REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1026965
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
FOR
LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA)
Segrave & Partners LLP Chartered Accountants Turnpike House 1208/1210 London Road Leigh on Sea Essex SS9 2UA
LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA)
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 6 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 | to | 11 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 12 | to | 13 |
LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
The trustees 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
Little Acorns operates under the Pre-school Learning Alliance Amended 2011 Constitution.
Our vision statement is:
"At Little Acorns we are committed to providing a happy, safe, stimulating and caring environment; where children's freedom of choice and their needs and achievements are recognised."
We aim to:
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Make the pre-school a welcome place where children settle quickly and easily because consideration has been given to the individual needs and circumstances of children and their families.
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Provide a secure environment in which all our children can flourish and in which all contributions are valued.
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Help children to establish and sustain satisfying relationships with their families, with peers and with other adults.
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Encourage children to develop a sense of autonomy
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Provide an environment in which there is acceptable behaviour and where children learn to respect themselves, other people and their environment.
We believe that parents are children's first and most enduring educators. When parents and practitioners work together in early years settings, the results have a positive impact on children's development and learning.
We believe that children flourish best when they know how they are expected to behave and should be free to play and learn without fear of being hurt and unfairly restricted by anyone else.
We have regard for the DFES Special Educational Needs Code of Practice.
We have regard for the Equality Act 2010.
We have regard for the Children, Schools and Families Act 2014.
We aim to make children, parents and staff aware of health and safety issues and to minimize the hazards and risks to enable the children to thrive in a healthy and safe environment.
We aim to bring all concerns about the running of our pre-school to a satisfactory conclusion for all of the parties involved.
Significant activities
Each summer we provide a club that enables all children and parents the opportunity to enjoy the facilities of the pre-school, those who come do not have to be attending Little Acorns.
Public benefit
We have regard for the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Page 1
LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Continuing our drive to be financially responsible we have again achieved a positive balance at the end of the year.
Forest school was continued at Belfairs Woods and this continues to be a great offering for the children to spend time outside. Forest school this academic year went to 4 mornings a week, with trying out new session also of beach school which is set to start in 2024/25. This has allowed Little Acorns as a setting to run outside all the time, no matter what the weather, be it in the Cabin of Pre-School or the woodland of Belfairs Woods. It was a great experience for the children and enabled an increase in the overall numbers cared for.
We once again visited the summer trip at call of the wild and experienced many themed days throughout the year, also there was of course the Christmas panto.
There were a number of fundraising events including Easter Trail, sleepover for staff, T Shirts and ice cream sales all raising funds for forest school. The biggest fundraiser was the staff sleep over (£435) and then the Easter Trail (£423).
Little Acorns encouraged the interaction of parents / carers with the significant males / female day where important people in the kids' lives could come into the pre-school to see what they get up to. The evolvement with the children's parents / carers is an important part of the charity.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
We are pleased to report that Little Acorns financial position remains healthy and that the pre-school continues on a firm financial footing. At the year end, the pre-school had total reserves of £128,217 (2023: £117,766), of this amount £35,000 (2023: £35,000) has been designated for future contingencies, this leaves an unrestricted fund position of £93,217 (2023: £82,766).
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1026965
Principal address
The Cabin Barnard Road Leigh on Sea Essex SS9 3PH
Trustees
Philip Read(Chair) Louise Murphy Chris Brettell(Treasurer) Emma Fettroll Salina Ventress Charlotte Jenkins Jessica Joan Lucey-Wright
Independent Examiner
Stephen Pearce ACA FCCA Segrave & Partners LLP Chartered Accountants Turnpike House 1208/1210 London Road Leigh on Sea Essex SS9 2UA
Page 2
LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 10 February 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Philip Read Philip Read (Feb 12, 2025 18:18 GMT)
Philip Read(Chair) - Trustee
Page 3
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA)
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Little Acorns Pre-School (Leigh on Sea)
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Little Acorns Pre-School (Leigh on Sea) (the Trust) for the year ended 31 August 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 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.
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.
Stephen Pearce Stephen Pearce (Feb 12, 2025 19:20 GMT)
Stephen Pearce ACA FCCA
Segrave & Partners LLP Chartered Accountants Turnpike House 1208/1210 London Road Leigh on Sea Essex SS9 2UA
10 February 2025
Page 4
LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 988 Charitable activities Local authority funding 147,496 Fees - parents/vouchers 40,747 Other trading activities 2 2,182 Investment income 3 506 Total 191,919 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Expenditure on charitable activities 181,468 NET INCOME 10,451 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 82,766 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 93,217 |
Restricted fund £ - - - - - - - - 35,000 35,000 |
2024 Total funds £ 988 147,496 40,747 2,182 506 191,919 181,468 10,451 117,766 128,217 |
2023 Total funds £ 1,220 97,479 71,163 2,036 285 172,183 169,561 2,622 115,144 117,766 |
|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 5
LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA)
BALANCE SHEET 31 AUGUST 2024
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 7 442 CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank 95,862 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 8 (3,087) NET CURRENT ASSETS 92,775 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 93,217 NET ASSETS 93,217 FUNDS 9 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Restricted fund £ - 35,000 - 35,000 35,000 35,000 |
2024 Total funds £ 442 130,862 (3,087) 127,775 128,217 128,217 93,217 35,000 128,217 |
2023 Total funds £ 589 119,857 (2,680) 117,177 117,766 117,766 82,766 35,000 117,766 |
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 10 February 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
Philip Read Philip Read (Feb 12, 2025 18:18 GMT)
Philip Read(Chair) - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, 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 Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
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.
Plant and machinery - 25% on reducing balance Fixtures and fittings - 25% on reducing balance Computer equipment - 25% on reducing balance
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
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.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
continued...
Page 7
LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
| OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Fundraising events | 2,182 | 2,036 |
| INVESTMENT INCOME | ||
| Deposit account interest | 2024 £ 506 |
2023 £ 285 |
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
4. 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.
5. STAFF COSTS
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
6.
| Nursery staff No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestricted fund £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 1,220 Charitable activities Local authority funding 97,479 Fees - parents/vouchers 71,163 Other trading activities 2,036 Investment income 285 Total 172,183 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Expenditure on charitable activities 169,561 NET INCOME 2,622 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 80,144 |
2024 11 Restricted fund £ - - - - - - - - 35,000 |
2023 11 Total funds £ 1,220 97,479 71,163 2,036 285 172,183 169,561 2,622 115,144 |
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 8
LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| 6. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - Unrestricted fund £ TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 82,766 7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Fixtures Plant and and machinery fittings £ £ COST At 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024 2,580 13,604 DEPRECIATION At 1 September 2023 2,570 13,025 Charge for year 3 144 At 31 August 2024 2,573 13,169 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 August 2024 7 435 At 31 August 2023 10 579 8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Social security and other taxes Pension control Accrued expenses 9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS At 1.9.23 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 82,766 Restricted funds Contingency fund 35,000 TOTAL FUNDS 117,766 |
continued Restricted fund £ 35,000 Computer equipment £ 705 705 - 705 - - 2024 £ 1,671 516 900 3,087 Net movement in funds £ 10,451 - 10,451 |
Total funds £ 117,766 Totals £ 16,889 16,300 147 16,447 442 589 2023 £ 1,357 453 870 2,680 At 31.8.24 £ 93,217 35,000 128,217 |
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 9
LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 191,919 TOTAL FUNDS 191,919 Comparatives for movement in funds At 1.9.22 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 80,144 Restricted funds Contingency fund 35,000 TOTAL FUNDS 115,144 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 172,183 TOTAL FUNDS 172,183 |
Resources Movemen expended in funds £ £ (181,468) 10,451 (181,468) 10,451 Net movement At in funds 31.8.23 £ £ 2,622 82,766 - 35,000 2,622 117,766 Resources Movemen expended in funds £ £ (169,561) 2,622 (169,561) 2,622 |
|---|---|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Contingency fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.9.22 £ 80,144 35,000 115,144 |
Net movement in funds £ 13,073 - 13,073 |
At 31.8.24 £ 93,217 35,000 128,217 |
|---|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 10
LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 364,102 364,102 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (351,029) 13,073 (351,029) 13,073 |
|---|---|---|
10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2024.
Page 11
LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA) DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations Gift aid Other trading activities Fundraising events Investment income Deposit account interest Charitable activities Local authority funding Fees - parents/vouchers Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Charitable activities Salaries and staff costs Pensions Rent and insurance Educational equipment Nursery supplies Training and recruitment Sundry expenses and subscriptions Travel and trip costs Support costs Management Telephone and computer costs Printing, postage and stationery Repairs and maintenance Cleaning, health and safety Payroll fees Plant and machinery depreciation Fixtures and fittings depreciation Governance costs Accountancy fees |
2024 £ 417 571 988 2,182 506 147,496 40,747 188,243 191,919 151,948 2,460 8,772 5,571 2,133 1,070 1,443 1,596 174,993 1,396 861 654 1,743 773 3 145 5,575 900 |
2023 £ 697 523 1,220 2,036 285 96,073 72,569 168,642 172,183 145,287 2,221 5,235 5,034 2,129 997 1,268 1,086 163,257 1,440 1,084 1,021 896 796 4 193 5,434 870 |
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 12
LITTLE ACORNS PRE-SCHOOL (LEIGH ON SEA)
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
| Total resources expended Net income |
2024 £ 181,468 10,451 |
2023 £ 169,561 2,622 |
|---|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 13
Little Acorns Pre-School - Accounts Y.E
31.08.2024
Final Audit Report
2025-02-12
Created: 2025-02-10 By: Stephen Pearce (stephen.pearce@segrave.co.uk) Status: Signed Transaction ID: CBJCHBCAABAAcyBpD6ML5lAvoJeSC8jXaTLPdbdpBYrs
"Little Acorns Pre-School - Accounts Y.E 31.08.2024" History
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