LITTLE DOVES LIMITED TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING TI IE DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024 The truslees,, who are also the directofs for the purpose of company law, present their annual report and financial slatements for the year ended 30 April 2024. Reference and administration details Registercd charity name Littlg Dovès Limited Charity Registration Number NIC101445 Company Registration Number N1050384 Reglstered Office 3 Dalton Rise Comber Co. Down BT23 5HS The Trustees Mrs B Black Mrs S Mclnlyre Mr S Mcmahon Mr N McRobbie Ms K Millar Mr J Nightingale Ms M Spiers Mr W Sproule Independent Examlner Stanley Woods & Co. Alexander House 49151 Church Slreet Newtownards Co. Down BT23 4AN LITTLE DOVES LIMITED TRUQTEEU ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING THE DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024 Continued) Structurei governance and management Background Little Doves Childcare Centre began its life in the 1970's as a Social Services run group. In 1991 Social SeNices handed the management of the group to a commirtee of parents and grandparents of children who attended that year. Under the guidance and support of NIPPA- The Early Years Organisation, and the Local Health & Social Services Trust, the committee spearheaded the group for the next number of years. In 1997, the group received funding from the European Peace I programme which enabled further development and enhancement of the service. The group adopted the 'Peace Logo, and changed its nAmg. In Litt18 Doves. In 2003 the group secured funding from the 8ig Lottery Fund, which was used to build purpose specific premises at the rear of the West Winds Community Centre. The building was designed for the group's unique needs. In the same year the group became a Company Limited by Guarantee. headed by a competent board of professional and business people with many years experience in the voluntaryl community sector. Legal Structure Little Doves is a company limited by guarantee, nol having a share capital. Members guarantee lo contribute £1 in the event of winding up. The ￿MpanY is governed by its Articles of Association. The company was awarded charitable stalus by the Charily Commission for Northern Ireland on 15 January 2015 {charity number 101445) Risk Management The trustees have assessed Ihe major risks to which the company is exposed, in particular those relaled to the operations and finances of the company and are satisfied that systems and procedures are In place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks. Objectives and activities Charitable ObJects The object of the charity is to enhance the development and education of children under statutory school age by encouraging parentslguardians to understand and provide for Ihe needs of their children. The charity aims to: offer appropriate play activities with the righl parentslcarers to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activilies of Little Doves ensuring that Little Doves offers opportunities for all children regardless of religion, culture, race or means encourage the study of Ihe needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of stjch needs of such children and their families in local areas support the values and principles of DENI LITTLE DOVES LIMITED TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING THE DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024 Continued strategic report The following sections for achievements and performance and financial review form the strategic report of the charity. Achievements and performance Review of activitias Through 2023124 the Charity continued to provide quality childcare for children and their families and continued to pursue our mission statement which denotes the ethos "Liltle Doves - Supporting Your Community, Supporting Your Family. Supporting You" The charity continues to work closely with the community through the management committee of the West Winds Development Association. the interagency group which meets quarterly to look at the needs of the area. The group has very strong links wilh the local Parents & Toddler groups, the local primary school, Sure Start, The Link and Ards Arena. We are also members of Ihe Curriculum and Programme Support organisations {CAPSI. Litlle Doves Childcare Centre aims to enhance access to education by children in their preschool year by meeting the needs of every individual child. The centre aims to improve the early identification and assessment of special education needs, which will then be followed by appropriate intervention. In conjunction with the West Winds Primary School Nursery Unil, Sure Start and Scrabo Parents and Toddler Group, we continue lo be an integral part of"The West Winds Education Community Forum" and education and support seNice available to the whole community. As part of the Preschool Capacity Building Project, or staff continualty improved their skills in identifying and meetimg the educational and well-being needs of the children. All of our staff have attended intense training. Staff have also had the opportunity to work with other professionals who were involved wth the children and their families including the Education Authority - Early Years Inclusion Service, speech and language therapists. occupational thefapists. educational and clinical psychologists and the Social Services team. Day to day activities and special events Throughout the year Ihe staff carefully planned and evaluated the preschool activities. Staff ensured each child was given full use of both the indoor and outdoor facilities. In partnership with parents we planned various information sessions for parents addressing topics such as-, learning in the Early Years, behaviour management. health and well-being. Parents. grandparents and carers participated in a fundraising event for Children in Need. Visitors Visitors to pre-school included music and movement aclivities from Music Bugs, Hullaballoo and Gathering Drum. We also kept in contact with our local elderly residents. Networking As part of our ongoing networking links, the group welcomed Primary 1 teachers from the Model Primary School, West Winds Primary School. Castle Gardens Primary School, Loughries Primary School and Victoria Pfimary School to meet parents and children. We continued to network with other pre-school members in the North Down and Ards area as part of our ongoing CAPS training. LITTLE DOVES LIMITED TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING TI IE DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024 Continued Achievements and performance (Gontinued} Quallty InspectTon5 The staff continued to work extremely hard to keep up the high standards achieved in previous years. Staff dedication and training We are very fortunate to have a team of dedicated and caring staff and volunteers who work with thp children and their families. The team is committed to maintaining their high level of expertise in childcare and education and continues training to the highest standards. All staff participated in cluster training, Child Protection Training, First Aid training and qualifications. As part of the Preschool Capacity Building Project, our staff continually improved their skills in identifying and meeting the educational and well-being needs of the children. All of our staff have attended intense training. Staff also had the opportunity to work wilh other professionals who were involved with the chilArg.n and their families including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, educational and clinical psychologists and the Social Services team. Little Doves and Silver Swans We also remotley continued our community based projecl"Little Doves and Silver Swans" This involves our children visiting the local supported living facility, Cuan Court, to take part in activities to develop intergenerational bonds and sociali5e with local elderly and those who suffer fiom dementia. Our children and the residents have thrived during this continued initiative and we will continue lo build on its success in the future. Financial review The financial results for the year are shown on pages 6 to 8. Total unrestricted income for the year was £37,785 and the corresponding expenditure was £46,906 producing a deficit of £9,121 in unreslricted activities. Tolal restricled income for year was £18,494 and expenditure was £18,494 utilising all the restricted income. The trustees, annual report and strategic report was approved on 18th September 2024 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by: Mr N McRobbie Trustee Mr J Nightingale Truslee