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The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
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Little Acorns Playgroup, Derrynoose

  • Status

    Received: on time

  • Income

    £53.2K

  • Spending

    £73.9K

Charity no. 101680 Date registered. 25/02/2015

Public benefits

The main aim of Little Acorns is to offer appropriate play facilities, with the right of parents/carers to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of the company, ensuring that the company offers opportunities for all children, regardless of religion, culture, race or means, including cross community and cross border

playgroups. The direct benefits include benefits to the children, improved learning outcomes including personal, physical, emotional and language development skills. Exposure to a variety of cultures and backgrounds encourages social development. Benefits to the parents/carers through improved relationships between staff and parents/carers of children. Parents confidence improved as they can become involved on the Management Committee. All benefits are evidenced through staff providing detailed daily observations and assessments of the children, questionnaires, an independent evaluation of the service by Early Years specialist, Social Services Inspection, DE NI, Management Committee attendance at meetings and work for the ongoing improvement of the playgroup. Purpose 2 is to encourage the study of the needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in recognition of such needs of such children and their families in the local area. The direct benefits are the ongoing development of the children who attend the playgroup and the continual review of practices to improve the playgroup for the children of the future. More public interest results in a dedicated management committee and a good reputation of the playgroup in the local area. This is demonstrated through daily observations for the children within the setting and the long term planning by the staff and management committee. Also the ongoing high demand for places year on year and a committed Management team. Purpose 3 is to support the values and principles of Early Years. The benefits of this include the provision of a high quality playgroup facility which places the child as the central focus. The encouragement of play and fun within the setting and a central role for parents/carers alongside staff. This is demonstrated through independent evaluation by an Early Years specialist, Social Services Inspection and child observations. Also through the participation of the parents on the Management Committee. There is no harm flowing from the purposes of the playgroup and no private benefit.

What your organisation does

Little Acorns Playgroup was established in 2002 and was registered as a company in 2006. The playgroup provides a high quality, accessible childcare provision which promotes early education. During this time we have provided a key service to the local area and wider areas which extends to all including cross border and cross community groups. We

aim to provide a stimulating learning environment where the children can be independent, experimental and active. We currently employ 3 members of staff who are dedicated to the day to day operations of the playgroup and who are fully committed to the visions and values of Early Years. There are 21 children registered within the setting aged from 3 to 4 years old. The playgroup is operated by a voluntary Management Committee and Board of Directors who act in accordance with the Memorandum and recognise the importance of development of children in preschool years. The Committee participates in Early Years training and have regular liaison with the Early Years Specialist. The playgroup encourages participation from potential future children’s families through the Management Committee; this promotes the setting as well as promoting an early interest in the needs of preschool children. The aim of the playgroup is to provide a safe, caring learning environment which enables children to enjoy learning and to develop self confidence. All children are cared for with equal concern regardless of race, religion, culture or means. Children with special requirements or needs are welcome.

The charity’s classifications

  • The advancement of education

Who the charity helps

  • Preschool (0-5 year olds)

How the charity works

  • Education/training
  • Playgroup/after schools

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 30 June 2024

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 30 June 2023

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 30 June 2022

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charitable purposes

The Company's objects are 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 by: (a) offering appropriate play facilities, with the right of parents/carers to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of the company, ensuring that the company offers opportunities for all children, regardless of religion, culture, race or means, including cross community and cross border playgroups. (b) Encouraging 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 the local area. (c) Support the values and principles of Early Years.

Governing document

Constitution

Other name

  • 16 Trustees
  • 5 Employees
  • 0 Volunteers

Contact details

Public address

  • Mrs Kathryn Pattison, Little Acorns, 38A Fergort Road, Derrynoose, Armagh, BT60 3DN

Trustee board

Trustee
Mrs Donna Kelly
Mrs Denise Tomany
Mrs Joanne O'neill
Mrs Laura Farnan
Mrs Gillian Murphy
Miss Kerry Mccreesh
Miss Christine Mccreesh
Mrs Kathryn Pattison
Mrs Szilvia Evans
Mr Colum Magee
Mr Anthony Evans
Ms Emma Burke
Mrs Claire Strickland
Ms Anne Vallely
Ms Jayne Murphy
Ms Nicole Hughes

List of regions

  • Armagh City, Banbridge And Craigavon Council