Raunds Child Centre - Charities report

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 05484125 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1111660

Report of the Trustees and

Unaudited Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

for

Raunds Child Centre

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 2025. 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 objectives are 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 parents to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of such groups, ensuring that such groups 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.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

The main achievement was that the playgroup continued to serve the local community in partnership with the parent carers.

The trustees have had regard to the charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. This has been achieved by running the playgroup on a value for money basis for its users. The trustees have ensured that funding has been obtained to cover the payroll costs and to make a contribution to the other resources costs. The trustees have worked with parents, to ensure that their children are educated properly. The Pre-School Learning Alliance policies are implemented by the trustees and a wealth of guidance is available to parents, backed up by workshops and access to outside resources such as Health Visitors and speech experts.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

The financial results of the charity are set out on page 4. The charity, as normal, is dependant on government grants for the operation of the nursery. The Nursery received an OFSTED inspection on 27 February 2025 with an overall rating of inadequate. The manager and staff have worked tirelessly, with ongoing support from the local council, to address the issues. OFSTED have returned and confirmed that the issues have been addressed.

Reserves policy

The unrestricted general funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. The aim is to hold sufficient reserves to cover four months of expenditure, although in reality the reserves now cover less than three months.This lower level of reserves is not expected to affect the charity's operations as long as it continues to receive regular income in the form of nursery grants.

Going concern

The charity has a net loss of £24,376 (2024 a net surplus of £7,870). The reserves have decreased to £20,222 for 2025 from £44,598 for 2024.

As described in the report of the trustees, financial position and reserves policy on page 1, the current economic environment is difficult, and the charity has reported an operating loss for the year and significant decrease in reserves. The trustees consider that the outlook presents significant challenges in terms of grant income and input costs. Whilst the trustees have instituted measures to preserve cash and secure additional income, these circumstances create material uncertainties over future results and cash flows.

The trustees have concluded that the combination of these circumstances represents a material uncertainty that casts significant doubt upon the company's ability to continue as a going concern and that, therefore, the company may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business.

Nevertheless, after making enquiries and considering the uncertainties described above, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For these reasons, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Induction and training of new trustees

New trustees tend to be appointed at the Annual General Meeting, having received the required votes. In most cases, these trustees are already familiar with the operations of the company. The main issue is that of confidentiality and new trustees are made fully aware of this importance.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

05484125 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1111660

Registered office

Carlton House

High Street

Higham Ferrers

Northamptonshire

NN10 8BW

Principal address

Co/ Raunds Playgroup

The Mobile

Mountbatten Way

Raunds

Northamptonshire

NN9 6PA

Trustees

The trustees Mrs L G Cannon, G O Ogunremi, Mrs C A Nash and Mrs J K E Hawdon were the sole trustees for the whole period.

Company Secretary

Mrs L G Cannon

Independent Examiner

C Baird FCA

Willsons

Chartered Accountants

Carlton House

High Street

Higham Ferrers

Northamptonshire

NN10 8BW

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 5 August 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Mrs L G Cannon - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Raunds Child Centre ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 August 2025.

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 - matters of concern identified

I have completed my examination.

I have identified a matter of concern in my report relating to a material uncertainty that casts significant doubt upon the charity's ability to continue as a going concern disclosed by the trustees, please refer to their going concern note for detail.

I confirm that no other matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:

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; and

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 confirm that there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

C Baird FCA

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

Willsons

Chartered Accountants

Carlton House

High Street

Higham Ferrers

Northamptonshire

NN10 8BW

21 August 2026

31.8.25

31.8.24

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Charitable activities

121,914

-

121,914

146,009

Investment income

2

1,098

-

1,098

1,036

Total

123,012

-

123,012

147,045

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

145,858

-

145,858

137,645

Governance costs

1,530

-

1,530

Total

147,388

-

147,388

139,175

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(24,376

)

-

(24,376

)

7,870

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

44,598

-

44,598

36,728

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

20,222

-

20,222

44,598

31.8.25

31.8.24

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

7

1,137

-

1,137

805

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash at bank and in hand

31,039

-

31,039

55,635

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

8

(11,954

)

-

(11,954

)

(11,842

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

19,085

-

19,085

43,793

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

20,222

-

20,222

44,598

NET ASSETS

20,222

-

20,222

44,598

FUNDS

10

Unrestricted funds

20,222

44,598

TOTAL FUNDS

20,222

44,598

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 August 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 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 5 August 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

L G Cannon - 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', the Charities Act 2011and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Financial Reporting Standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions

The charitable company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':

•

the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.

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.

Tangible fixed assets

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

Property

-

10% on cost

Improvements to property

-

20% on cost

Equipment

-

25% on reducing balance

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Cost includes costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended.

Taxation

The company charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

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

trustees.

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

Leasing commitments

Operating leases are written off against income on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.

Grants

Grants received are disclosed within the fee income for the year in which the related expenditure takes place. Grants that specifically relate to future periods are carried forward as deferred income within creditors.

Going concern

The charity has a net loss of £24,376 (2024 a net surplus of £7,870). The reserves have decreased to £20,222 for 2025 from £44,598 for 2024.

As described in the report of the trustees, financial position and reserves policy on page 1, the current economic environment is difficult, and the charity has reported an operating loss for the year and significant decrease in reserves. The trustees consider that the outlook presents significant challenges in terms of grant income and input costs. Whilst the trustees have instituted measures to preserve cash and secure additional income, these circumstances create material uncertainties over future results and cash flows.

The trustees have concluded that the combination of these circumstances represents a material uncertainty that casts significant doubt upon the company's ability to continue as a going concern and that, therefore, the company may be unable to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business.

Nevertheless, after making enquiries and considering the uncertainties described above, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For these reasons, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial statements.

2.	INVESTMENT INCOME

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Deposit account interest

1,098

1,036

3.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

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

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Independent examiner fee

1,530

Depreciation - owned assets

379

268

Other operating leases

3,000

2,250

4.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

For year ended 31 August 2025 and 31 August 2024, no Trustees received remuneration.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.

5.	STAFF COSTS

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Wages and salaries

109,635

108,850

Social security costs

2,390

1,624

Other pension costs

2,206

1,959

114,231

112,433

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

31.8.25

31.8.24

General staff

6

7

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

6.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Charitable activities

146,009

-

146,009

Investment income

1,036

-

1,036

Total

147,045

-

147,045

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

137,645

-

137,645

Governance costs

1,530

-

1,530

Total

139,175

-

139,175

NET INCOME

7,870

-

7,870

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

36,728

-

36,728

Raunds Child Centre

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

6.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

£

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

44,598

-

44,598

7.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Improvements

to

Property

property

Equipment

Totals

£

COST

At 1 September 2024

15,000

17,128

18,740

50,868

Additions

-

711

At 31 August 2025

15,000

17,128

19,451

51,579

DEPRECIATION

At 1 September 2024

15,000

17,128

17,935

50,063

Charge for year

-

379

At 31 August 2025

15,000

17,128

18,314

50,442

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 August 2025

-

1,137

At 31 August 2024

-

805

8.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Trade creditors

-

806

Social security and other taxes

982

782

Net wages

-

(770

)

Pension

488

403

Accrued expenses

2,280

2,099

Deferred grant income

8,204

8,522

11,954

11,842

9.	LEASING AGREEMENTS

Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Within one year

950

Between one and five years

1,188

2,138

3,088

10.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

movement

At

At 1.9.24

in funds

31.8.25

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

44,598

(24,376

)

20,222

TOTAL FUNDS

44,598

(24,376

)

20,222

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

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

123,012

(147,388

)

(24,376

)

TOTAL FUNDS

123,012

(147,388

)

(24,376

)

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1.9.23

in funds

31.8.24

£

Unrestricted fund

36,728

7,870

44,598

TOTAL FUNDS

36,728

7,870

44,598

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

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted fund

147,045

(139,175

)

7,870

TOTAL FUNDS

147,045

(139,175

)

7,870

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Net

movement

At

At 1.9.23

in funds

31.8.25

£

Unrestricted fund

36,728

(16,506

)

20,222

TOTAL FUNDS

36,728

(16,506

)

20,222

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

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted fund

270,057

(286,563

)

(16,506

)

TOTAL FUNDS

270,057

(286,563

)

(16,506

)

11.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2025.

12.	COMPANY STATUS

The charity is a company limited by guarantee. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member.