ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financlal statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION (A Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2025 Charity numb8r: 1145108 Company number: 07703801
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annval Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 CONTENTS Tw¥tert' RgPQrt Page 3 Aboul Acom Earty YeaTS Foundation Page S A¢hi&vèments and Performance in 2025 Paga 8 The Year In Numbers Pagg 12 SryI Impoct Page 12 Finance Rewew Pago 17 Independent Auditorfs Report to members ofA¢om Earty Year5 Foundation Pago 20 Statement of Finarrial ALvItS IwK4uding income and gxpendilure a¢cA)untl Pago 23 B8nCe Sheet Page 24 Statement of Cash Fk)ws Page 25 Notes to the Financial Ststements Page 26
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 TRUSTEES, REPORT Th8 Iwstses, who ar8 Also tha directors ofthe Chadty for the purp)ses of the Companies Act, submlttheir Annual Report tOgetrwIth the audited finanryal stst8m8nts for the year end1 31 D8C8mb8r 2025. The ffinan¢lal statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Comp8nYa8 Ad 2006. the MenK)randum and Artickgs tsf Associab'on, and Accounting and Reporting by Charitss: Statement of RQmmended applicable to ch8rlties pieparing thelr accounts in accordance with tho Financlal Reportong Standard applicable in th8 UK and R8public ol Ireland IFRS 1021 leffethg 1 January 20191. Roference and Administrative Dolails of tho Charlty, Its trustees and advisors Charity regist8r8d number Company registered number. 1145108 07703801 Thg r8gist6r6d address forthe Charity dso hous8S the central support team.. Vnit 47, Watersid8 8ams Lodge Fami Business Centre Casuethorpe Milton Keynes MK19 7ES The followiro Irustè8s served during the peri)d, orwere in offKe al tho time Ihase accounts were approved.. Resigned 16 July 2025 Eva Lbyd Carolyn Norfolk Giles Chitton Narendra Lallani Vanessa Gwynn Damien Begdham Rob8rt Piosser-Dryer Laura Faulkn Katherine Pillai Suzanne Dawes 0111a Whit Emma cox Hannah Che8th8mJoshi Michelle Sogga Denise Bragg JOYn Ho0r Chairof Injstees. AFpointed 30 April 2025 Resigned 3 February 2026 Resigned 3 February 2026 Resign•d 6 Fobluary 2026 Appointed 30 ri12025 Appointed 24 October 2025 Apsy)inled 13 February 2026 Appointed 13 February 2026 The tru$te8s délegate the thy404ay man4om¢nt ol the charrty to the Chief Exg¢utiv¢ Officer ICEOI and the Senior Leadership T8am ISLTI.. Zoe Raven Emlly H8pden Sue Fenton Laura Tingey Gabrfelle Brdndon Steve Petty Santa Svlke Chief Executtve Officer Head of Finan¢e H8ad of Paoplo & Tal1 Haad of 0perth.ons Haad of MarkeUng & Communicalons FalItieS and Health & Safety Manager Su5tain8bility & Govgrnance Lead
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Flnancial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 Reference and Admlnlstratlve Detalls of the Charlty, its trustees and advlsors (contlnuèd) Compary S8cretAry.' Zoe Raven Bankgr8: H8nde1sken Moorgate Hous 201 Silbury Boulevard Milton Keynes MK9 ILZ Soliutors." Shakespeare Martineau Exchange Squar 21 North Fourth Street Milton Keyngs MK91HL Auditors.. MHA Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors The Pinnacle 150 Midsummer Boulevard Mlllon Keyne MK9 1LZ
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 ABOUT ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Hlstory Acom Early Years F¢wndation (Acoml was g$t8bli$hl in 1989 with a single nuwsery in ts village of Casuethorpe, Milk)n Kgyng¥. Thg foundèr, Zoe Ravan, still leads tho organisation as Chief Executiv& Officer ICEOI, now works th a central support team to SUPFX)rt 18 nurseries auoss four counts"es, as well as outd-scloI elubs, hOlaY plays¢hetne$, naturg ndergartens, forest schools, catering, trainlng and consultancy $gnA. Acom init181ty oper8ted as 8 private Company. slov4ty expanding and diversfyirKJ into s(00age chilthare, foresl schools. training, and ueating a catering hub to support nurseries lacking full catering facile$. By 2011, Acom had developed a ¢ros$4ubsidy model tr) supwrt nurserfes in econOmallY ¢Jisadvantaged areas, and at this point Zoe re¢ognksgd that being a privte cornpany was limitlng the social impact that had become Central to Acom s mission. A separate not-fof-profit ¢x)mpany, Tall Oaks. had already been establishe(I to forest schools and training Sorvices, and thls then became a regISted charity and over several years the nurserfes were transferred from the Original company Into thls charftable social enterise. The pro¢es6 was completed In 2016, at whh point the oruanisation ehanged Its name Irom Acorn Chiklcare lo Acom Earty Years Foundation. Ao)rn has develop1 socfjal irnpaet mcmjel io ensu that its ce ethos and valuos ar? fvlty r¢alv8ed, gnd the Ofgani58tion is conbnuing to grow at a manageable pace. Mlsslon and Objectives Acom's mSssion statement 18,10 bè an tn$wralionl194ming orgèntsauon which operale$ & modelof excellence for garlyyears ¢ar&and eduoafron whith 8cCesbIe lo 81r. The ch81ity's objeetivas are to enhance the development and edu¢atK)n of children primarity undar th6 age of 818ven by.. The provi$ton of high quality childcare in nurseries. out-of-school clubs and forest schools.. 2. Working to ensure that high quality chiklcare availablo lo chiklren and families rggardlgss of means, race, disability, g8nd9r, r81igK)n, balial or any other lactor". Idgnufying Qthgr w¢lal and dwèlopmantsl support needs ofchildren and famllles and seeklng to ensurg these are met", 4. Encouwing, enabllng and supporting the involvement of panIS and cargrs in their childrgn'$19gming alld devbk)pm$nl,' an¢J 5. Contributing to Ihg profgssw)n41 ¢#¢v•lopm$nl of Il)s8 worklng In chikjcare. Ethos and Pedagogy A¢om's Core valu9$ 8r8 root8d in an 8thic of car8, and implefflented through a relational podago9y. The 8th1¢ of ¢aTe ernpha515es Ihe irnportance of nurturing relaUonship$ and a respo1ve approath. and ¢are is s8en as a value, not just a practice. It guides Acorn's int8rd¢tions with thildrgn. f8milies, staff Merntr5, and Ihe local communlty. Children n88d to 8XP8rienc8 g8nU9ty caring praclth rf IY aro to loarn how to dèvoknp a ¥AriwJ athtude and ¢aring rèlationships thomsolvg$. Acorn's rèl8tK)nal pad>>Jy recognisès th& ngad to know 8¢MI derStand ehildron in ordèr to fostar thalr development, and builds on caring relationships betren Chiren, parenislcarers and staff. It also extends lo hildr8n's rolationships Mth peoplg in Ih¢ir l¢xal cornmunitig$, including the elderfy, and with the natural world. Homs vists are a k¥y a$perl of Iho Sètuing-in pro¢oss for children, iqying Ihe foundati¢)ns of trusbng partnerships th parèntslearars. and int8nerational 1$1 to care horngs arg organi89d regulady where k11 opportunitse gxist. Acom's 6thic olcare. and relationalpedagogyextends to encour89ing car8 and respectforthe natural environmenL Integrating 8nvironrn8ntally sustsinabb praclces where possIb, across all artsas of our work. The fve values that arise from this ethos are-. Personal- Pèrsonaligino ¢ar8 and educatn. troalng children. parantslcarors and slaff as indM&JaLq. within supportiv8, rospectftjl rdationships.
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Finan¢lal statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 Ethos and Podagogy (continued) Profossional - Striwng to be a learning organisation, rL)ntinually relleGlng and devdoKNrvJ th? knovAedg8. skills and qualifrauons of the earfy years workfor¢o. Nurturlng - P(ing chik1'S needs ffrsl through a holistic aPp8th th81 encompasses NtrStion hnd en¢ouragemont of healthy Irfestyl. Outdoor- Enc(wJr8ging pLgy and leaming in natural envfjmnmehts, through an extensiv& forest sctsJe4 provSsh)n. and evory cikl spetKJing tirne outdoors every day. Ethl¢•l- PutUThJ thildren before prcrfS( and belng Iv$No and 8U8tainable, both envlronmtntslly and fjnanrAally. Se&khYJ oxc¢lPane•, honèsty and intsgrity in all aspects of Acom's work. Structure, Governance and Management Acom Ealty Yegr5 Foundation is wworaled as a charitablè company Ilmiled by guarantee. The t¥)ard of trustees dè18ga188 operational respons5111t0eS, Sncluding financi81 m8nagement, to the CEO. who works with a Senlor Leadership Team ISLTI to coordinate $UPFX)rt for the nurseries, Out-of-school dubs. forest s¢hools, calering department. and tr8ining centre. Th8 trustees have approved a financial dglegated autaority Iramowork. a5 well as a rlsk managementframework and r8gist8r. Ro18 deriptI$ forth& CEO, chèirand tnJstees outling tho d6leg8tion scope, and a cc4Ye ol ¢)duct has boen adopt8d by th8 Injstees. The trustees have also adopknj th& Charity Gov8wllanc8 {20251 use it a6 a framework lorgLy)d gK)vgrnan. Annual skills audits are conduct and used in the recruitment of newtrustees. Policy review5 are pr8sented lo the trustse5. Wtiti ¥omg twsiees focusiThJ on speufic araas of thè organisation. Currenty, trustees share the ro of saleguardiro trustee, worklng vAlh Laura fiThJgy, the organisatn,$ ad safeguarding offic8r, to ensure that corrgd procedures and wadces are followèd at all time$. They scrutinise safeguartlirvJ po85 and Prtice to ensure that Acom remains eompliant and effecbve in safeguarding childron. Trustees revivw and dechje the pay and remunÈrAtion of CEO ea¢h year malntsin an overview ol SLT 8alari88 8nd thg overall pay ale and fair pay policy. Th8re are four ¢ommittees.' Finance. Audlt and Risk-, Govtrnance and HR.. Childc8re. Leamlng aThJ Development and Remuneration. as well as a Strabjy and Impaci w(kln9 group. The board of trustses In April 2025, Eva Lkjyd stepped down from the board as Chair 8nd N8rnndr8 L8lj8ni w3¥ app)inted as the new Chair. In reclyanition ol her significant contribution to th8 88rty years sedor. Eva Lbyd was invited to bEGome Acom's first Patron. In Ihis ambas58dorial rde. she continues io support the organisation by ¢hampioning work and values. dravAng M her depth of insight and breadth of 8xperience. both natnallY and inlemabonalty, while remaining gep8rètÈ from formal gov8rnanc8 and dls1(-Maklng. Two athYitl¢)nal bustee appoinlm8nts were rnade during th8 year, on8 in April and a s8cond In October. Therg were four full board meetings held in person, ak)ngside an exc¥ptthal rn881ing h8ld online. A strategy day was also h81d in pèrson, and each committee met several times during the year, usually onllne. How Acorn's acllvltles delEver public benefit Acom provides inebjsivè, high qualtytarlyyearscarg and 9ducation In Its nurseries, oul-ol-sckjol dubs, and forest sth)ols for children from slx months to twelve years. In safè and supportive arnIng environrnents, highly qualified and profes$i(mal practitioners nurture each child's social, emotional, and phy5iral developrn9nt, building their 591r- ¢onfiden¢e and love ol learning, and thereby parfn9 them to tak8 advant¥J8 of OF¥Jorlunrfios, rospIbIliti$S, and exp8ri8nc•s in lator Irf6.
ACORN EARLY YEAR5 FOUNDATION Financial statements and Anrbual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 How Acorn's a¢tlvltlos dollvor publ1¢ bon¢fit (¢ontlnuod Acom aims lo be fulty inclu&ive and s88ks to provide htqh quality early years care and education to all childr rg8rdlèss of their background and meeting Iheir th)diwdual needs wherever possible. Acom Is eommitted to proding the govemment-fun(Jed entrfement in an inclusive way. and is therefore SeuSIY ehallengad by thè eurrent giidance, which treats meals. snacks, consumables. and activities such as forest scfh)ols. as optional extras. NLOM believes that thts breaches our inclusive ethos, as it would. for example, resurt in some chilrlren Missing out on freshly prepared nutritious meals and snacks. and depriwng them c4 the opportunrty to experience the wonder of forest 3chool$. Such exdusions wouky disadvant8g¢ the chik1n arguably most in negd of thern. and woukl erèate a tsYo4ier provis. Acom therefore wmmits to ensuring that no Child misses out on food, activities or the use of conSumabS due to a famiW8 inability to pay addithonal lees when attending fvlty funded sessDns. Acorn operates a uoss4ubsidy model. setbng fees at rates which airn to be as affordable &8 possible, and which vary according to kJ¢ation and to e8ch Site 8 overheads. This allows nurseries in areas of d8privation to provide lully funded sessions that in¢lude th8 full off8ring of high-qualty provisN)n. Acom managers are 8mpow8red to adapt sessions and costs for families underyoing dilfi(tt finan(xal 5trugglÈs. and no gIStratIon fees are pay8blè, only a deposit bvhi¢h is refund against th8 fitst m¢)nth's fè8s. FlY tunde(I pla$ havè no Addition81 (tsts, although we request a nominal voluntary ¢ontribubon. Acorn's cross4ubsidy modd ensures th8t eath nursery covers it8 dired costs, bvt nurseriès In ar of deprivakn'on contribut• bss to central Costs, thereby enabliro them to a¢hieve fjnatKi41 sustainatslty, whith would not be possible rf they wère singlè-sita nursèriès. In hawng consistonl pay sea$ applied across the group, it also ensures that eaty years prof8ssionals ar• not fin8n¢lally dL8advantaged by working at nurseries that charge lower fees. All childran b8nefit from a full r8nge of aetiwties and resources, aThJ a lulty inclusive offering that incknd8s napp$, consumables, me81s and snacks. Acorn work in partnership th famity centres, Ic¢al authoiilies, schools, and 8Xt8mal agenci85 and this is a key feature of Acom's success in supporting parents and car8r5, and in prornoting the earty years sectN as a ¢are pathway for both young people. and adults seeking a change of Career. The profe$$ional development of A¢om' workforee is a key part olthe stralegyfor rnaintaining high quality provision within the settlngs. Tralnlng and support provided for all employees. from apprenticgs to those working towards hlghèr lèval qualifi'¢alions. Thè supwt for the professional devgloprngnl of èarly yèars pr8etltionars axtands bayond th& Acom workforco through th& training centrè. Couts&s covaring cor& subjects. such as sateguarding, inclusion and first aid, are run alongs6 a range of whler subjecls, from foresl school leader training 1¢ exp¢riontial play. Pay s¢81è$ at laast annualty. and Acom's action r&se8rch group ig d6vebp)g ways to support parentslcarers, m6asure sooal impact and ¢ontinualty improve 8arfy y8ars practica. Forest schcKJls and outdoor play and le8mTrng are of p8rtiCLd8r importance in delN8ring public ben8fit to chlldr8n who mi9ht othen¥Be rni$s the chance to nnect with the nalural workl. Th8S8 exp8ri8nc8s off8r chlldren fr88dom, autonomy, and sen50ry 8xpeii&nc9$ Qf the ouidoor gnvironmgnl, and forest school sessions ar8 available lo all pre-school chlldren attendlng Acom Nrsedes at no extra cost. Durlny schotsl holldays, Acom also offèrs fOl sch¢)ol holday clubs for $chkage ¢hlldrgn. whl¢h are accessed by a hlgh number of chIren vlth addllh)nal needs. The trustses have had regard to the Charlty Commission's guidance wblic bgneffit.
ACORN EARIY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 310ecember 2025 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE IN 2025 Early Years Acom aehieved stroro Otsled inspection outromes during th8 year, Seven Inspections completed. shenY, Brafield and Wolverton Mill were graded 'Good', while Burton Latin8r, West¢roft and Kents Hill wer8 graded '(XJtstsThJlng'. Kents retslned tt5 '0utstandiry' judgement for the Second consecutive in$pe¢l'on. Awm also TgC8IV8d its first in8p8clion under Ofsted's new knspection framework, with Shambrook graded'strong Standard, in D8Mbr. In addltion, A¢om pafbcipaled In tho plk)t schama forth new framework, working collabor80vely with Ofsted to provid8 f8edback on both thfy inspection e¥porienc8 and th8 8ff8ct1v8&S ofth& new process. Durlng th8 year, Acorn oned115 first specialist nursery provislon for children under the agè of thrèè In Deansharvjar. Thi5 re5px)nded lo a slgnlficant local need. as there were prewously no chikkare places avallablg in the community ts childran in thls ag8 group. The Earty Yeats team axpanded to inclLMl8 an addibonal lull-timè Eawty Years Managgr, Strgnglhenlng senior support acros$ the nursery nelyrk. In eaty 2026. Acom also appoinled a Sp8cial Educational Needs Manager to enhance i$)n and SEND support acn)ss th8 provision.. Ihis appointmont 15 already haviro a pos impact. Acorn contsnued its partnership with Chlld¢ar6 Intemaloonal, which faalitates th8 intsmational exchango of knowledge experiencfy in earty years provision. In 2025. A¢om welcornod 18 internaonal delegatos, sited a number of Acom nurseries as part of this programme. In June, Acom also presentsd at ono of Childcare Internation81 $•ninar8 on 'The Ouldoor Spa¢e as a Pedagoguo,. A)rn colleagues also contiibut$d to S8Ctor18arnirg and professional d&velopment at a r7ational levd. Laura Tingey deliv&rgd safèguarding training 81 Iwo Education Conference5 UK gvents and look part in a SEND panel discussion al Ihe Chiklcartr aj Education Expo in Cgvgnlry. Zoe Raven. Becky Watanabe and Sonth Svikg delivered sesslons al the Nursèry Worfd Big Day OUL wvering topics Includlng the impaot of dllf6rant nurs9ry ownership models, pra¢b¢al approache5 to eco-ffi8ndly practice in earty ygar$ seitings, and supportlng infanl development. ThTough¢wl thg year, Acom contlnued to work cb)sdy with authorltlg8, con¢ributing to earty years r&ferenee groups and ¥chod$' forurns. A¢om atso malntalned Its partnership with a local doTrstEc abuse charity, supwjrbng ils programrne lo hdp women return to work through volLmteering opportunities. Forest Schools AL>rn's Fts$t Schotsl prow5ion continued togrowa¢r05S the Nature Kindergartens at Embèrton and Cdd Hbour, alongslde an increase in holiday club attendan¢e ihroughout the ygar. During 2025, Acom tralned 26 ad¢Jlts to L8v813 For88t School (w81ific81ion and 22 adults to Level 2. Includlng tth intèmal staff and external partiupants. Acom delwered 95 Fore8t School $e$$KJn$ for ts pather schools durfng the year, eNJaglng 395 OhSkJn. The Home Educayon programme hosted 58 children across 35 s8ssions. whi18 Acom s Tot 58S8ions w81com8d 91 chiklren over 18 sessions durng the yèar. The Forest School tèam also supported 8ucklngh8mshir8 Colkge, helplrrfJ earfy years aryj education 8ludents develop thÈir understanding of how to support e8ty IrterY and mathemab"¢s through outdcKJr leaming. This partnership will continu8 in 2026, wth a gr8at8r focus on th8 etho¥ and principles of Forest School prac¢0. Acorn Tralnlng Contra Acom's Trainlng Centra continued to play a s6gnlficanl role in supportiAg profgssion81 devek)pmgnl across Ihe earfy yO8rs and wder education sector. Safeguarding training, dolNergd partnership wrfh Tammie Redman, remained a key offocus *4thln a broaderand dfjversè trainiNJ offar. Qvgr the yg8r, A¢gm delNered 83 trairitng course8 for external delegates, maintaining the same level ol promsion as In 2024. These were dellvered through a mlx of fomiats lo maxlmis8 acc8sslbility, 1h 59 s8S5ions h8kJ in person and 24 dellvered onlln&. Demand for Acom's Iralnlng contlnuod to grow. with 617 oxt•mal do1&t$S
ACORN EARLY YEAR5 FOUNDATION Flnanclal statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 Acom Trainlng ¢•ntro (¢ontinued) attending cou188s during the year. an increase from 569 in 2024. A&)ngside this, 184 intemal delegates aeeessed trainvhg to support ongoing prof8ssBJnal (Jevelopment wilhin the organisatmjn. Following improvoments lo the Training Centre section of Acorn's website and the promotion ol the service, the was a mathed ifjErea5e in inleresl from extemal organisaon$ seeklng to use A¢om's tralning facllltles. DuAng the year, grgani5ations hired th8 training rootns, several ol which retumed on rnultiple Occa05. In addthn to venug hlrè, Ae(n èxpandJ Ms ()nsUltaneY and axtemally MmISSIon0d tralnlng 8cUvlty. deliverlng four (onsultancy vi$it8 and b8spoke extemal train9 sesSn$ durirtg the year. further strengthening Acom's contribution 10 8ector arnIng and d8v8loptnent. Acorn A¢tlon Research and Publishing In 2025, Acom contiwed to strengthen its cornrnitm8nt to research4nforrned pra¢tite, supporting a range ofintemal proects that contribute to organisational leaming. cxjntinuous irnprovernonl and wider sector knowledge. Thks included a new action searCh proje¢t exOrIng the impactof cbth nappies on potty learniThJ, twitdiry on learning from Acom's 2025 cloth nappy lrial. Th8 prqed Inr)rateS intervi9ws with nursery staff and supports reltedive practica and prOfeSonal development &ross the organisation. For one rnnber ol the Action Re88ar¢h Group. the 8xperienc8 b8came A highlight of the year. reinforcing "how powerful collaborabve leaming can be" when ¢olbagues work together. shore experienees arwj explore real issues ¢olleth"vety. BUding on this approach, a group of A¢om nursery practibonets and managers began using the Unwer5ity of Bristoys Researchful Practi ToDIknt. supporting them to 8TrJag8 rn88ningfully with research and appty evIderKwinfomd thinking io their daY-tdaY practice. Six projects are currently undemay, wilh severol staff members undertaking a research project forthe first tsme. Practitionets desuibed how the toolkit encouroged them to approach thrwork trilh &ftnore cuiiou5, evid8nce-ftnfDrmed mindsey, influenong how they make de$lOn9 ar¥J 80fv8 probl8ms in practice. Aeorn also shared kaming and insvJht more %wdety through its 2025 bN)g publl¢alts)n$, contrlbuting to sector4Ade discussion and professional refleclion. Topics included workforce stsbility through 8 bk tw, satsty OTh saf8guarding in eèrty years settings. and suppo"ng families with chiK1ren's FKJtty leaming. Thls convntbnent lo research and sector engagement was fvrlher relle¢ted in Acom's pubA5hing activity. During the year, A Care Manifesto for the Early Y8ars'. Th8 Need for an Elhic of Care in Childcara Policy and Practr'ce, by Zoe Raven, was completed and published in earty 2026 by Bristol Policy Pr85s. In addition, Sustainability in the Early Y8ars'. Ess8nti81 Guid8 lorEducators. c1)-thorad by Zoè Ravan, Santa Svik& and Becy Watanabe, was cornpl8t8d 15 du8 to b8 published in mi¢&2026 by Rwuedge. Catoring From Septernbgr 2025. govemmenl updates lo the Eaty Years FodatiOn Slage nutrthon guidance placed a stronger emphasis on reducing sugar intake. increasing dietsry variety. and ensuring rneals provide sufficient iron and fibre. wth atloast on• hot m•al offered each day. In responso, Acom's cating tèarn undertook a full rew•w of nursery m8nus, identifying and introducing recipes with Th) refined sugar and redUd levels ol natural $ars. These changes implèmented across thè summèrand wnt8r menus and, foJiowin9 some adiuslrnents to texlure8, Were wdl r8CeiV8d by the thldr8n. During lh8 y8ar, Acom's c8tering hub relocated from Shenley Church End lo a new puipose4Juilt kitchen at Wdverton M1 Nur58ry. This move increased capacity and resitnCe. enabliTrJ the hub lo provide cover during staff 8bs6ncès at S8tting5 VAth their own d8dirdt8d thgfs. The ¢aterirvJ hub supph'ed tr85hly part-prepared meals to srx Acorn nurseries hthou1 full on-site catfrrfng facilkn"6S, as well as fwr extemal nurseries in simllar clrcumstanc85. In total. 80,256 lunches were provided162,443 to Acom s•ttings and 17,813 extern811yl. alongside 30,301 teas, all SUppld to Acom nur5eri8s.
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Flnanclal statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 Acorn's People Atom's wothforc8 continued to grow in 2025, reachlng 506 &mpbyeès by year end, a 4% Increase on th8 prèv¥)us year. Whib staff ttjmover remained hkjh, a modest irnprov8m8ntwas a¢hieved. Recruitm8nt challenges r5i5ted. refi8cting wder sector trgThYs,' however, changes wilhin th8 People team have eThgblad a rnor8 focused and prDactiV8 approach, which Is expected to albviate somè of tha staffing Pressures gc4ng forwar(l. Nursery-based emOyeeS received hvo pay revi8ws during the year, in ri1 and September. The April uFlift aligned with Ihe annual rovlew cyclo and rgfio¢t•d tha iner8888 in th8 National Livlng Wage. Th¥ September revlaw follow811 a reassessment of Acom's financial position 8nd re¢ognised the importanca of Minvèsting in nursery t•8ms while rn8inlainng ¢ar pay differentl for qualified rdes. In pathershlp wth Grèat Pla lo WorklS), Arn delivered Its amual empk)y88 survey, providing an Independent assassmant of Organisalnal culture and tTUSt. 73% of respondent8 rated AcoTn as a 9at place to work, resUng in recogniticm on tjoth the UK'S Best Workpl8c85- in Charity and Not for Profit and UK'S Best Workplaces- in Eth¢aUon and Training Ik%ts. Long-$8rvice was r8cx)gnised through 28 awards, Including tsn for 10 years. four for 15 years and fourfor 20 years of seryice, totalllrvj £9.000. In 8ddthon. 27% of 8mploy89s have been wth Acom lor more than ffiv8 y88rs. Investsnent in arnIng and devdopment remained a priority. Appr8nticeships continued to play a kay rol8 in recruthent and retenticfj, with new apprentices wek))med &cross the nurseries. During the year. 26 Apprgntic85 Nursery Assistants completed their Level 3 qualification117 with dislindionl, alongsldè thrèa EYITt compleljons. one Level 5 qualification, and one SENCO quallfication. Since January 2024, 29% of thosè achieving Level 3 have progressed into Lead Practitioner roles. Due lo the number of appranti$ stu¢ty wrth us every year. 88 W811 a$ our own apprenticeshlp levy pot, wè havè also e1ved levy transfers from Milton Keynos Counal. Lègal 8nd General and The Christie Group. Trainh)g and devèk)pm8nt were supported Ihrough four a114taff Training Day5, Wth con5iStenty strong feedback and an average Net Promoter Sctsfe INPSI of 77. Th8 annual Stsff Conference achioved an NPS of 76, th8 highest to date, bringing together over 275 colleagues for k&ynot8 8e8sion8. workshops and exhilitlons that supported profes8ion81 leaming and wellbeing. In 2025. Acom al80 launched its LeadeYsh¥) Development PrDgramm8, comprising nine modules for experien Lead Practiboners, Seniors 8nd Deputy Managers. The programme focuses on elhical leadership, comlanCe, $afegu8rding. people rnanagemenl. practice development 8Th1 leading ch8ng8, streThJlhening adershiP ¢apabilty across the organlsation. Central Support Office The C8ntral Support Offic8 plays a vital rdg In supporting Acom's nurserlos, forest schools and Outf-s¢hool elubs. Throughout 2025, the team continu8d to ev08 in response lo th8 growing needs of the organlsab"on. The Peoplg team was re51nJctured lo $trengtheri recwilment ¢apauty. supporting Acom's orooing comrnthenl to attracting and rèt8iniTr3 hIgh-qalty practitr'oners. Inryh¢)use expertise was further nhancad through the appointrnent of a specialist Digital Marketing Design8T, improwng digital presence and fX)mmunl¢atlons. In adilition. the Facilities team grew wilh the add"On ol a new gardener, LyJntributiThJ to the continued d8V81opment 8nd 8nrichment of outdoor environments acr¥)ss Acom's nursari85. Reinveslment and development of koy assots During 2025, Acom conbnued to reinvest in capital projects across mullple sites to enhanee the quallty. accgssibility and su$tainabllity of its enwronments. Total catal expgndliuro for the year was £230,877, rellecung a ntinUed comrnknient to malnlalning and inwroving hlgh-qualty la¢iliti•S for children. families and Staff. SlgnlfScant proleGls included th• Installatfjon of a ba5pokè cllrnblng frame at Burton L8tirr*r', th8 Provion of an gle¢tri¢al supply to the Emberton Nature Kindorgarten hut to enablp heating an¢J lighting,. and th8 creation of n8W buggy and bicyde Storage at Kents Hill and New 8radwell to improve par8nt facilitle$ and en¢ourage sustalnable travel. At Wclverton Mill, window replacemonls were undertaken to support improved 8n8rgy efficiency, whlk8 a fvll 10
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION
Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025
Roinvestfflent and devolopmont of koy assots (conlinu•d)
kitthen refurbishmenl at Cdd Harbour r8placed 8 dDm8$1i¢ layout with a commeIal kitchen to better meet
operdlional ad$.
Further investrnenlfocused on imprgving comlort, wergy pgrforrnancg &nd the longgvity gf building5. This included
the Inslallafjon of $un-blod( blind5 at Brafiekl,. th8 completion of air-cormlitioning installations acrY)ss thildren'$
roc¥ns at Burton L81imer, Kents Hill, Mulb6ffj1 Bear aw¥J CasUethorp8', and new flooring at Rowans. Burton Latimer
also had extemal doors replaced, and r81urbishrnent of children's toilets. Es58ntial inlr8structure upgrdd8S W8r8
also completed, including a ngw hol watsr Windèr at Shambrook and an •18ctrical upgrad• at Wolvarton Mlll to
anab fure InstaltIOn of air
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Flnanclal statements and Annual Report forthe year ended 31 December 2025 THE YEAR IN NUMBERS 97% of ourfamilies ratad thè friÈndlines8 of our nursery staft as good or 8xcellenl 95% of ourfamilies ratsd the professionalism of our wrsery staff as good or 8x¢ellent 90% of wr families rated the oU00r environrngnt of their nursery as goc¥J L¥ exc811ent 617 extemal deateS attended Acom Training courses 80,256 lunthes provided162,443 to Acom sèttings and 17,813 to extemal settlngsl Acorn awRrd8d 28 bng temi employm8nt servlee 8warf8 In the year. including ten for 10 yeBrs. fourfor 15 years and four for 20 years of $8Mc 26 APpnte8 and Nursery Asslst8nts quale wth a Level 3 9udffjIm[1T wilh a disbnctionl A¢orn's annu81 G¢)nferenGe brought tog8lh8r over 275 colbagues 1 new nursèry opened in De8nshanggr Acom was recogni88d through S diffent types of awards SOCIAL IMPACT Acom's purposè 1$ to enable all children lo thrfvo as happy, conffid8nt 1ndwU815 through hwjh-quality earty yexrs Ca and •dwab"on thal in¢lusiv8, (xjmmunity-embedded and ground in m88ningful engagemenlwlth the natural workl. By workn.ng in ¢k)sg partnership with families, Arn builds trusting, collaborabve refationshlps wlth parents and caTer5, Supporting ¢hiklr8n'$ wellbeing and dèvthpm8nt tx)th within the setts.ng and at home. ong$ide this, Acom Gontributes to SW81 impact by strerythoning Ihe èarly Yéa workforce, pronKJtiThJ professional development. stabilrty and reffleclive praclce to help sustain hlgh-qualiiy proM8ion across Ihe Sector, while embeddlng value$ of ¢arg. r95ponsibility sustalnability in everyday practico. Acom's sodal Impad Is furthar shaped by a strong ethic of oare and a relational approach to e8ty y88rs practice, which aCeS r81ationships, wdltseiTh) and inclusion at the heartof everything it does. Children are supportad through warrn. responsive and conststent rolab"onships that recognise their individual needs. $trgngth$ and circurnstanc8s. This approa¢h is partularlY important in addressing Inequality. as Acom aclvèty works to remove financkql. social and structural barrters that can prèvent children from lower4nccme families or those addition81 ne8ds from fulty aCssing highquality pmi5ion. By rej8cting ts¥o-tier modets of early education and ensuring Ihat Core 8rnents of care, nourishment and anrirJ)menl are available to all, Acom seeks to creat& environments where every Child 1$ valu8d, 5UPPOrted 8nd atrAe to IlourSsh. Acorn Ead.>Yeq Soaal Impact Model 'v'iorking lowords our vision ol a more cariiig connected society. Modetof EK¢elknnc* The examples below derrw)nstrate howthis sorAal impad mgdel 13 pul into practice. This work is uThjeInned by committ8d workforcè. induding volunl•?rs, and the conllnued support of families, parhwrs And communttles. 12
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 Happy, confident chlldren At Acorn, childr&)'s happiness, confidence and 8er$6e of belcfiging are central to everyday pracilce. Aec¥n'$ approach is shaped by a strong athic of car• and a r•lalional wlagogy that prioritis8s warrn, responsive relationships. emotional 58curiiy and r&St for eath chikl as a curious 188rner. Learning is rooted in ¢hikYren's int8r8sts and support8d Ihrough Ihoughiful, skilled interactions, akJngsid8 rogular oppL¥tuniti85 to 8ng8ge wlh the outd(x)r environm8nt and Iho wi(kr Gommunity. This enables ¢hil¢Jren to bu1 indepand8nLP. resilianc8 and confidence through Tfe8nin9ful. first-hand 8xp8ri8nc8s within and beyond the nurs8ry. Otsted feedbk across ts y88r reflèttèd Iha impact ol Ihis approath. Irpèctors notèd that ldrn s bèhawour consistently 8xc8118nt' and th8t they are Yoeply ertgaged their pl&y" as 8 result of high-quality learning experienc8s. siaff w8r8 reeognised for vi6wing children a$ tomp&lent and cBpèble', glwrKJ Ihgm Ihe freédom to test ideas, try new thin9s and èxpK)ro wilh conffidènce. Ofstgd also highlightad tho "robust 8nd hig1)ly eif8C&ve k8y-pwson System". which supports children's emotional wdlbeing and creates a slrong sense of connection and belonging. This nurturing, in¢lusivg environment enable5 all children, induding those ¥pecial 8ducation81 eds andlor dlsabiliDes ISENDI, to feel socur6, settbd and eagerto engagè. ensuring thèy are supwrted to thrivo as happy, nfid9n1 indildu18. In 2025, Acom supported 12 children Vth an Education, Health and Care Plan IEHCPI, wAth a furthèr Six children in the process of obtaining an EHCP. Tar9gtsd speech 8nd13ngu8ge support also conlirluad lora group olehiren at Burton Latimer through SENDIF fvnding. Acom's SEND provision 18 underpinn8d by Iwo eXline&d staff MeMbS who provide speaalist support across its nurseries, bringing a wea#h of knovA8dge 8nd pr8Ctical expertise. To further strengthen and coordinate this work. Acorn recrutted a Special Educ8b'on81 N•ads Manager at the start of 2026. ensurlng corfnuous Improvement in SEND support 8cro8$ the org8ni8ation. During the year, one Acom nursery s(tpptsrtod a family facing $19nificant hardship identifie¢ through a routine W8lfare check. a parent was unwell and 5truggllng to acGess food. siaff used A¢om s hardship fund to provide essents.al groceries. To support the Child's development, stsff also accompanied Ihe famity to a speech and language sesslon when the parent could not trav81 alone. This timety, hollstlc 8UPPOrt redu¢gd Imm8dlate pr855ures on the farnity and dem¢)nstrated A¢om 8 ¢ommltmsnt to ¢are. i)S1on and removin9 tyarrier8 for those in n88d. On8 of Acorn's nurseries supported a famity throu9h a ChaInging period folh)wing a motherfs ijiagnosis of illness. Using Acorn's hardship fund, the nursery provided additsonal se5sicths freè of charge while tho mother attended rnedi¢al appointments, ensuring stabilityand ¢ontinuityforthe ¢hild. who wa¥ 813gtransltionlng wfthln lh¥ $eth"ng and thafore recerI8d additional w811being support. Practical help was off8r8d to the wder famity, inckKliry support with colb¢tKJns when a grandpar8nt was collecting, and staff regularfy checked in with the mother followin treatment da knp¢t 8t¢xy One child has been involved with Acorn's Forest School provision in a range of ways since the age of four and continued to attend into Year 6. As lulktime school attendance became increasingly challenging, tt)e child 8tlended A¢om'$ Home Education Foresl S¢h(x)I sessions alongside part-time school, Ithich provided Ihem ¢ontinuity, routine and OpponIeS to bulld frndshipS. Whon school later beme too overnh8lrThng to att8nd. ¢tInued partIpatIon in Fot schty helped prevent social isolation and anaL48d the child to maintain maaninglul poèr conn8ctions. Th8 nurtutlng, nalure-ba59d gnvirgnmenl supported the ¢hikl's wellbeiTrJ duriTrJ a difficult od before the were offered ac8 at a school better suited to their needs. Buikying on the prevlous year. Acorn continued it5 ¢JelNery of the Holday ActivitK8s and Food IHAFI programme in 2025, $e¢uiing funding to provide 128 places for children during the school holidays. This provision delivered de4anging bonefits forthè families who attend8d, offering tK)th essenlÉal nutrition and enrichlng axpernc8s that many thildran would not otherwse have been able to access. Acom tailored Ihè progrdrnme around Forest Sthool activiti'es. giving ChIr8n valuable opportunities to 8xplor8 naturè, buikl ¢onfid¢n¢0 OUt(h)ors and dgvglop new skills. Each day, children rer£ived snacks alongside a Irèshty prèp8rèd, horn&cooked meal. lch for some famiI8s 13
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 Happy, confident children (¢ontlnuod) represente<l the only nulTitsous meal th8irchild would weive ihal day. By removing ffinancial barTlors and providlTrJ high-qualty acfvbes wilhln a safè. nurturing envlronment, the programme supported children's wellbelng. reduc8d pressure on parents and helped families feel nwe connect8d and supported durfng Ihe sd)¢J)I holwjays. Profossionalised workforce Acom Is cornmitted lo the continuous wofesgonal devtlowr8nt of ils staff teams and invests Significanty in highsu81ty training and arnIn9 opporiunities. Each year, Acom dedicates four fvll staff training days. includlng an annualconferenc8 that brings togetherall stsff from aGr05S th8 organisatK)n loshare leamlng, ro11gct on pra1¢¥ and build professional confidenc&. Th8 2025 confer8n(x featured a keynots address from Klt%tine B8d9y alongsKle a wde Tange of Intera¢tive workshops, including The Magic of Outdcors deliv8red by J8rnle Bames, Yoga with Child by'chlldren Inspirgj by Yo9a'. S¢Fenc& in the Earty Yeèfr3 led by Kir$1in9 Beeley. and a Wellbelng Workshop delwered by Jon Manning. Acorn's Intemal trainers also d1ver practic8-focused 8e$si¢)ns su¢h as B10550ming B8bi8s - Flourishing Mlni nds, M8king with Natur81 Dyes, Developing Eco-Fri8ndly Pr8¢tlces, and an Introductlon to Acorn's Leadershlp DéTrve1opnntProgramrn8. The Leadership Pr(wJrammè, which conunugs Into 2026, has been veryweA rgcgivgd. wth partiripants valuing its PTadical tools. Strong links to day-t041ay proc¢? and OPFKJrtunlttes for refflection. St8ff have akeady reported in¢Mas8d confidence, skills devebpment and de8ror p8lhw8ys into fvture 18ader5hip roles. The COnferer also Included a range ol exhibrtor slalls from organisatlons such as Communlty Playthlngs. the Scrap Siore and Pack, 9iwng Staff opportunitS to explore new soUrceS and idèas to further enhance their pradce. Some of the st8ff feedback followlng th& 2025 training days: "As alway8. l enjoyed meeling ofh8rpraclilion8rs from nurserie$l The subj'ects wer8 tereS191 E4)wally th8 gardening course and I loved thè cuniculum tr8ining lool" tratner was bnlliant, very infomiativo and shared lots of her expe17en¢es. She gave good advice &l)oul diff8r8nÉ gxperiences and iSSUE+S we have within thÉ% s8ttlng 8nd Ife81 that tr8ininghas provided me wlth the kno%ge and confid8nGg to make a dfflwnco." "The trélneris extrwngly know16dggable and I felt no question was a stupld ona. Lots of connecbons to pV)S l•èrnw arjdlooknng forwardto t8knng myknowledg8 back and embadtlmw rfinto my nUry.- Ak)ngside organis&tion-wid• training. Accffl'8 Earfy Years Managars d81fv8rèd ba$k sé&$i¢n$ tailood to the needs of irldUal t•8mg. Lead8r8hip d8V81oprnenl wa$ strengthened through extemal quÈlnlcaknons, wlh ono nurs8ry manager beginnir¥J a University of London badershlp prog¥amme, supported by Acom. Renocting on the 8XP8ri8nc8. th8y described it as a meani1 step that deepened their Confidènce, Strengthened their leadership practicè, arwj 8nab18d them to bring ngw19aTning directly back Into the nur6ery. ongside Acom's core 8taff benefits- including a 65% nursery chIld¢a disc4)unt. generous family leave and long-servlce awards. Acom also provldes access to interest-fr8e staff loan$ to $upwt empknyees through period5 of flnancial pre$surg. In 2025. $t und8r £42,800 was provSded In bans to 53 ernployee5, Wth an avorag• loan valua of just OV8r£800. Th8se loans held staff to manage a range of 8ssential and unexpected ¢o$ts, In¢luding renlal d&posits folfvlng relalionshlp breakdowns, car repairs. valèrinary bilb and thè placemen¢ of househokl bdlers. Partnership with famill•$ stroj. trusthrrfJ partnerships famtlies are central to Acorn's app#ch to earfy years care and ethjcation. Acom works ¢lo&ely with parents, carers and extended famity members lo ensure everyehSld f•81s $8curè, support•d #nd conffid8nt to leam. Through open. respe¢fful 8nd re8ponsive communication. nurseries build meaningful relationships with famrlies, recognising them as experts in th8ir chihl'8 lrfe and working alongside Ihern lo remove balliers, respond lo individual needs And promote positive wtDJmes for children. 14
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 Partnershlp wlth families {contlnuod) Throughout the year. examples of ¢ff8cbv8 famity pathership includ8d home visit8 for thillren stsrbng nursgry. the provision of targeted home leaming resource5 to support areas such as toilet leaming and 8rnQtional dev&lopmenl. additional Iran$ition supportforfarnilvds of childr8n th special 8ducab'Dnal n8eds, and & %%id8 range of Stay and Play sessions. Further 8xample5 of partnership working included th8 following.. Targeted finanual and wactlcal supwrtlorfamilies in crisis, includiwj the temporary provision ollull-thme nvrsery places free of charge where families were expenencing signifKant har¢Jship. This support was offered in respx)nse to circumstances such as serious illness of a parenUcareT or chikl. or the sudden loss or reduCtn of household income due to unforeseen events. Practical signposting and hands-on support through trusted ¢ommunty p8rtn&rs, including rèfwTals to Baby Basics. a charity providiTrJ essents'al items such a5 dothin9 and toiletries to vulner•bl6 families with childrèn trom pre-blrth to age Iwe. In one instance. an Acom nursery manager personally colteded the items on of a famlly who were unable to travel themselves. ensuring timety and dignffied support. Responsiva emotional and pracb'cal supFw)rt during famity health ¢rise$. One Acorn nursery support8d farnily during 8 particularfy difficult period en a parent was hospitalised with a heart conditi. Staff provided $en$itlV8 emotion81 supporttothe child, h81ping th8m express theirfeellngs through drawing and artwork. which was then shgr8d %ith th8ir parent in h05Pital. Practical assistance was also offered, including launderfThJ tho child's clothing, helping to ease pressures on the family 8t a tim8 of swJnifi¢ant SI$$. Ongolng SUprt for first-time parents transitioning into nursery life. Arn conb"ThJod to w10rise support for families during tho transition inio nursery, recognising that this can bo an owerwhelming experience for first-timo parents. Slaff offered 05$uran, guidance and emolional support. helplng parents to fe confident, informed and w911 supportgd as their childr8n settled intts nursory lrfe. Sensitive. frdmily-18d support following baby ths. Acorn supported a family fOllry the10ss of a baby at 22 weeks, gestation. The child's mothèr sought guidanca on how to talk to her three-year-old daughter about Ihe loss. Staff calu11Y researched and shared age-appropriat8 resourc85, off8ring examples of h(Iw baby105s Gan bp exploin¢d to young Ghildren. Support was provided ai the famSty'$ pa¢9, wlth staff taklng Ome lo understand thg pargnts, 5h&S before 8n9aglng In any discu55ion5 IhE Ghild, ensuring a 5pul, ¢ompasslonate and famitythd approath. AerA)rding to the annual family tsgdback survoy- 97Y• of ourfa11$ rated the fiiendline$$ of ournuk¥ery$18ff 8$ good or 8xc8llent 95% of ourfamllles fftted tho p$081$M 0l0urnuery slaff as good orexc6llent 91% olourf8.1188 rated maal$ and$nack$ al Ihwnursery a8 good orgxcellont 9(N olourfamleS r8tedth8 outdoorenvironfftent oftheirntJrseryo$ go(hY orexCelnI Acom received a Nel Prornot8rScor• of 82 2025 Family Feedback Suryey (up fmm 77 in 2024) Some ofthe feedbk from families included.. '8olh my sons have atlended Ihis nursery and ith&s been a pill4rof support for our family. Ilhas proved sale, caring nurturing erJwr0nMt formy childr6n but also invaluablo support in securing njyyoungest son s EHCP.- When&vw IlJav$ Yaisecl a wonyabout my childs wellboing or dev6lopment, I havo r6e6Ned fanlas&c support... l Could tellth&y kn&w mythilds stn9th5 &ndneefl$ well And thbt Iheyh8d taken my concerns séTrri(wsty." lJ6y go above 8nLI beyond to support fflychildin th8irdgvgl0pmt... They sharg lh* gxGllemenl for mychilrfs aehlev&m&nts whrflj is allY 981 to see." he st8ff h&v8 nol ju$t lookedfjfter t>ur son, Iheyhve nurturad hiffl. guid8d him, anLI h81pedhirn ourish in ways we Idn1 have imagin6d... W&'we se6n his Confen¢& grow iMnnS81Y und8r their care.- .1 trusf the key p6rson wlth every bonè in my boty... Thè borJLI shg h8$ ¢re8ted witlj ourchrfd Is lovely and wb seo how hard shg tries lo ensure that ourchild gets everything she needs. 15
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION
Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025
Comrnunity embeddedness
Acorn nurseries are deeply embedd8d in theiT local communilies. wth both chlklr?n and staff actively ¢ontritsJling
lo community lrfe in ways that a m8anmgful and valu8s4ed. At one ofAcom's nurseriès. staff hav
demonstrated a Ig•StandIng con¥niiment to suppOrng familles bcalty by rgplacing tradrt¥)nal'Saet Santa,
gifting amongst Ihe siaff team wth ctsllecti donations to )mMunity inltiatives. Ovw several years, this
approach has Svpported organisath)ns including MK Act, whh works with families affècted by th)Thestic abuse.
as well a5 the local Chik4ren's Centre. ensuring lestlve giving dir8Ctty beneffts those who need it most. By
rediiectsng celebrations in this way. slaff have embedded a cutture (>f Compassion. generosity and local
responsibility. making community Support a consistent and intentional part ol nursery Irf8.
Children's leamlng Is strengthènèd 1hroh regular engagement th Iheir IoG81 comrnunities. Throughout th8
ye8r, chihlren vi$iled kKal shops, librarios and allotrnents, helping them understand how thelr ¢ornmunity works
and deveh)p confidenctr in familiar Publ spac. They also vtslted local rasldential caw homes. where Ihey
¢onnecte
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 Childron ongagod with nature (COnnuod °The forest school sessiws 0llowedth8 children to thiive. Th&y developedso manyskills that am important in th8 dassroom and in lrfe. They bvAII teamwofrk, developed curiosily, solvedproblems and bocamé morè conngcta with th& nalural wortd. I bvouldfvlly recofftmgnLIAcorn For8St Schools." Ermfonmgntd r95ponsiLxlty was èmb8dd8d into daily nursery Iwe through pradcal sustainablllty Inltixtives. ¢hildrgn regularty touk part in litter-picklng activ"5 within the widef ccffjmunity, including for Wortd Cleanup Day. and onè sotting collaboratèd with staff from a k)cal Morrisons warehouse, who joined the children in a communlty litterid¢ing walk. Wast8 r8du¢14'0n and Tecycllng were explored through DIY èco-bricks Ir8using paper a$ fuel lor fore$l 8chool Campfi81, junk rnodelling, improved re¢y¢liro sigrna and wotTneries, where food waste wa$ composted and Ihe f8rtili58r produc8d used to nourish garden beds. Children also benefi from visrts from t Milton Keynes Mobile Scrapstore, co118Cting scrap m8t8rials lo upcycle for creatsve play. Staff further strBngthgned Iheir understanding of the impact of waste Ihrough training With Acorn's w8sle rnana98m8nt company, whi(h also supported children's K8aming about recycling and waste r8duction. Additional initiatives, in¢ludiTrJ dolhing. coat and book swaps. promot8d reuse wthin th8 nursery (xjrnmunity, and one setting made naÈural soap wilh ChIren using conker8. EnvironrngntJ18arning vra5 fvrth?r inspNrgd by taking part in diffewnt ¢ampaign8 in¢ludin9 Workl Bee Day, World Habilal Day, Big Green Week, the RSPB Big Birdwatch, as well as scavenger hunts delivergd in partnership with the Woodland Trust. These initiatives supported Children to expbre wildlife and habitats, and indudod activ8$ such as planting p0llinator-friend plants, ldgnfyI[vj bird spe¢ios and, at Natur& Kind8rgart&n. creating and Installing be6 homes in trees. Many sèttings also installod %ildlifo ponds to further oxiend chihyren's leaming and ¢are for b)e natural w¢)rfd. Inleractfve experien¢es Sh as ZooLab visits, animal and wildlife yoga, ar nature-based storytelling hdFed buihl confidence while deepenlng ¢hiK1n,$ undetstanding of animals, habitats and biodiversity. Outdoof loaming was furlher ènrid)ed through Iwuènt wsits into th& Community, in(kning lrips to parks. rivèts, farms and local markots. Strong &ngagement with familias a150 en5ur8d leaming extended beyond tha nursery setting. with chiWren taking home rd feeders and seed bombs lo encourage shaied respons11lIty f ture and sustainabiltiy al hune. Thisworkwas re¢ogni8ed thrgh the achi8vemeTrt0ftt E¢SchOOls Green Flag Award at 14 ofknn'$ settings, r8flecting Iha SU(èSSful 6mb8ddin9 of natura-bal 18arning 8nd gnvironrnenlal responsibility a¢xos8 t i)rg8ni8ation. FINANCIAL REVIEW Acom's financial 04'8ctiv8 IS to rernain ffinancially $u$tainable while conbnuing to expand its nursery foolkvint. ensurlng long-temi its ability to meet grMng dèmaThJ. The charity seeks to b8nce prudent financial managgment with strategic growth, reinv8Sting r8tain8d reserves back into its nurseries to enhance environrnents, resources. and outcomos for chil¢Jren. This approach undèrpins tha Strong financial perforrDan achieved duriTrJ the yearand supports Acom's continued Inv8Stment in hlgh-quallty Chlldcare. A¢om's turnover grew 23.6% in the year to £16,275,69512024.. £13,168,610) folkjwing the expansion ol funded ¢hildcare alongsidè acquiring Acom at Wolv8rton Mill in J8nu8ry 2026 and a fe8 in¢reas& in April 2025 of 5tsk. The gr0h in tumover is expected to continue into 2026 a8 8 resuK of the acquisltion of a new nursery, Acom at D&an8hartgor. in Soptember 2025 and expansh)n p18ns at th8 Kents Hil nur88ry. Staff salaries were increased in line with fee increases during the year, but balang affordability and Ihe ¢osl of provlthng hlgh quality care and educat rK)nb'nues to be challenging. The Finance. Audrtènd Risk Committe8 monitors the cash position a quarterfy basis. Cash flow remalned strorYJ In 2025. This was predominanuy due to receiving additional funding in &fvance a5 well as improvin9 (UPanCY acr058 the group. In the year to December2025 £627.514 was approved by the trustfes for Onling investrnent in nurseri&s. 17
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 Soclal Investmont and loans Th8 £80,000 soci81 inv8sbnent loan from the Charth"8s ANI FwndatK)n that was recolved on 26 January 2025 was fulty settled 30 September 2025. No further knan5 Wer8 taken out In 2025. Rgsgrvgs policy The reserves policywas reviewed In O¢tobar2025 and itwas agreed to incrgasothg unrèstricted ftmds to£SOO,000 being r?1 available with ihe aim to IncSe this each year. On 31 Dember 2025 th tharity had unrestrfcied reswes of £1.372.824 12024.. £612,377>. In the opini¢)n of the trustee5. lh8 level ol unrestricted reservgs Is appropriate. Fundraising A small proportion of Acorn's in¢orne Is generated frorn fundraisin9 a¢tivitfje$ and is used for specffic rffojects. In Ihe year. £3,194was rai$8d through donations. Arn'S(UndralSlng ll¢You1es appropriat8(undraising activiligs and the ethical c%)nskler8tiorn$. Future Plans The tntstees continue to dri ffinancial stability through the expanOn of sp8ce$ at ow cUrnt nurs•iès oraddir nurSeeS to Ihe porlfolKJ. Thè Trustees have provi$i¢y7aly approvad a change lo the charity's finandal yèar end from 31 December to 31 March. effective l January 2026_ As a result. the forth¢omirvJ financial p8riod wll cover 15 month5, ej1 on 31 March 2027. This thang8 is intended to allgn the organi8aJon's reporting period both the fundlng cydes gèt by I1 authorities and the tirning of our annual salary and nursery leg reviews. Prlnclpal rlsks and uncertainties The trustees regulaty rtiwew th8 Stratsgic and operatical dsks and have a rfsk matrix and a risk register. wlich idgntifies risks an(J how thèse may bg miUg8ted. AT883 of risk Ihat are assessed indude finÈnc8, operations. gov?man¢e, environrnental Issues. regulatory and compllance. 8nd external Issues that may affect Ihe early year sector aro carefvlly monltowd. Acom's business continuty an dètails &ction$ gnd responses that may be required Sn the 8V8nt ol malor Intldents and this is regularfy wew8d. The trxxrd of trust are regularty kept infomied of th8 charty's finanal and operational posib'on arKI the frequency of updates and meeb.ngs L% adjusted to meet Ihe Severity or exp08ur8 to risks. Tha board Is salsffied that effectNe Systems are in pl to monltornd control identthabla risks. Major risks Iht have been idonlified for the year ahead indud• the following.. Th• 1ct of the r8cruitrnent and retention crfsls In the early years sector. a1 lh8 resultiTrJ prg88ure on salaii8s and in som8 instsnces w occupancy lev8Lq. Staff shortages also affoct $tsff morale and the conStencY of high qualtty provlsion, parbwlly with tho rffiIty of re¢tuiting qualified practitk)ner¥. Inadequatg furlg 18V815 for th8 Yre8 8nt1UeThnt., whth partIcula affgcts nurswias WU) a higher proporlion of fund8d-only place5. The impact from a major safaguarding or He8llh and Safety inridenL Golng Concern Having reviewed the cash llow forecast and undertying &%5umptlons ft)r Ihe rwt 12 months the trustees InaIn confid8nt in thg 8blllty gf the managemenlteam to maintaln charSty's financial viability. On this basis th8 tru8te continue to adopt the Ong ¢CCern basis of a¢¢ountltYJ In pw*a¥lroJ tho financial slatemgnts. 18
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 310ecember 2025 Dlsclosure of infornialion to Audltor The trust8è5 held offic8 at th8 dat8 ol approval of the Trustèa'$ RgPJrt confirm that, so far as they are each aware, th8re is no rVant audit infomiati¢)n of which the Charty's audify is unawarg,. and each trustee has taken all the 8t8PS that they wght io have tak8n to make themselv8s aware of any revant audit infomiation and to èstablish that Ihe Charty's auditor is awarg of that information. Audltor The charity's auditors. MHA w8r¢ app)intod 5 Septsmber 2023. The trustses who hgkj office at tha datè of approval are yet to confirm the reappointment of MHA for 2026. Trustees, Rosponslblllty Statsment The truste&s l¥¥ho ara also directors of Acom Earty Ygars Foundation lor the purposes of company Lawl are responsible for prepaiing the trustees, annual report and th financial Statements in accordance wth apPIable law and Unitèd thgdom Aecounb'NJ Standards (United Kingdom General Accepted AccountSng Practice). Company law require5 the trtee5 lo prepare financial statements for •aeh finanual y¥ar. give a true and fair view of the state of 8ffaits of the charitèb cornpany and ol the incoming resources and apFAicaty'on of resources. including the income and expendlturè. of the charit)l$ company for Ihat period. In pieparing these financial statements. th8 trusl88s are requir8d to.. select Suitab accounting polici•s and Ihan apply them consi$tendy,- observe the rnethimls and PrincieS 01 th8 Ch8ritigs SORP IFRS 1021,. mak8 judgement5 and estimates that are reasonable and prudenL state whether appIlble UK kcounting Standards IFRS 1021 have ten follomwd. subjg¢t to any.. material d8partur8s disclosed and 8xp18ined in thg finala1 statements,. and prepar8 the financkgl $t&t8rnÈnts on the 90in9 wnGern basis unless it is inapprDpfi8t• to presume that the ¢harSty ¢tiThue in operation. The trustees are SponsIt@ for k88ping ad8qU8t8 a¢winbng records that dlsclos¢ vAth (easonabla aecuracy al any time the finarrial posthon of Ihg charity and enablg thern to ensure Ihat the financial statem&nts Comply with the Companie5 Act 2006. They are aJ50 responsible forsafeguarditvJ tho assèts of the charity and henc8 fortaking reasonablg steps for Ihe prevention and detèction ol fixud arKI othgr irregularities. In so far as the trustees are 8w8re tra 1$ no rek8v8nt infom)ath)n of whth the tharitÈble cornpanV¥ 8uditor is unaware. The trustees have tsken all steps that they ought to have taken to make Ihemselves aware of any relevant au it inlormation and to estabSsh that the auditor is aware of that infom)ats"on. Nar*ndia La Chair of Trustats 19
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 INDEPENDENT AUDrroR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Oplnlon We have audlted the fin8neAxl statements ol Acom Eaty Years Foundathon (the eharity'l for the year eThled 31 December 2025 %thi¢h crnprise the Slatement of Financial Activitie5, the Balanc8 Sheet. the Staiemenl ol Cash Flows and the relgtsd notes, induding 8 summary of significant accounting policie$. The financial reporting frarnework that has been applred in their prepèrabon ts applicable law and Uniled Kirodom Accounts'ng St8ndards, Includlng Flnandal R8POrtln9 StsThlard 102 The Flnan¢ial Reporting St8nd8rd appllc8L49 In the UK and Republic ol Ireland, Iunlted Kingdom Gèneralty Accepted knounling Pr8dirAI. In our oplnlon the ffinancAal ststements: gi a tnje and falr vièw ol thè stète af th8 charitable company8 affairs as al 31 December 2025 and of its incomlng resOue8 and application of resources, IlUdIng its irfome and expènditure for th8 yea¥ ended.. havè bèèn prop8rty prepared aCrar? vllh Unlted lfjngdom Generally Apted AC(UntIrrfJ Prathc8', and have been prepared in aco)rdance with the requlrements of the CrAnpAniès Aet 20(hS. 8asls for oplnlon Wg (xJndu¢ted wr aud In g(tor(lon¢9 wlh Internationol StsrKlorils on AuL11tkng IUKI (ISA5 IVKII And 4pplicabl8 law. Our responsibil$ und•r thosè stondard$ are further describ8d in the Audit8 responsibilities for the 8udit of the financial slatemenis sedon ol our reporL We arè Indepd&ntoI lh8 eharitable company in awrdance wSth the ethical requirements that ale revant to our audit of the financS8l statements in the United Kingdom, including the Flnancial Reporting Ci)uncil's Ethical Standard, and w8 hav8 fulfilled our olher ethical respon$ibili'e$ in accordance with these requirements. We believ& that the 8udit evhjente we have obl2ined 1$ sufficient and appropriate to provid8 a basis lor our onion. Concluslons relallng lo golng concern In auditing thè ffinan¢ial staternonts, w• ha ¢oncluded that the Tru5te•S' U5• of the going Conc basis of accounting in the prepardtion of the financial statements is approprf8te. Based on the work we have performed, we have nol Idenbfied any matertal uncertaintres l0ng to events or condlb.ons that. Individually ortolle¢tivety. may¢aslsignificantdoublon the charitable company's abilitytocontiwe as a going conG8m lor a pèriod ol at least twelve m¢)nU)$ Irom when the financial statem$nts a authorksed lor Issue. OUT responsibil85 and the responsibililias of tre Trustè85 With Tespect lo going concem arg descrl)gd in the rdevant S8ction5 of this ropo Olh¢r infonnation The other infomiation cornprises the infomiation included in lh Annual Rewrt other than the finan¢ial $tslements and our Auditt>r's Report thereon. Tr Tru5te8S 8rg responsible for the other information LY)ntained within the Annual Rèport. Our opinlon on the finanual statements does not cover the other inf0m)aOn and, except to th8 axtent 0th81%*iS8 8Y4)licitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance Conclusion thereon. Our responsibifty is lo read the other informatton and. In doing 80. consider whether tha othèr infomation is malerlally IrsIStenI5th the finawal statements orour knowbdge obtalned In the course ofthe audi( or olherwB8 appears io be materially mi58t8ted. If we identrfy su¢h materfal inconslstencles or apparent material misstatements. w8 are requlrecl to det8rmin& wh8th8r this giv88 rise to a rnaterfal m158tatem8nt in the financial statements themselves. 11, based on the WO we hav8 Pgrfortned, we wnclude Ihat there is a material m4S8tatement of this other infomiation. we are reqUId to rep¢yt that fact. We have notliro to rèpY)rt in this regard. 20
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 INDEPENDENT AUDrfoR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Opinion on oth8r mattar# pr•s¢ribgd by thg coMnI•S Act 21J06 In our opinion, based on undert2k•n in thè course oflhe 8udf('. the infonllation given in the Trusts8s' Report lor thg finandal year for whl¢h the finan¢ao1 stal?ments are pr8P8 Is con81st8nt with th& flnancial statements. the Trustses. Roport has b•8n pryrod in ac¢otdanc• with appli¢ablg1ggal requirements. Matter¥ on whlch w• ar• requlr•d to report by exceptlon In the light of our kn&edge and understandlng of the ch8dtable crffip8ny and tts envlronment obtolned In the ctsutse of the audit. we have not id8ntified material misstatements in tha Tru5t88s' R8porL W8 have nothirvj to report in respect of t following mattèrs in relation to which Companies Act 2006 r•quires us to report lo you rf. In our oplnlon.. • adoquate accountng rewds have not b8en kept, or ieturns adequate for ouraudit have t been recNed from branches not visited by us., or the financial ststements a not in agreemant wilh the accounting ¢1)rdS aThJ returns., or certaSn dIsclosu$ of Trustees, remuneration specffied by law aro ntst made., or • we have not received all the inlofmation and explanations we require for our audiL or the Trustees wgre not entitkd to prepare the lknancial statements in accordance with the small companie5 regime and take advanla9e ol the small cornpani8s' ex8mptions in pParing the Trustees. Report and from the requiremtrnt to prepare a Strat8gi¢ RgporL R•sponsibilitio$ of trustO•8 As expLgined more lully in the TnJstS. R•sponsitM'litYdS Statemen¢ th8 Trustfres (who are also ihe dIreOr$ of the Charitab companyforthe purposes of ¢omp8ny lawl are resptsnsibleforthe pr8paration of theflnancial staternents and for being 5ati5fied that Ih8y give a true and fair view, and for such internal ¢ontrol as the Trustees detèmiinè ne¢g8s8ry to enable preparation of financial st8t8ments that are free from materk41 misetatgment. whether due to fr8ud or 8rror. In wtrparing the financial statemant8, the Trustees a respon5ibl8 for 88Ge&slng thg Charitablo eompanV$ abibty ttr continue as a going concem. dis¢k)sirvJ, as applthl¢, matters related lo going coneem and using the going ¢oncern basis of accounting unless the Tnjstees eItr intend to liquidate the ch8ritabl8 company or to cea operauons, or have no realistic altemalNe but to do so. Audlttsvs fv5pon8lbillll for th• audtt of th• financial $trn•nts Ourobj8ctiV88 8re to obtsin reasonab18 assurance about whether the financial statements as a Who arè frèa from rnaierial misstatsmont. wh8thgr du8 to fraud or error. and to issue an Auditorfs Report that includ85 our opinion. Reasonabk assuran is 8 high J8V81 of assuran, but Is not 8 9U8rantee that an audit conducted in a¢cordance with ISA5 IUKI wll always detect a materia misststem8nt when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or errorand a considered material rf, individuallyorin Ihe a9gregate, Ih8y could r88S0naY be 6xp8d8d to influgnc the ecorKJmlc decISn5 of Use laken on the basls ol tha financlal statements. lNeguti85, including fraud. are Instances of nOn-mplIanC0 with Jaw5 and regulabons. We design procedure$ in line wlth our rasponsibllitses, outlined above, to det8Ct materfal mfsstatement$ in respect of irregularits'as. IncknJiThJ frau(l. The extgnttothichourproce(lure5 are CaPae oldetecting irregularibes. indudin9 fraud isd818i18d below.. Erquiry ofmanagement and those charged Mlh governance around actual 8nd pOtIal Igation and claims., P8rfLirming audit work ovèr Ihè risk of management overrid8 of controts, induding t8sting ofjournal entrie5 and other adjustsnents for appropriateness, trvaluating the bu$ine$5 rationale of signfficanl transacb'ons outsidg the nomal Cou8 of bus1rsS and revbwng accounts.ng esllmaies for bias,. 21
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statement5 and Annual Report for the year ended 310ecember 2025 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Auditorfs r•$pon$ibiliti•$ for the audit of the financl81 stat•m•nts Icontlnu•dl ReVIeng mlnutes of meetings of those charged wilh govemance., Reviewng finanaal stgtement disdosure8 and testing to supports"NJ documentatlon to a5$ess ¢ompllan¢e wth 8Wl¢able Lgwg and regulatjons. A futhèr d•seripti(x) ¢rf DUT responsibilthes for audit of th8 financlal statsments Is IoLXt8d on tho Finan¢lal ReportSng Counal's website at.. w¥¥w.trc.org.uklaudrtorsresponsibilties. This d¢sthption fo$ part of OUT Auditof s Report. Uso ot our r•port T8 r8POrt 1$ m8de sclety to the cribIe rmpany$ members, as 8 body. in aceord8nr* wlh Chapter 3 of Part 16 of thè cPanI&S Act 2006. Our audil work has been underiaken so that we might state to the charilab cornpany's member5 thosematt8rs we ar8 requir8d to state tothem in an Auditor's Reportanrj forno other purpose. To the fulSt extent permitted by law, we do nola¢¢eplor assume r8spon5ibility to anyon8 Other than the charilabl company and its membgrs, as a )dy, lor our audit work. for this r8por( orfor th8 opinions we have formed. Ellzabèth Ntwèll BA {Hon¥l FCA (Senior Ststutory AudStor) for and on behalf of MHA Chartered Accountant5 ststutory Auditors Milton Keyn85 Date.. 18 May 2026 MHA is the trading narnès of Maelntyrè Hl$on LLP, a limit8d liabilty partnership in England and Wale8 (registered nurnber OC3123131 22
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Flnanclal statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 Detember 2025 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES {INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDrruRE ACCOUNT Unre$trl¢t•d Funds Rt8trl¢ted Funds Total 2025 Total 2024 In¢om• and Exp•nditur• INCOME.. D[ationS and18gaci88 3.194 3.194 4.558 Income from charftable athlts.es 16,050.325 211,031 16.261.356 13,157.457 Invèsbnent income 11.145 11.145 6,595 Totsl In¢omo 16.064.664 211.031 16275,695 13,168,610 EXPENDITURE: Exp•nditur8 on charitabl& a¢tivltie3 115.302,7781 1202,7691 115,505,547) 113.027,428} Total Exp•ndltur• 115,302,778) 1202,7691 115,505.547} 113,027,428) Incomo mo¥em8nt In funds for th• yoar bofor• lax 761,886 8.262 770,148 141,182 Tax on eXpendrle 11,6391 11.6391 1595} N•t Incom• movem•nt In funds for the year 760.247 8,262 768,509 140.587 Reconclllatlon of funds Total funds brought fjoar 612,377 23,079 635,456 494,869 Total fvnds carrlgd loard 1,372,624 31.341 1,403,965 635.456 The Statement of FlnancAAI Aotmtles Includes All gBirts losses recognlsed in Ihe yexr. Wl income expenditure derive from continued activities. The accomnl acctyjnting polraes and notes on pages 26 to 41 forn an integral part of the financial ststernents. The 2024 ¢ompgralive in¢lude8 both restricte(l and unreslricted lunds, a breakd¢)wn of the comparaiive5 can be found in nots 23 to Ihese financial 8t8tornents. 23
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Finantial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 BALANCE SHEET Note 2025 2024 Fb(ed A•$•ts Int8ngibfe asBet Tanglblg assets 44,322 1,133,509 1,177.831 95,351 850.706 946.057 12 Curr•ntAss•ts Dgbtors Stock Cash at bank Total Current Assets 13 599,721 305,922 635 439,223 745.780 1,247,2S3 1.846.974 Cr•ditors- ArrK)unts f8liroJ due hwthln one year 14 1,620,840) 11.056,3811 Nèt Currnnt A8utsllLlabllltlesl 226.134 1310,6011 Total Assots I$ Curr•nt Llab115tl•s 1.403,5 635.456 credOr*. Amounts falllng due aftgr ong year Net As$et$ 1,403,965 635,456 Tho fvnd8 of the charlty ReStrted FuS Unrestrfcled Funds Tolal Charlty Funds 17 17 31,341 1,372.624 1,403,965 23,079 612,377 635,456 The not8s on pages 26 to 41 fo part ofthese financial statorngnts. Tho Boarf of Trust888 knedge theSr responslbllitl for Mpln9 vrith thg r8qulremgnts of the Act with respe¢t to a¢GDuntiwvJ roc5 and prBparation of Ih8 finan¢lal statements. The fInCIal statements wero approved and 8uthorisgd for Issue by the Board of Trustees and slgned on th&tr behaw ty. Nar•ndra Laljanl Trust•• coMnY numbgr., 07703801 24
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Not• 2025 2024 N•t ¢a$h u$•d In op•ratlng othltles 18 1,427,233 901,985 Cash flow5 from investing acliviti•s Purchase of tanglble flxed assets 12 1627,5141 1391,8581 14gt ca$h u$gd In lJw•¥tlng a¢tlvltl•s 1627.514} 1391,858} Cash flows from flnanclng actlvltles Investrnent Incorne Repayment of borrowings Issue of borrowings Interest paid 11,145 180,0001 80,000 12,8341 6,595 197,3941 14.7851 Not ea$h from flnan¢lnll a¢tlvltl•s 8,311 195.584 Ira$ in cash and cash equfvalants In thè wr 808,030 414.543 Cash and cash equivalents at the b8ginnirvJ ol Iha yaar 439,223 24.680 Cash and cash wuivalents at th• tnd of th¢ y•ar 1,247,253 439,223 Anaty•l8 of chan98s In net debt 1 JInry 202S Cash Ilows 31 December 2025 Castt at bank 439.223 808.030 1,247.253 439,223 808.030 1.247,253 25
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Aeeountlng Polieiè¥ The principal accounting pofirie$ adopted. judgements and key sources of estlmation unc•rtainty in the preparati¢)n of the financial statements ar8 $8t below. These poliaos hav8 b8en eonslstentty appligd to 411 years presented unless otherytse stated. a) Ba1¥ of proparatlon A¢orn Eady Years Foundatlon ls a charitabk8 MpaThy Ilmfted by guar8ntee registered in England and Waltss. In th9 8vent of the Charity being w0d up, tt)e 1Sability in respect of the guarantee is lirnit8d to £10 Pgr MeMr ofthe Charty. The addr8& ofthe re9iStered offe is gwon in the Reference and Administrative Details on pag& 3 0¢ these financial 8tslements. The nature of the charivs operations and w"ncipal acbwty is the provlslon of ehildcare in nursedes. out of schwl clubs and f¢re5t schods. Th8 financlal statements ha bè8n pryr8d In accordanc8 wllh the charl• SORP IFRS 11Y2) - Accounting and Reporting by Charitias.. SLat•ment of Rewmmended Practiee appllcable to Char8$ preparing th8ir accounts in accordance wlth the Thnaneial Reporting Standard applicabl6 in thè UK and Republic of Ireknd i5SU8d in October 2019, the Financtal Reporti Standard applicable in Ihe United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021, thg CharMes Act 2011, Ihe Companles Act 2006 and UK G$n81ty Accepted AUnting Practic•. A¢om Earfy Yèars Foundation meels the dofi'nitson of a public benefil entty under FRS 102. Assets and liabile$ ale Inilially raciNJnised al hisiorical cost ortransaction value unless otherwise statod In thè revant a¢{#nng polity notgs. The financial statements arè prèpared on a goin9 cx)n¢em basts undar th8 historical cost Ixjnvenlon. Th• finanrial Stalements are pented In stÈrliw¥J which is the functyonal currency of the Charity and rounded to the nearest £. bl Preparatlon of th• a¢counts on a golng concern basis Havlng reviewed the c83h flow forecast and underfying assumpti($ for th8 ngxl 12 months the trustees rgmain confldent In the ability ol Ihe management team to malntain the charlty's finan¢i81 Mability. On thls basls th8 trustees conllnuè to adwt Ihe golrfj concem basls of accounfjNJ In prepartng the flnanci stalements. ¢1 Incom• Income is recognised when the Charity has entitlernent to the fund5, any perftjrrnance conditions attachod lo the Itèms of income have teen m8t. it is probable that the Income 11 b8 r•ceiv8d. and th8 amount can be measured reliably. Fee inGome is albcat8(I to the rnonlh to which it rdates, and the free entitlomont lunding is allocatd on the same basls. wlth [X)Ije9 in plaGe to en5ur8 entitl8m8nt i& verified prlor to heado)vnt dates. d) Gov•rnmgnt Gran¢8 Income from revenue 9ovemment grants is recognised when the Charity ha8 entiuemenl io the funds. any perform8nrconditions attached to the grants have been mel, Itls probablg Ihattho incomewill be received and thè amount can m9asured reliabty. These are tgnISed In Ihe Statement ol FinanrAal A¢tivitK8S. Incorne from capltBI govemm8nt grants is recconlsed vthen the Chaty has entiuèment to tha fund$, any perf0Ma ¢¢ndition5 attached to the grants hav8 en mèt. it is probablè that Ihe income w41 be recovered and Ihe amount C8n b8 rnea8ured reliably. Th8se are recognlsed in the Statement of Finan81 Actiwties over lh8 same perfod as the capital assèt 18 d8pr8ciated. 26
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. A¢counting Pollelés Icontlnu•d) } Inveslment In¢om• Intèrèst (fft funds held on deposit is recognised when received and th8 amount can be measured relkgbty by the Charity. This is ntmalty upon notificth.on of Ihe interest paid by the Bank. Fund ateounting Unrastricted funds available to 3pend on actNrtl85 that furth•r any ol the purposes of the Charity. D8signated funds are unrestri¢led funds of the Chanty which Ihe Irustees have deed at their distretion to set aside to USÈ for a specffi¢ purpose. ReStrted funds a funds which gre used in 8ccordanc8 Wth speeffic trIctl¢$ and ralsed by the Ch8rity for a parti¢ular purpose. The alm and use of each restricted fund Is set out in the nots5 of th8 financial statemènis. Restricted fijnds can irKlude donations which the donor has specthed are to be solety used for particular areas of the Charity's work or for specific projects beiffj undèrtaken by the Charity. gl Exp•ndllure Expenditure is recognised On there 18 a legal orwnstructive obllgation to make a payment to a third party. it is probab18 that 5etUètnent vdll be required. and Ihe 8rrKJunt of the obligation ean be measured reliably. Exp•ndilure is classified under th8 following activty headings.. 1. Cost ol faisiry lund$ compri58s th8 costs 01 adivibes outslde th8 rewlar operation of Ihe nurn*ies, lo$¢ schoob, out of school clubs, cateiing and training dep8rtm8nt. 2. Expenditure on charitable actNities comprises the c08L8 of cornm8rcial trdding includlng the running of the nurseries and their associated costs. Irrec¢rabIè VAT is tharged as a cost against tha actNity for which the expenditur8 w8s incurred. h} Governance coats Gov8mèneè costs are those luncboN$ Ihal asslst the strategic wryk of ts Charity but do nol dlrg¢Uy undertake charitable actMti¢s. These costs have been allrK8ted to expendiLuTe on charftabl¥ activitigs. Gov8m8nc8 cc4ts are $6t out In not8 8. il Employee benefrts Thè costs ol short-tem) ernployee bènafits are recogni8ed as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to b8 r8cognlsed as part ol the tangible assets. Thg o)st of 8ny unusgd holiday enbtlemgnt is raC01$Sd In th8 period In which the employ8e's $8Niees are received. Tgtmwtion banefiis aro rwnised immgdi81gly a5 an èxwnso when th8 Charlty is demonstrably ornmitted lo temilnatè the 6mploymgnt of an emF4oy8e or to proMdè t•rmlnatlon b•nefits. 27
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statement5 and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS l. Aeeounting Pollcles l¢onllnuedl 11 0tIng l•*s•¥ R8nlals applIC8b to operating leases where substantlalty all the beneffits and risk5 of ownership remaln th th8 18ssor arè ¢hargeil to the Staternent of Fin8nclal A¢fviUes on a stralght-line b&sl8. k} Flnanu 19050• 8sets hohl under hire purchase agreements are capitslised and disclos8d UWK18r langible fixed assets at theirfair value. The capital element of the lututs payments i8 treated as a liability and the interest is chargèd to the Ststement of Financial on a straight4ine b8818. 11 Tangible fixed •ss•ts Tangibl? fixed assets are stated at hislgrical Cost less accumukAled depreciation aThJ any attumukgled impairrnent10$8es. Historfcal tosts includes expenditure that Is dirèctly attrlbutsble to brlngw)g the asset to th8 kjcats'on and condrtion n8C855ary for il to be capablè of opèraiing in the manner Intèndèd by the Chaiity. Depreciation 15 ¢hafged so as to allocat8 Ihg ¢QSt of assets less their resldual value over thelr estlrnatsd useful fves, u5iThJ a strai9h¢41ne basis. Depreuation is providgd on th& bass.. Asset Cat•gory Annual rat• L8a88hold Improvements Offxe Equipment Fixtures and Fitlings MotorVèh5 Play Equipment Lower of 20% of Cost and16wth oflèas¥ 20% . 33.3% of cost 20% 01 cost 20% of ¢ost 20% of cost Galns and k)sses on di5posal$ are detennined by compèring th8 proceeds wth the arnount and 8r6 OgniSed in Ihe Statement of Finantial A¢bvitses lincluding income and expendibJTe aCCJntl. m} Intanglble Ilxed as$•ts Intanglblg assets acquir8d sgP8rately from a business ar8 recogni88d at Cost aNI afe subsequendy me8sured al Cost les5 accurnulat9d amortSsalion and accumu181ed impaimenl losses. Intangble assèts acqulrod on busine58 combinatlons are recognlsed separ8tsly frorn good11 at Ihe aGqulsttbn date tf the fair vae can bè tneasured reliably. All Intangible ffxed assgts related to business COMnd10n$ are amortl$8d on a straight4ine basis over the estimated economic lrfe of 10 years. Intsngiblo assatg ralat8d ¢0 ¢pter sofN¥are are amorfi58d ov8r 3 years. n) D•bto Trade and olher debtors are recognlsed at the s8tt18m8nt amount due after w trade dls¢ount offered. Prepayments arg valued at the arTh)unt prepaid net of any discounts due. ol Stock Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. 28
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 310ecember 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1, Aounting Poli¢ie¥ l¢onlinu•d) pl Cash at bank Cash at bank includes eash withln a current or deposit account. ql Credltors CrethtNs are rècognised where the Chanty has a present oblbaatlon sU19 from a past event Ihat wll probably resu in the translèr of funds to a third party and the amounl due to settte the obligation can b8 measured or estimated reliably. Credltors are nomially re(ognlsed at theirsettlement amount after ath)wing for any trade discounts due. rl Flnandal In¥lyuments The Charity onty ha6 finan¢k8188sets and ffn8ncial Ihgbifiti&s of 8 kind Ih8t quallty as basic ffnanclal instruments. B8sic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently Measured at their selffjement value with the eXC8Pti of bank k)an$ whieh are subwuentty measured at am0'S8d (ost using the effgcbvg int9r¢5t m91hod. sl Penslon costs The Charity operat85 a defilled contri0 pen%on s¢heme for employees. The assets of Ihe sth8me are held s8par8tely from th05è of lh8 Charity. The annual conti7bu0nS payable a char9ed to the Slaternent of Finantial Activities. Thg Charity 15 also part of tho Bucks CC LGPS whlch is a dollned benefit hMe. Thg Charity has Iwo frmployees in this scheme. Bucks CC LGPS has confirrned Ihat wh8n th8 Charity t over these nurneries, the pOrtn of Iha LGPS ralatlng lo itwas transferred at nodeficivno surplus. thera deficit, a vsluation has not been obt8ined under FRS 102 section 28. The payment$ have been expensed in th8 sam8 Way as that of defined conlribulK)n sehame payments. tl Taxatlon Th8 income and expemliture relating direY to the ch8ritabl8 8ctivitl88 Is exempt from corwallon tax. The income and expenditure rekqtin9 to thg non-ch8ritabl8 8ctiviti8s is elvJibl8 for corporation . Tho non- charrtable a¢bviti88 r818te to training room hir8 and èxtemal catwing. Judg•mÈnts k*y sour¢•s of¢8dmatton uncartainty In the applteAkn of Ihe ch8ritabl8 cornpany's accounting pc4icies, Ihe trustees are requId lo make judgements, estim8te5 assumptions ab¢)ut the carrying anN)unt of assets and liabilities that are not re8diSy apparent from other sources. The estimates and a$socSaÈed 8ssumpts.ons a based on historical experi8nc• aNI otherfactors Ihat are consldered to be relevant. Actual results may dllkn from trSe estimates. The 88timates and undtrtyirvJ assumptions are r&vi6wed ¢Jn an ongolng basis. RevisKJns to aco)untir4J estimate5 are fecognised in the period In the ostimate 1$ I¥$d where the revision affects onty that peri(Kl. or in the period of the revision and fijture periods where Ihe revision affects both Current and futurg P8riod5. 3. Company Ilmlted by guaranto• Thfr charty Is a Company limiiad by guaranteè and has no share ¢apltsl. In the ovontoftho Ghotitablo wmpany b¢lng wound up, the 1Sability in fespeGt ¢)f the guarantee is limited to £10 pgr mgrnber of Iho Charity- 29
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Incom• •am•d from donatlms and l¢ga¢i¥¥ Unr•stri¢ted Funds Restrlcted Fund$ Total 2025 T¢Aal 2024 Donations 3,194 3.194 4.558 3,194 3.194 4,558 In accordanc¢ FRS 102 and the Charitles SORP IFRS 1021. ihe economlc contribution of general volunteers i8 not rwnisèd in Ihe a¢unts. 5. IoMe from ¢h*rltabl8 activities Ubw•striet•d Funds R•strlct•d Fund$ Total 2025 Total 2024 Chiklcare income 15,726,568 211,031 15.937,599 12.898,735 TrainirvJ cou8$ 35,042 35.042 31.185 Forg8t schocl activities 166,848 166,848 136.720 Catering ineomè 61,574 61,574 63.172 Other Ineomtr fj0.293 60,293 16,261,356 27,645 16,050.325 211.031 13,157,457 Local autk)rity grants totalliry £7,734,91 $12024.. £4.356,9251 rdate to the Eaty Years Funding. Restrieted local authority grants 01£208.23312024'. £212,252> ralate lo deprivation ftjnding, Snclusion and dI5abilty access fundirv3 grants. Further informab.on can be found in nob 17. 30
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOVNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 6. Anaty8i8 gf oxpondllur• on eh*rftabl• attSvltlè¥ VnMstrl¢ted Funds Fund5 Total 2025 Tolal 2024 Chlklcare eosts 13,413,021 202,769 13.615,790 11.307.641 TralnlThJ costs 39,157 39.157 56.971 Cat8fing Costs 60,940 58,735 Forest school activities c05tB 99,720 99.720 127,515 Property 8nd 8dministr8tK)n 1,818,468 1.618,468 1,389.696 AUntanCY fees (note 81 17,617 17,617 14.550 Legal and prof888ional fees 40,322 40.322 54.193 Other finanaal costs 13.533 15.302,778 13,533 15.505,547 18,127 13,027,428 202,769 Taxatlon (al Tax on incom• Th• tax charg$ is mada up a5 follows= 2025 2024 Current lax.. UK corporation tsx at 19oh12024: 19%) 1,639 595 1,639 595 Ibl Factors affectlng th• total tax ¢harg0 The tax assessed on the Inwno before ts¥ for th6 year 16 lowèr than lh• stsndard rgte of corporation tax in the UK of 19%12024.'19%1. The differ8nc•s arè ran(ld bg10w'. 31
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 7. Tax*tion Icontinu•dl (bl Factors affe¢tlng th• total tax ¢harg• l¢onllnuedl 2025 2024 Income before tax 767.979 141.182 Income before tax muth'plK8d by stand8rd rate of o)rporation tax h the UK of 19%12024'. 1Wtrl 145,916 26.825 Expendilure nol dedWt1e fortax purpos•s1gx•rnpt du8 to d8rwed from charity a¢tivrtiesl 1144,2771 126,2301 1.639 595 Net income for the year Thls is 5tat8d after chwryln9: 2025 2024 Depwiati¢n 337.923 325,210 Dl$p)sal wrtte offs 6.788 244.674 Amortisallon 51.029 51,028 Operatlng lease poyments 714,276 572,043 Audltots remunerati} feeg 17.617 14,550 Analysis of gOV•rnan eosts: 2025 2024 Audit fe8S 17,617 14,550 Truslegs. expenses 271 337 Con5ullancy f885 21,803 8,180 39.691 23,047 32
ACORN EARIY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Anly¥is of stAff ¢osts, trnsts• r•mun8rntion •nd •xpgn8es, and th• cost of Key Management P¢r¥onnel 202S 2024 Salaries and wages 10.086,737 8,670,154 Stityal se¢urity¢osts 953,433 596,494 Pension costs 454,650 379,603 11,494,820 9,646,251 Ona amployga had amkqoyae banafits in èxcèss of £60,(M)O, with total enN)loyee benefits excluding employer pensitsn costs falling wlhin the band 01 £120,001 to £130,00012024.' one employee fall#w within the band of £100.001 to £110.0001. Pension costs are alh)cated to 9cliv.e5 in woportion to rglated st8ffing ¢081s incurred and are wholty thaged to unre$¢ted funds. The Charty 81&88 were not p8id or recgiV9d Y other bgnefrts from empbymenl with the Charity in the year 12024.. £nill. Trustses were reirnbursed gxpenses during the year totalling £271 12024.. £3371. The amount of consultancy fees paid to trustees in the year was £nil12024: £nill. The Key Management Personnel of the Charity comprise th8 trust••s. who r8c•lvo no ramunèratlon, tha ChS•f Ex8culiv8 Officer, aThJ lh8 Sènior Leadership Team. Thelotal empkjyge beneffits ofKey ManaggmentPersonnel of the Charty were £452,68012024.' £405.449I. 10. Staff numbers The average monthly numberol persons Ilncludlng dlrectorsl employed and pald by thè Charty durhg lh8 year was Ès fotlows.. 2025 2024 Numb8r Nurnber Totsl staff 483 476 33
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 11. Intanglblè a88ets Cornputer softwar Goodwill Total Cost As at 1 January 2025 As at 31 08c8mb8r 2025 12,495 12.495 470,732 470,732 483,227 483227 AmOrtIon A5 at 1 January 2025 Charga for tha ya8r As at 31 December 2025 4,467 4,123 383.409 46,906 430.315 387,876 51,029 438.905 N•t book value Ai at 31 Docember 2025 As at 31 Drnber2024 40,417 87,323 44,322 g5.351 8.028 12. Tanglblg flxwl aswts Loasohold Improvemenls Equlpm•nl Flxturè$ a Flttln98 Motor Vehlcl•s Pkny Equlpm•nt C1 As at 1 JaThJary 2025 Reclassificatlon Addtbons DisFX)sals As at 31 Doe•rnr 2025 1,192,409 11.0571 307.842 118,3201 1,480.874 79,654 334.837 1.033 80.581 11,0141 415.437 69,825 198.358 1.875.083 {241 196.975 627,514 12,9641 123,0501 392.369 2.479,523 42,118 (7521 121.018 69,825 D•pr•clatlon As at 1 January 2025 R•claSricallon Charye for the year On disposals As 8t 31 D8mber 2025 660.672 6,181 198,723 113,646 851,930 41,487 190,246 16,1541 54,569 19971 237,884 39.291 92.681 1,024.377 27 51.242 337,870 11,2451 116.2601 142.678 1.346.014 25,568 13721 66,683 7,768 47,059 Ngt book value A$ at 31 D8¢ernr 2025 As 8t 31 DÈcember 2024 628,944 54,335 177.773 22.766 249.691 1.133,509 531,737 38,167 144.591 30,534 105.677 850.706
ACORN EARLY YÉARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 13. D•btors 2025 2024 Trada dablo 274.284 S7,432 Otherdebtors 54,056 43.527 Prepayments 271,381 204,963 599,721 305,922 14. Cr•ditors'. amounts falling du• within on• y•ar 2025 2024 Tr8de cre(litors 164,771 81,545 Taxation and social security 200,261 136.234 Olher creditors 1,129,006 779.473 Ac¢wals 126,802 59,129 1,620,840 1,056,381 Acorn Eadyyears FndatIOn opèratès 8 defined contribulion pension schemefor all eligible staff. Outslandin9 conknbutions awang payment at the 31 December 2025 werè £74,06412024.. £57,6211. Within oth8rcreditor5 th8r& is £100,487 reL4ting to a re5tricled capit81 grant funding from Miknn Keynes ¢ouncil for th& Kents HTrll gxpansion. This is •xpact8d to b8 fully utilised ty June 2026. 15. Oeferred In¢ome Induded witlin other CditS are baLgnces relabr#J to deferred liwme. Deferred income tomprise fees and grant incom8 rec8iPts related to 2026. 2025 2024 Balance as at 1 January 681.773 451,847 Amounts rdèased to income earn8d Irom chariiable &tMtiÈs 1681.7731 {451,8471 Amount deferred in year 883,535 681.773 Balance as at 31 De¢errt•er 883,535 681,773 35
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Flnanclal statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 16. Commltments under op8rntlng leas•s AÈ at 31 Dècember Ihg Charity had 8Th)ual commltments under nOn-C81b18 operating leases as set tyJt belgw. 2025 2024 Property other feases operating le•s•s leases operating las#$ Totsl Total Amounts payaNe wiihin 1 year 820.687 46.991 667,678 519.006 1S,045 534.051 Amounts payable betsveen 2 to S yea 1,862,243 167,040 2.029.283 1,499,726 21,279 1.521,005 Amounts payable after 5 yèars 2,287.662 45.372 2,333,034 1,642.998 1,642.998 4,770,592 259,403 5,029,995 3.661,730 36,324 3,698.054 17. AnJly•ls of ¢h•rftable fund Analysls of movèmènts in Unr•strl¢t•d Fund¥ Balan¢• at B•lance at l January 2025 como Exp•ndilurn 31 D•¢omber 2025 Unreslricted Funds 612,377 16.064.664 115.304.4171 1,372,624 Totsl 612,377 18,064.664 115,304.4171 1,372.624 36
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements ar)d Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 17, Anatysts ol eharttabl• funds IntInu•d) Analysls of mov•m•nts Sn G•n•ral Unre8trlct•d Funds- pr•vSous y•ar Balan¢• at Balanc• at 1 January 2024 Ineom• Expgndltur• 31 D•¢ember 21124 Unrestrlcted Fund5 483,952 12,952,508 112.824.0831 612,377 Total 483,952 12,952,508 112,824,083) 612,377 Nam• of unrestrf¢t•d fund D•xrlptlon, natur• and purpo8•s ol tho lund UnTestrKted Funds The'free resetves, to cover nL¥rnal ftuctuabons of working Capitsl. Designated Funds Funds set aside by the trustees for speufic purposes. There are no designated fvnds during the year. Analysi$ of mov•m•nts in ro$tiict•d funds Balgncg •t Balan at 31 D•e•mb•r 2025 1 January 2025 In¢ome Exp•ndltuM MKC Jubilee Wwd d0privaon ReStrted HvJher Needs & DAF Enjoy Benefit donations MKC Hedgerows deprivatioTr MKC Rowans depmati MKC Mulbery Bear 6Xp8fK8I grant MKC Jubi18e Wood eXson grant MKC Ukn&'nian fd 12.577 14.675 123,569 2,798 48,950 7,739 125.5361 {123.5691 12,7981 130,4761 17,7391 16.3001 15.4331 19181 1202.7691 1,718 9.584 28.058 7,000 1,567 918 Total 23,079 211.031 31,341 37
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 17. Analysls of charltsble lunds l¢ontlnuedl Anolysls ol movoments In restrlcted fund8- prgvlou$ y•4r Balath¢e tht 8alan¢e at 31 D•¢ernb•r 2024 1 January 2024 Incom• Expendltur• MKC Jubilee wr deprivation Restricted Higher Needs & DAF Enjoy B8nefft nati1)n5 MKC H8dgwows deprtvaoon MKC Rowans t1eprivation MKC ukraini fund 1,069 20.621 162,569 3,850 19.964 8.864 234 19.1131 1162.5691 13,8501 116,8951 111,5131 12,577 6.515 2,649 9,584 918 Total 10.917 21fj,1Q2 1203.9401 23.079 Nam• ot rn8trlct•d fund Déscrfptlon. nAturÉ #nd purptmèi of the fund Enjoy BEn8fft5 donat*?ns Par8nts us8 the chiklcar8 voucher offer from Enjoy B8neffits and in retum the nursery recoives paymgnts from O)e company. Restrlcted Hlgher Needs & DAF The ¢harlty recelveg Dlsab¥lity Aceess Fundlng IDAFI and RestrE¢ted Hlgher Needs fundlng for Ghlldren who meet Ihese Grlterion. Thls type ol fundlng vari6s ygar on ygardgpgnding on Ihe thlklren attendlThJ thg nurw19S. D9wivathon Funds The purp050 of thes• funds is to inu•asè th• l•amiNJ s)pporlunities ond improve achiwement of the chlldren in amas of deprivation. This can be done via enhan¢ing ind¢or and outdoor le8ming ènvironm8nts to increas wellbelng and leaming opportunities. Ukrainian Funds The purpose of these funds 1$ to Increase Ihe learning opportunities for children from Ukraine. This c8n be done via enhandng IndcKJr and outdoor leaming environments to increase wellbeing and le8ming opportunthes. Exparnslon grant The purpose of ihese frjnds is to increase the capacty of the nurserw. 38
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial ststements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 17. An•tysls of charitabh lunds {contlnued} Analysls of not a$$•t fflov•mgnts b•lw•gn funds Flxed Assets Not Ass•ts Total 2025 Total 2024 Restsicted Funds 31,341 31.341 23,079 Gener81 Unre8trict8d Funds 1,177.831 194,793 1.372,624 612,377 1,177,831 226.134 1.403,965 635,456 Anaty$i6 of net asset movern•nts bgt*w•n funds- Prlou$ y•ar Flxed Assets M•t AtsILIabl1lf10SI Total 2024 Total 2023 Restricted Funds 23.079 23.079 10,917 Unrestrkted FldS 946,057 1333,6801 612.377 483,952 946,057 1310,6011 635.456 494,869 18. Reconciliation of not movgm¥nt In fvnds t¢ n•t ¢a$h Ilow from gratIng activiti•s 2025 2024 Net movement in lunds Add back dlsposals wrlÈe off Add back depreciatSon charga Add back arTh)rtisation charge Deduct bank inter8st receNed 768,509 6.788 337,923 51,029 111,1451 2.834 635 140.587 244,674 325,210 51,028 16,5951 4,785 82 Add back loan inierest paid 08creas8 in stock Iln¢reaseyde¢rea$e in debtows Increase In creditors {293.7991 564,459 16.337 125,877 1,427.233 901,985 39
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 19. R•lat•d party transactlons Trustees who are Acom parents do not receN• any lorrn of fee subsitty. They pay full prica for thèlr Chilre. The lotsl payments made by trustees for childcare for the year to 31 December 2025 were £19,89912024-. £25.8401. In addition, £458 was made in advance for 2026 chlldcare by Iha trugt88s12025.. £nill. Nofrge ses$ion$ werg provided to trustees in the year to cover their childcare on days when they We required to attend trustaè tting5(2024.. £nill. In addilion, AcL¥n Nursery PrOpere$ Limited IANPI, landlord for th9 Shenley nursery. is a related party. Th9 CEO 58 the majority 5hareM)Ider In ANP. ANP charged Acorn rent for Shenw, totalllng £40,00012024-. £55.9171. Rents payabla tts ANP are set on a arms length basls, and ra8wSd based ¢)n ihe agreed lease terms. Acom fvrther charged book-keeping ol £nA12024.. £6001 to ANP. 20. Post balance shegl •vw)ts On 25 Fgbruary 2026, the ¢haNty purchased 100% Shares of Acom Nursery Properlès Limitod IANPI for £756.560.61. ANP was pr)us1Y a related pgrty. 21. Capltal Commltsngnts As at 31 December 2025, Ihè Charity was commthd lo spending an addibonal £382,103 twards tho Kents Hlll nursery expansion. 22. Controlllng Party Tho Charity ultimately contrc41tsYl by th& Boaryj of Trustee3. 40
ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION Financial statements and Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS rJ. c0nwrntl Statement of Flnanclal A¢tlvltles Unr•stri¢t•d Funds Restrlcted Funds Total 2024 In¢omo and Exp•ndltu INCOME-. Donations and gaCleS 4.558 4,558 In¢ome from Charitab actleS 12,941,355 216.102 13,157,4S7 Invgsts7)ènt Inc& 6,595 6,595 Total Incom• 12.952,508 216.102 13.168.610 EXPENDITURE: Expenditure on charitable actfviti•s 112.823,488) 1203,9401 {13.027,4281 Total EXnd[tur* 112.823,488} 1203,9401 113.027,4281 N•t expendhure movem•nt In lund$ lor th• year b•for• tax 129,020 12.162 141,182 Tax on •xponditure 15951 15951 Nel expondTiure movement in funds for Iho year 128.425 12,162 140.587 R•conciliatlon of fund$ Total fund5 broughl forward 483,952 10,917 494,869 Total fvnds carrkd lonvard 612.377 23,079 635,456 41