Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From: 01.04.2024 Period start date To: 31.03.2025 Period end date
Charity name: Lechlade Little Learners
Charity registration number: 275208
Objectives and Activities
| Objectives and Activities | ||
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference |
||
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | Lechlade Little Learners is an early years preschool setting providing quality early years education for children between the ages of 2 and 4. |
| 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 |
Lechlade Little Learners aim to develop a child’s feeling of security, independence, self-worth and confidence in a stimulating environment where they can foster a love of learning. We provide the crucial first steps in children’s learning and development. We follow the Early Years Foundation stage statutory guidance and are registered with OFSTED. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | We can confirm that the charity is only for public benefit. |
Additional information (optional)
SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | n/a |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | n/a |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | All trustees of the charity are volunteers. They give up their own time for meetings as well as fundraising for the charity. Fundraising has included a golden ticket fundraiser, raffle and jumble sail. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
| 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 | In February 2025 we had OFSTED inspecting the setting. We received their highest achievement of outstanding which is a huge testament to the staff and their hard work. We have continued to welcome many children through our doors providing them with high quality early education and a loving and caring setting for them to be able to play and explore. We have had successful fundraising events which enable us to buy resources and continue to improve the setting for the benefit of children. We received some funding from the local Lions charity which enabled us to buy a communication tool kit which has and will continue to benefit children with their communication and language and being able to highlight where children need some additional support. |
|---|---|---|
Additional information (optional)
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other | ||
| inancial Review | ||
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Finances are in a much better place than this time 2 years ago but we continue to be as frugal as possible. We have just increased the fees to £8 per hour as of April and have introduced extra charges for early and late drops offs. We are also increasing awareness and understanding around our voluntary Consumables Charge which is a vital income. We ended 24/25 with a plus balance of £11048.56 |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Reserves are held in case of the charity closing. Reserves are to cover redundancies and building/ land renovation prior to handing back the land. We increased our reserve account to £20000 this year. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £20000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | n/a |
| Details of fund materially in | Para 1.24 | n/a |
Financial Review
| deficit | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 The majority of our income comes for the government childcare funding. We also have a small amount of private fees, fundraising and small grants. Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Para 1.46 For 25/26 we will be investing in the setting to make it a more inclusive setting. A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 Risks facing the charity: If the preschool was to loose its outstanding rating there could be an impact on funding Increases in staffing costs due to minimum wage increases Loss of income due to fewer children’s Sudden and lengthy closure due to unforeseen circumstances. Other |
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 The majority of our income comes for the government childcare funding. We also have a small amount of private fees, fundraising and small grants. Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Para 1.46 For 25/26 we will be investing in the setting to make it a more inclusive setting. A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 Risks facing the charity: If the preschool was to loose its outstanding rating there could be an impact on funding Increases in staffing costs due to minimum wage increases Loss of income due to fewer children’s Sudden and lengthy closure due to unforeseen circumstances. Other |
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 The majority of our income comes for the government childcare funding. We also have a small amount of private fees, fundraising and small grants. Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Para 1.46 For 25/26 we will be investing in the setting to make it a more inclusive setting. A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 Risks facing the charity: If the preschool was to loose its outstanding rating there could be an impact on funding Increases in staffing costs due to minimum wage increases Loss of income due to fewer children’s Sudden and lengthy closure due to unforeseen circumstances. Other |
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 The majority of our income comes for the government childcare funding. We also have a small amount of private fees, fundraising and small grants. Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Para 1.46 For 25/26 we will be investing in the setting to make it a more inclusive setting. A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 Risks facing the charity: If the preschool was to loose its outstanding rating there could be an impact on funding Increases in staffing costs due to minimum wage increases Loss of income due to fewer children’s Sudden and lengthy closure due to unforeseen circumstances. Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | The majority of our income comes for the government childcare funding. We also have a small amount of private fees, fundraising and small grants. |
|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | For 25/26 we will be investing in the setting to make it a more inclusive setting. |
|
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Risks facing the charity: If the preschool was to loose its outstanding rating there could be an impact on funding Increases in staffing costs due to minimum wage increases Loss of income due to fewer children’s Sudden and lengthy closure due to unforeseen circumstances. |
|
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 | Preschool learning alliance constitution 2011 |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | Association |
| 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 | Trustees are members of the association. They are appointed at the AGM by members and form a committee. The committee appoint the officers who oversee the operational management of the preschool. |
Additional information (optional)
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | n/a |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The charity is a member of the Early Years Alliance (formally the Preschool Learning Alliance). The EYA provides information, advice and training to childcare providers and campaigns to influence |
| early years policy and practice. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | No |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Lechlade Little Learners |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 275208 |
| Charity’s principal address | Wharf Lane, Lechlade, GL7 3AU |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claire Stowe | Chair | |||
| Susan Howell | Secretary | |||
| Judith Hurt | Treasurer | |||
| Rachel Binns | ||||
| Hazel Adamson | Nominated Person |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole |
|---|---|
| year | |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for 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)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Claire Stowe Position (eg Chair Secretary, Chair, etc)
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Date 29/02/2026
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CHARIIY COMM15510N FOR INGLANO ANO WALIS Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Fof ihe period tro To Section A Receipts and payments UtkrestFi¢ted Endowniethi Total fund$ Al Re¢tlpts 4JJNJ7 F••5 7.6T 1210 1.670 5.J20 3.1 224 152 245 4.013 Sub totallGross Inco lor AR} $1.3 86324 A2 A$$et and r#vestm¢*t $aks. l$ee table). sub ioial TotalreceipTS 92 343 A3 Pafftnt8 Efiwknypènl eosts 61.099 3.574 237 1.662 3,571 227 1202 i.sn Pwpll Fumraisbl Ober 591 Sub Total A4 Asset and investment wYch8sfj$, lsee tablel ToTalpaymenTS N81 olreceiptsjipaymeiitsj A5 Transf¢r$ betwttn lund$ A6 Ca6h lunds l&&t y¢ar end Cash fun(Is this year 8nd 2170
Section 8 Statement of assets arKI liabilities at the end of the period unre&triCted funds to nè¥èsl£ RegtrTrCt fund• Endoyitsient funds Categori•• Dcl•i to 81 Cash lunds ISJ2J To1 cash funrfs 11 Unr¢$tricled nd$ Re$tFiCt8d fundg lorMar•5t£ En¢Jowment rund$ toMThtE Deiails Fuhrtto hh •55etbE DelDIl 83 Invegtrneni assets Fundto whKh sJotb•l CLWT•rtYaJ• B4 A$sei$ retalned lor ihe charity's own use tails 85 Liabiliiies SvJn•d èy M)7lruilMson behalTof Jllthè truste Dale of prov* SwJDaiwe Nae cr+ Sto 7 DI 2025
lil any1= Address= ofj r1¥ CAsTrA IUL L OJ Se¢tion B Disclosure Only complete If the examiner needs to highlight material matters ol concern Isee CC32, Independènt examination of charity accounts. directions and guidan for examiners) Glve hère brief dÈtai15 of any items that the gxamlner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018 Chair Report 2025
Summary
Overall it has been a good year for Li�le Learners. There have been challenges and stresses which we have faced and overcome, but we are s�ll here, we are s�ll happy and we are officially ‘Outstanding’ which is a tremendous achievement!
Team
unforeseen and we of course wished her well in her new role. With Harriet’s maternity leave also star�ng in October, we found ourselves recrui�ng for not one, but two new staff members, and were overwhelmed by such a posi�ve response – Hazel and I were almost spoilt for choice in terms of number and quality of candidates. Beth and Laura both started in the Autumn term and I must say, they seem like a perfect fit. Together with Libby, the team feels cohesive, friendly and suppor�ve – a welcome change a�er frequent turbulence in previous years. But, most importantly, Hazel seems happier and less stressed with this new team surrounding her. My hope is that, going forward with so many capable hands on deck, she will be able to work from home as and when she needs to.
Finances
Finances are in a much be�er place than this �me 2 years ago but we con�nue to be as frugal as possible. Hazel has done a great job securing grants yet again and always takes opportuni�es to save pennies wherever she can. We have just increased the fees to £8 per hour as of April and have introduced extra charges for early and late drops offs. We are also increasing awareness and understanding around our voluntary Consumables Charge which is a vital income. For the 9[th] year running, we were able to offer all staff pay rises in line with the 6.7% rise in na�onal minimum wage, now £12.21. Summer holidays will be tough with holiday pay for 4 members of staff plus Harriet on Maternity Pay. Hazel will look at juggling everyone’s hours in the Autumn term once Harriet is back. Commi�ee
Susan Hicks kindly joined us and took on the Secretary role. Although we are small, we are a mighty commi�ee and I thank everyone for their consistent, reliable presence at mee�ngs and willingness to help at the drop of a hat. I can not convey how reassuring it is have them all on board – Judy our diligent accountant, Rachel our wise wordsmith, Susan our parental perspec�ve and Hazel the Li�le Learners Matriarch. As always, we need to try and recruit again in September to keep the commi�ee fresh and rejuvena�ng so that opportuni�es to step up or down are possible. FOLLies
FOLLies have had mixed success this year with fundraising. The school fete raised £147, a li�er pick in July raised £97, Smar�e tubes in October £70, the Xmas Raffle and Fayre held at The Riverside £1,148 and cake sale in April £122, making a total of £1,584. Some of the smaller events were poorly supported by families which was disappoin�ng, and frustra�ngly the money raised at Christmas was ineligible for the £4£ dona�on from Becky. Elna is sadly leaving Lechlade so we need to appoint a new member to take over her posi�on and take charge going forward. Se�ng
The se�ng has undoubtedly had it’s highs and lows this year. The high was being awarded Outstanding by Ofsted following a very successful inspec�on in February. Hazel and her team shone in every category and the commi�ee could not be more thrilled or more proud of them. The low has been the outdoor surface which has been a big issue this last year. Soon a�er the last AGM, we began to no�ce considerable black carbon residue rubbing off onto children’s shoes, clothes, skin, toys and furniture. We contacted Bonded Surfacing to complain but were essen�ally fobbed off for over a year, which included �me wai�ng for test on the rubber mulch to be performed, yet we are doub�ul these tests ever took place. Finally in April this year they came back to apply a layer of resin over the top which they claimed would seal rubber mulch. However a�erwards the surface was rock hard and presented a serious health and safety hazard for our children. The commi�ee pulled together quickly and sent a strongly worded le�er to Bonded Surfacing which thankfully did the trick. Within a week they returned again and installed a complete new layer of rubber mulch over everything. The sponginess and vibrant colours have been restored, but we shall wait and see how it performs in terms of carbon rub off. Over all the se�ng is in great shape and looking wonderful. As planned, what was Hazel’s old office has been turned into a li�le sleep room for the younger children and Hazel now works in the kitchen which she says she prefers. We hope we can con�nue to invest in the se�ng this year to make further improvements which will benefit the team and the children.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would like to thank the commi�ee for volunteering their �me, energy and exper�se again this year; the staff team for their unwavering hard work and excep�onal standard of care they provide to the children; and to Hazel, an extra big thank you and congratula�ons for everything she has done and achieved this year. She is always one, if not two steps ahead of all of us and is quite simply, an outstanding Manager. I am so relieved and also thrilled that we are standing so tall in this very challenging sector. Li�le Learners is an asset and a treasure and I am proud to be part of it.
Treasurers Report AGM 19th May 2025
The Accounts for 23/24 have now been accredited and the 24/25 accounts will be sent off in due course. Thanks to Hazel for sor�ng this out with Steve. Spreadsheet 1 shows the figures for the last 5 years.
I am happy to report that we have for 24/25 ended up with an amazing plus balance of £11048.56. This has been partly due to the increased funding for 2-year-olds, an extra grant for a special needs child and the maternity pay for Harriet although we s�ll need to pay her for the next 6 months. It helps that we now get grant funding paid monthly instead of termly.
Spreadsheet 2 shows the projected figures and the actuals for 24/25. The wage increase is due to paying maternity pay which we claw back. It is good to see that payments for consumables have increased and almost covers what was paid out. Fees are up on the projected figure but less than 23/24. It was agreed at our last mee�ng to increase the hourly rate to £8 and a charge if children are dropped off before 9am.
I have found a difference in the premises expenses for 23/24 which includes Electric, Internet, rates, and water. The accountant has a figure of £1947.00 but from my entries I have £3084.90 so need to address this. I think we need to review what we pay for electric and see if we can get a be�er deal.
in minimum wage and the hourly funding has not increased very much. As yet we do not have definite child numbers for September so this will have an impact on the grant funding and fees.
Lechlade Li�le Learners AGM
Manager report 2025
busy ensuring Li�le Learners is the best it can possibly be. Back in summer 2024 we said a sad goodbye to Kimmi, our longstanding deputy manager a�er 10 years of service. Harriet stepped up into the role and we employed two new members to the team, Laura and Beth. With Harriet then having her beau�ful baby girl in November Laura stepped into the role of deputy. This was a lot of change for such a small team, but they have all been showing amazing resilience and commitment to the se�ng and have con�nued to give the children the best possible care and early educa�on. For Libby this year has been a huge change, and she has remained a wonderful constant for all the children and families during the change. I am very proud of her for everything she has done this year. We have grown as a staff team over the last 8 months, and I am so proud of the team we have created and believe the children are extremely lucky to have such amazing role models in their life.
staff who had never been part of the process there were nerves from us all. As a
manager I couldn't be more proud of how well the team just got on during the day, they showed what a day in the life at Li�le Learners is like and how hard they work to provide a challenging and inclusive curriculum in a safe environment. In the report the inspector said ‘All children thrive at this group, achieving excep�onally well in their learning and development. They all have excellent rela�onships with the staff, who show genuine warmth and kindness to them. Children are se�led, happy and very confident.’ A�er a lovely day we were informed that the inspector was grading us with an Outstanding result. This is not an easy achievement but is a testament to the team and reinforces what we already knew that they are outstanding.
We have had another busy year of fundraising with a successful Christmas fair hosted by The Riverside pub, a li�er pick, toy tombola and a cake sale. Our fundraising amount was around £1500. This amount helps to ensure we can keep the preschool running and provide the children with resources to enrich their educa�on. We have also received some dona�ons from local people which are always extremely appreciated.
We currently have 21 children on our books, many of which do 30 hours a week with us. We have 15 children for September including 10 returning children and 5 new children. With the increase in children over the last year financially we are looking healthier. For the year 2024-2025 we made a profit of £11,000. Although this is a huge amount some of this money was a maternity pay advance payment which will help to support maternity pay during the financial year 2025-2026. We have received many addi�onal grants this year which have helped us to support our SEND children and ensure provide an inclusive environment for all children.
2024-2025 has been a year of change and development but Li�le Learners has con�nued to be a wonderful thriving preschool loved by so many people. We are proud to be able to serve the community of Lechlade and provide quality early educa�on for so many children. I hope that this next year will see more growth and development and Li�le Learners will con�nue to thrive.
Thank you as always for the commi�ee and their hard work and dedica�on to the se�ng and the fundraising team for all your hard work and ideas to keep the money coming in.
and beyond for the children and se�ng. Without a commi�ed staff team Li�le Learners wouldn’t be the outstanding se�ng it is today.