Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/09/24 Period start date To 31/08/25 Period end date
Charity name: St Andrew’s Preschool Caversham
Charity registration number: 900218
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The aims of the pre-school are to enhance the development and educaton of children under statutory school age. We support our parents and carers by: A) ofering appropriate play, educaton and care facilites, family learning, together with the right of parents to take responsibility for and to become involved in the actvites of such groups, ensuring that such groups ofer opportunites for all children whatever their race, culture, religion, means or ability; B) encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families and promotng public interest and recogniton of such needs in the local areas; C) instgatng, adhering to and furthering the aims and objectves of the Early Years Alliance. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
St Andrew’s Pre-school’s main objectve is to contnue to provide a safe and stmulatng environment and to produce happy and confdent children as they move on to the Foundaton stage at school. This is achieved by: 1. The provision of appropriate pre-school play and educatonal facilites. 2. Fundraising to support the objectves. 3. Close liaison with the Early Years Professionals and Providers. 4. Support and guidance for families atending pre-school. 5. Maintaining detailed records and observatons for each child to ensure that they |
| achieve their full potental. 6. Liaising with parents to discuss learning opportunites for their child and how to extend these at home. |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Commitee considers the following when making decisions on maters such as fnancial reinvestment, admissions policies and fee reviews: • To ensure we ofer an inclusive and afordable childcare setng to all, with no restrictons of catchment, faith or personal background. • All fnancial investment improves the level of childcare on ofer, increases the chance of retaining qualifed early years practtoners, or supports the learning and development needs of all children. • Any decisions to increase fees are only made to ensure the contnued fnancial viability of our setng. • To provide a consistent approach to all families on any questons or concerns by publishing and circulatng our policies. This is to ensure we can contnue providing the public beneft of being an Early Years educaton setng. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | In 2024/25 there were a total of 34 children at St Andrew’s Pre-school. Throughout the year the Pre-school supported both the children and their families as they started in the educaton system and transitoned children on to local primary schools. The transiton process includes involvement from the local schools, with feeder schools sending staf to Pre-school to meet the children and discuss their development and progress. We contnue to use multple start dates for children throughout the academic year to ensure we are accessible to all families with children aged 2 years 6 months and over, and to fll available places as the year progresses. In January 2025 the setng received an Ofsted inspecton. The fnal report was positve and the staf team handled an intense process with great professionalism. We have taken steps to address the areas for improvement highlighted in the report. The staf team have contnued to develop their practce through extensive training, including Portage Training, Schemaplay, understanding distress in autstc and neurodivergent children, First Aid, poty training, domestc abuse awareness and immunisaton uptake. The team regularly atend SENCo, Designated Safeguarding Lead and Leadership network meetngs, and atended two early years conferences during the year. The team have contnued successful practces including home visits, setling-in sessions, the inducton process, and ‘In The Moment’ planning. Throughout the year the children enjoyed a wide range of actvites and experiences, including sports day, a visitng mobile farm, the Natvity Play, World Book Day, seasonal celebratons and regular parental involvement sessions. To ensure the best care for children with additonal needs, the staf team liaise as appropriate with ReadingSLT(Speech and |
Language Team), the Brighter Futures for Children advisory team, and attend SENCo network sessions. During 2024/25 the Pre-school raised £4,176 from fundraising activities, including coffee mornings, bake sales, a Christmas raffle, Mother’s and Father’s Day gifts and photography commission. We would like to thank everyone involved, especially Hilary Coome and Michelle Evans. The Pre-school continues to contribute to the local community by participating in research projects such as the ‘See and Eat’ study run by Reading University and Burford Research.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The total cash balance at the end of the fnancial year was £108,597.36. Total expenditure for the 2024/25 fnancial year was £147,797 and income came to £145,716 (including bank interest). Therefore the Pre-school recorded a defcit of £2,082 for the year. This defcit was antcipated. It follows the Commitee’s decision to increase staf wages in line with the Natonal Minimum Wage and to refect that several key staf had not received recent pay increases. It was considered too late to implement corresponding fee changes for 2025/26, and an appropriate fee increase has instead been implemented for 2026/27. Full details are provided in the Treasurer’s report atached to this document. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | We hold reserve funds for the case of an emergency closure. The amount held is calculated using redundancy payments owed to current staf members and one full term of forecasted expenditure, to enable a controlled shutdown and provide all families with sufcient notce. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £71,577. Excluding this reserve, the Pre- school’s available surplus as at 31 August 2025 was £37,021. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | None. The Pre-school recorded a small overall defcit of £2,082 for the year, which was antcipated and is covered by accumulated surplus funds. |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The Commitee is satsfed that the Pre-school remains a going concern. A forecast operatng defcit of approximately £15,000 for 2025/26 will be covered by accumulated surplus funds. A fee increase has been implemented for 2026/27 to support ongoing viability, and the Commitee contnues to monitor income and expenditure closely. The Pre-school also received a distributon of £24,642 from the now-closed Caversham Pre-school in the 2025/26 fnancial year, part of which has been invested in a new outdoorplayarea. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
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|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | 2011 Consttuton (Early Years Alliance model), adopted 8th May 2015. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated charity. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Commitee members are nominated and seconded prior to electon by parents at the AGM, following the Consttuton regulatons. Each family has one vote. The nominee with the most votes is appointed to the role. Each year a minimum of 5 must be appointed and the 3 ofcer roles flled. All commitee members become trustees. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
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|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | St Andrew’s Preschool Caversham |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 900218 |
| Charity’s principal address | St Andrew’s Church Hall, |
Albert Road, Caversham, Reading RG4 7AW
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frances Loar | Chair | Sept 24 – Aug25 | ||
| TingRawcliffe | Treasurer | Sept 24 – Aug25 | ||
| Lynne Whipps | Secretary | Sept 24 – Aug25 | ||
| Sarah Magor | Co-chair | Sept 24 – Aug25 | ||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| adviser |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) | Mathew Reynolds | Byron Lawless |
|---|---|---|
| Full name(s) | Mathew Reynolds | Byron Lawless |
| Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) |
Chair | Treasurer |
| Date | 20/06/2026 |
Treasurer’s Report
Annual General Meeting, 13[th] May 2026
Financial Year 2024/2025 Accounts
Annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 August 2025 have been completed. They are currently with an independent assessor (as required by the Charity Commission) ahead of Committee sign-off and submission to the Charity Commission in June 2026 in line with our filing requirements (10-months post year-end).
The total cash balance at the year-end was £108,597. Approximately 45% of this was held in our Santander current account for day-to-day operations, with the remaining 55% in a Nationwide savings account.
An amount of £71,577 is held as our reserves fund to cover any predicted deficit and costs in the event of an unforeseen closure (redundancy, one term full expenditure, closure costs, and other expenses). Excluding this reserve, a more accurate picture of our surplus is £37,021 as at 31 August 2025.
The total expenditure for 2024/25 was £147,797 and income was £145,716 (including bank interest), resulting in a deficit of £2,082.
The budgeted expenditure for 2024/25 was £143,921, versus actual expenditure of £147,797, which represents an overspend of approximately 3.7% (£3,876), which was largely due to higher staff costs.
Income for 2024/25 was £145,716, which is 1.2% ahead of budget of £144,010. However, the budget did not include any bank interest income assumptions, so excluding the interest received, the adjusted income was £144,465. This is broadly flat to the budget (+0.32%).
Brighter Futures EY Entitlement and Private Fees of £133,541 were £1,976 below budget, but this was more than offset by fundraising of £4,799, which was £2,799 higher than the budget of £2,000. We thank everyone involved in fundraising for their time and effort, including Hilary Coome and Michelle Evans, the rest of the Pre-school's fantastic staff and Commitee members, our parent volunteers and all the generous contributors from the local community.
In addition to the £42,272 received in private fees, we received £1,914 in voluntary contributions and £623 in HMRC Gift Aid. We are grateful to the parents for their generous support.
For the current financial year (2025/2026), due to increases in the National Minimum Wage and pension contributions, and because several key staff had not received recent pay increases, the Committee approved staff wage increases. This decision was made in 2024/25, but it was considered too late to implement fee changes for the year 2025/2026.
An appropriate fee increase has been implemented for 2026/27; which is considered necessary for the Pre-school’s ongoing viability, whilst still representing good value to the community it serves.
Due to the delay in implementing the fee increases, we are forecasting an operating deficit of approximately £15,000 for the 2025/2026 financial year. Any deficit that materialises will be covered by the Pre-school’s surplus funds. The Pre-school continues to closely monitor income and expenditure throughout the current year.
Additionally, the Pre-school received a generous distribution of £24,642 from the nowclosed Caversham Pre-school in the current financial year (2025/2026). A portion of these funds has been invested in the new outdoor play area and equipment, which was completed in April 2026.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone involved in coordinating the development of this new play area, with special appreciation to Lynne Whipps for her excellent project management.
If you would like further details about income and expenditure or the budget, please get in touch.
Robert Read and Bryon Lawless
Co-Treasurers
St Andrews Pre School Accounts
Income and Expenditure Account
For the period 1st September 2024 to 31st August 2025
| Net Income | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Santander No.1 Current Account: | Income | Expenditure | (Expenditure) |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Rent | 19,473.40 | -19,473.40 | |
| Staff & Training (excluding pensions) | 117,782.07 | -117,782.07 | |
| Pensions | 3,920.63 | -3,920.63 | |
| Milk | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Consumables | 1,642.12 | -1,642.12 | |
| Deposit/Holding Fees | 2,400.00 | -2,400.00 | |
| Equipment | 609.00 | -609.00 | |
| Fundraising Expenses | 624.68 | -624.68 | |
| Grants | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Miscellaneous Purchases | 1,099.94 | -1,099.94 |
| Personnel | 0.00 0.00 |
0.00 0.00 |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance/Subscriptions/Renewals | 245.52 -245.52 |
|
| EYP (Early Years Provision - RBC) | 91,268.74 91,268.74 |
|
| HMRC Gift Aid | 622.76 622.76 |
|
| Fees | 42,272.59 42,272.59 |
|
| Voluntary Contributions | 1,914.35 1,914.35 |
|
| Holding/Deposit Fees | 3,460.00 3,460.00 |
|
| Registration Fees | 270.00 270.00 |
|
| Milk | 0.00 0.00 |
|
| Other | 478.95 478.95 |
|
| Fundraising | 4,176.14 4,176.14 |
|
| Interest | 1,251.92 1,251.92 |
|
| 145,715.45 147,797.36 -2,081.91 |
||
| Balance Sheet: | 49,181.83 | |
| Santander No.1 current account no. 64575704 | ||
| Nationwide business savers account no. 11358713 | 59,415.53 | |
| 108,597.36 |
| Accumulated Fund | |
|---|---|
| Balance31st August 2024of total Accumulated Fund | 110,679.27 |
| Plus: Net Income for the year | -2,081.91 |
| Accumulated Fund on 31st August 2025 | 108,597.36 |
| Reserve fund (redundancy costs, closure and cash flow) |
71,576.60 |
| Surplus | 37,020.76 |
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