Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/09/23 to 31/08/24
Charity name: Little Acorns, Crossgates
Charity registration number: 1181630
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The aim of Little Acorns is to advance the education and development of pre- school children in Crossgates & the surrounding areas, through the medium of the English language. This is done by: a) providing high quality childcare in a safe and modern environment; b) Focus on development of the Childrens social, emotional, physical, and creative skills, through play and good childcare practices c) arranging other charitable activities in order to help parents support their children’s education. d) providing provision for a 2+ setting as defined by Powys County Council |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Little Acorns provides education and childcare for children 3+ via government funding term time, a 2YO room and running holiday clubs for 2–11- year-olds. The focus is the provision of reliable, high- quality care at affordable prices for the local area. Concentrating on the individual needs of each child and family, to ensure the children reach their full potential through a variety of challenging planned activities. Little Acorns also occasionally hosts public fun events to promote its name in the local area, support the community and fund raise. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have |
Para 1.18 | Confirmed. The setting provides benefit for all the children within the setting, their |
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| had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
families and the wider community. By offering high quality, affordable childcare the setting ensures Children in the local area have access to safe and secure childcare whilst their families are able to return to work to provide benefit in the local community. The setting also provides employmentfor6 staff. |
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|---|---|---|
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference | ||
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | No grant making is made by Little Acorns at this time nor planned in the future. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | All policies with regard to the running of the setting or handling of its finances are in accordance and supported by the local authority and Care Inspectorate Wales |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Volunteers are welcomed at the setting but require an enhanced DBS and relevant references to ensure safeguarding of clients. Trustees of the charity are all volunteers and provide their time without payment. |
| Other | Any investments or purchases made must relate to the aims of the CIO and the best interests of its users. |
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
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| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The Children in the setting have all received excellent childcare during the years and enjoyed learning and celebrating: World Book Day Mother Day Fathers Day St Davids Day Cancer Bake Day Sports day Christmas Children in Need Several trips were made during the year which the children and staff thoroughly enjoyed. The staff completed numerous training course and engaged with the local authority and outside agencies. Holiday club has continued to run providing care for 2-11 years. During the year the 2-year-old room which was new in March 2022 developed and took on more children. This new room provides additional childcare for younger children further increasing the abilities for families in the local area to access high quality and affordable childcare. |
|---|---|---|
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | N/A |
| Other | N/A |
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Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At the end of the year the Charity had funds of £48,203 this was an increase in the year of £25,549 The increase was driven by: increased usage particularly of the new 2 year old room which increased fee income. Increased rates paid by Government and parents to cover inflation the increase cost of which was largely already absorbed in the previous year leading to higher margin ~£6k of fees that were outstanding from the prior year were paid within this financial year In addition in general cost was reduced especially on discretional items following on from the deficit in the prior year to ensure that cash balance increased back to previous levels. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Little Acorns has made the decision to continue to hold £12,000 to ensure staff wages and bills can be paid in case of any enforced closure. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £12k |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | N/A |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Funding comes from Government and local council related to the “Childcare offer for Wales” in addition grants are received from local authority for specific applications e.g. for new equipment. Parents also pay fees not covered by the childcare offer including holiday club which runs outside of the usual school term. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any |
Para 1.46 | Any investments or purchases made must relate to the aims of the CIO and the best interests of its users. |
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| social investment policy adopted |
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|---|---|---|
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Key risks are: Parents do not pay their top up invoices resulting in loss of income. Keeping and retaining high quality staff to provide provision. Any changes to government policy on childcare funding as large amount of the income relates to government funded childcare. |
| Other |
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Volunteers. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | All trustees must hold an enhanced DBS as registered with CIW as Registered Individuals. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | n/a |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | None |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Little Acorns |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/A |
| Registered charity number | 1181630 |
| Charity’s principal address | Grounds of Crossgates CP School Crossgates, Llandrindod Wells, Powys LD16RE |
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Jarman | ||||
| Clare Haslam | ||||
| Rebecca Price | Appointed 13/9/23 |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name None
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | **Dates acted if not for whole year ** | |
|---|---|---|
| None |
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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets n/a held in this capacity Name and objects of the n/a charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for n/a safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| **adviser ** |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Rebecca Pritchard (Manager/Person in Charge
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
n/a
Other optional information
n/a
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Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) S. Jarman Full name(s) Sarah Jarman Position (eg Secretary, Trustee Chair, etc) Date 13/11/24
C Haslam Clare Haslam
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Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ Charity Name members of Little Acorns, Crossgates On accounts for the year 31 August 2024 Charity no 1181630 ended (if any) Set out on pages 12 and 13 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/08/2024.
- Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of basis of report the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Date: 21 November 2024 Signed: Name: Susan Davies Relevant professional MAAT qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: PAVO, Unit 30, Ddole Road, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 6DF
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Little Acorns 1181630
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024
| Receipts PCC Term Funding PCC / PHB other Income LA and WAG Funding Parent Funding Uniforms School Meals Other Income TOTAL receipts Payments Salaries & oncosts Training DBS Utilities Telephone & Broadband Repairs & Renewals Insurance Stationary / Consumables Equipment Governance PCC School Meals Snacks Uniform Purchase Trips / Events Play Equipment & Craft Outdoor Environment Total Payments Total surplus / (deficit) Cash Fund B/Fwd Cash fund C/Fwd |
General Funds Restricted Funds Total 2024 £ £ £ - 30,926 30,926 9,672 9,672 83,585 83,585 66,702 66,702 188 188 4,822 4,822 2,095 2,095 167,064 30,926 197,989 112,353 30,926 143,279 - - 15 15 5,461 5,461 1,102 1,102 351 351 529 529 1,207 1,207 1,106 1,106 1,192 1,192 6,359 6,359 3,310 3,310 - - 3,314 3,314 4,876 4,876 340 340 141,515 30,926 172,441 25,549 25,549 22,654 22,654 48,203 48,203 |
Total 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| £ 23,369 16,051 54,134 48,538 88 2,193 - |
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| 144,373 136,559 516 105 3,685 991 1,819 486 2,063 3,374 290 2,955 4,166 1,120 5,558 7,075 972 |
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| 171,736 (27,363) 50,017 |
||
| 22,654 |
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STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024
| Cash Assets Bank Accounts - Barclays 43132269 Bank Accounts - Barclays 53230228 Debtors Assets Retained for Charity's own use Computer & Printer 3 x iPads Smart TV Desk, Filing Cabinet & Office Essentials Educational Resources Childrens Tables & Chairs and other furniture Games Consoles Outdoor Equipment inc Bikes Kitchen Resources Robot Lawnmower Liabilities HMRC NEST PAVO IE Accounts approved by: Chair Print Name: Signature Date |
Cash Assets Bank Accounts - Barclays 43132269 Bank Accounts - Barclays 53230228 Debtors Assets Retained for Charity's own use Computer & Printer 3 x iPads Smart TV Desk, Filing Cabinet & Office Essentials Educational Resources Childrens Tables & Chairs and other furniture Games Consoles Outdoor Equipment inc Bikes Kitchen Resources Robot Lawnmower Liabilities HMRC NEST PAVO IE Accounts approved by: Chair Print Name: Signature Date |
31/08/2024 £ 4,474 43,729 General Funds Restricted Funds Total 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| - - - General Funds Restricted Funds Total 2024 |
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| 5,054 - 5,054 599 - 599 200 200 |
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