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The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
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Laughter Land

  • Status

    Received: 73 days late

  • Income

    £71.8K

  • Spending

    £68.7K

Charity no. 104520 Company no. 54445 Date registered. 11/03/2016

Public benefits

2. The trustees are satisfied that the public benefit requirement is met. The Playgroup follows the guidelines set out by the Early Years Organisation for young children and follows the curriculum in the six areas of learning set out by the department of education to promote the child's personal, social and emotional wellbeing through play. The

direct benefits which flow from the purpose above include the children experiencing social interaction with other children of similar age, making new friends, becoming familiar with other adults outside the family circle in order to reduce anxiety in new surroundings and enabling self-identity and independence. The children engage in play and learning and consequently learn how to follow routines and rules in a structured way. It also provides early exposure to mathematical language, music activities and other experiences which may not always occur naturally in the home environment. These benefits will be evidenced through feedback from evaluations and inspections from the Education and Training Inspectorate (Department of Education), feedback from parents on a day to day basis and meetings and feedback during the academic year between the child’s key worker and the parents. The Early Years Advisor works closely with the playgroup staff and provides written feedback to the staff and committee to improve the benefits to the children that attend the playgroup. There is no harm flowing from the purpose. The charities beneficiaries are children in their pre-school years. There is no private benefit. Re afterschool club, the direct benefit flowing from our purpose is the provision of quality afterschool childcare for children in an area which is disadvantaged in terms of childcare. The primary benefit is that parents and guardians can avail of (or continue in) employment opportunities which improve their conditions of life being sure that their children are cared for. Wider benefits flow to the children whose education is improved by having a quiet, supervised environment to complete their homework and having access to a range of activities such as Arts and Crafts, Music and Drama, and Physical Recreation. Children learn to form relationships, learn independence and confidence and there are community benefits from the fact that these children are in a "mixed environment", learning to accept each other without prejudice. The benefits are measured by attendance at Afterschool Club, consultation with parents and feedback on the benefits recorded on these sessions. There are also regular inspections from Playboard NI and DHSS who register the group as a childcare body working under their detailed policies and regulations. A quarterly monitoring form is submitted to Playboard NI which details attendance, the provision of personal, social and emotional and physical well-being activities undertaken by the children. The benefits are also monitored on a regular basis by the management committee who are responsible for the management of the staff, the finances and all other legal obligations. There is no private benefit except to staff that are paid by the management committee – this is incidental and necessary in order to fulfil the purposes. The only risk of harm that might flow from the work of the group would be that accidents can occur as with any childcare setting – the benefits outweigh the risk of harm and these are also mitigated against in the group's policies, risk assessments and insurance provision.

What your organisation does

We provide safe and secure facilities and trained childcare staff for the daily care, recreation and education of children aged 3-11.

The charity’s classifications

  • The advancement of education
  • The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage

Who the charity helps

  • Children (5-13 year olds)
  • Parents
  • Preschool (0-5 year olds)
  • Women

How the charity works

  • Education/training
  • General charitable purposes
  • Playgroup/after schools
  • Relief of poverty

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 31 March 2024

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 31 March 2023

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charity accounts & reports for financial year end 31 March 2022

Independent examiners report Charity accounts Trustee annual report

Charitable purposes

The objects of the Company shall be to enhance the development and education of school-age children in Toomebridge and its environs (the ‘"area of benefit) without distinction of gender, disability, ethnic identity, nationality, religion or political affiliation by: (a) providing the necessary facilities for the daily care, recreation and education of children aged from 3-11; (b) advancing the education and training of persons involved in the provision of such care, recreation and education; (c) encouraging the study of the needs of such children and their families and promoting public interest in and recognition of the needs of such children and their families in the area of benefit.

Governing document

Memorandum and Articles

Other name

  • 4 Trustees
  • 5 Employees
  • 0 Volunteers

Contact details

  • Tel: 028 796 59717

Public address

  • Laughter Land, The Unit, Blackpark Road, Toomebridge, Antrim, BT41 3SL

Trustee board

Trustee
Roisin Higgins
Amy Diamond
Niamh Neeson
Shania Mcnally

List of regions

  • In Northern Ireland