Tiny Tots
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 1[st] September 2024 to 31[st] August 2025
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Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Name: Tiny Tots
Charity Registration Number: 1183769
Early Years Alliance Membership Number: 204826
Trustees: Samuel Ross Weeks; Helen Jane Chapman; Janice O’Halloran and Alice Clark-Wheeler.
Principle Address: Mudeford Wood Community Centre, Pipers Drive, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 4TR
Objectives and Activities
Tiny Tots (‘the charity’) works for the public benefit having as its’ objects the development and education of children and young people in particular by: (1) promoting their care and safety; (2) promoting their education and promoting parental involvement; (3) promoting their health and wellbeing; (4) providing services to support them and their families and carers; (5) providing services to individuals holding membership of the CIO; and (6) furthering the aims of the pre-school learning alliance.
Tiny Tots is not a grant-making charity, nor is social investment a core part of the charity's activities. Therefore, Tiny Tots does not have a policy covering either activity.
During the 2024-2025 reporting period, Tiny Tots provided an inclusive, diverse and stimulating setting of early years play and education for babies and toddlers. Through this setting, we facilitated a social support network for parents, carers and guardians. Our services were delivered through twice weekly, term-time sessions from Mudeford Wood Community Centre, in Mudeford, Dorset.
We, the trustees, used the guidance and information made available by the Charity Commission, as necessary, to ensure right, fair and proper governance and practice. We had regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit and worked to ensure Tiny Tots was governed in accordance with its governing document, thus ensuring the main activities of Tiny Tots continued to operate for the purposes of public benefit.
Volunteers dedicated their time to the day-to-day running of sessions, preparation and planning of activities, as well as fundraising events. Volunteers worked hard to follow the policies and procedures set out by Tiny Tots and to promote good practice,
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furthering the work of Tiny Tots in meeting its charitable objectives as set out in our governing document. Volunteers brought a valuable range of skills and experience to Tiny Tots, and their input was respected and valued by subcontracted childcare practitioners and the trustees. The trustees recognised that volunteers greatly furthered the activities of the charity in meeting its charitable objectives and would like to record our ongoing gratitude to the team of dedicated volunteers. We would also like to thank our subcontracted childcare practitioners, whose professionalism, expertise and commitment have been invaluable in supporting the delivery of our services and who regularly go above and beyond in support of the charity.
Achievements and Performance
Tiny Tots ran a high-quality early years setting, offering a safe and stimulating environment for young children and families to socialise and build connections. Our group helped families interact, share experiences and develop supportive relationships. This promoted early years education and supported the mental health and wellbeing of parents, carers and families.
During the 2024-2025 reporting period, Tiny Tots welcomed a core, sustained group of beneficiaries in addition to families accessing services on an ad hoc basis. Each week, Tiny Tots welcomed an average of 60 families, with attendance naturally fluctuating throughout the year for a number or reasons, such as weather conditions or children preparing to start pre-school.
Tiny Tots regularly reviewed and enhanced its setting, ensuring that children had opportunities to explore new areas of play and learning. This year, particular attention was given to ensuring children had access to an inclusive and relevant range of books in the reading corner, with regular additions made. New role play scenes were also introduced, including veterinary and construction areas, providing children with more opportunities to explore real-world experiences through imaginative play. These activities helped our beneficiaries develop language, social and emotional skills, encouraging them to explore different situations and perspectives in a fun and engaging way.
Each week our volunteers offered a themed craft activity, which often aligned with significant events and celebrations throughout the year, supporting our beneficiaries as they developed their fine motor skills. The sensory area remained a continually popular activity, with equipment rotated weekly to ensure children had an engaging and varied sensory experience that encouraged exploration and learning through play. Regular parachute activities also became a valued part of our sessions, supporting the development of hand-eye coordination, gross motor skills and social interaction while providing an enjoyable shared experience for children and their families.
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Fundraising continued to play an increasingly important role in supporting the longterm sustainability of Tiny Tots, with trustees and volunteers dedicating significant time and effort to delivering a programme of fundraising events throughout the year. These activities generated just over £1,000 for the charity, not only providing valuable income, but also raised awareness of Tiny Tots and strengthened our connections within the local community. This community engagement was particularly important following the announcement that Mudeford Wood Pre-School would be departing from the Community Centre in September 2025. Although Tiny Tots operates independently, the trustees recognised that this change could have an unintended impact on the group and therefore committed to monitoring any effects closely.
During the year, we continued to strengthen our partnership with Mudeford Wood Community Trust, working more closely than ever to plan and deliver fundraising events. This partnership enabled us to maintain our programme of events by sharing the considerable volunteer commitment required to organise them. Without working together with Mudeford Wood Community Trust, delivering this important programme of fundraising and community activities would have been significantly more challenging.
Financial Review
During the 2024-2025 reporting period, Tiny Tots generated total income of £8,327.25 and incurred expenditure of £8,886.68, resulting in a net deficit of - £559.43 for the year. On 31 August 2025, the charity held cash of £2,994.24. Tiny Tots has no funds materially in deficit
The charity continued to face increasing operating costs during the year, alongside a slight reduction in income. Despite these challenges, the trustees remained committed to investing in activities and resources to maintain and enhance the experience of children and their families at Tiny Tots.
Whilst the charity remained in a stable position, expenditure exceeded income during the financial year for the first time, meaning the charity began to utilise cash in hand accumulated from surpluses generated in previous years. The trustees recognise the importance of addressing this position and have therefore committed to expanding fundraising activity and exploring grant funding opportunities during the 2025-2026 financial year. Considering this, the trustees agreed the principal financial risk facing the charity continued to be rising operating costs.
The Annual General Meeting was held in August 2025, at which all existing trustees were reappointed and will begin a fourth term. The trustees also began considering amendments to the charity's governing document to support the continued operation and governance of the charity, recognising the challenges currently faced by Tiny Tots and across the charitable sector in recruiting charity trustees.
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The trustees reviewed the charity's reserves position and remained satisfied no reserves need to be held due to the low nature our finances. Outgoings can be brought to a minimal, almost nil, level if required, with a greater level of reliance placed on volunteers to deliver charitable activities. However, the trustees remain committed to avoiding this wherever possible to safeguard the quality of Tiny Tots provision. The trustees will continue to review this policy annually.
Structure, Governance and Management
Tiny Tots is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) and is governed by a constitution. Trustees are appointed at the AGM by volunteers and members of Tiny Tots. In accordance with the constitution, trustees serve for a term of two years and may serve for a maximum of 5 consecutive terms. The day-to-day management of Tiny Tots is the responsibility of 2 subcontracted childcare practitioners, assisted by a core team of volunteers and trustees.
Exemptions, Disclosures and Declaration
Tiny Tots has no trustees acting as a custodian for funds, resulting in no disclosures to be made in relation to trustees holding funds as a custodian, and thus no exemptions of disclosure.
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Signature :
Full Name : Samuel Weeks Position : Trustee Date : 29 May 2026
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Tiny Tots
Profit and Loss Report
01 September, 2024 - 31 August, 2025
| Sales | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4900 - Other income | 126.00 | |
| 10000 - Fees | 7,029.50 | |
| 10001 - Donations | 90.00 | |
| 10002 - Fundraising Income | 1,081.75 | |
| Total Sales | £8,327.25 | |
| Direct Expenses | ||
| 10005 - Room Hire | 3,326.71 | |
| 10006 - Subcontractors | 4,440.00 | |
| 10010 - Fundraising Expenditure | 29.45 | |
| Total Direct Expenses | £7,796.16 | |
| GROSS PROFIT / LOSS | £531.09 | |
| Overheads | ||
| 7500 - Printing | 37.99 | |
| 8210 - Subscriptions | 116.80 | |
| 10007 - Accreditations (Including Insurance) | 107.29 | |
| 10008 - Snack (For Children) | 159.00 | |
| 10009 - Refreshments (For Adults) | 99.81 | |
| 10012 - Supplies (For Activities) | 61.35 | |
| 10013 - Consumables | 28.19 | |
| 10014 - Other Costs | 102.78 | |
| 10015 - Volunteer/Staff Entertainment | 74.89 | |
| 10016 - End of Term Parties | 108.36 | |
| 10018 - Play Equipment | 194.06 | |
31 May 2026 12:27
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| Total Overheads | £1,090.52 |
|---|---|
| NET PROFIT / LOSS | -£559.43 |
31 May 2026 12:27
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