REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 04705742 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1099791

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

FOR

WOODFORD PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

3

Independent Examiner's Report

4

Statement of Financial Activities

5

Balance Sheet

6

to

7

Notes to the Financial Statements

8

to

13

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The principal objective of the charity is to enhance the development and education of children primarily under statutory school age by encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups and by;

- Offering appropriate play, education and care facilities and training courses, together with the right of the parent to take responsibility for and become involved in the activities of such groups, ensuring that they offer opportunities for all children whatever their race, culture, religion, means or ability.

- Encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs.

- Instigating and adhering to and furthering the aims and objectives of the pre-school learning alliance.

Public benefit

The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the aim and objectives and in planning the charity's future activities. The aims of the charity for the public benefit are detailed in the 'Objectives and Activities' section of this report.

Grants

Children over the age of three are funded by government grants. Fees are charged for children under three and are reviewed by the directors on a regular basis. Fees are kept to a minimum whilst ensuring that quality childcare is provided.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

The charity provides pre-school education for two and a half to five year olds. The playgroup leader along with assistants work in the setting and the management is done by a voluntary committee of parents.

We operate a daily parent rota to help involve parents with their child's early education, also enabling provision of help with the session in order to keep costs to a minimum. We also hold a successful weekly baby and toddler group which is viewed as a 'social lifeline' for many parents/carers.

In planning our activities for the year, we kept in mind the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit at our committee meetings.

We serve the local community and have a fully inclusive policy with children attending from a range of social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. This helps to strengthen community ties. Our work enables families to learn together and prepares children to start school life. Children benefit socially, personally and academically from attending the pre-school.

It benefits parents and carers by offering an affordable alternative to private childcare and nurseries and creates links and goodwill in the community.

Fundraising activities

We have held a variety of fundraising events throughout the year.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves policy

The trustees have established the level of free reserves (that is those funds that are freely available) that the charity ought to have. Reserves are needed to bridge the funding gap between spending on activities and receiving resources through voluntary donations. The trustees consider that the ideal level of reserves as at 31 August 2024 would be six months of resources expended which equates to £42,000 (2023: £35,000).

The actual reserves as at 31 August 2024 after excluding fixed assets and restricted fund were £71,780 (2023: £54,966).

The trustees review the level of reserves regularly in order to ensure that there are sufficient reserves to provide to financial stability and flexibility.

Incoming resources have increased by £38,764 from £62,947 in 2023 to £101,711 and resources expended have increased by £14,001 from £70,896 in 2023 to £84,897. This has resulted in net surplus of £16,814 for the year.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is operated under the rules of its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 20th March 2003. It is a company limited by guarantee and therefore has no share capital

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

New Trustees are appointed due to their interest in the work of charity and their recognised experience in specific fields which will further support the work of Woodford Pre-school Playgroup.Trustees can retire when they wish as they do not serve under a fixed term of tenure.

Organisational structure

Trustees meet formally at least four times per annum to manage the affairs of the charity and to receive updates on the charity's financial affairs.

Induction and training of new trustees

New trustees are given a full induction by the Trustee.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

04705742 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1099791

Registered office

Memorial Hall

209 High Road

London

E18 2PA

Trustees

Ms A R Bicott Chair person

Ms N Z Ramjan Secretary

Ms A L Skelton Treasurer

Independent Examiner

Mr Thurairatnam Sudarshan

Raffingers Holdings Limited

Chartered Accountants

19-20 Bourne Court

Southend Road

Woodford Green

Essex

IG8 8HD

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 18 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Ms A R Bicott - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Woodford Pre-school Playgroup ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 August 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

1.	accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

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

3.	the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

4.

the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

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.

Mr Thurairatnam Sudarshan

Raffingers Holdings Limited

Chartered Accountants

19-20 Bourne Court

Southend Road

Woodford Green

Essex

IG8 8HD

18 September 2025

2024

2023

Unrestricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2

67,860

32,105

Charitable activities

Educational programmes, incentives and initiatives

31,841

29,680

Other trading activities

3

890

765

Investment income

4

1,120

397

Total

101,711

62,947

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

5

Educational programmes, incentives and initiatives

84,897

70,896

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

16,814

(7,949

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

54,966

62,915

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

71,780

54,966

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

All amounts relate to continuing activities. The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

2024

2023

Unrestricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

10

192

262

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

11

4,299

-

Cash at bank and in hand

71,640

59,009

75,939

59,009

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

12

(4,351

)

(4,305

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

71,588

54,704

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

71,780

54,966

NET ASSETS

71,780

54,966

FUNDS

13

Unrestricted funds

71,780

54,966

TOTAL FUNDS

71,780

54,966

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 August 2024.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 18 September 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

A R Bicott - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Going concern

The trustees, having made appropriate enquiries, consider that adequate resources exists for the charity to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and that, therefore, it is appropriate to adopt going concern basis in preparing the financial statements as at and for the period ended 31 August 2024. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of one year from the date of approval of these accounts.

The trustees have concluded that there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. The trustees are of the opinion that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet the liabilities as they fall due.

Debtors

Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to be present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Charitable activities

Charitable activities comprise those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Governance costs

Governance costs comprise those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and strategic requirements of the charity and the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity

Allocation and apportionment of costs

Overhead and support costs relating to charitable activities have been apportioned based on staff time.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Plant and machinery

-

33% on reducing balance

Computer equipment

-

25% on reducing balance

Taxation

The company is considered to pass the tests set out in Sch. 6, para. 1 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Pt. 11, Ch. 3 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or s. 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition. Deposits for more than three months but less than one year have been disclosed as short term deposits.

Donated goods, facilities and services, including volunteers

Donated goods, facilities and services, including volunteers are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified.

The contribution of the general volunteers has not been included in the accounts as they were not significant and it was impractical for their contribution to be measured reliably for accounting purposes.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors and provision are recognised at the moment the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash payments where such discounting is material.

Government grants

Government grants, including non-monetary grants shall not be recognised until there is reasonable assurance that:

(a) the entity will comply with the conditions attaching to them; and

(b) the grants will be received.

2.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

2024

2023

£

£

Donations

500

-

Government grants

67,360

32,105

67,860

32,105

3.	OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

2024

2023

£

£

Fundraising events

890

765

4.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2024

2023

£

£

Deposit account interest

1,120

397

5.	CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Support

Direct

costs (see

Costs

note 6)

Totals

£

£

£

Educational programmes, incentives and initiatives

77,438

7,459

84,897

6.	SUPPORT COSTS

Governance

Management

costs

Totals

£

£

£

Educational programmes, incentives and initiatives

46

7,413

7,459

7.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2024

2023

£

£

Depreciation - owned assets

70

94

8.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2024 nor for the year ended 31 August 2023.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 August 2024 nor for the year ended 31 August 2023.

9.	STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2024

2023

Charitable

8

8

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

10.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Plant and

Computer

machinery

equipment

Totals

£

£

£

COST

At 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024

6,395

299

6,694

DEPRECIATION

At 1 September 2023

6,357

75

6,432

Charge for year

14

56

70

At 31 August 2024

6,371

131

6,502

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 August 2024

24

168

192

At 31 August 2023

38

224

262

11.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2024

2023

£

£

Trade debtors

3,411

-

Social security and other

taxes

888

-

4,299

-

12.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2024

2023

£

£

Trade creditors

30

1,980

Social security and other taxes

-

118

Pension payable

151

137

Accruals and deferred income

4,170

2,070

4,351

4,305

13.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

movement

At

At 1.9.23

in funds

31.8.24

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

54,966

16,814

71,780

TOTAL FUNDS

54,966

16,814

71,780

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

101,711

(84,897

)

16,814

TOTAL FUNDS

101,711

(84,897

)

16,814

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1.9.22

in funds

31.8.23

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

62,915

(7,949

)

54,966

TOTAL FUNDS

62,915

(7,949

)

54,966

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

62,947

(70,896

)

(7,949

)

TOTAL FUNDS

62,947

(70,896

)

(7,949

)

14.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2024.

15.	INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS FEES

The Independent Examiners fees for the period were £2,040 (2023: £2,040).