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 chIld￿n 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 objeC￿v•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 A￿USt 2024
No188
Flxod Assets
ilding
Fumiture. Equipment & Toys
176,910
5.812
Total F￿ed 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 bl￿d
Unrestrl¢ted Reserves transferred in
Unrestrthd Operatlng surplus for year
ReStr￿ted Furmts. Bulklin9
106.218
19.610
176.910
tlon Sta
For th• Poflod •nding 31.8.24 th• company vrds ènliu￿l 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.
0￿ratIng Exp•ndlturg
Payroll incl. Nl and Employer Pension
p￿rnIses Costs & Rapalrs
Business Rates
Utiiit*s & 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•r*tlng 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 histo￿al c03t corNention, and on an
a(xtuals basis in ac¢ordance with Charities SORP.
Turnover
Turn0￿r represents op8r*ng 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 oper*ng 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) 6870*15
Nots8 to th• Financhl stat￿￿￿ . contlnuad
forlho y•ar ondod 31 Augu8t 2024
7 Tanglble Flx•d Assets '. UnT88trl¢t•d
F￿ed 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 per￿d
£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 Oper*ng 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
con￿mIng 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:
IL11￿1￿￿
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