SANDCASTLES PLAYGROUP
The charity aims to encourage and enhance the development and education of children primarily under school age.
Objects
THE AIMS OF THE PRE-SCHOOL 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:(A) OFFERING APPROPRIATE PLAY, EDUCATION AND CARE FACILITIES, FAMILY LEARNING AND EXTENDED HOURS GROUPS, 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;(B) ENCOURAGING THE STUDY OF THE NEEDS OF SUCH CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AND PROMOTING PUBLIC INTEREST IN AND RECOGNITION OF SUCH NEEDS IN THE LOCAL AREAS;(C) INSTIGATING AND ADHERING TO AND FURTHERING THE AIMS AND OBJECTS OF THE PRE-SCHOOL LEARNING ALLIANCE.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity ended the year with a net surplus of £17,027, increasing its unrestricted general reserve to £122,664. The trustees report that the charity expects to maintain a general reserve equivalent to at least two months of running costs. The independent examiner confirmed that no material matters came to their attention during the examination of the accounts.
What the accounts disclose
“The Charity expects to maintain a general reserve equivalent to at least two months running costs” — page 2
Policies the charity declares
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Paying staff
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/08/2025)
Trustees
- MISS LYN GRATTENchair
- Angie Fisher
- Karen Embley
- Lisa Slocombe
- Melissa Lockyer
- NORMA WEBBER
- SHARON BROADHEAD
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £508k | £492k |
| 31/08/2024 | £464k | £432k |
| 31/08/2023 | £393k | £390k |
| 31/08/2022 | £395k | £383k |
| 31/08/2021 | £374k | £397k |
Common questions
Is SANDCASTLES PLAYGROUP financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity ended the year with a net surplus of £17,027, increasing its unrestricted general reserve to £122,664. The trustees report that the charity expects to maintain a general reserve equivalent to at least two months of running costs. The independent examiner confirmed that no material matters came to their attention during the examination of the accounts. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 16/11/2006 | £5k | Partnership between Castle School & Sandcastles |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE HOBSON CHARITY LIMITED | 1 | £10k |
| CHARLES S FRENCH CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE TOY TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| ST FAITH'S TRUST | 1 | £4k |
| SIR JOHN PRIESTMAN CHARITY TRUST | 1 | £2k |
| CBRE UK CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £2k |
| THE BROUGHTON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £1k |
Charities like this
- SANDCASTLES PRE SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
- THE SANDCASTLE TRUST
- SUTTON CENTRE UNDER 5S PLAYGROUP
- ST MARYS PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP
- GREAT CHART AND SINGLETON PLAYGROUP
- ST CUTHBERTS PLAYGROUP
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SANDCASTLES PLAYGROUP | £508k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| SANDCASTLES PRE SCHOOL PLAYGROUP | £104k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE SANDCASTLE TRUST | £159k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| SUTTON CENTRE UNDER 5S PLAYGROUP | £104k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ST MARYS PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP | £238k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| GREAT CHART AND SINGLETON PLAYGROUP | £166k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |