2025-12-31-accounts - Little Saplings Preschool

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL

Charity No. 1206048

The Street, Lawshall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 4QA

Trustees' Annual Report

For the Year Ended 31 December 2025

Objectives and Activities

Charitable Objects

The charity's objectives, as set out in its governing document, are to advance the education and development of children aged two to five years by providing high-quality, affordable early years education and care.

During the year, the charity met its charitable objectives by carrying out the following activities:

Delivering play-based learning in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
Supporting children's development in communication, language, physical, emotional and social skills.
Offering inclusive childcare accessible to children of all backgrounds and needs.
Working closely with families and local agencies to support children's welfare and development.
Providing term-time preschool education and wraparound care through qualified early years staff supported by the Committee.

Achievements and Performance

2025 was the charity's first full year of operation following its opening in April 2024. During the year, the preschool continued to provide early years education and care to children within the local community and maintained demand for childcare places.

Continuing to deliver high-quality early years education and care in accordance with EYFS requirements.
Supporting children in their learning and development and preparing older children for successful transition to primary school.
Maintaining investment in staffing, including salaries, pension provision and staff training.
Continuing to develop and strengthen systems, policies and operational procedures to support safeguarding, health and safety and the effective running of the setting.
Maintaining strong relationships with parents, carers and the wider community.

Demand for places continued to grow during the year, reflected in the significant increase in income generated from childcare activities when compared with the previous year. Trustees are encouraged by this growth and remain committed to ensuring that the preschool continues to provide accessible,

high-quality early years provision to local families.

Financial Review

Summary

The charity continued to strengthen its financial position during 2025.

Total income for the year was £126,315 (2024: £68,552), comprising income from charitable activities of £122,028, fundraising income of £4,053, and donations of £234.

Total expenditure amounted to £114,676 (2024: £60,561). Staff costs remained the largest area of expenditure at £98,371, reflecting the charity's commitment to providing appropriately qualified and trained staff to deliver its services. Other expenditure included premises costs, administration costs, fundraising costs and professional fees.

The charity generated a surplus of £11,639 during the year (2024: £7,991), increasing total funds carried forward to £19,630 at 31 December 2025. Of this amount, £400 is held as restricted funds and £19,230 as unrestricted funds.

The trustees are pleased with the positive financial performance achieved during the year, which has strengthened the charity's reserves and financial resilience.

Reserves Policy

The Committee aims to establish free reserves sufficient to cover approximately three months of core operating costs. Building reserves remains an important strategic objective to ensure the long-term sustainability of the preschool and its ability to respond to unforeseen financial pressures.

Going Concern

At 31 December 2025, the charity held net assets of £19,630 and cash balances of £21,996. Demand for childcare places has remained positive and the charity generated a surplus during the year. On this basis, the trustees consider that the charity has adequate resources to continue its activities for the foreseeable future and therefore regard the charity as a going concern.

Structure, Governance and Management

Constitution

Little Saplings Preschool is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered charity governed by its constitution adopted on 4 December 2023. The charity is managed by a board of volunteer trustees, known collectively as the Committee.

Trustee Recruitment and Appointment

Trustees are appointed in accordance with the charity's constitution. The Committee seeks to maintain an appropriate range of skills, knowledge and experience and encourages involvement from parents and members of the local community. New trustees receive information relating to their responsibilities and the governance of the charity. Appropriate safeguarding and eligibility checks are undertaken where required.

Management

Day-to-day management of the preschool is delegated to the Preschool Manager, with strategic oversight provided by the Committee. The Committee meets regularly to review finance, safeguarding, operational performance and the strategic direction of the charity.

Trustees serving during the year:

Kimberly Dennis (Chairperson)
Lucy Snelling (Secretary)
Katherine Reavill (Treasurer)
Jason Clark (Committee Member)

C.E. Warner resigned as a trustee on 18 June 2025.

Public Benefit Statement

The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when planning and carrying out the charity's activities. The provision of affordable, high-quality early years education and childcare supports children's learning and development while providing essential support to families within the local community. Through its services, the charity continues to deliver clear public benefit in furtherance of its charitable objectives.

Declaration

This report was approved by the Committee and signed on its behalf by:

Kimberly May Dennis Chairperson Date: _______

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL

Charity No. 1206048

Company No. CE034522

Trustees' Report and Unaudited Accounts

31 December 2025

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL Contents

	Pages
Trustees' Annual Report	1 to 1
Statement of Financial Activities	2 to 2
Summary Income and Expenditure Account	3 to 3
Balance Sheet	4 to 4
Statement of Cash flows	5 to 5
Notes to the Accounts	6 to 6
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities	7

Page 1

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL Trustees Annual Report

The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025.

The financial statements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Company No. CE034522

Charity No. 1206048

Principal Office

All Saints CEVC Primary Scho The Street Lawshall BURY ST EDMUNDS IP29 4QA

Registered Office

GRIT Financials Limited Dartford Business Park Dartford DA1 5FS

Directors and Trustees

The Directors of the charitable company are its Trustees for the purposes of charity law. The following Directors and Trustees served during the year:

K. Dennis C.E. Warner (Resigned 18 June 2025)

Key Management Personnel

Chairperson Kim Dennis Secretary Lucy Snelling Treasurer Katherine Reavill Committee Member Jason Clark

Accountants

GRIT Financials Limited Dartford Business Park Victoria Road Dartford DA1 5FS

Page 2

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL Trustees Annual Report

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The above report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime as set out in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102).

Signed on behalf of the board

K. Dennis

Trustee

31 December 2025

Page 3

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31 December 2025

Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 234 122,028 4,053	Restricted funds 2025 £ - - -	Total funds 2025 £ 234 122,028 4,053	Total funds 2024 £ 6,920 54,357 7,275
126,315 1,997 2,048 110,631	- - - -	126,315 1,997 2,048 110,631	68,552 746 2,426 57,389
114,676 -	- -	114,676 -	60,561 -
11,639 (400)	- 400	11,639 -	7,991 -
11,239 -	400 -	11,639	7,991
		0	0
		-	-
11,239 7,991	400 -	11,639 7,991	7,991 -
19,230	400	19,630	7,991

Page 4

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL Summary Income and Expenditure Account

for the year ended 31 December 2025

Income Gross income for the year Expenditure Total expenditure for the year Net income before tax for the year Net income for the year	2025 £ 126,315 126,315 114,676 114,676 11,639 11,639	2024 £ 68,552
		68,552
		60,561
		60,561
		7,991
		7,991

Page 5

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL Balance Sheet

at 31 December 2025

Company No. CE034522 Notes 2025 £ Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 21,996 21,996 Creditors:Amount falling due within one year 11 (2,366) Net current assets 19,630 Total assets less current liabilities 19,630 Net assets excluding pension asset or liability 19,630 Total net assets 19,630 The funds of the charity Restricted funds 12 Restricted income funds 400 400 Unrestricted funds 12 General funds 19,230 19,230 Reserves 12 Total funds 19,630	2024 £ 12,380
	12,380 (4,389)
	7,991 7,991
	7,991
	7,991
	-
	- 7,991
	7,991
	7,991

The trustees have prepared the accounts in accordance with section 44 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

For the year ended 31 December 2025 the company was entitled to exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.

Approved by the board on 31 December 2025

And signed on its behalf by:

K. Dennis

Trustee

31 December 2025

Page 6

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL Statement of Cash flows for the year ended 31 December 2025

Cash flows from operating activities Net income per Statement of Financial Activities Adjustments for: Dividends, interest and rents from investments (Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Dividends, interest and rents from investments Net cash from investing activities Net cash from financing activities Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year Components of cash and cash equivalents Cash and bank balances	2025 £ 11,639 (4,053) (2,023) 5,563 4,053 4,053 - 9,616 12,380 21,996 21,996 21,996	2024 £ 7,991 (7,275) 4,389
		5,105 7,275
		7,275

		-

		12,380
		-
		12,380

		12,380

		12,380

Page 7

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL Notes to the Accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2025

1 Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Change in basis of accounting or to previous accounts

There has been no change to the accounting policies (valuation rules and method of accounting) since last year and no changes have been made to accounts for previous years.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds These are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objects of the charity.
Designated funds These are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes. Revaluation funds These are unrestricted funds which include a revaluation reserve representing the restatement of investment assets at their market values.
Restricted funds These are available for use subject to restrictions imposed by the donor or through terms of an appeal.

Income

Recognition of Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity income becomes entitled to, and virtually certain to receive, the income and the amount of the income can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Income with related Where income has related expenditure the income and related expenditure is expenditure reported gross in the SoFA. Donations and Voluntary income received by way of grants, donations and gifts is included in the legacies the SoFA when receivable and only when the Charity has unconditional entitlement to the income.
Tax reclaims on Income from tax reclaims is included in the SoFA at the same time as the donations and gifts gift/donation to which it relates. Donated services These are only included in income (with an equivalent amount in expenditure) and facilities where the benefit to the Charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material.

Volunteer help The value of any volunteer help received is not included in the accounts. Investment income This is included in the accounts when receivable. Gains/(losses) on This includes any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value revaluation of fixed at the end of the year. assets Gains/(losses) on This includes any gain or loss on the sale of investments. investment assets

Page 8

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL Notes to the Accounts

Expenditure

Recognition of Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis. Expenditure includes any VAT which expenditure cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
Expenditure on These comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income, fundraising raising funds trading costs and investment management costs. Expenditure on These comprise the costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of its activities and charitable activities services in the furtherance of its objects, including the making of grants and governance costs.
Grants payable All grant expenditure is accounted for on an actual paid basis plus an accrual for grants that have been approved by the trustees at the end of the year but not yet paid.
Governance costs These include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the Charity, including any audit/independent examination fees, costs linked to the strategic management of the Charity, together with a share of other administration costs.
Other expenditure These are support costs not allocated to a particular activity.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Freehold investment property

Investment properties are measured initially at cost and subsequently at fair value at each balance sheet date and are not depreciated. All gains or losses are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities as they arise.

Stocks

Stock is included at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Donated items of stock are recognised at fair value which is the amount the charity would have been willing to pay for the items on the open market.

Trade and other debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and on hand, demand deposits with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and bank overdrafts. In the statement of financial position, bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings or current liabilities. In the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the company's cash management.

Trade and other creditors

Short term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for nay trade discounts due.

Page 9

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL Notes to the Accounts

Research and development

Expenditure on research and development is written off in the year in which it is incurred.

Foreign currencies

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the charity are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing at the end of the reporting period.

Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency of the charity are recorded at the rate of exchange on the date that the transaction occurred.

All exchange differences are are taken into account in arriving at net income/expenditure.

Leased assets

Where the charity enters into a lease which entails taking substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of an asset, the lease is treated as a finance lease.

Leases which do not transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to charity are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are initially recognised as assets of the charity at their fair value at the inception of the lease or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the balance sheet date as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are apportioned between finance expenses and reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance expenses are recognised immediately, unless they are directly attributable to qualifying assets, in which case they are capitalised in accordance with the charity's policy on borrowing costs.

Assets held under finance leases are depreciated in the same way as owned assets.

Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In the event that lease incentives are received to enter into operating leases, such incentives are recognised as a liability. The aggregate benefit of incentives is recognised as a reduction of rental expense on a straight-line basis.

Pension costs

The charity operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the company has no further payments obligations. The contributions are recognised as expenses when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals in the balance sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the company in independently administered funds.

Receipt of donated goods, facilities and services

All donated goods, facilities and services received are recognised within incoming resources and expenditure at an estimate of the value to the charity.

2 Company status

The company is a private company limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital.

Page 10

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL

Notes to the Accounts

3 Statement of Financial Activities - prior year

3 Statement of Financial Activities - prior year
Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other Total Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Other Total Net income Transfers between funds Net income before other gains/(losses) Other gains and losses: Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds carried forward 4 Income from donations and legacies 5 Income from charitable activities	Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 6,920 54,357 7,275 68,552 746 2,426 57,389 60,561 7,991 (1,400) 6,591 6,591 6,591 Unrestricted £ 234 234 Unrestricted £ 14,467 82,668 24,893 122,028	Restricted funds 2024 £ - - - - - - - - - 1,400 1,400 1,400 1,400 Total 2025 £ 234 234 Total 2025 £ 14,467 82,668 24,893 122,028	Total funds 2024 £ 6,920 54,357 7,275
			68,552 746 2,426 57,389
			60,561
			7,991 -
			7,991
			7,991
			7,991
			Total 2024 £ 6,920
			6,920
			Total 2024 £ 711 - 53,646
			54,357

Page 11

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL

Notes to the Accounts

6 Other income

6 Other income
7 Expenditure on raising funds Fundraising trading costs 8 Expenditure on charitable activities Expenditure on charitable activities Governance costs 9 Other expenditure Employee costs Premises costs General administrative costs Legal and professional costs 10 Staff costs Salaries and wages Pension costs	Unrestricted £ 4,053 4,053	Total 2025 £ 4,053 4,053	Total 2024 £ 7,275
			7,275

	Unrestricted £ 1,032 965 1,997 Unrestricted £ 983 1,065 2,048 Unrestricted £ - 98,371 3,743 6,733 1,784 110,631 2025 95,072 1,943 97,015	Total 2025 £ 1,032 965 1,997 Total 2025 £ 983 1,065 2,048 Total 2025 £ - 98,371 3,743 6,733 1,784 110,631	Total 2024 £ 63 683
			746
			Total 2024 £ 452 1,974
			2,426
			Total 2024 £ 50 48,963 3,390 3,516 1,470
			57,389
			2024 47,475 326
			47,801

No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

Page 12

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL Notes to the Accounts

11 Creditors:

2025 £ 1,820 163 383 2,366 Resources expended £	Gross transfers £ 400 400 (400) - Unrestricted funds £ 19,630 19,630 Cash flows £	2024 £ 1,532 2,686 171
		4,389
		At 31 December 2025 £ 400
-
- (114,676) (114,676) At 1 January 2025 £
		400
		19,230
		19,630
		Total £ 19,630
		19,630
		At 31 December 2025 £
12,380	9,616	21,996
12,380 12,380	9,616 9,616	21,996
		21,996

Page 13

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL Notes to the Accounts

15 Commitments

Operating lease commitments

Annual commitments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

	2025	2025	2024	2024
	Land and buildings	Other	Land and buildings	Other
	£	£	£	£
Operating leases with expiry date:
*Pension commitments*
		2025		2024
		£		£
The pension cost charge to the company
amounted to:		1,943		326

16 Related party disclosures Controlling party

The company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital; thus no single party controls the company.

Page 14

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL Detailed Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31 December 2025

Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Costs of other trading activities Total of expenditure on raising funds Charitable activities Total of expenditure on charitable activities Other expenditure Employee costs Salaries/wages Pension costs Staff training Staff welfare Premises costs Rent Rates Light, heat and power	Unrestricte d funds 2025 £ 234 234 14,467 82,668 24,893 122,028 4,053 4,053 126,315 1,032 965 1,997 1,997 983 1,065 2,048 2,048 - - 95,072 1,943 1,356 - 98,371 2,276 - 1,049	Restricted funds 2025 £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Total funds 2025 £ 234 234 14,467 82,668 24,893 122,028 4,053 4,053 126,315 1,032 965 1,997 1,997 983 1,065 2,048 2,048 - - 95,072 1,943 1,356 - 98,371 2,276 - 1,049	Total funds 2024 £ 6,920
				6,920
				711 - 53,646
				54,357
				7,275
				7,275
				68,552 63 683
				746
				746 452 1,974
				2,426
				2,426 50
				50
				47,475 326 1,018 144
				48,963
				2,250 21 788

Page 15

LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities

Premises cleaning General administrative costs, including depreciation and amortisation Equipment expensed Equipment repairs and maintenance General insurances Software, IT support and related costs Stationery and printing Subscriptions Sundry expenses Telephone, fax and broadband Legal and professional costs Accountancy and bookkeeping Consultancy fees Other legal and professional costs Total of expenditure of other costs Total expenditure Net gains on investments Net income Transfers between funds Net income before other gains/(losses) Other Gains Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	418 3,743 165 2,320 1,794 476 618 378 417 565 6,733 1,437 208 139 1,784 110,631 114,676 - 11,639 (400) 11,239 - 11,239 7,991 19,230	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 400 400 - 400 - 400	418 3,743 165 2,320 1,794 476 618 378 417 565 6,733 1,437 208 139 1,784 110,631 114,676 - 11,639 - 11,639 - 11,639 7,991 19,630	331
				3,390
				1,155 158 248 186 293 130 934 412
				3,516
				1,078 132 260
				1,470

				57,389
				60,561 -
				7,991 -
				7,991 -
				7,991
				-
				7,991

Page 16

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL Charity No. 1206048

I report on the accounts of LITTLE SAPLINGS PRESCHOOL for the year ended 2024, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities and the Balance Sheet, and related notes.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I have been appointed as independent examiner under section 145 of the Act and report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 and in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission.

My examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records.

It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters.

Independent examiner’s statement

Based on my examination, nothing has come to my attention that gives me cause to believe that:

The accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011; or
The accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or
The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

I have no concerns and no matters to draw to the attention of the trustees in this report.

GRIT Financials Limited Narendran Rajenthiran FCCA Dartford Business Park Victoria Road Kent DA1 5FS

06[th] August 2026

Registered address and number

C/O Grit Financials Limited, Victoria Road, Dartford, Kent, England, DA1 5FS 15088068