsible for the day to day running of the setting. Trustees are appointed by resolution at a properly convened meeting and are subject to suitability checks and confidentiality agreements. They follow the foundation model constitution.

Objectives and Activities

The Charity’s purpose was to advance the education and development of children aged 2 to 11 years through:

The Charity worked collaboratively with families to create a nurturing, inclusive environment in which children could thrive.

Closure of the Preschool

In late 2025, the Charity received a welfare requirements notice from Ofsted. Despite significant efforts from staff and trustees, the requirements could not be met in a way that allowed the Preschool to continue operating.

The trustees therefore made the difficult decision to close the Preschool with immediate effect on 15 January 2026.

Following closure, the trustees resolved to wind up the CIO by 31 July 2026. A structured wind-down plan was implemented, including:

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Docusign Envelope ID: 341AB3F7-5D46-827D-8141-AC21423B8E5D

DUCKLINGS PRESCHOOL CREATON CIO

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

Achievements and performance

Activity during the period was limited due to the mid-year closure. Prior to closure, the Charity continued to deliver early years education and wraparound care, supported by government funding streams including EYPP, DAF, TSF and core early years funding.

The Charity also completed the final stages of its previously planned capital improvements and continued to support families through the transition period following closure.

The Charity recorded a deficit of £283,486 for the year.

This reflects:

The CIO has been fully wound down with no remaining assets or liabilities as at 31 July 2026.

Reserves Policy

The Charity previously maintained reserves equivalent to three months’ running costs and redundancy pay. All reserves were utilised during the wind-down process. No reserves remain at period-end.

Investment Policy

The Trust Deed permits investment at the trustees’ discretion. No investments were held during the period.

Lease

The initial five-year lease ended in August 2024. Although the local authority confirmed a 5–7 year extension by email, no formal agreement was issued. The lease was terminated as part of the wind-down process, and no lease obligations remained at 31 July 2026.

Plans for the Future

As this is the Charity’s final period, there are no future plans. The CIO has ceased all activities and has been fully wound up in accordance with its governing document.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 341AB3F7-5D46-827D-8141-AC21423B8E5D

DUCKLINGS PRESCHOOL CREATON CIO

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

Trustees Responsibilities

Trustees are responsible for preparing a Trustees’ Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Foundation and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Foundation and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

8/4/2026 This report was reviewed and approved by the Trustees on ______ 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

_______ Mr M Dando Trustee

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Docusign Envelope ID: 341AB3F7-5D46-827D-8141-AC21423B8E5D

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF

DUCKLINGS PRESCHOOL CREATON CIO

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 July 2026 which are set out on pages 8 to 14.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

Emphasis of matter - financial statements prepared on a basis other than going concern

I draw attention to the going concern policy on page 10 of the financial statements which explains that the trustees made the decision to close the Preschool and cease all activities and the Preschool is no longer considered to be a going concern. Accordingly the financial statements have been prepared on a basis other than going concern as described in the going concern policy.

Other than the emphasis of matter noted above, 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.

Glen Bott FCA 5 Pond Spinney Overstone Northampton NN6 0GJ

Date:

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Docusign Envelope ID: 341AB3F7-5D46-827D-8141-AC21423B8E5D

DUCKLINGS PRESCHOOL CREATON CIO

Statement of Financial Activities

For the period ended 31 July 2026

Notes
INCOME FROM
Charitable activities
2
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
3
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS as at 1 September 2025
TOTAL UNRESTRICTED FUNDS as at 31 July 2026		 2026
£
118,014
118,014
401,500
401,500
(283,486)
283,486
_
-
_		 2025
£
435,671
435,671
444,608
444,608
(8,937)
292,423
_
283,486
_

The notes on pages 10 to 14 form part of these financial statements.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 341AB3F7-5D46-827D-8141-AC21423B8E5D

DUCKLINGS PRESCHOOL CREATON CIO

Balance Sheet As at 31 July 2026

Note
FIXED ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
6
Debtors
Cash at bank
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors
7
NET ASSETS
CHARITY FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
8
TOTAL FUNDS		 2026
£
-
-
-

-
-

-
______
-		 2025
£
24,522
1,752
291,980
34,768
283,486
283,486
__
283,486
____

8/4/2026

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on _______ 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

______ Mr M Dando

Trustee

The notes on pages 10 to 14 form part of these financial statements.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 341AB3F7-5D46-827D-8141-AC21423B8E5D

DUCKLINGS PRESCHOOL CREATON CIO

Notes to the Financial Statements For the period ended 31 July 2026

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparation of financial statement

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities,” applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised as cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to the accounts.

The Charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

These financial statements cover the 11 month period to 31 July 2026 (2025: 12 month period to 31 August 2025).

Going concern

During the period the trustees made the decision to close the Preschool with immediate effect on 15 January 2026. The Preschool received a welfare requirements notice from Ofsted in late 2025 and despite the best efforts of all at the Preschool the welfare requirements were not able to be met in a way that allowed the Preschool to continue operating. Therefore, the trustees made the difficult decision to cease operating the Preschool.

Following the operations ceasing, the trustees resolved to wind up the CIO and a structured wind-down plan was implemented. Due to the decision to wind up the CIO it is no longer considered to be a going concern and it is therefore appropriate for the financial statements to be prepared on a basis other than going concern. There are no changes to the valuation of assets and liabilities in these financial statements as a result of the decision to prepare them on a basis other than going concern.

Fund accounting

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 and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the Charity has entitlement to the funds, after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably, and it is probable the income will be received.

Resources expended

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular activities, they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of the resources.

Fixed assets

Assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised as tangible fixed assets and are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment.

Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset on a straight-line basis over its expected useful lives, as follows:

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Docusign Envelope ID: 341AB3F7-5D46-827D-8141-AC21423B8E5D

DUCKLINGS PRESCHOOL CREATON CIO

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For the period ended 31 July 2026

2. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds
2026 2025
£ £
Preschool Fees 9,971 50,892
PAYG 1,919 6,899
DAF 938 6,426
EHCP - 7,027
Preschool Funding 62,334 187,650
EYPP 818 2,044
TSF (formally HNF) 2,040 3,325
Breakfast and After School Club 19,466 49,851
Holiday Club 8,542 71,356
Meals 6,193 19,679
NMRU – Milk 236 765
Children’s Uniform 21 -
Room Hire 22 324
Interest 1,973 4,278
Fundraising INC 215 767
Educational Skills Funding
 500 500
Grants - 23,830
Asset Sale
 2,826 -
Donations - 58
_ _
118,014 435,671
_ _

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Docusign Envelope ID: 341AB3F7-5D46-827D-8141-AC21423B8E5D

DUCKLINGS PRESCHOOL CREATON CIO

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For the period ended 31 July 2026

3. EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds
2026 2025
£ £
Food 2,257 7,350
Milk 236 732
Employment costs 317,093 284,040
Utilities 17,580 54,289
Rent and Rates (1,350) 3,297
Insurance 292 1,727
Registration and Licensing 82 439
Finance 744 429
Health and Safety 361 4,867
Office 6,860 7,282
SALT, SEND and EYPP 3,824 7,473
Curriculum Enhancement 769 2,225
Play Equipment 1,478 31,907
Consumables (Craft) 287 2,250
Transport Costs 3,466 1,581
DAF 938 6,426
EHCP - 7,027
Hygiene and Cleaning 443 2,467
Other Setting Costs 159 1,855
Other Staff Costs 737 3,018
Other Costs 4,354 1,666
Depreciation - 12,261
Loss on disposal 15,455 -
Donations 25,435 -
_ _
401,500 444,608
_ _
4. STAFF COSTS
2026 2025
£ £
Wages and salaries 298,489 258,205
Social security costs 15,463 21,473
Pension contributions 3,141 4,362
______ _____
317,093 284,040
______ _____

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Docusign Envelope ID: 341AB3F7-5D46-827D-8141-AC21423B8E5D

DUCKLINGS PRESCHOOL CREATON CIO

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For the period ended 31 July 2026

4. STAFF COSTS (continued)

Included within wages and salaries are redundancy payments totalling £134,164 paid to 12 employees during the period. There redundancy payments were in relation to the termination of employments following the decision to close the Preschool.

The average number of employees (head count) during the period was 12 (2025: 12).

Two employees received employment benefits in excess of £60,000 (£60k to £70k) during the period. (2025: no employees received employment benefits over £60,000).

5. NET INCOMING RESOURCES

During the period, no Trustees received any remuneration. During the period, no Trustees received any benefits in kind. During the period, no Trustees received any reimbursement of expenses.

6. FIXED ASSETS

. FIXED ASSETS
Motor vehicles Total
2026 2026
£ £
Cost
Brought forward at 1 September 2025 36,783 36,783
Additions in the period - -
Disposals in the period (36,783) (36,783)
______ ______
Carried forward at 31 July 2026 - -
Depreciation
Brought forward at 1 September 2025 12,261 12,261
Charge in the period - -
Eliminated on disposal (12,261) (12,261)
______ ______
Carried forward at 31 July 2026 - -
Net book value
At 31 July 2026 - -
______ ______
At 31 August 2025 24,522 24,522
______ ______

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Docusign Envelope ID: 341AB3F7-5D46-827D-8141-AC21423B8E5D

DUCKLINGS PRESCHOOL CREATON CIO

Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For the period ended 31 July 2026

7. CREDITORS

Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds
2026 2025
£ £
Social security and other taxes - -
Other creditors - -
Accruals and deferred income - 34,768
______ _____
- 34,768
______ _____

8. FUNDS

Brought Incoming Resources Carried
Forward resources Expended Forward
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General funds 283,486 118,014 (401,500) -

9. RELATED PARTIES

There were no related party transactions during the current period or prior year.

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