## **Chair’s Report for Annual General Meeting** **Date** : 08/12/2025 **Venue** : Portesbery School & Online **Reporting Period** : 1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025 ## **Introduction** I am pleased to present the Chair’s Report for the year ending 31 March 2025. This has been a year of significant challenge, change, and progress for Blackdown Pre-School. ## **Trustee Board and Governance** This year has brought considerable change within the trustee board. All Trustees hold an Enhanced DBS. ## New Trustees Kirstie Hunter - September 2024, Debbie Eaton - January 2025, elected as Chair Claire Eaton-Chauhan - March 2025 ## Resignations: Elise Seurre, Chair - July 2024 Alison Taylor - September 2024 Charlotte Klitgaard - October 2024, effective January 2025 Martin Stout - October 2024, effective January 2025 Kirstie Hunter - March 2025. ## Standing Trustee Nathan Aspinall - Nathan stepped in as Acting Chair during the summer period, providing critical continuity. When the new chair, Debbie Eaton, was elected in January 2025 Nathan became Deputy Chair. Recruiting and retaining trustees has remained significantly challenging throughout the year. At times, the board was reduced to only three trustees, creating governance risks. Strengthening the board remains a key priority. ## **Committee Meetings** Formal committee meetings were held throughout the reporting period: - Committee Meeting – 14/05/24 - Committee Meeting – 28/06/24 - Committee Meeting – 07/10/24 - Committee Meeting – 23/01/25 - Committee Meeting – 20/03/25 ## **Academic Year Term Dates (Funding-Based)** Summer Term 2024: 15 April 2024 to 19 July 2024 Autumn Term 2024: 5 September 2024 to 18 December 2024 Spring Term 2025: 7 January 2025 to 4 April 2025 ## **Children on Roll and Capacity Awareness** 32 children were enrolled at the end of the academic year. During the Spring 2025 term, it became clear earlier assumptions had focused on overall enrolment rather than actual daily attendance patterns. Improved clarity around daily capacity will underpin more effective strategic planning and ensure the preschool remains well-placed to adapt and grow in line with the needs of our local community. ## **Leadership and Staffing** The internal leadership structure strengthened during this period with the Deputy Manager and Third in Charge taking up their roles in September 2024, improving operational stability. Two members of staff continued to be supported in completing their Level 3 qualification. ## **Ofsted and Quality Improvement** In June 2024, the preschool received an _Inadequate_ judgement following an Ofsted inspection.The trustees and manager responded promptly and worked collaboratively with Surrey Early Years Educational Team Advisors, to develop and implement a comprehensive Action Plan addressing safeguarding, leadership, training, record-keeping, and developing the learning environment. A subsequent Ofsted inspection in November 2024 resulted in a Good grading, reflecting the substantial and sustained improvements made. As both reports are publicly available, this report does not repeat detailed findings; however, the trustees would like to acknowledge the significant efforts of the staff team, and the partnership between staff and trustees, that led to this positive turnaround. ## **Financial Position Statement** ## _Position as at 31 March 2025_ The financial information relates to the full audited accounts expected in December 2025 and indicates the preschool was managing its finances carefully and operating within its means. As a mainly government-funded setting, the preschool’s financial position continues to depend on consistent occupancy and funded hours. Expenditure for the year reflected normal operational needs, with staffing as the largest cost and further spending across administrative, equipment, training and running costs. The preschool will also face increased rent, service charges and utility costs in the next financial year due to changes in landlord arrangements. In line with Charity Commission guidance, a review of financial processes and governance arrangements will be progressed in the coming year to ensure robust oversight. ## **Financial Summary Table (1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025)** |**Cash funds 01 April 2024**|**74,817.00**||| |---|---|---|---| |**Receipts**||**Payments**|| |– Parent fees|27,571|– Staff costs|119,633| |– Surrey County Council funding|155,544|– Utilities|1,314| |– Other income|1,019|– Other business costs|29,889| |– Interest|936|**Total Payments**|150,836| |- Fundraising|40||| |**Total receipts**|185,110||| |**Operating surplus**|**45,075**||| ## **Looking Ahead** Priorities for 2025–2026 include strengthening the trustee board, embedding Ofsted improvements, supporting staff development, ensuring robust financial oversight, and maintaining strong communication with families. ## **Closing** I extend sincere thanks to the staff team for their dedication, and to trustees—past and present—for their contributions during a demanding year. Chair: Debbie Eaton Signature Date: 03/12/2025 ## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts** **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report** **Report to the trustees/** Blackdown Pre-school **members of On accounts for the year** 31 March 2025 **Charity no** 1064517 **ended (if any) Set out on pages 1 and 2** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended **31 March 2025.** - **Responsibilities and** As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation **basis of report** of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. **Independent** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have **examiner's statement** come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 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. _._ **Date:** 5 December 2025 **Signed: Name:** FJ Wilde **Relevant professional** FCCA DChA **qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:** 4 Marigold Drive Bisley Surrey GU24 9SF CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Receipts and payments accounts CC16a To 01ll>4r2024 31n)Y2025 Section A Receipts and payments UnrestrhGtgd fund$ Resthctod funds Endowmont fvnds Total funds Last year to rwrBst£ tothé r￿￿81£ to the nearest£ A1 Recelpts 27.S11 155.Y4 1.rrt9 27511 155,544 1,019 21.040 91.676 73 178 208 Gran& Surry CC Interest eamed Sub total(Gross income kjr AR) 184110 18*110 113.176 A2 Asset and investment Soles. (see tsblèl. Sub total 185.110 18&110 113.176 A3Pa ments Wagesl S*￿e5 Ublityes 119.633 1.314 119.633 1.314 È7,393 1,366 Sub total 150.836 150.836 116.053 A4 Asset and Investment urchases, (see tablo} Sub total 150.836 150.836 116.053 Net of rec￿pt￿{payMWitsj A5 Transfers be￿ funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this yearend 3437 34.27 2,877 10.801 45.07S 64.016 64.016 74.817 109.091 77.694 74.817 CCXX R1 accounts ISSI 03172r2025 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted Restricted fvnds Endowment fund5 to fiea¥oSt £ Cale9orÉes Details 81 Cash funds 42,869 016 Total cash funds 4S,075 64,016 Unrestricted funds Endowment fund5 to the8rn8t£ fund5 to W￿51£ Fund iowhkh eost(*]Pti￿￿l) Current ¥alue onal 83 Investment assots Fund towhkh Current value 84 Assets rotalned for the charity's own uso Fund towhkh Arnounid When due B5 Liabiliti8s S￿ne￿ by one ortrKS IFusie85 on beharf ol ali Ine trustees Siynaiure int Name Dale of rov81 Detè* Eaton 0311212025 CCXX R2 accounts ISS) 0311212025