BARBICAN PLAYGROUP & MOTHERS & TODDLERS GROUP Regi8teTed Ch8rty No.. 273750 TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT & AccouNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 BARBICAN PLAYGROUP AND MOTHERS & TODDLERS GROUP ANNUAL REPORT & FINANaALSTATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST2025 REFERENCE AND ADmIN￿RAl￿E DEfAILS ststus The Barbican Playgroup is a charFty with the membership structure of an unincorporated association whose main activity is the provision of early vears education for children between the age5 of 2% and 5 years. The Playgroup was established in 1975 and received its charitable ststus on 20, May 1977. Governlng Document The Barbican Playgroup is governed by tts constitution dated 18.09.1975 Charity Number 273750 Ofsted URN 122756 DfES Settlng No 5891261 Registered & Operating Prernlse5 Levels 01 & 02, Andrewes House, Barbican, London EC2Y 8AX Trustees Jane Scott- Chairman Claire Anstee- Treasurer & Secretary Mary Rose aackson - Play8roup Mana8er Uoyds Bank plc- Cheapside13095741 MT. David Tayk)r ACMA 507 Gilbert House, 8arbican, London EC2Y 8BD Key Management Personnel Bankers Independent Examlner OWECTNES & Acnvrn The Barblcan Play8roup constltutlon tleartystates the baslcaimsof the group as belngtoadvance theeducation of hildren below compulsory school age by: Providing safe and satisfying group play. in which parents tske part when appropriate. Encouraging other charitable activities through which parents may help the children. The vision that shapes our annual activities remains the promotlon of early years education. We remain fully dedicated to quality care and learning and to implernentin8 the new Early Years Foundation Stage.. htt www. ov.uk overnmen ubli tions arl ars-foundètion-sta rofile-handbook bl Our Playgroup is committed to 5afe8uardin8 and promotin8 the welfare of our pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Parents are given regular information about their thildren's social and academic pro8ress through day-to-day informal contact and termly information updates. Fees are reviewed annually and kept as low as p055ible. Financial administration and accountin8 are undertaken by the senior Trustees at no cost to the Charity. It is important to the Barbican Playgroup that access to Early Years Education is not restrirted to those who can afford our fees. We are registered for Nursery Education Funding for three and four-year olds. In addit￿n. although we do not have a formal bursary policy* reductions in fees are agreed from tlme to time on the basis of parentsl means orto relieve hardship where a child's early years education would otherwise be at risk, for example in the case of redundancy. The Barbican Playgroup believes thatchildren benefrt most from ear￿YearS educatK)n and carewhen parents and Playgroups work together in partnership. We also work in close partnership with the Cityof London's Community and Children's Services Department and other early year settings in the City of London and London Borough of IslinEton in order to provide the highest quality provision. We rernain the only voluntsry sector early years group in our area. Pu&uc BENERT When reviewing our objectives, and planning our artivities for the year. the Trustees have given tareful consideration to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit and in partiCLtlar to its supplemelltary public benefit guidance on advancing education and on fee-charging. Affordability and access to our programme is important to us and is reflected in our pricing policy. STrucnJRE, GOVERIIANCE AND MANAGEME14T The Playgroup is a registered charity and a member of the Prtrschool Learning Alliance IPLAI. It is also registered by the City of London's Community and Children'5 Services Department under The Children Act 1989and with the City of London's Education Department. Administration and fundraising are carried out by a committee of willing parents or past parents. working together on a totally voluntary ba515 to ensure the smooth and responsible running of the Playgroup. Two full-time members ofstaff are currentlyemployed to run the Play8roup prograrnme: the Playgroup Manager, who has been with the Playgroup since 1982. and her assistant. They are assisted. when necessary, by agenry staff, part-time play assistants or parents, engaged on a temporary basis. This requirement depends on the ages and numbers of children attending at any given time. The Sesslons and the Chlldren The Playgroup year runs parallel to the school calendar. Main morningsessions IMonday-Fridayl run from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm. An afternoon session to 2.45pm is available on request for older children*8enerally runnin8Tuesdays, Wednesdays arid Thursdays depending on demand. Children start between the ages 2 and 3 years old. and can stay until they start full time school at S. The optimum number of children for the fatilities is around 16, rising to a maximum of 24. Most of the Playgroup places are taken by Barblcan and City children although we welcome under-fives from neighbouring boroughs if places are available. Start date5 are determined by the needs of each child corKemed. after close consultation between the Manager and individual parents, and with consideration for the ages and makfrup of the group already attending. Most children initlally attend three mornings per weel increasin8 to the full five bythetime they reach three years old. The Barbican Playgroup currently subscribes to and r￿r￿e$ De￿rtMentfOrEduCatIOn Nursery Education Funding for all qualifying three and four-year olds. Rlsk Mana ement The Barbican Playgroup has put in place a risk management process which Identrfies key events or incidents that could affect the charitrfs ability to achieve its aims. This process results in a record of the most significant risks, both internal and external. For eath. the possible impact or consequence of the risk and the required actlon are stated. On the 28th May 2018, the Eu's General Data Protertion Regulation IGDPRI came into effect replacing the UK'S Data Protertion Act 1998. This meantthat we as an organisation. the Barbican Playgroup mustensure any personal data we hold 15 processed lawfully, transparently. and for a specific purpose and disposed of appropriately and safely when the data is no longer required. In response to this, we informed. and continue to inform. all parents of both our responsibilities and their rights surroundFng GDPR, data collection and storage of sensitNe information. In addition, we registered with the Information Commissionerfs Office IICOI and updated our Prr¥acy Policy, providing a copyto all cUr￿nt Playgroup parentslcarers. The Barbican Playgroup Committee seeks reasonable assurance from staff that these risks have been adequately managed and are satisfied that appropriate procedures and controls are in place to manage the risks. As a tharity providing care for children the trustees acceptthat the organisation is exposed to certain risks as part of carrying out these activities. The trustees have put in place systems to seek to identify and assess the key risks that the charity faces and have put in place controls to seek to manage these risk5. However, no control system can be infallible and in addition certain key risks remain. These are potential future changes to government policy with regard to Early Years fundin& loss of premises and the generation of sufficient unrestricted fLtnds affecting the financial 5UStainability of the Playgroup and staff succession. The charivs strategic planning proce55 and written procedures have been reviewed by the Barbican Playgroup Committee to ensure that they include measures to manage the major risks. The charl￿S prlnclpal officers are working within this framework on a da*tfrday basis. AcHievEMENTS & PERFORMANCE We have 5uccessfulty demonstrated the level of this commitment and received an 'OUtstandIn￿ rating by OFStED following our latest inspertion in January 2020. htt ted. ov.uk During the course of the 202412025 academic year. we have- Provided early years education and development to 8 children,. working with theirfamilies to ensure those moving on in the next school year have the best chance of being accepted into their school of choice. Continued to reviewour policysuite with special emphasis on Safe8uardin& Special Educational Need5 & Disèbillty ISENDI and Safer Recruiting. FINANCIAL REWEW This financial period has resutted in a deficit of £5.41212023-24 deficit of £10,920), once again due to decreased numbers of children attending- down to 8 from 12. In addition, due to staff slckness, there was an increase in dependency on casual staff throughout the year. It should be noted that the1055 was mitigated by a substantial credit of £9.058 received from the City of London Corporatlon ICOLI in February 2025, toverin8 electricity Charged for between 2021-2023 and following a notification that, whilst the CoLwere'goingthrough a system ¢han8e'. their Income Team were requlred to clear out an apparent unallocated fund sittin8 on the system. As a result, It wès detided to include a £6,5Tr) electricitycharge contingency accrual pending any COL decision to re-submit the invoices. Expenditure on charttable artivities was reduced in the year. due as mentioned above tothe COL elettricity tredit and the EDF hlstork credit still unexpended and remaining on the accounts at the end of August as a credit of £434. Details of all income and expenditure are outlined in the attached financial statements. Fees were unchanged during 2024-2025. remaining at £15 per hourforthe morning session and a frxed rate of £20 for each afternoon session. Fee5 are charged termly in advan￿. payable on receipt of a fee note. The Barblcan Playgroup is registered with the Corporation of London to recer¥e Nursery Education Funding INEFI providing 15 free hours per week for qualifying children between the ages of 3 and 4. In SummerTerm 2025 the Corporation of London increased our hourly NEF rate from £8.45 per hour to £8.50. Our Andrewes House premises have historically been provided rent-free bythe City of London and remain so for the time being although this may be reviewed by the City of London at any time. Isee Reserves Policy below) As a charitable body, we do not aim to accumulate capital. Surplus funds used to maintain the facilrcies to a high working standard, to replace toys and equipment. and to ensure that the Manager and her assistants are properly remunerated and trained. whilst always remaining aware of the need to keep the c05t to parents and potential parents at an affordable level. Reserves Pollcy: The Barbican Playgroup believes that the charity should hold financial reserves Ithe'Emergency Operating Reserve. _ EORI because.. it has no endowment funding and is almost entirefy dependent for income from fees from year to year which is inevitably subject to fluctuation. and it requires protection against, and the ability to continue operating despite catastrophic, or lesser but damagin& events. The trustees believe that the minimum level of the EOR should be the equivalent of 2 years. operating costs caltulated and reviewed annual￿ and believe that the EOR should be built up to the desired level in stages consistent with the charity's overall financial position and Its need to maintsin and develop itscharitable activities. This 2-year period represents the average len8th of time each child attendsthe Play8roup before moving on to full- time education. At the end of the period unrestricted reserves were £118,16L These reserves represent 84% of the agreed oblective.EOR Ibased on current operating costs of approximately £70.(MN) per yearl. Efforts to build this reserve total up will continue in line with the poliry. FUTURE PLANS Our future plans are to contlnue io provide good quality Earlyyears Edutation to l(Kal and Citychildren, workin8 in partnership with both the parents and the local authority to ensure standards are met, rf not exceeded. rt of the trustees for the ar endln 31Au st 2025 The Trustees are pleased to present their report and financial statements for the year ending 31 August 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions. as permitted for smaller charities, of the Statement of Recommended Prattl￿ ISORPI"Accounting and Reporting by Charitie<, Issued in 2014 to be compliant wlth Financial Reporting Standard {FRSI 102, and which is applicable for ￿porting periods beginningon orafter 1st January 2015. As always, the Committee members wlsh to payspecial tribute to the Playgroup staff all of whom have worked so conscientiously and enthusiastically throughout this year. Claire Anstee-Treasurer & Trustee Signed on behalf ofThe Trustees & Committee The Barbican Playgroup & Parents & Toddlers Group Date.. I 'n'ni .1 'll'ni BARBICAN PLAYGROUP BALANCE SHEET Year Ended 31 August 2025 RegIs￿ awrlty No: 273750 Totsl Funds Prior Year Funds CLIRREMfASSETS Debtors Cash at Bank and In Hand 434 124.907 125.341 2,005 129,202 131.207 CURRENT UABILMES Credltors (AmLwnt5 falllng due wtthln ontytarl 7,180 7,635 NET CURRENT ASSETS 118.161 123.572 FUNOS Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds 118,161 118.161 123.572 IZ3.572 The flnanclal statements wère approve v the Trustees and authorised . issue on IL. I Claire Anstee (Treasurer & Trustee) A Statement of Recognised Galn5 and Losses 15 not required Is all 8alns and losses a￿ included In thÈ Ststement of Financlal Activities. The notes on page5 7. 8 an(J 9 forn part of these financial statements BARBICAN PLAYGROUP Rewstered Charrty 273750 Notes to the Accounts Year Ended 31 August 2025 I ACCOUNTING POUCIES Accountin conventlon The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities issued in 2014 to be compliant wtth FRS102' as modified for smaller chartties. Flxed assets Assets with a cost in excess of £l,(XX) that are intended to be of on-going use to Barbican Playgroup in carrying out its activities are capitalised as fixed assets. No such assets have been capitalised to date. Income All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial ActNities when the Charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracv. Ex endlture All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis as the liabilrty 15 incurred. VAT The Charity is not registered for Value Added Tax and expenditure is recorded inclusive of tax char8ed. Taxation The Charity Is exempt from tax on income to the extent that this is appl*d to its charitsble objects. Fund accountln Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the di5¢retion of the Trustees. Restrlcted funds can onty be used for partlcular restricted pvrposes within the objerts of the Charity. Restrlctions arise when specified by the donor or grant maker when funds are raised or received for particular purposes. * ￿ ri ¢Jb J ¢ rl ￿ r BARBICAN PLAYGROUP RrylAereda*rity273750 Notes to the Accounts Year Ended 31 August 2025 4 DEBTORS Outstandln8 Fees- Bakth SummerTerm EDF MectrKity in Credit 271 1.734 434 5 CRED￿oR5 Citvof London- Anrwal Ekn¥icitySupthCharEe 202>2024 PLAAnnual Insurance 2t>25 - [￿June 2024- PdNIOI Oci 2024 MRC. Education4lSupplres, Gerthlsuw￿S & Repal ESIIP41ATED. CONll14GEt4CY 6.SLK) 1,135 Pald075epi 25 7.635 6 FUNOS nd$ 8IFwd Ineome Éxwnditure Transfers Funds CIFwd Unresirltied Funds ll3￿n 69A 118.161 Restrkted Funds.. 69A19 118,161 7 STAFF 14UM8ERS Durlng the yeaiOISept 2024 ￿3lAug2025t1yreWIle 2 stiff •npWI2 kn 202>20241 8 STAFFcosrs staff Grosssala Em￿0ver9, NIC Costs Employer5. Pension Costs TOTAL 63.281 971 1.898 66.150 60,578 739 1,817 63,134 g REiATED PARTIE5 Ourini tho y•ai OISept 2024 to31A42025therewve no rd*tedpartytArwtk)r4 BARBUM PLAYGROUP AND PAREMTSANDToooLERsGRfyJP Registered Charity No: 273750.. 20 May 1977 Ofsted URN No: 122756 .' DfES Setting No: 581261 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BARBICAN PV4YGROUP Independent examlner's report to the trustees ol the Barbkan Playyoup and Mothers & Toddlers Group ('the Charl￿). I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025, which are set out on pa8es 5 to 9. Respectlve responslbllltles of trustees and exaffllner The charity's trustees are responsibleforthe preparation of the accounts.ThecharWstrusteesconSKlerthatan audit not required for th15 year under section 144121 of the Charilies Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an Independent examination Is needed. It is my responsiblllty to.. examlne the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act: to follow the procedures laiil down in the general Dlrertions given by the Charlty Commlssbon under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act.. and to state wheiher particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlnerfs report My examlnatlon was carried out In accordance with the general D1￿CtiOnS glven by the Charity Commlssion. An examinatlon includes a review of the accountin8 records kept by the tharity and a comparison of the accounts presented wrth those records. It atso Includes consideration of any unusual items or dlsclosures In the accounts, and seeklng explanatlons from you astrustees concerning anysuch matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence ihat would be required in an audrt and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the account5 present a 'true and falr ¥iew' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the slatement below. Independent ex•mlner's statement In connertion wrth my examlnation. no matter has come to my attention.. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accountin8 records in accordance with sertion 130 of the 2011 Act- and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and Compty with the accounting reqU1￿MentS of the 2011 Act have not been met: or to which, in my oplnion, attention should be drawn in order to enab￿ a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Davld J Taylor, ACMA 507 Gilbert House Barbkan. London EC2Y 88D Date= -io-