2025-08-31-accounts - Little Oaks

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Charity registration number: 1066952

LITTLE OAKS TRUSTEES' REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

BrackBridge Limited

Little Oaks Contents

	Page
Trustees' Report	1—3
Independent Examiner's Report	4
Statement of Financial Activities	5
Statement of Financial Position	6
Notes to the Financial Statements	7—11
The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts:
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities	12—13

Little Oaks

Trustees' Report For The Year Ended 31 August 2025

The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025.

Objectives and Activities

Aims and Objectives

Little Oaks is a small, well-established preschool located in Brackley, Northamptonshire, and has been serving families in the local community for over 60 years. The setting provides high quality early years education and childcare for children aged two to school age, and is rated Good by Ofsted. Little Oaks is run by a voluntary Management Committee, whose members act as the trustees of the charity, supported by two experienced Setting Managers.

Public Benefit

The setting is committed to placing children at the centre of everything it does - giving every child the best possible start in their education and enabling families to work and thrive with confidence in the care their children receive.

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Achievements and Performance

Main Achievements

This has been a positive year for Little Oaks. The setting continues to provide high quality early years education and currently serves 67 families. There are 26 families on the waiting list for 2025-26 cohort however before September this number dropped to 15 families. Parental engagement remains strong and the setting benefits from a good reputation in the local community.

Last year we requested feedback from our Parents ahead of our Ofsted inspection in December 2024. All Parent feedback was positive and Ofsted were pleased with this. In 2025 we have made an effort to obtain google reviews from current and past families which has boosted us to 18 5* reviews.

The result of our inspection was a very secure “good” rating. The inspector was really pleased with the setting and all that we were doing with the children.

During the year the Setting Business Manager role was held by two members of staff following a change in post-holder. We are grateful to both Sarah and Emily for their contribution to the smooth running of the setting. The transition brought an opportunity to review and improve a number of administrative processes, including the billing and communications arrangements for families - changes that have been well received by parents.

The setting continued to offer wraparound care through its breakfast club and after school provision, giving working families flexible childcare that fits around their needs. Staff retention remains strong, with several long-serving team members whose experience and commitment are central to the quality of provision. All staff receive pay at or above the National Minimum Wage.

Financial Review

Financial Position

The year ended 31 August 2025 saw Little Oaks record a surplus of £13,231, a welcome recovery from the deficit of £6,159 in the prior year. Total income increased to £260,182, driven by a rise in local authority funding and a strong year for fundraising. Expenditure remained broadly consistent with the prior year at £246,951.

The surplus has been retained to strengthen the charity's general reserves. The trustees believe it is prudent to maintain a level of reserves sufficient to protect the setting against short-term financial pressures and to cover essential costs in the event of an unexpected interruption to income. The designated Crisis Reserve of £49,383 remains intact and continues to provide approximately three months of salary cover. Cash held at the year end was £123,646, providing a healthy operational buffer. The trustees are satisfied that the charity remains a going concern for the foreseeable future.

Fundraising

The fundraising team continues to be a tremendous asset to Little Oaks. The events organised during the year not only generated muchneeded funds - contributing £9,787 to income in 2024/25 - but also play an important social role, bringing together families, staff, and the wider community. The trustees are grateful to everyone who gives their time and energy to support these activities.

Page 1

Little Oaks Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025

Objectives for the Year Ahead

Looking ahead to 2025/26, the trustees' primary objectives are to maintain the quality of provision, sustain occupancy levels, and manage the financial pressures arising from staffing costs and the local authority funding environment. Staff pay increased during the year in line with the rise in the National Minimum Wage, and the trustees continue to monitor the impact on the cost base carefully.

We continue to engage with West Northamptonshire Council regarding the setting's lease arrangements, and will update trustees and families as appropriate. The setting continues to operate normally throughout this process. We will continue to recruit committee members with relevant skills and experience, and to invest in the training and development of our staff team. We remain committed to placing children at the heart of our planning and to providing the highest quality early years education for every child in our community.

We need to increase numbers and our visibility within the community and to continue the good work that we are doing.

Structure, Governance and Management

Trustees

Little Oaks is governed by a voluntary Management Committee. Members are elected annually at the AGM and collectively form the board of trustees. Committee meetings are held on a half-termly basis to discuss matters arising and to make decisions for the setting. Trustees and staff are in regular communication, and decisions are taken collectively to benefit the setting.

We continue to review policies and ensure we are following the correct guidelines across all areas. We place great importance on training: all trustees and staff have completed safeguarding training, and staff continue to develop their knowledge and expertise.

We are grateful to all who volunteer their time to support the governance of Little Oaks. The commitment of our trustees, alongside the dedication of our staff team, is central to the setting's continued success.

Reference and Administrative Details

Trustees

Mrs Rebecca Rees - Treasurer Mrs Kath Bell - Chair Mrs Alice Hart Mrs Joanne Boyland (resigned 14/10/2025) Ms Emily McGurk - Secretary (appointed 15/10/2024) Ms Maria Harriss - Committee Member (appointed 15/10/2024) Mr Andrew Lawrie (appointed 14/10/2025)

Charity Number

1066952

Principal Address

Manor Road Brackley Northamptonshire NN13 6EE

Independent Examiner

Lindsay Worville, BrackBridge Ltd ACMA BrackBridge Limited 24 Bridge Street Brackley NN13 7EW

Page 2

Little Oaks Trustees' Report (continued) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025

Other Information

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The trustees regularly review the principal risks facing the charity. The key risks identified are:

Funding pressure:

The rates paid by the local authority for funded childcare hours have not kept pace with the true cost of delivery. Staff costs represent the largest area of expenditure, and as the National Minimum Wage rises, the gap between funding income and the cost of providing high quality care narrows. The trustees monitor this closely and continue to manage costs carefully while protecting the quality of provision.

Staffing costs:

Beyond the direct impact of National Minimum Wage increases, the charity faces ongoing cost pressures from employer National Insurance contributions and pension obligations. The trustees keep staffing levels and structures under review.

Premises:

The setting's lease with West Northamptonshire Council is subject to ongoing negotiation. The trustees are engaged constructively in this process and are taking appropriate steps to secure the long-term future of the setting's premises. The trustees are satisfied that appropriate measures are in place to monitor and manage these risks.

The trustees' report was approved by the board of trustees and signed on its behalf by:

Mrs Kath Bell

Trustee

Date

09 Jun 2026

Page 3

Little Oaks Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Little Oaks For The Year Ended 31 August 2025

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Little Oaks (the Trust) for the year ended 31 August 2025.

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 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner's Statement

Since the Trust’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.

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:

�. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and contents 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.

Lindsay Worville, BrackBridge Ltd ACMA Date 24 Bridge Street Brackley NN13 7EW 09 Jun 2026

Page 4

Little Oaks Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 August 2025

Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 3 Charitable activities: Operation of the charity Other trading activities 4 Investments 5 EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds 7 Charitable activities: 7 Operation of the charity NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD	2025 Unrestricted funds £ 1,326 247,451 9,787 1,618	2024 Unrestricted funds £ 890 233,312 4,287 1,985
	260,182	240,474
	(691) (246,260)	- (246,633)
	(246,951)	(246,633)
	13,231	(6,159)
	13,231 109,165	(6,159) 115,324
	122,396	109,165

The notes on pages 7 to 11 form part of these financial statements.

Page 5

Little Oaks Statement of Financial Position As At 31 August 2025

Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible Assets 12 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 13 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year 14 NET CURRENT ASSETS (LIABILITIES) TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS OF THE CHARITY Unrestricted Funds TOTAL FUNDS On behalf of the board Mrs Kath Bell Trustee Date 09 Jun 2026	2025 Unrestricted funds £ 2,372	2024 Total funds £ -
	2,372 1,193 123,646	- - 109,165
	124,839 (4,815)	109,165 -
	120,024	109,165
	122,396	109,165
	122,396	109,165
	122,396	109,165
	122,396	109,165

The notes on pages 7 to 11 form part of these financial statements.

Page 6

Little Oaks Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 August 2025

1. General Information

Little Oaks is an unincorporated charity registered with the Charity Commission, registered charity number 1066952. The principal address is Manor Road, Brackley, Northamptonshire, NN13 6EE.

2. Accounting Policies

2.1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements

The financial statements 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 charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

2.2. Incoming Resources

Revenue recognition

The trustees are of the view that the immediate future of the charity for the next 12 to 18 months is secure and that on this basis the charity is a going concern.

Recognition of income

Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the resources, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is more likely than not that the resources will be received and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Grants and donations

Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

2.3. Resources Expended

Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised when it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

Charitable activities

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of childcare and other activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

Governance and support costs

Support costs have been allocated between governance cost and other support. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Irrecoverable VAT

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

Creditors

The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts.

Provisions for liabilities

A liability is measured on recognition at its historical cost and then subsequently measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date.

Page 7

Little Oaks Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025

2.4. Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of the fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:

Plant & Machinery 25% Straight line Fixtures & Fittings 25% Straight line Computer Equipment 25% Straight line

2.5. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and are readily convertible to a known amount of cash with insignificant risk of change in value, and bank overdrafts.

3. Income from Donations and Legacies

3. Income from Donations and Legacies
Donations and gifts 4. Income from Other Trading Activities Fundraising events 5. Investment Income Bank interest receivable 6. Net Income/(Expenditure) The net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): Depreciation of tangible fixed assets - owned	2025 Unrestricted funds £ 1,326	2024 Unrestricted funds £ 890
	2025 Unrestricted funds £ 9,787	2024 Unrestricted funds £ 4,287
	2025 Unrestricted funds £ 1,618	2024 Unrestricted funds £ 1,985
	2025 £ 242	2024 £ -

Page 8

Little Oaks Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025

7. Analysis of Expenditure

Activities undertaken directly £ 691 6,173	Support costs (see note 8) £ - 240,087	2025 Total £ 691 246,260
6,864	240,087	246,951
Activities undertaken directly £ 7,364	Support costs (see note 8) £ 239,269	2024 Total £ 246,633
	2025 £ 180	2025 Operation of the charity £ 221,537 7,880 10,248 242 180
		240,087
		2024 Operation of the charity £ 220,989 7,005 11,155 120
		239,269
		2024 £ -

Page 9

Little Oaks Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025

10. Staff Costs

Staff costs were as follows:

taff costs were as follows:
Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs	2025 £ 188,486 22,641 8,867 219,994	2024 £ 192,754 17,932 7,473
		218,159

No employees received employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) for the reporting period of more than £60,000.

11. Average Number of Employees

Average number of employees during the year was: 19 (2024: 19)

12. Tangible Assets

Plant & Machinery £ - 364	Plant & Machinery £ - 364	Computer Equipment £ - 2,250	Total £ - 2,614
364		2,250	2,614
- 8		- 234	- 242
8		234	242
356		2,016	2,372
	-	-	-
		2025 £ (30) 1,223 1,193	2024 £ - -
			-

13. Debtors

Page 10

Little Oaks Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025

14. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year

4. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year
Trade creditors Other loans Accruals and deferred income	2025 £ 180 1,313 3,322 4,815	2024 £ - - -
		-

15. Pension Commitments

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

During the year the charge to the statement of financial activities in respect of defined contribution schemes was £8,867 (2024: £7,473).

At the statement of financial position date contributions of £865 (2024: £0) were due to the fund and are included in creditors.

16. Transactions with Trustees

None of the trustees received any remuneration or any other benefits from an employment with the charity or a related entity during the current or previous year.

No trustee expenses have been incurred.

17. Related Party Disclosures

There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period that require disclosure.

Page 11

Little Oaks Detailed Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 August 2025

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies Donations from individuals Charitable Activities: Operation of the charity Children's services Pre-school funding (Local Authority) Other trading activities Fundraising events Investments Bank interest receivable EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds Staging fundraising events Charitable Activities: Operation of the charity Purchases Wages and salaries Employers NI Employers pensions - defined contributions scheme Staff training Staff welfare Health and safety costs Staff entertaining Rates Light and heat Repairs and maintenance Cleaning Computer software, consumables and maintenance Insurance Printing, postage and stationery Advertising and marketing costs Telecommunications and data costs Accountancy fees	2025 Total funds £ 1,326	2024 Total funds £ 890 890 59,946 173,366 233,312 4,287 4,287 1,985 1,985 240,474 - - (7,364) (192,754) (17,932) (7,473) (1,433) (838) (268) (291) (1,968) (2,555) (2,379) (103) (3,358) (1,196) (1,438) - (698) (1,618) ...CONTINUED
	1,326 60,823 186,628
	247,451 9,787
	9,787 1,618
	1,618
	260,182 (691)
	(691) (6,173) (188,486) (22,641) (8,867) (368) (833) (342) - (2,202) (3,611) (1,103) (964) (3,133) (486) (1,178) (73) (392) (1,851)

Page 12

Little Oaks Detailed Statement of Financial Activities (continued) For The Year Ended 31 August 2025

Professional fees Subscriptions Bank charges Charitable donations Other office costs Sundry expenses Depreciation Independent examiner's fees NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)	(719) (1,349) (458) (7) (601) (1) (242) (180)	(197) (999) (191) (36) (1,422) (2) - (120)
	(246,260)	(246,633)
	(246,951)	(246,633)
	13,231	(6,159)

Page 13

Issuer

Issuer BrackBridge Ltd Document generated Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:35:04 BST Document fingerprint a99420082abd71f919f393a773365d89

Parties involved with this document

Document processed

Party + Fingerprint

Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:53:50 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 10:00:29 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 10:00:29 BST

Mrs Kath Bell - Signer (552d3c7a0a35e60d180ece16efe06a15) Lindsay Worville - Signer (90d7e88bf9e045e802784c3400dffe73) Mrs Rebecca Rees - Copied In (c30dc9b71f796c1552fe65c06c9daa1d)

Audit history log

Date

Action

Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:35:04 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:35:04 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:35:04 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:35:04 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:35:04 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:35:11 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:35:12 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:35:12 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:52:52 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:53:50 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:53:50 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:53:51 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 9:54:51 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 10:00:29 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 10:00:30 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 10:00:30 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 10:00:30 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 10:00:30 BST Tue, 9th Jun 2026 10:00:30 BST

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https://api.signable.app/shareable/envelope?t=c6109fda-b955-4a70-a63c-4 476e520f422 (86.144.231.223) Tue, 9th Jun 2026 10:00:30 BST Document emailed to party email