## **LADYBIRDS PLAYGROUP**
## **CHARITY COMMISSION REGISTERED NO.1036691**
## **STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS**
**for the year ended 31 August 2024**
**LADYBIRDS PLAYGROUP Charity Information Charity number: 1036691**
## **Trustees**
Miss Karlie Powell Miss Michelle Borkertas Mrs Nikki Courtman
Chair Treasurer
Appointed 18 November 2024
## **Bankers**
Barclays Bank 91 - 92 High Street King's Lynn Norfolk PE30 1BL
## **Independent Examiner**
K.J. Maggs F.C.A. Hoekman Way Spalding Lincs PE11 3HE
## **Registered Office**
28 Sutton Road Walpole Cross Keys King's Lynn Norfolk PE34 4HD
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**LADYBIRDS PLAYGROUP**
## **Annual Report**
## **for the year ended 31 August 2024**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2024. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the charity's constitution and 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 issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
## **Structure, governance and management**
## **Governing document**
The charity is constituted by the Charity Commission and is a registered charity with the charity number 1036691. The charity was formed in 1993 and became a registered charity on 20 April 1994. The charity is governed by its constitution, which was adopted on 21 July 1993 and amended along with other Preschools on 1 March 2017.
## **Appointment of trustees**
A prospective trustee must be formally proposed and approved by the current committee.
## **Objectives and Activities**
Ladybirds aim is to provide high quality care and education for children below statutory school age,
- a) to work in partnership with parents to help children to learn and develop,
- b) add to the life and well-being of the local community, and
- c) offer children and their parents a service that promotes equality and values diversity.
The provision for children's development and learning is guided by The Early Years Foundation Stage (DCFS 2007). From September 2008 the Early Years Foundation Stage became law. This brings together Birth to Three Matters and the Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage. Our provision reflects the four key themes and 16 commitments of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
## **Governance**
Ladybirds has a parent management committee whose members are elected by the parents of the children who attend the setting. The elections take place at our Annual General meeting in October.
The Committee is responsible for;
- a) managing the setting's finances,
- b) employing and managing the staff,
- c) making sure that the setting has, and works to, polices that help it to provide a high quality service,
- d) making sure that the setting works in partnership with the children's parents.
The Annual General meeting is open to the parents of all of the children who attend the setting. It is our shared form for looking back over the previous years activities and shaping the coming years plan. Our setting recognises parents as the first and most important educators of their children. All of the staff see themselves as partners with parents in providing care and education for their child. There are many ways in which parents take part in making the setting a welcoming and stimulating place for children and parents, such as exchanging knowledge about their children's needs activities, interests and progress, with the staff helping at sessions of the setting, sharing their own special interests with the children, helping to provide, make and look after the equipment and materials used in the children's play activities, being part of the management of the setting, taking part in events and informal discussions about the activities and curriculum provided by the setting, joining in community activities in which the setting takes part and building friendships with other parents in the setting.
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**LADYBIRDS PLAYGROUP Annual Report (continued)**
**for the year ended 31 August 2024**
## **Achievements and performance**
Ladybirds has had another amazing year, with the setting being full with each session at full capacity of 28 children we are now operating a waiting list. We have had some wonderful experiences this year for the children which has really helped their development from the music man coming in weekly, to a Shetland pony visit. The children thrive when they are happy and supported and with their additional needs the music man has been great music therapy. We remain inclusive and look for different outside organisations to visit us and give all the children varied activities.
The fees paid by the parents had been forced upwards as a result of reduced government funding and increased costs. However, Ladybirds has continued to grow and been able to sustain the capacity numbers of children attending the setting.
All expenditure has been well managed by staff and most areas have followed a similar spending pattern to other years. Significant increases have been seen in training, resources and equipment in recent years, which is due to the maximum number of children and the need to continually update equipment in order to keep it in line with current standards.
As well as a current account. the Charity holds a small amount in a deposit account in case of closure and the need for pay-out of redundancy.
The results for the charity for the financial year are detailed on pages 5 and 6.
## **Public Benefit**
We maintain that the aims and objectives of the charity remain of public benefit as shown within the activities and achievements and performance above. The trustees consider that the objectives and activities of the charity are in accordance with the Charity Commissions' general guidance on public benefit. The early years development of the children benefitting from the Charity's objects gives them a much valued foundation for later schooling and life in general.
## **Reserves policy**
As well as a current account, the Charity holds a small amount in a deposit account in case of closure and the need for pay-out of redundancy. As a result of governmental policy reducing the funding availability we have increased this provision so that funds remain available should they be needed.
Approved by the charity's trustees on **25 June 2025** and signed on their behalf by:
## **Mrs Nikki Courtman**
Trustee
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**Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of LADYBIRDS PLAYGROUP**
I report to the charity on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2024, which are set out on pages 5 and 6.
## **Responsibilities and basis of Report**
As the charity trustees 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 charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the 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:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records, or
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.
**K.J. Maggs B.A., F.C.A. Chartered Accountant Spalding**
Date: **25 June 2025** .
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## **LADYBIRDS PLAYGROUP**
## **Statement of Financial Activity**
## **for the year ended 31 August 2024**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2024 2023
Total Total
£ £
Incoming resources
LCC Funding 70,769 82,941
Club fees 28,129 13,323
98,898 96,264
Fundraising 2,156 -
Investment income - Bank interest 145 46
Total incoming resources 101,199 96,310
Resources expended
Wages 76,300 67,671
Staff training and First Aid 147 52
Rent and rates 1,681 1,439
Insurance 631 526
Repairs and renewals 90 381
Toys, books and equipment 1,801 2,307
Educational visits and tutoring 450 -
Pet costs 105 190
Uniforms and clothing 128 285
Shopping and resources 1,505 4,174
Telephone 190 110
Post and stationery 433 875
Subscriptions 450 50
Sundry expenses 315 464
Independent examination 495 2,182
Professional fees 835 1,285
Payroll fees 1,152 576
Capital assets acquired 1,013 632
Total resources expended 88,071 83,199
Net expenditure 13,128 13,111
Cash funds at 1 September 52,615 39,504
Cash funds at 31 August 65,743 52,615
**----- End of picture text -----**
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## **LADYBIRDS PLAYGROUP**
## **Statement of Net Assets**
## **at 31 August 2024**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Note 2024 2023
£ £
Cash deposits
Barclays Community account 41,328 45,501
Barclays Savings account - Fundraising 2,193 -
Barclays Savings account - Redundancy 22,222 7,114
65,743 52,615
Debtors
Counselling (Contract) 738 -
PAYE and NI 756 -
Prepayments 368 307
Monetary assets 67,605 52,922
Creditors
Independent examiner's fee 500 495
Rent - 33
Other professional fees 967 835
Monetary liabilities 1,467 1,363
Net monetary assets 66,138 51,559
Total net assets 66,138 51,559
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Notes to the financial statements**
## **1 Accounting policies**
The statements of financial activities has been prepared on a receipts and payments basis which is a consistent basis to previous years.
## **2 Control**
The charity decisions are made by the trustees as a body and are detailed on page 1 of this report. No one trustee or group of trustees has a dominant control.
## **3 Related parties**
Trustees received reimbursed expenses during the year for playgroup items purchased for the nursery. Two trustees received remuneration during the year only in respect of their work as playschool teachers for the nursery and not in their capacity as Trustees.
These accounts were approved by the board on **25 June 2025.**
## **Miss Michelle Borkertas**
Trustee
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