Trustees. Annual Report for the period From 01 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 Section A Reference and administration details Charty name Little Owls Preschool {8oxted) Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1129755 Charlty's prlnclpal address King George Playing Field, Cage Lane, Boxted Colchesler Postcode C04 5RE Nam88 ofthe charlty trustees who manage the Gharity Dates acted rf not for whole TNstso namo Offioe (rfany) Namo of person (or body) entitled toa olnt trusteo Ifan Laura Wells Chair Secretary Treasurer Resigned Jan 2024 Resigned Jan 2024 Emma Good Denise Rehal Nicola Bloomfield Keziah Lucking Joanne Partridge Angela McLean Stuart Potter Hann8h Page Rob Gamble Simon Thorr Megg Flexman Amy Wellington Jennifer Scally Namos of the trustees for the charlty. if any, (for example. any cu3todian trusts8s) Name Datss actsd If not for whole ear Resigned Jan 2024 Resigned Jan 2024 Resigned Jan 2024 Resigned Jan 2024 Jan 2024 onwards Jan 2024 onwards 10 Treasurer Chair Secretary 12 Jan 2024 onwards 13 Jan 2024 onwards 14 Jan 2024 onwards Names and addresses of advlsers (Oplional infomiation) Little Owls Preschool {Boxted) Charity Number 1129755 Company Number 6870915 Trustees Annual Report 2023
o of advlser Name Addre55 Name of chief executive or narnes of senlor staff membèrs Ioptlonal Infomiation) Section B Structure, overnance and mana ement Desciiption of the charlty's trusts Articles of Associalion Type of goveming document How the charity is constituted Company limited by guarantee Trustee selection melhods Elected by members. Trustees can also be co-opted onto the Trustees by agreement of the Trustees. Any co-opted member will retire or be elected as a Trustee at the next AGM. Addltional governance issuog (Optlonal Informatlon) Registered by Ofsted on the Earfy Years Register and inspected accordingly. Operates under the Earfy Years Foundation Stage statutory framework. Member of the Early Years Alliance and partner of Essex County Council Earfy Years and Childcare. You may choose to include additional infonnation, where relevant, aboul.. policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees- the charity's organisational structure and any wider netwoth with which the charity works., re18tionship wrth any related parties., trustees, consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. Staff and Irustees subject to Disdosure and Barring Service checks and all hold enhanced disclosures. New staff members are appointed by the truslees in consultation with the Manager and business manager, who have received Iraining in safer recruitment practices. All staff ceIve training in safeguarding chIldn and the setting has tAvo designated safeguafding lead officers and one deputy safeguarding lead officer. Trustees fonn the "Registered person" under Ofsted requirements and have overall responsibilily 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, Ihe majority of Irustees are parents of children at the preschool. Little Owls Preschool (Boxted) Charity Number 1129755 Company Numbèr 8870915 Trustees Annual Report 2023
Section C Ob'ectives and activities To enhan the development and education of children 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 rigm of parents lo take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of such groups, ensuring the such groups offer opportunities for all children whalever Iheir race, culture, religion, means or ability; 2. encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families and promots.ng public interest in and re(x)gnition of such needs., 3. instigating and adhering to and furthering the aims arKI objects of the Early Years Alliance, Summary ofthe objects ofthe charlty set out In Its governlng docum•nt Little Owls Preschool (Boxted) Charity Number 1129755 Company Number 6870915 Trustees Annual Report 2023
Activities of the preschool are in line with the guidan and requirements of the Earty Years Foundation Stage framework and are inspected and monitored by Otsted. In December 2019 the preschool was inspecled by Ofsted and rated good. sin January 2020 the setting has a preschool manager and business manager, working together lo make sure that the aims of the preschool are achieved. that the preschool remains sustainable and that the welfare and leaming and development requirements of Ihe EYFS are met. Summary ofthe main activities undertaken for the public beneflt In relation to these objects {Include within this sectlon the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commlssion on publlc b8nefft) The preschool is an independent. voluntary setting and delivers free early education for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds through a contract with Essex County Council. The setting offers eligible families up to 30 hours per week af funded childcare, as part of the govemment's extended offer. This enables the setting to contribule to the government aim of providing disadvantaged children and farnilies wtth good early education and childcare. Fees are kept to a level which cover costs and provides sufficient funds to improve the service and resources we provide. Care is taken to ensure that families are not excluded because of inability to pay 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 regaid to the guidan on public benefrt published by the Charily Commission and have complied with the duty in section 4 of the charities Acl 2006. Additional detalls of objeCv•S and activities (Optional infomiationl You may choose to include further statements. where relevant, about: pollcy on grantmaking", policy programme related investment; contribution made by volunteers. Section D Achievements and performance Llttle Owls Preschool {Boxted) Charity Numbèr 1129755 Company Number 6870915 Trustees Annual Report 2023
Section D Achievements and performance 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 lo us by word-of-mouth recommendation. Summary ofthe main achievements ofthe Gharity during the year With much new housing in nearby areas, there is high demand for early years places. The setting ensures that places are available for children ving in Boxted (who do not have access to regular public transport and sometimes do not have a car). Beyond that, our priorities are children entilled to govemment funding, looked after children and families who can benefit from extra support. Some of the procedures brought in during the Covid 19 pandemic continue to be used as we found these to work better. One being that parents say good-bye at the gate and the children come into preschool with staff. To ensure we remain as free as possible from viruses we have maintained the same cleaning regime as was in place during Covid 19. We have remained open full lime 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 at full capacity and regulady have new enquiries for new starters. We continue to have a waiting lisl for parents requiring 8essions through the current academic year and have a long waiting list for the new academic year. Forest School18 now operating ea¢h term throughout the academic year. There is no additional charge and thi5 is a very welcomed addition to our sessions wilh parents expressing delight at the opwrtunity this gives their children. 11 also builds on the learning environment for children of more disadvantsged families. The children thoroughly enjoy these sessions. There have been no safeguarding incidents during this year. Little Owls Preschool {Boxted) Ch8rity Number 1129755 Company Number 6870915 Trustees Annual Report 2023
Section E Financial review The finanual Position at the end of a normal running year remains healthy with good cash reserves. There was no need for any fees to be refunded during the year. Brief5tatement ofthe charty's policy on reserves Little Owls Preschool holds an unrestricted fund of no more than £40.000 as a contingency to cover 3 rnonths running wsts 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 replacemenl of essential fixtures such as heating systems, flooring elc. This may in the future be nec8ssary to provide funds lowards replacement building when the current building comes to the end of its life. As at 31 August 2024, the reserves held were 1. 40,000 2. 21,691.47 Detalls of any funds materlally in deff Gft There are no funds materially in deficil. Further flnanclal review details Ioptional Infonnatlon) Fundraising conlinues to be important to help with capital expenditure induding new equipment. The main fundraising vrfas from a well- supported sponsored fun run held in May, then a small raffle held at Christmas and a very small amount raised from the sale of preschool un- essential school unifom. The main expense that the fundraising was used for was placement of outdoor surfacing with new rubber material as the previous material had degraded and was unsafe. This cost in the region of £8,000. We also purchased two new ilems of outdoor play equipment {water pump and climbing frame) to replace old and unrepairable items. Expenditure on other new resources was managed very carefully and the purchase of art and craft resourrks was also managed carefully a8 we continue to use stock. You may choose to indude additional information, where relevant about: the charity's principal sources of fund8 (including any fundraising): how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity; investment pollcy and objeclives including any ethical investment policy adopted. Principal sources of funds.. free early education entitlement funding from Essex County Council. fees, fundraising. Little Owls Preschool (Boxt•d) Chaiity Number 1129755 Company Number 6870915 Trustees Annual Report 2023
Section F Other optional information Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report abovo. Slgnad on bohalf of the charity's trustees Slgnaturn(s) Full nam8{s) Positlon leg SecTrtsry, Chair, etc) Simon Matthew Thorpe Chair Megg Flexman Secretary Date Little Owls Preschool {Boxted) Charity Numbèr 1129755 Company Number 6870915 Trustees Annual Report 2023
LItt Owkn PM¢hool IBoxted) 6870915 BalaTh Sh•ot as 31 AUSt 2024 No188 Flxod Assets ilding Fumiture. Equipment & Toys 176,910 5.812 Total Fed Assds 182 522 Cuff•rtt Assets Bank Cuffent Accounl Bank Deposit Account Cash Debtors 58,835 61,691 501 Totsl Curr•nt Agvts 121.027 CuTrent Llabllltl•8 Cr8ditor8 Preppaid fe88 Accruals & commthd expendlture Total Currnnt Llabllltlo• 511 300 811 Net Current Assets 120,216 Total A•8•ts l•u Curi•nt Llabilille 02,738 Capltal & RMwva• Unrestiicted R88erves bld Unrestrl¢ted Reserves transferred in Unrestrthd Operatlng surplus for year ReStrted Furmts. Bulklin9 106.218 19.610 176.910 tlon Sta For th• Poflod •nding 31.8.24 th• company vrds ènliul to exornptlon from audlt und•r Sgctlon 477 of the Companlos Act 2006 rnlatlng to small companlo Dlr•ctors' Rosponslblllty: Th• members havo not roqulr•d the compAny to obtain an audll of It• a¢¢¢unts for th• year in guestlon In acc4wdaft wlth se¢tlon 478. The dlrndor8 acknowlodgo their r¢8pon8ibililios fr)r Comptylng wlth th• r•qulToments of the Act wllh rnspect lo accounllng r•¢ords and tho proparntlon ol XCOUDts' Th accounts have been prepared In accordance wtth the wovlsfofts appllcable to companles subject to th• Small companfjes. roglme. Slgn•d on behalf of the Boanl of Trustees by i Q . A&/LL
Uttla Cxvts PreKhool IBoxted) 687091S ststemont ol Flnanclal Actfvttl89 For period 1.9.23 - 31.824 2022r23 2023t24 Notes Owratlng In¢0 Fees Essex CC Funding Grant Registralion Fees Training Grant Fundraising Donations l Qther Interest Recaved 39,366 115,794 120 50,821 133.204 20 5,833 2,356 525 890 2,461 231 158.038 193. 0ratIng Exp•ndlturg Payroll incl. Nl and Employer Pension prnIses Costs & Rapalrs Business Rates Utiiits & Watar Catering costs Consumables Minor equip rtem8 & repalr6 Offi Costs & admin Insurance Training Fundrdtsing expense6 Miscellan8ous expendibjre 131.604 5.704 27e 2,e21 820 3,397 3,912 1,941 2,922 143,395 12.550 222 3.145 2,803 2,876 2,992 S62 700 1,082 2,286 174,039 1.001 2.385 158,151 Total Nat Qp•rtlng Incomo -113
Llttle Owls Prts¢h•)oI IBoxted) 6870915 Noles to the Plnanclal Statem•nts for the year ended 31 August 2024 1 Accountlng Polkles A¢counling conventlon The financial stat8m8nts have been prepared under the histoal c03t corNention, and on an a(xtuals basis in ac¢ordance with Charities SORP. Turnover Turn0r represents op8rng Income beirvJ fees, fundraising, donalions & ErAex CC child funding grant Tanglbla fixfjd assets Furniture and office equipment with onginal cost valu8 or transfer value of £100 and above are treated as flX assets. Deprettat is provided at 20% per annum on cost or transfer in order to ite off each assat over Its estimated usefvl life. The buHdlng was funded with an ECC gfant. Should the buildlng be disposed of then the proceeds are restricted. The asset & the restnction gre tseing amortised over the 30 y¢ar expected life of the building on 8 stralght line basis 2 Oporatlng Proflt The operng profit Is stated after Gh8rging'. 2023 2024 Depreciation 2,385 2,286 3 D•btor¥ ' Anwnts falllng du• wlthln 1 year 2023 2024 Fees dtse 501 601 4 Crndlto¢• = Amounts fllllng duo wlthln 1 year 2023 2024 Trade Creditors Other credltors & deferred incomo 312 9,536 £9 510 £610 5 Accruals & committed expendlture 2023 300 6 Tanglblo Flxed A8g•ts . Re8trlctsd The Company benefitted from a grant tr Essex Cc to cover the entire cost of a n8w building, commissioned tn Sgpt 2010, The building is expeGted to have a usefvl life of 30 y8ars, and the balan sheet r8118cts the amortssation of Ihe asset and the restrictions on the use of tho proceeds whith appty under the tern of Ihe grant should Ft be disposed of, on a str8ighi line basis. Total gront received . Less . Amortisation for period 912010- 812024 331.707 -154,797 176,910
Litde Owkn Presehool IBoxted) 687015 Nots8 to th• Financhl stat . contlnuad forlho y•ar ondod 31 Augu8t 2024 7 Tanglble Flx•d Assets '. UnT88trl¢t•d Fed Asset Rwster at 31 August 2024 d8pre£xated over S years, strawht line basis Cost at acquisilk>n Depn. NBV BI Depn. For p•rlod NBV al 31.824 8rought Forward £27,886 £21.570 £6,316 £2,031 £23,601 £4.285 Disposab in perd £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 Additioris in period £1,582 £0 £265 £255 £1,327 Balanc• 29,468 21.570 6A18 2,286 23,866 5.612 8 R•wv 2023 2024 Resefves blfivd Unrestrided Reserves transferred in Unrestrioted Operng surplus for year Restrict8d Funds, Building 106,331 106,218 -113 187,987 4.185 19,810 176.910 ,738
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustses On accounts for the year ended Charlty no (if any) Set out on pages ep.t. I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trusf) for the year ended Responsibilltles and basis of report As the charity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan with the requirements of the Chanties Act 2011 (°the Acf). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under seclion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent tthe charit, examiner's statsment *ake thfre icable. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Chanties Act" or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conmIng 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 fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection wrth the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets rf they do not apply. Signed: Dats: IL111 Name: hikni Relevant professional qualification(s) or body IER Oct 2018
{If any)= Address: &cVcrJ , c ILC4.( r1E isj. Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidan for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examlner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018