Ladybird Playgroup
Annual Report and Accounts for the Year to 31 July 2025
Scottish Charity Reference
SC 003262
Ladybird Playgroup
Report and Accounts For the Year Ended 31 July 2025
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Reference & Administrative Information | 2 |
| Annual Report of the Trustees | 3 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | 9 |
| Receipts & Payments Account | 10 |
| Statement of Balances | 11 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 12 |
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Ladybird Playgroup Reference & Administrative Information For the Year Ended 31 July 2025
The Current Trustees are:
| Chairperson | Laura-Marie Dooley |
|---|---|
| Treasurer | Gillian McDonald |
| Minutes Secretary | Janet Strachan |
| Other Trustees | Natasha Brown |
| Katerina Olenina | |
| Gillian McDonald | |
| Kimberley Nicoll | |
| Jasmyne Harvey | |
| Abbie Gillan | |
| Paige Thomson | |
| Jessica Robertson | |
| Anna Giza | |
| Lynn Sherriffs | |
| Jed Marr. | |
| Independent examiner: | John Paul FCIE |
| 29 Avon Crescent | |
| Broughty Ferry | |
| Dundee | |
| DD5 3TX | |
| Contact address: | Brunton Block |
| Arbroath Academy | |
| Ladybird Playgroup | |
| Glenisla Drive | |
| Arbroath | |
| DD11 5JD |
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Ladybird Playgroup
Annual Report of the Trustees
The Trustees of Ladybird Playgroup are pleased to present their report and the accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025.
Structure, Governance and Management
Ladybird Playgroup is a Scottish charity governed by its Constitution and recognised a a Scottish charity since 5 March 1979.
Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Office Bearers are elected at the Annual General Meeting.
The names of those who served as trustees during the year and other reference and administrative information are shown on page 2.
Objectives,
The aim of the playgroup is to promote the aim of the Scottish Pre-School Playgroups association, which is to advance the education of pre-school children so that they may take a constructive place in the community and also the education of their parents, and in furtherance of that aim,
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(a) to provide safe and satisfying group play in which parents take part when appropriate;
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(b) to encourage other charitable activities through which parents may help the children
Activities & Achievements
Starting back in August 2024, we were almost at full capacity from August with 38 children. The continuation of children within the setting, enabled great continuity of learning for the children and further development opportunities for the staff to cement bonds and progress learning with the children.
Ladybird had a Care Inspector visit in October 2025 with very good overall outcomes. All staff were recertified in paediatric first aid in September 2024, this was alongside the continued professional development of all staff, primarily on inservice days and individual pathways to enhance a developed understanding of ASN children . Ladybird was selected as a pilot for the Scottish government Breastfeeding friendly setting, which all staff completing a modular document to enhance provision for enabling breastfeeding in our setting.
The procurement process for tender with Angus council was completed in January 2025 and after consultation we have secured our partnership for the next three to five years.
In April, we had a new sensory path installed in our garden, giving the children new experiences to develop their gross motor skills.
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The playgroup are continuing to utilize our foods partners, Co-op, Asda, Greggs, Lidl and KFC to provide produce for our community larder. We also share excess foods on occasion with the community group Helping Hands and Hayshead community Larder. We continue to offer a breakfast option as well as snack for our children utilizing as much as possible from the food donations we collect. We continue to educate the children on “where our food comes from” growing a wide assortment of fruit and vegetables in both our polytunnel and garden vegetable beds
Our successes this year were potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber, radish, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, apples and plums. Utilizing these veg for snack and soup making. The children also enjoyed firepit activities.
Continuing our outdoor focus we had a visit in May 25 from Vivien from The National Trust who spent the morning with the children doing pond dipping activities and mini beast habitats. The children thoroughly enjoyed the morning. We continued our adventures in the garden following the lifecycle of frogs in our pond, from frogspawn to tadpoles to teeny tiny frogs and their habitat in our pond.
Our AGM was held on the 4[th] November 2024 in the playgroup setting and it was a good opportunity to meet the parents, our committee office bearers remained the same, providing the playgroup with great continuity. We decided not to increase our fee’s this year after an increase last year. Topics for the year included fundraising for Christmas activities, the 50[th] anniversary party in June25 and end of year activities in June 2025. The availability of optional Ladybird uniform of T Shirts and Fleece hoodies with the ladybird logo made up, are continuing to be popular with parents purchasing at a cost of £6.00 and £14.00, sold at cost to the parents.
Fundraising activities included A Teddy Toddle in the Millenium woods of the Academy, Cauliflower cards, Easter chocolate raffle, Football cards, and the Sponsored Wheelie, 50[th] anniversary party and raffle raising a total of £3,754.
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A visit to the local Cinema to see MOANA 2 with all children and an accompanying adult was a great start to our end of the year activities. A visit to the playgroup from Mrs Clause with storytime and a gift and sweetie for all children was a lovely surprise. Our Christmas party was held in St Vigeans church hall, complete with a bouncy castle, and a visit from Santa (he is real) to deliver gifts and a selection box for all the children.
The staff had a small celebration lunch following the Christmas party which was a nice opportunity to bring 2024 to a close.
2024/2025 brought a wealth of experiences and events for the children to participate in including Halloween dress up, making poppies and talking about Remembrance day and world book day dress up in March. Stay and play sessions allowed for parents/carers to visit the setting and help with activities and experiences for all the children.
A sponsored wheelie in May which allowed the children to bring, bikes, scooters, prams and anything else with wheels to complete numerous circuits of a course was a great activity enjoyed by all. A dress up day with a tea party with china cups and mini sandwiches and cakes for the 80[th] anniversary of VE day in June, allowed us to talk about how important it is to remember.
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June continued to be a busy month as we celebrated Ladybird playgroups 50[th] anniversary with a party inviting along children, parents and staff from over the years. We decorated with photographs from through the years, had a buffet and a DJ to dance the night away.
The summer trip allowed for all children and an accompanying adult to board two coaches to take us for a day trip to Hazelhead Park in Aberdeen, where the sun shone down. We visited the zoo, had lunch, toured the beautiful gardens, played at the park and navigated the maze (some staff got stuck trying to find their way out!!)
Before we knew it end of term was looming and allowed for an activities week in celebration of all the children.
A visit to Jumpin Joeys, a local soft play centre followed by a picnic lunch and a play in the playpark. The activities continued with a bouncy castle and fun day in the playgroup garden, followed by a visit from the local ice cream van, where all children waited patiently in turn to choose a treat of choice.
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The final day of term 2025 was our graduation for 17 children moving onto settings new, an emotional day for all. Staff enjoyed closing out the year with a celebration lunch.
Our last event of 2025 was the arrival of our newest Ladybird Thomas, who was welcomed into the world and family of our staff member Amanda.
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Ladybird Playgroup
Annual Report of the Trustees
Financial Review
There were net payments of £17,960 over the year. Details of receipts and payments during the year are shown on page 10. Funds of £33,096 are carried forward at the end of the year as shown in the statement of balances on page 11.
Reserves Policy
The trustees reserves policy is to use any reserves to further the objects of the organisation. The trustees are responsible for the strategic direction and planning of the charity.
Approved by the trustees on 29 April 2026 and signed on their behalf by
Gillian McDonald
Date: 29 April 2026
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Report of the Independent Examiner To the Trustees of Ladybird Playgroup
I report on the accounts of Ladybird Playgroup (the charity) for the year ended 31 July 2025, which are set out on pages 10 to 13.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees of the charity, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation l0(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An 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 seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
John Paul FCIE 29 Avon Crescent Broughty Ferry Dundee DD5 3TX
Date: 29 April 2026
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Ladybird Playgroup
Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 July 2025
| Note Receipts: Fee income Grants 4 Donations 5 Fundraising 6 Other charitable income 7 Bank interest Total Receipts in year Payments: Fundraising expenses Fundraising costs Charitable activity Staff costs Events & activities Snack Insurance Subscriptions Stationery & postage Equipment Resources & craft Uniform & clothing Training Travel Cleaning Utilities Misc Governance Independent examiner's fee Total Payments in year Net (payments) in year |
Unrestricted Fund £ 207,224 - 560 3,754 164 273 |
Restricted Fund £ - 230 - - - |
Total Funds 2025 £ 207,224 230 560 3,754 164 273 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 193,171 780 250 4,418 366 336 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 211,975 | 230 | 212,205 | 199,321 | |
| - 212,124 5,597 2,797 833 1,741 609 2,500 1,956 - 420 - - 657 143 200 |
- - - - - - - 588 - - - - - - |
- 212,124 5,597 2,797 833 1,741 609 2,500 2,544 - 420 - - 657 143 200 |
- 185,703 5,665 2,892 712 1,322 241 2,558 2,057 1,427 153 205 265 625 401 200 |
|
| 229,577 | 588 | 230,165 | 204,426 | |
| (17,602) | (358) | (17,960) | (5,105) |
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Ladybird Playgroup
Statement of Balances at 31 July 2025
| Funds Reconciliation: Funds brought forward at 1 August 2024 Net (payments) in year Funds carried forward at 31 July 2025 Bank & Cash Balances: Bank account Savings accounts Petty cash Bank & cash balances at 31 July 2025 |
Unrestricted Fund £ 50,698 (17,602) 33,096 £ 4,305 28,685 106 33,096 |
Restricted Fund £ 358 (358) - £ - - - |
Total Funds 2025 £ 51,056 (17,960) 33,096 £ 4,305 28,685 106 33,096 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 56,161 (5,105) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51,056 | ||||
| £ 22,645 28,411 - |
||||
| 51,056 |
| Other Assets (estimated value) Buggy Bus 6 seater Ipad x 4 Printer Ipad x 2 Laptop Fridge Freezer Fridge Washing machine Printer Laptop |
2025 2024 £ £ 796 995 654 817 124 155 204 255 339 424 192 240 99 124 147 184 192 - 488 - 3,235 3,194 |
|---|---|
The accounts on pages 10 to 13 were approved by the Trustees on 29 April 2026 and are signed on their behalf by:
Gillian McDonald
Date: 29 April 2026
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Ladybird Playgroup
Notes to the Accounts For the Year Ended 31 July 2025
1. Basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
2. Nature and purpose of funds
Unrestricted funds can be used in furtherance of any of the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees. An unrestricted 'general' fund is maintained for the day to day operations of the Society.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
3. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
No remuneration was paid to trustees during the year and no expenses were reimbursed to them.
| 4. Grants Neighbourly grant_for resources_ Neighbourly Food Fund Neighbourly Garden grant 5 Donations Improvement Trust Co-op Community Fund Other donations 6. Fundraising Teddy Toddle Wheelie Sponsorships Bonus Ball Cauliflower cards 50th Anniversary Party Raffles Calendars Photoshoot |
2025 2024 £ £ 230 - - 500 - 280 230 780 £ £ 500 - - 250 60 - 560 250 £ £ 1,500 1,373 1,026 1,585 440 410 205 200 78 42 505 - 717 - 21 - 70 3,754 4,418 |
|---|---|
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Ladybird Playgroup
Notes to the Accounts
For the Year Ended 31 July 2025
| 7. Other charitable income Uniforms, Hoodies & T-shirt sales 8. Staffing Head count basis 9 Movement in Funds Restricted funds Neighbourly grant Neighbourly Food Fund Neighbourly Garden grant Total restricted funds Unrestricted funds General fund Total funds |
7. Other charitable income Uniforms, Hoodies & T-shirt sales 8. Staffing Head count basis 9 Movement in Funds Restricted funds Neighbourly grant Neighbourly Food Fund Neighbourly Garden grant Total restricted funds Unrestricted funds General fund Total funds |
At 1/8/24 - 148 210 358 50,698 51,056 |
Income 230 - 230 211,975 212,205 |
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