Company Number 06995636 Charity Number 1132906 u￿LE THEfFORD ACORNS REPORT AND FINANCIAL sfATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 VlllllMNllWIII *NA5DAJSY' 27105r2021 COMPANIES HOVSE A08 #49 LrrrLE THEfFORD ACORNS REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 Contents Pa£e Dirertorf Foreword Company Inf0M￿tIOn Report of the Trustees 3-10 Independent Examinerfs Report li Stalement of Financtal Activities 12 Balance Sheet Notes to the financial statements 14tr19 LITfLE THETFORD ACORNS DIRE￿oR5, FOREWORD FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 th Little Therford Acorns Pre-school & Children's Club was incorporated on 19 August 2(MJ9. registered as a charity on 23rd November 2009 and commenced attivities in January 2010. A purpose-built building was completed in February 2010, using grant funding from Sure Start and Cambridgeshire County Council. The Business Plan and building design and construction were developed and managed from the resources within the parent 8roup tO8ether with the experience of the committed staff. The service provision extended existing pre-school care. to offer affordable. good quality childcare includin8 through the School holidays. Our purpose-built setting is situated on Parish Council land and is approximately 400m from the Primary School enabling close working with our colleagues in education as well as being convenient for our parent users. Little Thetford Acorns would not be able to operate without support of all the parent users. and in particular the efforts of parents on the Committee who work hard to maintain our profile, fundraise for events and act as main liaison between Dirertors, Users and Staff. The current Directors are very pleased to see that all the hard work in setting up Little Thetford Acorns has resulted in such a well-used Pre-school and a well-regarded community provision. Little Thetford Acorns relies on the dedication of the volunteer Directors and Committee Members and we are pleased that our efforts and those of the staff have led to such a successful year. K Hilton Chair & Director S Warren Dirertor R Crossman Director M Warwick R Dunne Director Director C Gilbey Director H Roche Director LirriE THETFORO ACORNS COMPANY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 The Management Committee presents its report and financial statements forthe year ended 31 August 2020. Reference and Administration Information Charity Name: Little Thetford Acoms Charity registration number- 1132906 Company registration number- 06995636 Date of incorporation= 19 Avgust 21x19 Registered Office and operational address: Oak Field. The Wyches. Little Thetford, Cambridgeshire. C86 3HG Directors: Mrs K Hilton Mrs M Warwick (secretary) Mrs S Warren Mrs R Crossman Mrs R Dunne Ih Ms H Roche l appointed 5 ort 2020) th Mrs C Gilbey l appointed 5 Oct 20201 Director Director Director Director Director Direttor Dirertor Mrs D Hanrfey I resigned 5 Oct 20201 Director Director Director Director th Mrs J Ingle { resigned 5 Oct 2020) th Mr J Richardson ( resigned 5 Oct 2020) Miss K Dyer I resigned 14th December 2020) Principal Officer: Chairperson. Mrs K Hilton Banker: National Westminster Woolpack Chambers. 16 Market Street. Ely. CB7 4YY Investment Banker: United Trust Bank Ltd 80 Haymarket. London, SWIY4TE Thomson. Webb & Corfield Solicitors 16 Union Road, Cambridge, CB2 IHE Independent Examiner: C Prescott. FCCA. A Pond House 56 Station Road Haddenham LITTLE THETFORD ACORNS REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 The Directors (Trustees) present their annual report with the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2020. The accounts comply with the requirements of the Companies Art 2006. the Charities Act 2011, the Memorandum and Articles of Association. Financial Reporting Standard 102 and follow the recommendations in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Prartice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102} leffective l January 2015). 5TRucfuRE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governin Document Little Thetford Acorns operates as a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee. incorporated on 19th August 2009 and registered as a Charity on 23 November 2009. The company wa5 established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objetts and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1. ointment of Mana ement Committee and Membershi The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purpose of charity law and underthecompanls Articles are known as members of the Management Committee. Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association the members of the Management Committee are elected from existing users of the services to serve for a period of one year after which they must be re-elected at the next AGM. up to a maximum of six consecutive years. The Management Committee typically meet once every 44 weeks to discuss business / building and staffing related matters. anisational structure and wider network TRUSTEES/MANAGEMENT COMMITfEE Directors & Committee Members Little Thetford Primary School Manager Head Teacher Foundation Stage Teacher Office Assistant Deputy Pre-school manager Pre-school Assistants Relief Workers/ Volunteers LITTLE THETFORD ACORNS REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 Consideration of ma or risks and the em and wocedures to mana e them Holding regular meetings enables the identification of any major risk early. whether it is financial. staffing, Ofsted or management/building related etc. Any additional support required is discussed. for example if a significant fundraisin8 event is required or Business Support required from the County Covncil/Preschool Learnin8 Alliance- or rf additional Staffing resources are needed. Our Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy is of prime importance and is continually reviewed and updated if required. Daily risk reviews of the setting are essential for the safety of children and staff. therefore are reviewed regularly and updated. No major risks have been identified for this period. Ob ertives and Artivities The company's main objertives, as set out in its Mission Statenient: At Little Thetford Acorns it is our oim to provide o setting in which children are ht7PPy ond Secure ond in which there is on atmosphere of mutual trust,. where children know they are volued ond respected. We oim to pmvide c setting where leorning is exciting and on intrinsic port of their ploy ond all thot they enjoy. It is our intention to instil in eoch child o IITfelong love of leorning ond to give eoch child the sociol skills needed to contribute to the wider community. Summary of the principal activities in relation to these objertives: The setting attracts pre-schoolers from Little Therford. but also from the Ely area and surrounding villages. Our holiday club attracts from our pre-schoolers as well as school-age children from Little Thetford Primaryschool and meetsthe needs of thefamilies in the village and surrounding villages. Details of the Service Provision Places available Age range rimes of opening Wrap around a.m. l Age 2y- Rising 5's 08.30-09.00 hours Pre School 2 Age 2y- Rising 5's 09.00- Is.￿ hours Wrap around p.m. 12 Age 2y- Rising 5's 15.00- 16.30 hours Holiday Club 2 Age3y-Agell 09.CKI- 16.CKJ hours Pleose note.. Wrop omund core w05 not offered during the finonciol yeor 2019-2020, due to lack of demond. Wrap around CGre: This provides a welcoming and relaxed environment, where children enjoy a healthy snack if required. LITfLE THETFORD ACORNS REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 Details of the Service Provision - continued Pre-5chool- Here we continue to provide a welcoming and stimulating environment. providing a variety of activities and opportunities for the children. These include sand and water play, construction toys. music and singing, arts and crafts, writing area. mathematics area, home corner/role-play area, as well as opportunities for outside play. We also have a snack café. where healthy snacks are provided. On a Monday mornin& we run a Forest School session for the over 3's. We spend the morning in the local forest, led by a qualified Forest School practitioner. This inspirational process offers all children regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees. Forest School is a specialised learninE approach that sits within and complements the wider context of outdoor and woodland education. We provide a wide and varied curriculum based on the Earlyyears Foundation Stage, offering activities and opportunities to enable the children to be confident and independent learners. The staff use information gained through observation and assessment to inform their planning to ensure that individual children's needs are met. Individual progress records are regularly maintained. We ensure that children are involved in the planning of activities and future purchases of equipmentlresources by a variety of means such as discussions with the children, and questionnaires. We use the key-person system to enable us to work c105ely with families and help us meet individual children's needsand fvrther enhance the education and care we provide. Lunch provision: Parents have the option of extending their child's day in pre-school, bv sending in a packed lunch for their child. Wrap oround core- Parents are able to be flexible, accordin8 to their daily requirements and use the wrap around care provided to extend the hours at pre-school. This is available for half an hour in the morning and for l % hours in the afternoons, including the option of light refreshment if desired. depending on demand. Holiday club: Activities offered include sports morning. bakin8. themed craft work and games. This year, we were unable to run the Easter Holiday Club due to Covid-19 restrictions. We offered the Summer Holiday Club to our existin8 pre•school children. prioritising children of keyworker5. We will continue to work hard in establishing and promoting Holiday Clubs. Partner5hl wlth arents and local commun We have outstanding partnerships with parentlcarers. We recognise that parentslcarers are their children's primary educators and the importance of working with those closest to the children. We achieve this by ensuring that parents/carers have the opportunity to discuss their children's progress with staff through regular meetings. Staff are available at the start and end of each session. We artively support parents/carers if they wish to attend a session at the provision or if they wish to be involved in the organisation of the group by being a committee member or regular volunteer. Unfortunately. due to Covid-19 restrictions. we were unable to allow any parentslcareers into the setting during the summer term. We have good links with the local school, with re8ular visits throughout the school year. We also continually strive to seek new links within our local community. LITfLE THETFORD ACORNS REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 Surnmary of the main achievements of the charlty duringthe year: Continued to promote parentlcarer opportunity to become involved in Committee and with local fundraising events. Variety of fundraisin8 events includin8 Bottle Tombola. Cake Stalls. Bag25chool clothing collections. Promoted two members of staff to the positions of Arting Manager and Deputy Manager. Staff continued to attend courses and enhance their trainin8 in other areas throughout the year. Maintained a reflertive team which helps us to continue to improve and enhance the provision. Continued to keep the website updated to ensure it is an excellent source of information for current users as well as new parents searching for information. Continued to run weekly Forest School sessions up until March 2020. Rearran8ed the internal and external spaces to maximi5e learnin8 Potential Returned to using Tapestry to record observations Toddlergroup continued to be held every Monday morning until March 2020 and was run by volunteers from the committee. Continued to strengthen links with LT primary school, includin8 fundraising activities, Road Safety session and continued communication for learning and development. Maintained our profile in the wider communtythrough local advertising. Starting developin8 and trackin8 the literacy project funded by the Opportunities Area Grant, working in partnership with Ladybirds and Little Therford Primary School. Managed to maintain pre-school provision for those families that needed us, from June through to Au8USt. LITTLE THETFORD ACORNS REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 Plans for future ars The charity plans to continue the activities outlined above in the forthcoming year. Continually update the Ofsted Self Evaluation and Development. Further increase our number of users in the afternoons and in our extended services. Continue to advertise and promote our serrfices. Staff development: continue to identify staff trainin8 requirements through the Professional Development Reviews. Half-termly supervision reviews and annual appraisals take place. Continue to improve the resources in the preschool such as the purchase of tools to aid fine motor skills and the purchase of a climbing frame to improve gross motor skills. We are in receipt of a granttotrain a further memberof staff as a Forest School leader and to buy resources to SUPPOrt this training. Promote the value of becoming a Committee member to maintain a good balance of old and new members. Continue to work with Ladybirds and Little Thetford Primary School in regard to the Opportunities Area Grant we have been awarded. Flnanclal Revlew Principal sources of funds are from Early Years Foundation Stage funding and parent fee income for pre-school and out of school care. In the current year the charity has focused closely on cash flows and ensured costs are closely morbitored. Fundraising attivities during 2019120 were very restrirted and we were unable to hold our annual Summer Fun Day. which generates a substantial amount of our fundraisin8 income. Overall, we have managed to raise nearly half of our target amount of £3,000. Fundraising amounts are used to offset the cost of special activity days. outings, purchase indoor and outdoor equipment as well as. improving the garden area for the children to play in. We maintain a calendar of fundraising events. In February. we were pleased to receive a one-off additional SENIF payment of £500 from Cambs County Council. to support the future of our inclusive prartice and the support for children with complex needs. In addition, this year we successfully applied for a Covid-19 Business Support Grant from East Cambs District Council. worth £3.000. At the end of the year. we received a generous donation of £250 from the Leavers, parents. Fees are set at a competitive, but financially realistic rate. to attract parents and maintain financial viability. These fees are reviewed annually. We have cash flow forecasts in place and income is monitored on a regular {monthlyl basis against the budget. LITfLE THETFORD ACORNS REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 Flnanclal Review- tontinued The Working Family Tax Credit and Childcare Voucher Schemes are promoted in order to underline the affordability of childcare. We are currently registered with a number of childcare voucher schemes and will register with new ones when parents/carers request us to do so. We currently hold a contingency fund of over 3 months. running costs. Reserves Poll The Management Committee has examined the Charivs requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be 3 months of expenditure and therefore a target of £27,000 should be held in general funds. The reserves are needed to meet the working revenue requirements for the charity and the Management committee are confident that at this level they would be able to continue the current activities of the charity in the event of a significant drop in funding. Detalls of An funds in Deficit There are no fund5 materially in deficit. Audlt This is a small company therefore no audit is required. An Independent examination is required. Inde endent Examlner An independent examiner, Chris Prescott of Taxattack, has been approved by Committee and appointed. LITfLE THEfFORD ACORNS REPORT OF THE TRUSTEE5 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 Acknowled ements The Management Committee of Little Thetford Acorns is very grateful to all the individuals and organisations that have helped in a variety of ways during this year of operation. We relv on dedication and time given by staff, volunteers, parents and the local community. We would like to thank individuals. families and organisations for their financial help whether it is from a donation or attendin8 one of our fundraising events. Little Thetford Acorns received other contributions that are much appreciated such as goods and play equipment. which can be used bythe children in the setting. People also give up their time to help the charity in many ways (helping with charity collections. being parent helper in pre-school sessions and fundraising events). We rely on our raffles, fundraising etc to be able to keep providing an excellent service. Little Thetford Acorns would like to extend their thanks to the people who were responsible for giving out grants in previous years and those who helped with donations. Public Benefrt In settin8our programme each yearwe have re8ard to boththe Charity Commission'sEeneral guidance on public benefit and prevention and relief of poverty for the public benefit. The trustees always ensure that the artivities we undertake and services provided are in line with our charitable objects and aims. LITfLE TH￿F0RD ACORNS REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 Statement of Dirertorf Res nsibilities The directors, who also act as trustees. are responsible for preparing the Dirertors. Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the directors (who are also trustees for the purpose of charity lawl to prepare the financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the direttors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable lawl. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, of the company for that year. In preparing those financial statements. the directors are required to: select suttable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; state whether applicable UKAccountingStandards have been followed, subjecttoanv material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements: and prepare the financial statements on the goin8 concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Att 2LK16. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of thecompany and hence fortakin8reasonablestepsforthe prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the Directors. Report above at the Management Committee on 17th May 2021 and signed on behalf of the charty's trustees by.. Signature: Kate Hilton Chair Date: 25 May 2021 Independent ex$min¢rfs report to tbe t￿￿ttts of Little Therford Acorns Period Ended August 31st 2020 I report on the accounts of the company for year ended August 31 2020 set out on pages 12-19. Respective The t￿￿te¢S (who are also the directors of the company for the pur￿Se$ of responsibilities of company law) are responsible for tbe preparation of the accounts. The trustees and trustees consider thal an audit is not required for this year under section 144 examiner {2) of the Clwities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent exarnination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit and is eligible for independent examinatio￿ it is my resp)nsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 ACL to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act, and to state Wheth￿ particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given independent by the Cl)arity CommissioL An examination includes a review of the examiner'$ report 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 audil and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the rep)rt is limited to those matters set out in the next statement. In contLection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: l) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in. any material respect, the requirements: io keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 386 of the Companies Act and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Re¢on)mended Practice: Accounting 8nd ReEM)rting by Charities have not been met or 2) to which, in my Opinio￿ attention should be drdwn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Independent eiaminer's stat¢in¢Dt C Prescott, FCCA Pond House, Station Rd, Haddenham, Cambs. Date.. May 26, 2021 LITTLE THEfFORD ACORNS STATEMEKf OF FINANCIAL AcnvrriES (induding income & Expenditure Account} FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2020 Unrestricted Restrirted Funds Funds 2020 2019 Total Funds Total Funds Notes Incornlng resources Incoming resources from generatlng funds Voluntary income Activities for generating funds Investment and other income Incomin8 resources from charitable artivities Childcare services 303 1,392 5,879 303 1,392 5,879 2,311 4,521 5,069 57.153 57,153 94,146 Total Incomlng Resources 64,727 64,727 106,047 Resources expended Cost5 of generating funds Fundraising trading: cost of goods sold and other costs Charitable artivitie5 Childcare services Governance costs 201 201 1,131 69.402 .950 69.402 950 100,415 970 Total Resources Expended 70,553 70,553 102.516 Net surpluslldefiat) for the year Total funds brought for¥vard 15,826) 53,180 (5,8261 53.180 3.531 49,649 Total funds carrled forward 47.354 47,354 53,180 All of the above artivities rep￿sent ongoing artivities. All recognised gains and losses are reflected in the Statement of Financial Activities and, therefore. no separate Statement of Total Recognised Gain and losses is disclosed. 12 LI￿LE THETFORD ACORNS Q6GfSI 16,) Ctq