## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period**
**From Period start date 1-Sep-21 To Period end date 31-Aug22**
**Charity name: Little Sparks Preschool Charity registration number: 1079011**
## **Objectives and Activities**
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SORP reference
Summary of the Para 1.17 TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF
purposes of the charity CHILDREN BELOW COMPULSORY SCHOOL
as set out in its IN NORWICH A) PROVIDING SAFE AND
SATISFYING GROUP PLAY, IN WHICH
governing document
PARENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE PART
B) ENCOURAGING OTHER CHARITABLE
ACTIVITIES THROUGH WHICH PARENTS
MAY HELP THE CHILDREN.
Summary of the main Para 1.17 and The charity is established to provide
activities in relation to 1.19 parents with an Ofsted approved pre-
those purposes for the school educational facility for children.
public benefit, in The pre-school aims to give the children
social and educational skills to make the
particular, the activities,
transition to primary school as smooth as
projects or services
possible.
identified in the
accounts.
Statement confirming Para 1.18
whether the trustees The Trustees have considered the Charity
have had regard to the Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
guidance issued by the They confirm that in planning and
Charity Commission on carrying out the Charity’s activities they
public benefit have had regards to this guidance.
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## **Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference **N/A** Para 1.38 Policy on grant making **N/A** Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including
program related investment **N/A** Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers **N/A** Other
## **Achievements and Performance**
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SORP reference
The primary aim of ensuring that staff are
fully supported by the Trustees, to enable
the preschool to continue to operate
successfully, has been achieved.
Summary of the main
Para 1.20 The children continue to receive a 1/3 of
achievements of the
a pint of milk per day free of charge in
charity, identifying the
accordance with government strategy.
difference the charity’s
Targeted funding has been used to narrow
work has made to the
the gap for socially disadvantaged
circumstances of its children.
beneficiaries and any
wider benefits to society
as a whole.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Children’s progress is monitored
throughout their time at the setting
Achievements against Para 1.41 using developmental strands and
objectives set those needing extra help and support
are referred to relevant agencies,
parents/carers are involved in
children’s learning with termly
feedback
Where applicable Trustees would
monitor
Performance of
fundraising activities Para 1.41
against objectives set
N/A
Investment performance Para 1.41
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against objectives
## **Financial Review**
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Review of the charity’s Para 1.21
financial position at the During the year, the Charity saw a slight
end of the period fall in overall income and income
generated from fees received. This is due
to the fact of a deficit of government
funding by 9k compared to 2021. A rise in
fee paying children generated an
additional 4k this year reducing the
deficit. Removing these, the Charity
actually had an increase in comparable
income of £10,344 to £126,320. This is as
a result of the Charity receiving a
donation of 15k.
Expenditure for the Charity is closely
monitored. The main cost being that of
wages which rose to £88,533 from
£86,365 as a result of statutory changes
in pension and the national living wage.
The overall expenditure rose to £123,687
(2021: £113,295) due to an increase in
premises rent and includes investment of
£6,691 in play equipment.
The Trustees consider the year- end
financial position to be satisfactory and
confirm that the Charity can meet all
known obligations.
Statement explaining Para 1.22 Reserves are retained to primarily
the policy for holding cover redundancy costs, and fixed
reserves stating why overhead liabilities.Reserves are are
they are held not to be used for other costs.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 39,609
Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22 Reserves are held
reserves
Details of fund materially Para 1.24 There are no funds in deficit for this
in deficit financial year. Receipts and payments
accounts are prepared.
Explanation of any Para 1.23 Although this year, government
uncertainties about the funding has dropped from £112k for
charity continuing as a y/e 2021 to £103k, fees have
going concern increased from £4k for y/e 2021 to
nearly £8k and a donation of £15k
was received from Magdalene Gates
Preschool. Rent has increased
significantly too but cash funds
remain healthy at £87k therefore the
trustees do not have any concerns
that the charity cannot continue as a
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going concern.
## **Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
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Principle sources of funding are
from:
The charity’s principal Norfolk County Council for 2/3
sources of funds Para 1.47 & 4 year old free hours, plus
(including any additional for SEN – these are
fundraising) tracked and reconciled
Parent/carers – regular hours
for children outside the free
hour provision
Parents/carers – additional
hours for children
Parent/Carers – voluntary
contribution for consumable
services
N/A
Investment policy and
objectives including any Para 1.46
social investment policy
adopted
The biggest expense to the pre-school
is the staff on site to meet the ratio
A description of the Para 1.46 requirement for children, and the rent
principal risks facing the payable to the academy.
charity
This is not expected to change going
forward, and the viability of the
preschool very much depends on child
numbers and Government funding
levels which are not increasing in line
with costs.
The Trustees will monitor very
carefully the financial aspect to
ensure the preschool, at all times, is
able to fulfil it’s financial obligations.
Other
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## **Structure, Governance and Management**
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Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing Para 1.25 Constitution
document
(trust deed, royal
charter)
How is the charity Para 1.25 Unincorporated association
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)
Trustee selection Para 1.25
methods including Trustees are appointed at the Annual
details of any General Meeting. The minimum number
constitutional provisions of Trustees is 3, together with a further 3
e.g. election to post or co- opted members and no more than 10
members including trustees. The Trustees
name of any person or
of the Charity are currently parents of
body entitled to appoint
current children or parents of previous
one or more trustees
children and one employee.
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## **Additional information (optional)**
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You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Trustees are subject to DBS checks
and encouraged to review the
Policies and procedures Charity’s constitution, the latest
adopted for the Para 1.51 accounts of the Charity and keep
induction and training of abreast of their duties and
trustees responsibilities.
We encourage group activities in
which parents may help the children.
The charity’s
organisational structure Para 1.51
and any wider network
with which the charity
works
Co-operate with other charity,
voluntary bodies and statutory bodies
Relationship with any Para 1.51 to meet the aims of our association.
related parties
The trustees have agreed to convert
Other to a CIO in the coming year.
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## **Reference and Administrative details**
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Charity name Little Sparks Preschool
Other name the charity Little Sparks Playgroup (Previous name)
uses
Registered charity 1079011
number
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Charity’s principal Knowland grove
address Norwich
Norfolk
NR5 8YB
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## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity**
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Name of person (or body)
Dates acted if not for
Trustee name Office (if any) entitled to appoint trustee
whole year
(if any)
1 Karen Rowley Chair 17 July 2018
2 Tara Macfarlane Trustee 6 November 2014
3 Emily Barker Trustee 6 November 2014
Jacqueline Trustee 26 April 2012
4
Walker
5 Karen Chapman Treasurer 20 April 2021
6 Michelle Heather Trustee 26 October 2013
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
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Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved **Director name**
**N/A**
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
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Trustee name Dates acted if not for
whole year
N/A
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**Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others**
Description of the assets held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
## **Additional information (optional)**
## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**
**Type of Name Address adviser Auditor** Abacus The Willows, Ipswich Rd, Long Stratton, NR15 2TG Accountancy
**Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**
## **Exemptions from disclosure**
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
## **Other optional information**
## **Declarations**
**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** JAWalker **Signature(s)** KMRowley Jackie Walker **Full name(s)** Karen Rowley **Position (eg** Chair Secretary **Secretary, Chair, etc) Date** 14/06/2022
|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at**|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at**|**the end of the period**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Categories**
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
**B1 Cash funds**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
**B5 Liabilities**
**B3 Investment assets**|Signature
**Details**
**Details**
Petty Cash
**Details**
**Details**
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
**Details**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**47,474**
**39,609**
**314**
**-**
**-**
**47,788**
**39,609**
OK
OK
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**liability relates**
**Amount due**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
Print Name|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||OK|
||||**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**-**|
||||**Current value**
**(optional)**|
||||**-**|
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||||**Current value**
**(optional)**|
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||||**When due**
**(optional)**|
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||||Date of
approval|
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CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
1
The Willows, Ipswich Road Long Stratton, NR15 2TG Tel. 01508 333040 office@abcabacus.co.uk www.abcabacus.co.uk
## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of the “Little Sparks Pre School”**
I report on the accounts of the above charity number 1079011 for the year ended 31 August 2022
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (the Act). The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Act 1993 and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act;
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act; and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner’s report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the 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 you as 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 which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:
- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
- the accounts did 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.
Peter Bussey FFA FIPA **24[th] July 2022**
abc abacus ~ the name you can count on !