## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period** **From 01 September 2020 to 31 August 2021** ## Section A Reference and administration details **Charity name** Little Owls Preschool (Boxted) **Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any)** 1129755 **Charity's principal address** King George Playing Field, Cage Lane, Boxted Colchester **Postcode CO4 5RE** ## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |1
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1|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year **|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee (ifany)**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Laura Wells|Chair||| ||Emma Good|Secretary||| ||Denise Rehal|Treasurer||| ||Nicola Bloomfield|||| ||Keziah Lucking|||| ||Lorraine Farrell|||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| |||||| ## **Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)** **Name Dates acted if not for whole year** ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** **Type of adviser Name Address** ## **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)** **Little Owls Preschool (Boxted)** Charity Number 1129755 Company Number 6870915 **Trustees Annual Report 2021** 1 ## **Section B Structure, governance and management** ## **Description of the charity’s trusts** Articles of Association Type of governing document - (eg. trust deed, constitution) How the charity is constituted Company limited by guarantee - (eg. trust, association, company) Elected by members. Trustees can also be co-opted onto the Trustees by Trustee selection methods agreement of the Trustees. Any co-opted member will retire or be elected (eg. appointed by, elected by) as a Trustee at the next AGM. ## **Additional governance issues (Optional information)** You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant, about: - policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees; - the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works; - relationship with any related parties; - trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. Registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and inspected accordingly. Operates under the Early Years Foundation Stage statutory framework. Member of the Early Years Alliance and partner of Essex County Council Early Years and Childcare. Staff and trustees subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks and all hold enhanced disclosures. New staff members are appointed by the trustees in consultation with the manager and business manager, who have received training in safer recruitment practices. All staff receive training in safeguarding children and the setting has three designated safeguarding lead officers. Trustees form the “Registered person” under Ofsted requirements and have overall responsibility for the organisation. Daily running of the setting is led by the preschool manager, business manager and deputy preschool manager. In line with the governing documents, the majority of trustees are parents of children at the preschool. **Little Owls Preschool (Boxted)** Charity Number 1129755 Company Number 6870915 **Trustees Annual Report 2021** 2 ## **Section C Objectives and activities** To enhance the development and education of children primarily under statutory school age by encouraging parents to understand and provide for the needs of their children through community groups and by 1. offering appropriate play, education and care facilities and training courses, together with the right of parents to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of such groups, ensuring **Summary of the objects of the** the such groups offer opportunities for all children whatever their **charity set out in its** race, culture, religion, means or ability; **governing document** 2. encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs; 3. instigating and adhering to and furthering the aims and objects of the Early Years (formally Pre-school Learning) Alliance, Activities of the preschool are in line with the guidance and requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and are inspected and monitored by Ofsted. In December 2019 the preschool was inspected by Ofsted and rated (good). Since January 2020 the setting has a preschool manager and business manager, working together to make sure that the aims of the preschool are achieved, that the preschool remains sustainable and that the welfare and learning and development requirements of the EYFS are met. **Summary of the main** The preschool is an independent, voluntary setting and delivers free early **activities undertaken for the** education for 2, 3 and 4 year olds through a contract with Essex County **public benefit in relation to** Council. The setting offers eligible families up to 30 hours per week of **these objects (include within** funded childcare, as part of the government’s extended offer. This **this section the statutory** enables the setting to contribute to the government aim of providing **declaration that trustees have** disadvantaged children and families with good early education and **had regard to the guidance** childcare. Fees are kept to a level which cover costs and provides **issued by the Charity** sufficient funds to improve the service and resources we provide. Care is **Commission on public** taken to ensure that families are not excluded because of inability to pay **benefit)** the fees and that families are welcomed whatever their circumstances and back grounds. Parents are able to become members of the preschool free of charge. Parents are encouraged to take up membership, volunteer at the preschool and become trustees. The charity trustees have had due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission and have complied with the duty in section 4 of the charities Act 2006. ## **Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)** You **may choose** to include further statements, where relevant, about: - policy on grantmaking; - policy programme related investment; - contribution made by volunteers. **Little Owls Preschool (Boxted)** Charity Number 1129755 Company Number 6870915 **Trustees Annual Report 2021** 3 Section D Achievements and performance **Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year** The preschool is highly regarded in the local community. Families living in Boxted value the preschool and families from areas in nearby Colchester most often come to us by word-of-mouth recommendation. With much new housing in nearby areas, there is high demand for early years places. The setting ensures that places are available for children living in Boxted (who don’t have access to regular public transport and sometimes do not have a car). Beyond that, our priorities are children entitled to government funding, looked after children and families who can benefit from extra support. The past year has been another year of logistical challenges with the effects of COVID-19 still being felt. Managing staff and children to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, making sure the setting is cleaned several times each day. We have however remained open full time through the year to ensure we have been able to provide our parents with the childcare they rely on to enable them to work. We continue to remain almost at full capacity and regularly have new enquiries for new starters. We continue to have a waiting list. One member of staff completed their Forest School Level 3 training and now we offer our older children the opportunity to attend Forest School at no extra charge. This is a welcomed addition to our sessions with parents expressing delight at the opportunity this gives their children. It also builds on the learning environment for children of more disadvantaged families. **Little Owls Preschool (Boxted)** Charity Number 1129755 Company Number 6870915 **Trustees Annual Report 2021** 4 **Section E Financial review** ## **Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves** The financial position at the end of another difficult year remains strong with comfortable cash reserves. There were no fees refunded during the year as government guidance was for us to open. The ability to claim SSP reimbursement for staff off due to COVID-19 helped cover the cost of replacement staff for those periods. Little Owls Preschool holds 1. an unrestricted fund of no more than £40,000 as a contingency to cover 3 months running costs if necessary. This may be necessary to allow the preschool to continue running in the event of a low number of children on roll over a period of time. 2. An unrestricted fund of no more that £60,000 to be used on maintenance of the building and garden area and replacement of essential fixtures such as heating systems, flooring etc. This may in the future be necessary to provide funds towards a replacement building when the current building comes to the end of its life. As at 31 August 2021, the reserves held were 1. 35597.00 2. 30242.41 ## **Details of any funds materially in deficit** There are no funds materially in deficit. ## **Further financial review details (Optional information)** You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant about: - the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising); - how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity; Fundraising was very minimal within the setting with everyone trying to recover from COVID-19. The main fundraising was from the sale of preschool un-essential school uniform and a small raffle held at Christmas. The plan for an outdoor canopy is underway and quotes are being sort. Expenditure on other new resources was managed very carefully until the impact of the pandemic on the setting is clear. - Principal sources of funds: free early education entitlement funding from Essex County Council, fees, fundraising. - investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. **Little Owls Preschool (Boxted)** Charity Number 1129755 Company Number 6870915 **Trustees Annual Report 2021** 5 **Section F Other optional information** ## **Section G Declaration** **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** **Signature(s)** ||**s trustees**|| |---|---|---| |||| |**Full name(s)**
**Position (eg Secretary, Chair,**
**etc)**
**Date**|Laura Catherine Wells|Denise Rehal| ||
Chair|| ||20thApril 2022
20thApril 2022|| ||20thApril 2022|| **Little Owls Preschool (Boxted)** Charity Number 1129755 Company Number 6870915 **Trustees Annual Report 2021** 6 Little Owls Preschool (Boxted) 6870915 Balan¢e Sheet as at 31 August 2021 Fixed Assets Building Fumthre, Equipment & Toys 210,081 2.968 Total Fixed Assets 213.049 Current Assets Bank Current Account Bank Deposit Account Cash Debtors 30,454 65.839 885 Total Current As9ets 97.178 Current Liabilities Cleditors Pre-paid fees Accruals & o)mmitied expendiiure Total Current Llabilities 10.504 10,804 Net Current Assets 86,374 T¢)lal Assets less Current Liabilities 299.423 Capltal & Reserves Unrestricted Reserves bltwd uftrestr￿ed Reserves transferred in Unrestricted Operating surplus for year RestrTCted Funds, Building 85,932 3.410 210,081 299.423 Audit Exem n Staternent For the period ?nding 31J.21 the company was entitled to exemptlon from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Directors. Responsibilty- The Members have not vequired the ￿MpanY to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The dir¢¢toTr acknowledge their responsibilities for ¢omptying with the requlrements 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. wime. Signed on behalf of the Boanl of TnBtees LAthA LLS Little Owls Preschool {Boxted) 6870915 Statement of Financial Activities For period 1.9.20 - 31.8.21 2020 2021 Operating Income 21.234 114.738 70 803 4.547 119 141,511 32,125 115.299 20 1,375 Essex CC Funding Grant Registration Fees Fundraising Donations l other Interest Recerved 23 148,9Lk% Opernting Expenditure Payroll incl. Nl and Employer Pension Premises Costs & Repairs Business Rates Utilities & Water Catering costs Consumabies Minor equip items & repairs offi￿ Costs & admin lrtsurar￿e Training Fundraising expenses MI￿1[aneOuS expenditu Deprecsatson 115.485 123,597 5.896 144 3,207 742 2,738 708 2.421 2,216 734 3.563 1.083 2,375 2,901 1,047 397 871 189 1,899 136,638 1,481 145,496 Total Net Operating Income 4.873 3.410 Llttle Owls Preschool (Boxted) 6870915 Notes to the Finaneial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2021 1 Accounting Policies Accounting convention The financial statements have been prepared under the histor￿ Ca)St convention. and on an accruals basis in accordance with Chanties SORP. Turnover Tumover represents operating income Ixing fees. fundraising. donations & Essex CC child funding grant Tanglble fixed assets Fumiture and office equipment with original Cost value or transfer value of £1CK) and above are treated as fixed assets. Depreciation is provided at 20% per annum on cost ar transfer in order to write off each asset over its estirnated usefvl life. The building VRS funded an ECC grant Shouhj the building be disposed of then the proceeds are restricted. The asset & the reslriction are being amorttsed over the 30 year expected lrfe of the building on a stratght line basis 2 Operating Profrt The operating profft is ststed after charging: 2020 2021 Depreciation 1.899 1,481 3 Debtorn . Amounts falling due within 1 year 2020 2021 Fees due 919 885 919 4 Creditors . Amounts falling due within 1 year 2020 £602 £14,559 £15.161 2021 236 10,268 £10,504 Trade Credrtors Olher creditors & deferred income 5 Accruals & committed expenditure 2020 2021 2(K) 300 6 Tangible FIX￿ Assets . Restricted The Company benefitted from a grant from Essex CC to cover the entire cost of a new building. commiss￿ned in Sept 2010. The building is experted to have a useful lrfe of 30 years, and the balan￿ sheet reflects the amorb"sab"on of the asset and the restrictions on the use of the prr)ceeds which apply under the tems of the grant should it be disposed of, on a Stra￿ht line basis. Total grant r￿1Ved . Less .' Amorttsation for perh￿ 9r2010- 8r2021 331.707 -121.626 210,081 Little Owls Preschool (Boxt¢d) 6870915 Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the year ended 31 August 2021 7 Tangible Fixed Assets . Unrestrictsd A%set Register at 31 August 2021 depreciated over S years. straKJht fine basis Cost at acquisition Depn. blf NBV Blfwd Depn. For period Depn. clfvid NBV at 31.8.21 Brought Forward £19,928 £15.787 £4.141 £1,460 £17,247 £2,681 Disposals in pertod £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 Additi"ons in period £0 £0 £21 £21 £287 Balance 20,236 15.787 4.141 1,481 17,268 8 Reserves 2020 2021 ReseNes blhvd UnreStr￿ed Reserves transferred in Unrestrcted Operating surplus for year Restricted Funds. Building 81,059 85.932 4.873 221,138 307.070 3,410 210,081 299.423 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND WID WAIES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Se¢tion A Independent Examiner s Report Report to the trusts•sl members of Linf WL£ PLE￿110& u7bq 1£ On accounts for th• y•ar •nd•d li Z4)Ll Charity no Ilf any) il Lgiss S•t out on pagos I report to the trustees on my examinati<)n of the a¢¢ounts of the above charity (Ihe Trusf) for th8 year ended R•sponslbllltles and basls of roport As the chariws trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I report in respect of my examlnation of the Trust's accounts carried out under sedion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have follo%￿d all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Indep¢nd?nt rrhe charity's gross income exceeded £250.000 and l am qualified to •xamin?rfs statsment undertake the examination by being a qualified member of linsert name of applicable listed body]l. Delete [ l rf not 8ppIic8ble. I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that dis¢losed bel￿￿") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Charities Act.. or the accounts did not acwrd with the accounting records,. or the accounts did not comply wrth the applicable requirements Con￿MI￿j the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and R8POrts) Regulations 2008 other than any r8quirement that the accounts grve a true and fairf 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 draym in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the ac(J)unts to be ￿aChed. . Please del the words in the brackets rf they (b not apply. Slgned: Nam•: kahrtL Relevant professional qualificationls) or body QLC IER Oct 2018 (If any): Address: £rvfv 4t1 (Lo