DOWNSIDE PRE-SCHOOL
Downside Pre-School offers education and care to children from 2-5yrs. We operate 5 days a week in term time, from 8.45am-3.15pm. We own a purpose built pre-school on a school site in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. We employ up-to 10 experienced and qualified staff, and cater for the local community.
Objects
THE CHARITY WORKS FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT HAVING AS ITS OBJECTS THE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR BY:(1) PROMOTING THEIR CARE AND SAFETY;(2) PROMOTING THEIR EDUCATION AND PROMOTING PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT;(3) PROMOTING THEIR HEALTH AND WELLBEING;(4) PROVIDING SERVICES TO SUPPORT THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AND CARERS;(5) PROVIDING SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS HOLDING MEMBERSHIP OF THE CIO; AND (6) FURTHERING THE AIMS OF THE PRE-SCHOOL LEARNING ALLIANCE.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity ended the year with total reserves of £86,109, an increase from the previous year's £61,469. The trustees note that these reserves provide financial protection to manage potential operational challenges and maintain wage commitments. The organization operates on a small companies regime and received an independent examination rather than a full audit.
What the accounts disclose
“A formal Reserves Policy was adopted by the Trustees and put into place on 3 April 2025. The trustees have designated a proportion of the unrestricted reserves and have physically transferred these monies into the charity's bank deposit account. These designated funds are to be used solely for the covering of unexpected shortfalls in income; managing unforeseen increases in essential costs; meeting one-off emergency needs; funding staff redundancies, if required, and supporting any orderly wind-down process if the charity were no longer financially sustainable.” — page 5
“During the year the charity's treasurer, Mrs C Washington,,was paid a total of £3,917 (2024: £2,008) for her administration services and reimbursed £550 (2023: £1,258) for travelling and accommodation charges to perform this function.” — page 14
“During the year the charity's treasurer, Mrs C Washington,,was paid a total of £3,917 (2024: £2,008) for her administration services and reimbursed £550 (2023: £1,258) for travelling and accommodation charges to perform this function. She receives no payment nor is paid an enhanced rate due to her position as a trustee.” — page 14
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves 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
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (22/12/2022)
- Received assets from another charity (22/12/2022)
Trustees
- Claire Washington
- Helen Shaw
- Julie Russell
- Neil Shaw
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 05/04/2025 | £226k | £201k |
| 05/04/2024 | £193k | £187k |
| 05/04/2023 | £184k | £194k |
| 05/04/2022 | £0 | £0 |
Common questions
Is DOWNSIDE PRE-SCHOOL financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity ended the year with total reserves of £86,109, an increase from the previous year's £61,469. The trustees note that these reserves provide financial protection to manage potential operational challenges and maintain wage commitments. The organization operates on a small companies regime and received an independent examination rather than a full audit. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.