Legacurry Pre-School
Annual Report & Statement of Accounts
For the year ended 31 August 2025
Charity number: NIC105675
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Legacurry Pre-School Trustees' Annual Report For the year ended 31 August 2025
The trustees present their Annual Report and Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities at that date.
Reference and Administrative Details
Legacurry Pre-School c/o Mrs Bertha Walker 7 Ballycrune Road Hillsborough BT26 6NQ
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland - NIC105675
Charity Trustees
The charity trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were:
John Ferguson Chairperson (appointed 15th October 2024) Zara-Lee Jess Secretary (appointed 15th October 2024) Bertha Walker Treasurer Sarah-Jane Maguire (appointed 15th October 2024) Colin Munn (appointed 15th October 2024) Helen Brann (appointed 15th October 2024) The following trustees resigned 15th October 2024 Naomi Stafford Victoria Coburn Alex McCully Charis Rodgers Katherine Hamilton Sarah Lowry
Structure, Governance and Management
Those charged with governance of the charity are the trustees also known as the Management Committee, as elected annually by the staff and family members of pupils, are charged with the management of the charity. The charity staff organise the day to day running of the pre-school. The charity's governing document is the Constitution.
To be elected as a trustee of the charity a person must be a member. The committee is re-elected each year at the AGM. Nominations for elections to the committee may be made by any family member of the students and seconded by another. Members of staff cannot be committee members.
The committee must hold at least one meeting every term.
Purpose
The trustees seek to promote play based learning environments and advance education for all children under statutory school age of Legacurry and its surrounding area.
This is achieved by the provision of safe and satisfying group play, with the right of parents/carers to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of the pre-school and to promote the preservation of health of the children. The charity supports the values and principles of Early Years.
The property and funds of the charity must only be used to fulfill the purposes.
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Legacurry Pre-School Trustees' Annual Report continued For the year ended 31 August 2025
Activities and Objectives
Legacurry Pre-School will deliver the benefits detailed in our Public Benefit statement through a curriculum that will be planned to ensure that the children learn and develop within the six areas of the curriculum, the arts; language development; early mathematical experiences; personal, social and emotional development, physical development and movement and the world around us. Observations and assessments of each child's development will take place, relevant planning will be carried out to ensure the provision is sufficient to further advance this evidential learning.
Through a continuous process of evaluation the trustees will carry out plans necessary for improvement of the childrens educational provision. This process will include regular staff meetings, ongoing training, support from local primary schools and the Early Years Organisation. We also seek feedback from parental interviews and questionnaires, inspections carried out, recommendations and support given by Social Services and the Education and Training Inspectorate.
Achievements
During the year the pre-school received grants from the Education Authority which were primarily used to pay the wages and salaries of the charity, running costs, insurance, etc. The committee also organised multiple fundraising activities through the year and collected weekly contributions from parents. These funds were used for the daily snacks for the children and to purchase equipment and resources for the pre-school.
This year the pre-school has been able to further increase its fundraising activities. Whilst the funds raised have not reached levels from several years ago, the trustees and staff are very grateful for the continued support.
Financial Review
The charity's main source of income each year is from the Education Authority which was £63,200 for the year. The increase is mainly due to the Department of Education implementing a one off large increase to the funding per child early in the year. This amount also included a one off £2,000 grant for outdoor play.
The weekly contributions amounted to £4,166 and fundraising activities achieved £1,145.
We are very grateful for the continued support of the family and friends of the children at Legacurry PreSchool as these funds are essential in providing the children with new equipment regularly and different learning experiences. The income overall has shown an increase of 18% which is primarily due to the increase in EA funding as mentioned.
The expenses for the year amounted to £63,087 (£67,579 in 2024) which is a decrease of 7%. The main movement relates to the decrease in equipment and resources costs which vary each year. There were also other small movements within other expenses.
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Legacurry Pre-School Trustees' Annual Report continued For the year ended 31 August 2025
Public Benefit Statement
Early years education
Medical and educational research has demonstrated that the major development of intelligence, personality and social behaviour in people occurs in the first few years of life. It is estimated that half of all intellectual development potential is established by age four. Success and indeed failure in early years leads to success or failure in school and consequently throughout life. At Legacurry Pre-School we firmly believe that investing in children at an early age is crucial. High quality early childhood education has lasting effects on learning and motivation. We believe that providing a facility where the children of the surrounding areas can access pre-school education of a high standard, we are increasing the ability of those children to benefit from primary school education and consequently secondary/grammar school education and further education in later years.
Advancing the education of children in the pre-school
We see our benefit to the public as multi-layered. Children in our care are encouraged to see education and learning as a valuable, enjoyable and necessary part of life. As a result of this we hope to see more children accessing further education and leaving their education equipped with the necessary tools to enter the workforce. This in-turn will result in fewer people accessing unemployment benefit, less need for welfare assistance, higher income tax payments and reductions in crime. ‘A better educated and more stable workforce leads to a more productive society’. There is an increased ability for parents to work while their children are well cared for at pre-school resulting in increased incomes, increased tax payments and reduced need for public assistance.
Working in partnership with parents and health care professionals
We work closely with parents and health care professionals to screen children at an early age to identify developmental problems, speech and language difficulties and other special educational needs. Early intervention will benefit children, parents and the schools which these children will move on to. We provide support for parents and offer good examples of positive adult/child interactions, appropriate care and parenting skills. We treat parents as partners and learn from them, helping them to understand the curriculum and their children’s development. As part of our education programme we promote healthy lifestyles, healthy eating etc. to both children and parents. We encourage children to look after themselves and make them aware of the benefits of exercise and healthy eating. This part of their education, we believe, will instil good practice for later life thus reducing health problems, etc. in the future and reducing the burden on the health service.
At Legacurry Pre-School we aim to encourage social, emotional, physical and cognitive progress. Helping children to develop skills, learn concepts, follow directions, play well with others and become excited about learning. We promote good behaviour and support parents to promote good behaviour at home. We believe that instilling the foundations for respect for others, respect for boundaries and a respect for your environment will have long term benefits for our community and society as a whole.
The charity trustees have had regard for the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's public benefit requirement statutory guidance.
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Legacurry Pre-School Trustees' Annual Report continued For the year ended 31 August 2024
Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and statements of accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Commission for Northern Ireland.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
As the charity's income does not exceed £250,000, the trustees have elected under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to prepare receipts and payments accounts and a statement of assets and liabilities.
Approved by the trustees on 9 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
.................................... John Ferguson Chairperson
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Independent examiner’s report to the charity trustees of Legacurry Pre-School For the year ended 31 August 2025
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 August 2025, which are set out on pages 7 to 10.
Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Commission under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act;
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act.
My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.
My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:
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That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act;
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That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records;
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That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act;
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That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.
...........................................
Samantha Martin FCA
Martin Bookkeeping and Accountancy Services 5 Magheralave Manor Lisburn BT28 3EN
25 November 2025
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Legacurry Pre-School Statement of Receipts and Payments For the year ended 31 August 2025
| Notes Receipts: Fundraising activities 2 Grants 3 Interest on deposit account Enrolment fees Weekly contributions Milk refund Sundry Total receipts Payments: Salaries Equipment and resources Early Years membership and costs Snack costs Operational costs 4 Other costs 5 Total payments Net receipts / (payments) Transfers between funds Surplus / (deficit) for the year Reconciliation at 31 August: Cash at bank & in hand at start of year Surplus / (deficit) for the year end Cash at bank & in hand 31 August |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total funds funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ 1,145 - 1,145 1,324 61,200 2,000 63,200 53,140 114 - 114 132 720 - 720 624 4,166 - 4,166 3,893 365 - 365 276 568 - 568 245 |
|---|---|
| 68,278 2,000 70,278 59,634 |
|
| 51,130 - 51,130 52,281 2,273 2,000 4,273 7,239 2,050 - 2,050 2,738 1,097 - 1,097 1,534 2,205 - 2,205 2,014 2,332 - 2,332 1,773 |
|
| 61,087 2,000 63,087 67,579 |
|
| 7,191 - 7,191 (7,945) - - - - |
|
| 7,191 - 7,191 (7,945) |
|
| 12,092 - 12,092 20,037 7,191 - 7,191 (7,945) |
|
| 19,283 - 19,283 12,092 |
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Legacurry Pre-School Statement of Assets and Liabilities For the year ended 31 August 2025
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Funds reconciliation | ||||
| Cash at bank & in hand at start of year | 12,092 | - | 12,092 | 20,037 |
| Surplus / (deficit) for the year end | 7,191 | - | 7,191 | 1,236 |
| Cash at bank & in hand 31 August | 19,283 | - | 19,283 | 21,273 |
| Bank and cash balances | ||||
| Bank deposit account | 9,285 | 9,170 | ||
| Bank current account | 9,898 | 2,822 | ||
| Cash in hand | 100 | 100 | ||
| 19,283 | 12,092 | |||
| Other assets | ||||
| Prepayments (insurance) | - | 87 | ||
| - | 87 | |||
| Liabilities | ||||
| Trade creditors | - | - | ||
| Tax and social security | - | 366 | ||
| - | 366 |
Approved by the trustees 9 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
........................................... John Ferguson Chairperson
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Legacurry Pre-School Notes to the Statement of Accounts For the year ended 31 August 2025
1 Nature and purpose of funds
Unrestricted funds comprise those funds which the trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects. Unrestricted funds are primarily from the Education Authority, weekly contributions for children and fundraising activities. The grant received from the Education Authority in respect of funded places at the pre-school is for general running costs and therefore is not restricted.
The charity does not have any restricted funds.
2 Fundraising activities
| Fundraising activities | |
|---|---|
| Christmas jumper day Smarties tubes Dress up days Cash for Clobber Photographs Christmas decorations Christmas hamper Fitness evening Easter fundraising Teddy Bears Picnic Christmas Sale T-shirt fundraiser Sports day Other |
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ - - - 39 274 - 274 - 131 - 131 52 - - - 268 - - - 80 - - - 123 - - - 300 - - - 235 130 - 130 220 90 - 90 - 78 - 78 - 140 - 140 - 302 - 302 - - - - 7 |
| 1,145 - 1,145 1,324 |
3 Grants
The following grants were made to Legacurry Pre-School:
| Education Authority Education Authority - outdoor play grant Education Authority - other grants |
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ 61,200 - 61,200 50,740 - 2,000 2,000 - - - - 2,400 |
|---|---|
| 61,200 2,000 63,200 53,140 |
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Legacurry Pre-School Notes to the Statement of Accounts For the year ended 31 August 2025
4 Operational costs
| Bank interest & charges Rent and heating Insurance Running costs Computer costs Staff clothing Staff training Independent examination Sundry |
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ - - - - 600 - 600 600 597 - 597 520 276 - 276 213 264 - 264 240 - - - 54 - - - 194 150 - 150 150 318 - 318 43 |
|---|---|
| 2,205 - 2,205 2,014 |
5 Other costs
| Milk Parties / activities / trips Staff expenses Gifts Sundry |
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ 325 - 325 316 1,402 - 1,402 836 388 - 388 503 217 - 217 118 - - - - |
|---|---|
| 2,332 - 2,332 1,773 |
6 Transactions with related parties and trustees
There were no transactions with trustees or related parties during the year.
No remuneration or expenses were paid to trustees or related parties during the year.
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