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## LITTLE DOVES LIMITED
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING THE DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
The trustees’, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2025.
## Reference and administration details
## Registered charity name Little Doves Limited
Charity Registration Number NIC101445
Company Registration Number NI050384
Registered Office 3 Dalton Rise Comber Co. Down BT23 5HS
The Trustees Mrs B Black Mrs S Mcintyre Mr S McMahon Mr N McRobbie Ms K Millar Mr J Nightingale Ms M Spiers Mr W Sproule
Independent Examiner Stanley Woods & Co. Alexander House 49/51 Church Street Newtownards Co. Down BT23 4AN
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## LITTLE DOVES LIMITED
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING THE DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
(Continued)
## Structure, governance and management
## Background
Little Doves Childcare Centre began its life in the 1970's as a Social Services run group. In 1991 Social Services handed the management of the group to a committee 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 | programme which enabled further development and enhancement of the service. The group adopted the 'Peace Logo’ and changed its name to Little Doves.
In 2003 the group secured funding from the Big 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 voluntary/ community sector.
Legal Structure Little Doves is a company limited by guarantee, not having a share capital. Members guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of winding up. The company is governed by its Articles of Association. The company was awarded charitable status by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 15 January 2015 (charity number 101445)
## Risk Management
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the company is exposed, in particular those related 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 parents/guardians to understand and provide for the needs of their children. The charity aims to: - - offer appropriate play activities with the right parents/carers to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of Little Doves ensuring that Little Doves offers opportunities for all children regardless of religion, culture, race or means - encourage the study of the needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of such needs of such children and their families in local areas - support the values and principles of DENI
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## LITTLE DOVES LIMITED
## TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING THE DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
(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 activities
Through 2024/25 the charity continued to provide quality childcare for children and their families and continued to pursue our mission statement which denotes the ethos "Little 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 with the local Parents & Toddler groups, the local primary school, Sure Start, The Link and Ards Arena. We are also members of the Curriculum and Programme Support organisations (CAPS). Little 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 Unit, Sure Start and Scrabo Parents and Toddler Group, we continue to be an integral part of "The West Winds Education Community Forum" and education and support service available to the whole community.
Day to day activities and special events Throughout the year the 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 various fundraising events.
Visitors Visitors to pre-school included music and movement activities Wee Critters, Therapy Pony, the local minister and local emergency services.
## 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 Primary 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.
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## LITTLE DOVES LIMITED
## TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING THE DIRECTORS REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025 (Continued)
## Achievements and performance (continued)
## Quality Inspections
The staff continued to work extremely hard to keep up the high standards and achieved excellent inspection reports from ETI and Social Services.
## Staff dedication and training
We are very fortunate to have a team of dedicated and caring staff and volunteers who work with the 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 staff continuing development 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 with other professionals who were involved with the children 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 continued our intergenerational community based project "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 bands and socialise with local elderly and those who suffer from dementia. Our children and the residents have thrived during this continued initiative and we will continue to build on its success in the future.
## Financial review
The financial results for the year are shown on pages6 to 8. Total unrestricted income for the year was £68,920 and the corresponding expenditure was £62,583 producing a surplus of £6,338 in unrestricted activities. Total restricted income for year was £16,643 and expenditure was £14,143 producing a surplus of £2,500 of restricted income. This funding was received in April 2025 for 2025/26 expenses.
The trustees’ annual report and strategic report was approved on 4th July 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by: -
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Mr N McRobbie Mr J Nightingale oa S
Trustee Vy, Trustee
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