**Company Registration No. 07557678 (England and Wales)** ## **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** ## **REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** **31 AUGUST 2024** Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** ## **CONTENTS** ||**Page**| |---|---| |Company information|1| |Trustees’ annual report|2 - 6| |Independent examiner’s report|7| |Statement of financial activities|8| |Balance sheet|9| |Statement of cash flows|10| |Notes to the financial statements|11 - 16| Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** ## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** |**Directors and trustees**|Esther Woodison|| |---|---|---| ||Joanne Hannah|| |**Principle office and registered address**|Little Bears Pre-School|| ||Nursteed Community Primary School|| ||Brickley Lane|| ||Devizes|| ||Wiltshire|| ||SN10 3BF|| |**Key management personnel**|Claire Francis|Early Years Manager| ||Sarah Paget|Deputy Manager| |**Accountant**|Ben Dowdeswell|| ||76 Malmesbury Road|| ||Chippenham|| ||Wiltshire|| ||SN15 1QD|| |**Independent examiner**|Tony Woodison|| ||30 Ferguson Road|| ||Devizes|| ||SN10 3UA|| |**Charity Number**|1032470|| |**Company Number**|07557678|| Page 1 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024** The directors present their annual report with the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 August 2024. ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The company is limited by guarantee and is a charity registered in England and Wales. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association and is a public benefit entity. The charity is managed by a committee of nine members, two of whom are trustees. The committee meets once every term and is chaired by the chairperson. Relevant papers are circulated before each meeting and minutes taken. The trustees are responsible for the charity’s risk management and internal control systems. Trustees are nominated and appointed by existing committee members for a period of one year and renewable by nomination for a further term of one year. It is the trustee’s intention to appoint new trustees to represent skills and interests that fully cover the scope of the nursery’s activities. All trustees receive relevant company documentation as part of the induction programme and are kept up to date with policy news through board and trustee meetings. The trustees are responsible for the charity’s risk management and internal control systems. ## **Objectives and Activities** The aims of the pre-school are to enhance the development and education of children primarily under statutory school age and encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups and by; - offering appropriate play, education and care facilities, family learning together with the right of parents 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 in the local areas; - Supporting and furthering the aims and objects of the Pre-School Learning Alliance. The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the future aims and objectives. The Trustees measure the success of the year against the objectives set using financial and non-financial performance indicators. The benefits of the pre-school are assessed not only in terms of the number of places taken but also the positive impact on the children and parents themselves. The review of the year sets out the performance of the charity. Page 2 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024** ## **Achievement and performance** Little Bears enjoyed another successful year. The principle objectives and activities undertaken during the year comprise: - Continuation of financial strength with secure contingencies in place. - Aiming for high occupancy of spaces available for children at the nursery to maximise local authority funding. - Provide outstanding and ongoing play, care and education facilities to the children of the nursery. ## **Charitable Activities** Little Bears is a purpose built pre-school specialising in providing care, play and education facilities to preschool aged children (3 – 4 year olds). A member of the Pre-School Learning Alliance, the provision for the children’s development is guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The charity is funded through the local authority, attendance fees and internal fundraising by committee members and volunteers. The website can be viewed at www.littlebearsdevizes.org.uk The cost of providing pre-school services for the year ending 31[st] August 2024 was £85,028 which was an increase compared with prior year costs of £83,086. 18 children attended throughout 2023-24 guided by a team of 7 qualified staff. Ofsted have rated the quality of the provision as “good”. ## **Helping the Wider Community** Little Bears continues to work in partnership with parents, encouraging volunteers to help with governance and various activities within the setting, working with the wider community to build relationships and help support the children and parents throughout their journey with Little Bears. The setting uses its strong links with local support teams and the local authority to self-evaluate and continue to evolve. ## **Volunteers** None of the activities of Little Bears would be possible without the help and unstinting support of our dedicated committee and volunteers. 1 volunteer engaged with Little Bears during the year. ## **Fundraising Activities** The committee were able to hold fundraising events during the year totalling gross income of £1,501. Fundraising is vital to the nursery as the money raised provides extra-curricular trips and activities for the children. Page 3 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024** Planned fundraising for 2024-25 will include seasonal events as well as the highly successful annual sponsored sports day. ## **Financial Review** Little Bears reported a deficit of £(16,880) on income of £68,147 for the year ended 31[st] August 2024 compared to a prior year deficit of £(7,183). A decrease in intake reduced local authority funding and attendance fees again in 2025, reducing income by a further £(9,258) or 12% year on year. Expenditure increased from £83,086 to £85,028 due to increases in staff costs during the year. Reserves for Little Bears continues to show strength with the balance sheet showing net assets of £50,053 (unrestricted reserves). ## **Reserves policy** Restricted funds are specific to the purpose presented by the donor and are ring-fenced as such for charitable projects. The balance of restricted funds at 31[st] August 2024 is £nil (2023: £nil). The reserves policy states a requirement of at least three months of staff costs in unrestricted reserves which currently equates to approximately £21,200. At 31[st] August 2024, the charity had unrestricted funds of £50,053. ## **Principle risks** The trustees regularly assess the principal risks and uncertainties facing the charity as part of their oversight and planning. The nursery operates with limited financial margins and, like many early years settings, is exposed to ongoing challenges including fluctuations in occupancy levels, recruitment and retention of qualified staff, and changes in local or national funding arrangements. A continued increase in operating costs — particularly due to rising energy prices and the statutory increases in the National Minimum Wage — is placing additional pressure on the charity’s finances. These cost increases may impact the ability to maintain current staffing levels and provision without identifying additional sources of income. In addition, there is a risk that the charity may need to identify alternative premises in the coming years, due to local authority pressures regarding the future use of the current building. This would present both logistical and financial challenges. The trustees continue to monitor these risks closely and manage them through regular financial oversight, scenario planning, and open communication with key stakeholders. Page 4 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024** ## **Future Plans** Little Bears will continue to provide outstanding nursery care, education and support to local children and their families, whilst ensuring solid and continued financial stability. This will be made possible through the continued hard work and training of the Little Bears team. The nursery will begin accepting children from the age of two, enabling earlier access to care and education while helping to support future income. Alongside this, staffing levels will be reviewed to ensure they remain proportionate and sustainable, with a view to reducing outgoings where appropriate. Recruitment for volunteers and new members of the committee is an ongoing factor in the continued success of the nursery. There will be a focus on marketing the setting and highlighting the fantastic work the team does. By increasing our profile in the local area, more parents and families will become aware of the facilities and opportunities available to their children. In the longer term, we will continue to move forward with plans for a new building, and we aim to fundraise towards this goal with the hope of expanding the size of the premises and securing the future of the setting. ## **Directors** The Directors in office during the period were as follows: Esther Woodison Joanne Hannah ## **Directors’ Responsibilities** The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Page 5 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024** The directors have prepared this report in accordance with the special provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. On behalf of the trustees ………………………….. Esther Woodison Director 29 / 05 / 2025 Page 6 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024** ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, - to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of independent examiner’s statement** My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **Independent examiner's statement** In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act - have not been met; or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ………………………………. Tony Woodison Independent Examiner 28 / 05 / 2025 Page 7 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024** |**Notes**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
**2**
Other trading activities
Investments
Other
**Total**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
Fundraising costs
Charitable activities
**3**
**Total**
**Net income / (expenditure)**
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
402
64,996
1,501
357
891
**68,147**
71
71
84,956
**85,027**
**(16,880)**
**(16,880)**
66,933
**50,053**|**2024**
**Total**
**£**
402
64,996
1,501
357
891
**68,147**
71
71
84,956
**85,027**
**(16,880)**
**(16,880)**
66,933
**50,053**|**2023**
**Total**
**£**
633
73,191
1,831
-
249| |---|---|---|---| ||||**75,904**| ||||120| ||||120| ||||82,966| ||||**83,086**| ||||**(7,182)**| ||||| ||||**(7,182)**| ||||74,115| ||||**66,933**| The notes on pages 11 to 18 form part of these financial statements. Page 8 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 ## **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** ## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024** |||**2024**|**2024**|**2023**| |---|---|---|---|---| |**Notes Unrestricted**|**Notes Unrestricted**|**Notes Unrestricted**|**Total**|**Total**| |||**£**|**£**|**£**| |**Current assets**||||| |Debtors|**5**|853|853|1,247| |Cash at bank and in hand||49,575|49,575|66,061| |||50,428|50,428|67,308| |**Liabilities**||||| |Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year|**6**|375|375|375| |Net current assets||50,053|50,053|66,933| |Total assets less current liabilities||**50,053**|**50,053**|**66,933**| |**The funds of the charity**||||| |Unrestricted funds||50,053|50,053|66,933| |||**50,053**|**50,053**|**66,933**| The notes on pages 11 to 16 form part of these financial statements. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime and FRS102. For the year ending 31 August 2024 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. ## Directors’ responsibilities: - The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476, - The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts, - These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime. Approved by the trustees on and signed on their behalf by: 29 / 05 / 2025 ……………………………… Esther Woodison, Director **Company number - 07557678** Page 9 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** ## **STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024** |**Note**


**Cash flows from operating activities**
**Net cash (used in) operating activities**
**11**
**Cash flows from investing activities**
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
**Net cash provided by investing activities**
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year

**Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year**

**Total cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year**|**2024**
**£**
**(16,843)**
357
**357 **
(16,486)
**66,061**
**49,575**|**2023**
**£**| |---|---|---| |||**(7,897)**| |||-| |||**-**| |||| |||(7,897)| |||| |||**73,958**| |||| |||**66,061 **| Page 10 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024** ## **1 Accounting policies** - a) Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. Little Bears Pre School meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s). ## b) Going concern These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. Based on a review of expected income and cash flows over the forthcoming year the trustees are satisfied that the going concern basis is a suitable basis on which to draw up the accounts. ## c) Fund accounting Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal. ## d) Incoming resources Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. - e) Resources expended Expenditure is included on an accruals basis and includes VAT which cannot be recovered. ## f) Fundraising This includes those services directly attributable to the costs of generating funds plus an appropriate proportion of overheads. ## g) Charitable Activities This includes those items incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. Page 11 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024** - h) Allocation of support costs Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support Little Bear’s activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. - i) Debtors Debtors are measured at their recoverable amounts. Page 12 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024** ## **2 Incoming resources from charitable activities** |Local authority funding
Attendance fees
**haritable activities**
Staff costs
Equipment and food
Building repairs / improvements
Trips/ activities
Insurance
Utilities
Rates
Staff training
Fire alarm / safety checks
Clothing
OFSTED
Accountancy fees
IT
Bank charges
Advertising
Rent|**2024**
**£**
61,686
3,310
64,996
**2024**
**£**
71,964
4,149
612
435
957
3,551
200
902
71
68
35
375
755
32
150
700
84,956|**2023**
**£**
68,620
4,571| |---|---|---| |||73,191| |||**2023**
**£**
67,383
4,189
746
507
923
3,902
804
2,273
71
286
35
375
537
180
255
500| |||82,966| ## **3 Charitable activities** ## **4 Taxation** No provision for taxation is required as the company is a Registered Charity and all funds are applied for charitable activities. Page 13 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024** ## **5 Debtors** |**Debtors**||| |---|---|---| |Prepayments and accrued income|**2024**
**£**
853
853|**2023**
**£**
1,247| |||1,247| ## **6 Creditors** |Accruals and deferred income|**2024**
**£**
375
375|**2023**
**£**
375| |---|---|---| |||375| ## **7 Related party disclosure** None of the trustees have received any benefits or remuneration as consideration for their duties to the charity. In 2023, one trustee received £867 for part-time treasury duties. This arrangement ended before the current financial year. No trustees received remuneration or expenses in 2024. ## **8 Company limited by guarantee** The company is limited by guarantee and has two members whose liability is limited to £1 each. Page 14 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024** ## **9 Analysis of total expenditure** |**Expenditure on raising funds**
Fundraising events
**Expenditure on charitable activities**
Provision of pre-school services
**Total**
**Support costs**
Wages and salaries
Governance
Overheads|**2024**
**Direct**

**Costs**
71
7,130
7,130
**7,130**|**2024**
**Support**
**Costs**
-
77,827
77,827
**77,827**|**2024**
**Total**
71
84,956
84,956
**84,956**
**2024**
**£**
71,964
455
5,408
**77,827**|**2023**
**Total**
120| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||82,966| |||||82,966| |||||**82,966**| |||||**2023**
**£**
67,383
602
6,128| |||||**74,113**| ## **10 Independent Examiner’s Fees** The charity paid no fees to the independent examiner for their services in 2024 (2023: £0). Page 15 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 **LITTLE BEARS PRE SCHOOL** **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024** ## **11 Employment Costs** |Wages and salaries
Social security
Other pension
The average number of persons, including
Executive Directors, employed by the company
during the year was:
Charitable activities|**2024**
**£**
70,893
-
1,071
71,964
**2024**
**No's**
7
7|**2023**
**£**
66,221
250
912| |---|---|---| |||67,383| |||**2023**
**No's**
7| |||7| No employee received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) of more than £60,000 during the year. The aggregate staff cost of key personnel for the year was £34,731 (2022-23: £34,781) which includes management personnel. There was one volunteer engaged during the year. ## **12 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities** |

Net movement in funds

Decrease / (increase) in debtors
(Decrease) in creditors

**Net cash used in operating activities**|**2024**
**£**
(16,880)
394
-
**(16,486)**|**2023**
**£**
(7,182)
(715)
-| |---|---|---| |||**(7,897)**| Page 16 Doc ID: 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 > Audit trail Audit trail 9 Dropbox Sign Sign Little Bears Accounts Sign Off Title Title File name File name Little_bears_fin_...S102_DRAFT_1.docx Document ID Document ID 41747051a5553ecefcc4dd27cfc2dcb83bb4e548 Audit trail date format Audit trail date format DD / MM / YYYY Status Status ° Signed **28 / 05 / 2025** Sent for signature to Tony Woodison (woodyt@sky.com) and 15:29:04 UTC+1 Esther Woodison (estherrum36@gmail.com) from ben@freepaper-advisory.co.uk IP: 51.52.131.130 **28 / 05 / 2025** Viewed by Tony Woodison (woodyt@sky.com) 15:33:04 UTC+1 IP: 194.35.122.192 **28 / 05 / 2025** Signed by Tony Woodison (woodyt@sky.com) 15:36:49 UTC+1 IP: 90.218.108.46 **29 / 05 / 2025** Viewed by Esther Woodison (estherrum36@gmail.com) 09:33:59 UTC+1 IP: 148.252.145.133 **29 / 05 / 2025** Signed by Esther Woodison (estherrum36@gmail.com) 09:34:46 UTC+1 IP: 148.252.145.133 **29 / 05 / 2025** The document has been completed. 09:34:46 UTC+1 > Powered by Powered by ~€ Dropbox Sign Sign