STEPPING STONES PRESCHOOL (CANTERBURY)

Registered charity 1037668 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as STEPPING STONES PLAYGROUP (CANTERBURY), STEPPING STONES PRE-SCHOOL

We operate as a preschool for the local community, providing education five days a week for 2-5 year olds.

Causes: Education/training · Other Charitable Purposes · website · Get email alerts

Latest income

£97k

Latest spending

£99k

Registered

1994

Accounts read

FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity ended the financial year with payments exceeding receipts by approximately £2,380. The trustees identified the main risk as the disparity between funding avenues and outgoings, noting an ever-present gap between funding and costs that threatens reserves. However, the charity holds total reserves of £25,280, which exceeds its stated policy target of £10,000.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Reserves policy: £10,000 (held: £25k)

“We currently require reserves of £10,000 to cover the costs of charity wind up and dissolution. This covers 3 months approximate running costs and all staff redundancies.”

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Going concern: noted by the trustees or auditor

“The charity is ending this financial year with our payments exceeding our receipts by approximately £2,380.”

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 4 of 6 completeness components.

Public fundraising profile: JustGiving — Stepping Stones Pre School Canterbury (matched by registered charity number).

Funders the charity credits

Named as funders/supporters on the charity’s own website (the charity’s claim, distinct from accounts-verified grants).

Tesco Community Grants — “In 2021 Tesco Community Grants funded a brilliant project to bring children and staff together to use their imaginations to create and share…” (source page)
Canterbury City Council Councillor's Opportunities Fund — “In 2020 Canterbury City Council Councillor's Opportunities Fund funded a new resource for our children to use to express themselves, create …” (source page)
Canterbury City Council — “In 2021 Canterbury City Council funded an exciting intergenerational partnership with Age UK Canterbury bringing children and older people t…” (source page)
Kent County Council's Reconnect Programme — “In 2021 Kent County Council's Reconnect Programme funded a fantastic programme of activities for children and families to enjoy together.” (source page)
Kent County Council — “In 2021 Kent County Council funded the Solihull Approach Understanding Your Child training for parents and carers and provided resources and…” (source page)
Kent Community Foundation — “In 2023 Kent Community Foundation generously contacted £2500 from Kent Community Foundation to contribute towards our day-to-day running cos…” (source page)

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook · instagram

Trustees · trustee networks

Matthew Blanchardchair
Abigail Stavroulakis-McMahon
Alice Parry
Anastasiia Kuznetsova
Chloe Osbourne
Elizabeth McElhinney
SALLY HEATH
Tiffany Carter
Victoria Hough

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Kent

Income and spending

Financial year end	Income	Spending
31/08/2025	£97k	£99k
31/08/2024	£93k	£92k
31/08/2023	£83k	£85k
31/08/2022	£72k	£80k
31/08/2021	£74k	£72k

Common questions

Is STEPPING STONES PRESCHOOL (CANTERBURY) financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity ended the financial year with payments exceeding receipts by approximately £2,380. The trustees identified the main risk as the disparity between funding avenues and outgoings, noting an ever-present gap between funding and costs that threatens reserves. However, the charity holds total reserves of £25,280, which exceeds its stated policy target of £10,000. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.