Little Acorns Annual General Meeting 2024
Chairperson’s Report
– September 2023 August 2024
We opened this school year in September 2023 with a record number of children attending. 19 2 and 3 year olds and 12 in their final year with us before moving up to Primary School in September 2024. Jenny started in her role as setting supervisor and I took on the role of chairperson ahead of this school year starting. I am so proud of how Jenny has taken on her role as supervisor and she has worked so hard this year to ensure that Little Acorns continues to thrive. I visit the setting regularly and it is lovely to see the children and sta� so happy.
The biggest challenge we have faced this year is the building we are in. Evershot Parish hall is now very much showing signs of its age, and this was very apparent, especially in the winter months. We are currently in discussions with the new hall committee and Dorset Council to access any funding we can to improve the facilities we have to use in the hall. The Hall committee are very supportive of continuing to have Little Acorns in the hall and so we will continue to work together to improve the hall for us and all other users in the community.
Fundraising has been quite successful this year with Bags 2 school being organised by Jenny raising £175 . The annual Rampisham toy sale raised £119 with Abi, Jenny, Julia and Astrid helping. Debbie organised the smarties challenge for the Easter holidays, raising £95 and Abi and Julia ran the egg throwing competition at Corscombe fete. The fete has kindly donated £302 to Little Acorns following this.
Fees have needed to rise for September 2024 to enable us to continue to provide the service that we do with the costs of utilities and sta� wages all rising this year, all families have been made aware of this.
Little Acorns is currently over subscribed with a 2 year waiting list, the committee will continue to think of ways over the coming months to see if we can increase capacity in anyway.
Sta� members have stayed the same this year and they are a great team of ladies.
Training that has been completed this year:
Jenny: Sign 100, Mental Health in the Early Years level 2
Laura: PFA, SENCO lvl 3
Julia: understanding autism lvl 2
Jeannie: PFA
Our lovely garden area is being very well used and with the pre-school being full it would be lovely to plan to put some funds into making this space even better for the children. Our thanks go out to kind parents and local tradesmen who have helped with maintenance jobs this year to keep the fence and playhouse safe.
Our links with Stickland’s School are fantastic. We continue to attend weekly forest school sessions on a Wednesday with key stage 1, this really helps the school risers in particular to get used to school and the children and teachers. Abi and Jenny have had regular contact with the
Headteacher Miss Adler and Jenny keeps in regular contact with Mrs Will, Reception teacher to ensure the transition to school is smooth for all.
Our financial position is good and we have money ready to improve the setting this year but we are also keeping a bu�er to allow for future proofing the longevity of Little Acorns. We have also been very grateful to receive £75 from Halstock Cabinet Makers for our garden play improvements. We have been able to continue to pay sta� above national living wage and have been able to add extra activities such as hosting ‘the bug man’ and in July we have ‘Strawberry Jam’ a brilliant children’s entertainer booked to come in for an end of year party.
In mid-June Jenny was informed Ofsted were coming out to inspect Little Acorns with very little notice. Whilst I cannot say the outcome at this time until the report is published. I can say how proud I am of Jenny and all of the team of ladies that make Little Acorns such a special preschool. Being a chairperson when you have such a good team of committee and sta� is a pleasure and I look forward to seeing what the future holds.
Abigail Warne Chairperson June 2024.
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2023 for Little Acorns
Little Acorns
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2023
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Independent Examiner's Report | 1 |
| Profit and Loss Account | 2 |
| Balance Sheet | 3 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 |
Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 August 2023
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of
Little Acorns
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 August 2023, which are set out on Pages 2 to 3.
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 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 43 of the 1993 Act;
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 43(7)(b) of the 1993 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:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the 1993 Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 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.
Roz Barrett Accountancy Services 61 Prankerds Road Milborne Port Sherborne Dorset DT9 5BX
Date: 28[th] June 2024
Page 1
Little Acorns
Profit and Loss Account For the Year Ended 31 August 2023
| INCOME Fees Grants Fund Raising Donations Interest Total Income EXPENSES Wages Rent and Electricity Ofsted Insurance Playgroup Materials and Equipment Playgroup Activities Garden Expenses Work to School Cost of Fund Raising Printing, Stationery, Postage and Telephone Sundries Audit and Accountancy Depreciation Capital Grant Expenditure Provision for Bad Debts Bad Debts Writte Off Total Expenses PROFIT/-LOSS |
31.08.23 31.08.22 £ £ 70,303.86 45,491.19 - 1,000.00 6,328.50 516.83 177.27 260.50 - - 76,809.63 47,268.52 46,150.50 52,479.69 7,151.56 5,664.65 50.00 50.00 787.42 764.72 844.39 877.20 30.00 55.46 - - - - - - 290.34 267.20 912.56 858.72 450.00 556.00 769.66 962.07 - - - - - - 57,436.43 62,535.71 19,373.20 (15,267.19) |
|---|---|
Page 2
Little Acorns
Balance Sheet
31 August 2023
| FIXED ASSETS Tangible Assets CURRENT ASSETS Debtors & Prepayments Reserve Account Current Account Cash in Hand CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors and Accruals NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES CAPITAL AND RESERVES Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds: Building Fund Awards for All Work to School Enrichment |
2023 2022 £ £ 3,078.63 3,848.28 551.50 1,040.01 - - 29,459.66 7,140.62 122.85 28.15 30,134.01 8,208.78 3,089.10 1,306.73 27,044.91 6,902.05 30,123.54 10,750.33 30,123.54 10,750.33 - - - - - - - - 30,123.54 10,750.33 |
|---|---|
Page 3
Little Acorns
Statement of Financial Activities Restricted and Unrestricted Funds For the Year Ended 31 August 2023
| Incoming resources from generated Funds Voluntary Income: Donations Grants receivable Activities for generated Funds Fees, and other income Total Incoming resources Resources expended Costs of generating funds Fundraising trading costs Charitable activities Governance Costs Transfer of Funds Total Payments Net expended resources Fund balances brought forward At 1stSeptember 2022 Fund balances carried forward At 31st August 2023 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds Funds Funds 31/08/23 31/08/22 177.27 177.27 260.50 - - 1,000.00 76,632.36 76,632.36 46,008.02 £76,809.63 - £76,809.63 £47,268.52 18.75 18.75 - 56,967.68 56,967.68 61,979.71 450.00 450.00 556.00 - - - £57,436.43 - £57,436.43 £62,535.71 19,373.20 - 19,373.20 (15,267.19) 10,750.33 - 10,750.33 26,017.52 30,123.54 - 30,123.54 10,750.33 |
|---|---|
Page 4
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2023 for Little Acorns
Little Acorns
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2023
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Independent Examiner's Report | 1 |
| Profit and Loss Account | 2 |
| Balance Sheet | 3 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 |
Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 August 2023
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of
Little Acorns
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 August 2023, which are set out on Pages 2 to 3.
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 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 43 of the 1993 Act;
-
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 43(7)(b) of the 1993 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:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the 1993 Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 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.
Roz Barrett Accountancy Services 61 Prankerds Road Milborne Port Sherborne Dorset DT9 5BX
Date: 28[th] June 2024
Page 1
Little Acorns
Profit and Loss Account For the Year Ended 31 August 2023
| INCOME Fees Grants Fund Raising Donations Interest Total Income EXPENSES Wages Rent and Electricity Ofsted Insurance Playgroup Materials and Equipment Playgroup Activities Garden Expenses Work to School Cost of Fund Raising Printing, Stationery, Postage and Telephone Sundries Audit and Accountancy Depreciation Capital Grant Expenditure Provision for Bad Debts Bad Debts Writte Off Total Expenses PROFIT/-LOSS |
31.08.23 31.08.22 £ £ 70,303.86 45,491.19 - 1,000.00 6,328.50 516.83 177.27 260.50 - - 76,809.63 47,268.52 46,150.50 52,479.69 7,151.56 5,664.65 50.00 50.00 787.42 764.72 844.39 877.20 30.00 55.46 - - - - - - 290.34 267.20 912.56 858.72 450.00 556.00 769.66 962.07 - - - - - - 57,436.43 62,535.71 19,373.20 (15,267.19) |
|---|---|
Page 2
Little Acorns
Balance Sheet
31 August 2023
| FIXED ASSETS Tangible Assets CURRENT ASSETS Debtors & Prepayments Reserve Account Current Account Cash in Hand CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors and Accruals NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES CAPITAL AND RESERVES Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds: Building Fund Awards for All Work to School Enrichment |
2023 2022 £ £ 3,078.63 3,848.28 551.50 1,040.01 - - 29,459.66 7,140.62 122.85 28.15 30,134.01 8,208.78 3,089.10 1,306.73 27,044.91 6,902.05 30,123.54 10,750.33 30,123.54 10,750.33 - - - - - - - - 30,123.54 10,750.33 |
|---|---|
Page 3
Little Acorns
Statement of Financial Activities Restricted and Unrestricted Funds For the Year Ended 31 August 2023
| Incoming resources from generated Funds Voluntary Income: Donations Grants receivable Activities for generated Funds Fees, and other income Total Incoming resources Resources expended Costs of generating funds Fundraising trading costs Charitable activities Governance Costs Transfer of Funds Total Payments Net expended resources Fund balances brought forward At 1stSeptember 2022 Fund balances carried forward At 31st August 2023 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds Funds Funds 31/08/23 31/08/22 177.27 177.27 260.50 - - 1,000.00 76,632.36 76,632.36 46,008.02 £76,809.63 - £76,809.63 £47,268.52 18.75 18.75 - 56,967.68 56,967.68 61,979.71 450.00 450.00 556.00 - - - £57,436.43 - £57,436.43 £62,535.71 19,373.20 - 19,373.20 (15,267.19) 10,750.33 - 10,750.33 26,017.52 30,123.54 - 30,123.54 10,750.33 |
|---|---|
Page 4