Happy Days Community Childcare Centre Charity Accounts

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: NI603898

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 105710

Happy Days Community Childcare Centre

Company Limited by Guarantee

Financial Statements

31 March 2025

Happy Days Community Childcare Centre

Company Limited by Guarantee

Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

	Page

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the director's report)	1

Independent auditor's report to the members	9

Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account)	14

Statement of financial position	15

Statement of cash flows	16

Notes to the financial statements	17

Happy Days Community Childcare Centre

Company Limited by Guarantee

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)

Year ended 31 March 2025

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025 .

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name	Happy Days Community Childcare Centre

Charity registration number	105710

Company registration number	NI603898

Principal office and registered	14 Garryduff Road
office	Ballymoney
	BT53 7AF

The trustees

	Pastor J Payne
	Mrs H Kyle
	Mr J McCrellis
	Mrs H Patterson

Company secretary	Mrs H Kyle

Auditor	Aubrey Campbell & Company
	Chartered Accountants & statutory auditor
	631 Lisburn Road
	Belfast
	BT9 7GT

Structure, governance and management

Happy Days is a Company Ltd by Guarantee ( NI603898 ) and was established by Ballymoney Church of God on 21st July 2010. We are registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (NIC105710).

For the purposes of Company Law, the Trustees also act as Directors. Our Board meets on a regular basis in line with our governing document, the Memorandum and Articles of Association. All members are provided with updates including operational and financial reports and minutes are kept of all meetings. During this year, the day-to-day management of the centre is undertaken by the Manager Lyndal Speers and the Deputy Manager Judith Moorhead.

Happy Days is registered by the Northern Health & Social Care Trust and the current registration allows us to have 80 under 5s and 24 school aged children at any given time:

Room 1: Little Treasures 12

Room 2: Precious Pearls 12

Room 3: Gems of Genius 16

Room 4: Ready Rubies 16

Room 5: Little Learners - including sessional Playgroup am only 24

Room 6: Wise Owls - Church (pm term time & all day holiday time) 24

We have a full range of policies in place which provides a robust framework for the strategic and operational activities of the Centre. All policies are kept under review and updates circulated to parents and staff.

Privacy of children, parents and staff is respected and information is only shared on a 'need to know' basis and in line with GDPR and our detailed Data Protection policy. Happy Days is registered with the Information Commissioner.

Happy Days complies with all Recruitment & Employment regulations, ensuring that new staff are selected on merit and that the principles of fairness and equity underpin day to day management of the staff team. Happy Days is registered with the Equality Commission NI and maintains the required records and submits annual returns in respect of this.

As a busy Daycare Centre, we recognise the extensive responsibilities we have to the children in our care and to our staff team. We adhere to all relevant legislation and place great emphasis on strict Health, Hygiene and Safety practice. We have extensive Employer and Public Liability Insurance provided by Ansvar.

Our 'Child Protection & Safeguarding' Policy complies with all relevant legislation and all staff receive training in line with requirements of the Minimum Standards; a number of senior staff act as Designated Officers.

Objectives and activities

Purposes

Our charity's purposes are set out in the objects clause contained in the Memorandum and Articles of Association as follows:

1. To enhance the development and education of young children by encouraging parents/guardians to understand and provide for the needs of their children by:

(a) Offering appropriate play and educational facilities, with the right of the parents/carers to take responsibility for and to become involved in the activities of Happy Days, ensuring that Happy Days offers opportunities for all children, regardless of ability, religion, culture, race or means;

(b) 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 local community;

(c) Providing the necessary facilities for the daily care, recreation and education of children during out of school hours and school holidays;

(d) Advance the education and training of the persons who provide such care, education and recreational facilities.

2. To promote such other charitable purposes as may from time to time be determined.

Activities and Public Benefit

In planning our activities, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped fulfil the overall purposes, and provide benefit to the children and families who use our services.

Happy Days provides day care for children aged from 6 weeks to age 11.

The main activities include:

- Parents and families have benefited from a 'One Stop Shop' with a flexible affordable service tailored to their needs, this includes: half day care, full day care, Pre-school Playgroup, After Schools Club, wrap around care, Nursery & School drop offs and pickups where required and holiday care for school aged children.

- The children are provided with inclusive, sensory, fun and stimulating learning experiences which support and nurture all areas of learning and development.

- The children learn through structured and unstructured play building on individual abilities and specifically developed to maximize and encourage age appropriate developmental milestones.

- Children's confidence and skills are enhanced thereby building foundations for a happy, secure childhood.

- The children benefit from physical play activities where their confidence and coordination are enhanced; they also learn the importance of adopting a healthy diet.

- Children learn about tolerance, respect, diversity and inclusion through the use of appropriate resources and activities.

- Staff are provided with training opportunities that enable them to develop individual capabilities, competences, skills and understanding in order to support the children's learning and development.

- Students are provided with placements that enable them to develop the practical skills required to attain professional childcare qualifications.

Strategic report

The following sections for achievements and performance and financial review form the strategic report of the charity.

Achievements and performance

During 2024/2025, the Centre continued to be a hive of activity with staff providing the highest quality of care to all children entrusted to us. We place great emphasis on underpinning all areas of our service with a spirit of excellence, and we believe that this ensures our reputation as an exceptional childcare provider is sustained.

Our facilities make the best use of indoor and outdoor spaces providing a welcoming and stimulating environment for all children. Throughout the year we refreshed the décor and this has helped enhance the physical environment.

We recognise that our staff team are our biggest asset, doing a tremendous job in helping us fulfil our objectives. We are blessed to have such dedicated and professional practitioners, who always give of their best to ensure that all the children are well cared for. Their qualifications exceed what is required in the Minimum Standards for Daycare and this year we increased our focus in encouraging ongoing professional development, the benefits of this has been tangible, both for staff and the children. At 31st March 2025, we employed 39 members of staff.

The Happy Days family is a diverse one; children come from a wide cross-section of backgrounds including working families, single parents, foster families, parents in education, socially disadvantaged families, blended families and those of mixed race/culture. Some children have SEN statements, others have additional needs and we regularly provide care for children placed through Social Services. We take great care to make sure every family feels welcome and that each child is cherished as in individual.

We take a holistic approach to each child's care thus ensuring that we minimise barriers to participation and fully support a child's right to develop social relationships and learn new skills in an inclusive environment. We recognise that every child's learning journey is unique and we offer a nurturing environment to encourage and support the children to reach their developmental milestones and potential.

At 31st March 2025, there were 102 children registered in our daycare:

- 18 Little Treasures

- 15 Precious Pearls

- 18 Gems of Genius

- 15 Ready Rubies

- 21 Little Learners/Playgroup

- 15 Wise Owls

During the year we had 16 children registered in our self-funded Playgroup. This component of our service is invaluable to families providing continuity of care for the children. Increased parental involvement proved to be mutually beneficial and staff plan to further expand on this.

In October 2024, we invited all our families registered at that time to complete a brief survey about important aspects of our childcare service. There was a 59% response rate and we were delighted that the total responses were 100% positive.

Social Services conducted our annual Inspection in December 2024; they assessed our compliance with the DHSSPS Minimum Standards for Daycare (2012) in terms of Safeguarding, Quality of Staffing, Management & Leadership. The outcome of the inspection was very positive with only three minor issues to be addressed which were subsequently completed.

Financial review

Good governance practice is embedded in day-to-day financial management and we operate robust controls in order to fulfil all our obligations. We always seek suppliers that offer the best value for money and detailed financial records are maintained. Accounts updates are presented at each Board meeting.

Income from Grants

£125 was awarded for intergenerational activity from All Ages/Beth Johnston Foundation, this was utilised by the Playgroup in a Grandchildren and Grandparents Gardening Together project.

We received grant assistance of £3,000 from HSCB/Northern Childcare Partnership allowing us to redecorate the interior of the Centre.

We review potential funding opportunities on an ongoing basis but do not apply for any Lottery grants; no further grants were received within the year.

£1,745 was claimed under the 'Free milk scheme' administered by HSC Business Services Organisation.

Commission

We raised £190 in commission through using Tempest Photography.

Fundraising for Charities

During the year, families and staff raised £268 for Children in Need and £225 for Save the Children. Further staff donations of £176 were given for Harry's Help charity.

Utilities

In assessing where economies could be made in overall running costs we switched from Power NI to Go Power during the year.

Income from Fees

In terms of managing cash flow, invoices are issued on a rolling monthly basis so families pay the same amount each month across the year.

We implemented our annual fee increase in April 2024. The increase introduced was calculated to ensure we adhered to the requirements relating to increased rates of Living Wage and to cover the rising costs of supplies and overheads.

In September 2024, we welcomed the introduction of the NI Childcare Subsidy Scheme, one of the initiatives introduced as part of the Early Learning & Childcare Measures. This allows parents who are eligible for Tax Free Childcare to receive 15% discount on fees applied for preschool age children up to a maximum of £167. We implemented the measures required, applying the 15% discount to relevant monthly invoices and subsequently claiming this from the Early Years Organisation who are administering the scheme.

During February 2025, we gave further consideration to how we could maximise income from fees and a number of other practical measures were implemented including:

- The introduction of a settling in fee meaning parents pay a fixed fee of £60 to cover an agreed programme of settling.

- Offering half days where staffing and capacity in the relevant room permitted.

- Reviewing how the two preschool age rooms are organised to ensure capacity for children's transitions as well as freeing up space for new children.

- On occasions invoking the 1:5 ratio for the 2-3 year old room.

- Applying a 50% retainer where parents wish to remove their children for the summer holidays.

- Capping the number of children catered for in our self-funded playgroup to 16 so that this can be operated by 2 members of staff rather than 3.

- Further promotion of the service for school aged children.

- Additional flexibility to accommodate children in school holidays.

In preparing for the substantial mandatory increase in employment costs to be introduced in April 2025, it was agreed to implement a considerable rise in fees effective from then. The level was agreed to allow Happy Days to meet the shortfall and also allow us to rebuild some reserves while continuing to freshen and update resources and equipment in the Centre. A detailed letter was circulated to all families highlighting the reasons for the increases.

Pre-School Education Programme

Throughout the year, we continued to lobby the Education Authority for funding for our Playgroup. We suggested that the roll out of the standardisation programme, introduced as part of the Early Learning & Childcare Measures, may impact on the ability of funded groups to run two sessions per day, thereby creating a shortfall. We were informed that our expression of interest is held on file should a shortfall in local provision occur.

The results for the year are outlined on pages 15 - 17.

Overall income for the year was £771,064 (£688,759 2023/2024).

Expenditure for the year was £766,692 (£735,208 2023/2024).

At 31st March 2025 the total funds of the charity amounted to £(£8,726) (2024 (£13,098)).

Having reviewed all the relevant financial information, the Trustees are satisfied that Happy Days continues to be a viable enterprise. They are, however, cognizant of the need to respond to the ongoing challenges faced across the Early Years sector and will continue to consider ways to adapt and modify services accordingly.

Plans for future periods

Happy Days is committed to the delivery of the charity's key objectives across future periods: providing day care services for children aged from 6 weeks to age 11 and ensuring that the activities help fulfil the overall purposes and provide benefit to the child and families who use our services.

Trustees' responsibilities statement

The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP; - make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Auditor

Each of the persons who is a trustee at the date of approval of this report confirms that:

- so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditor is unaware; and - they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditor is aware of that information.

The auditor is deemed to have been re-appointed in accordance with section 487 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees' annual report and the strategic report were approved on 4 December 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

Pastor J Payne	Mrs H Kyle
Trustee	Charity Secretary

Happy Days Community Childcare Centre

Company Limited by Guarantee

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Happy Days Community Childcare Centre

Year ended 31 March 2025

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Happy Days Community Childcare Centre (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), statement of financial position, statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements: - give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended; - have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; - have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Material uncertainty related to going concern

We draw attention to Note 3 in the financial statements, which indicates that whilst the company generated surplus funds of £4,372 during the year ended 31 March 2025, the company’s current liabilities exceeded its total assets by £8,726 as of that date. As stated in Note 3, in addition to planned, proactive efforts which led to this marked improvement, a number of specific events and conditions also contributed. There exists, therefore, a material uncertainty that may cast significant doubt on the company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

- the information given in the trustees' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

- the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees' report. We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion: - adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or - the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or - certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or - we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees' responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below: The extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows: -the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations; -we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the company through discussions with trustees and other management; -we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence; and -identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit. We assessed the susceptibility of the company's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by: -making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and -considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations. -To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we: -performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships; -tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions; and -assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in note 3 were indicative of potential bias. In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to: -agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation; -reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; and -enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims. There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion. As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also: - Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. - Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the internal control. - Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustees. - Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charity to cease to continue as a going concern. - Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit. Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity's members, as a body, in accordance with section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Mr John Magee

(Senior Statutory Auditor)

For and on behalf of

Aubrey Campbell & Company

Chartered Accountants & statutory auditor

631 Lisburn Road

Belfast

BT9 7GT

4 December 2025

Happy Days Community Childcare Centre

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of Financial Activities

(including income and expenditure account)

Year ended 31 March 2025

	2025			2024
	Unrestricted funds	Restricted funds	Total funds	Total funds
Note	£	£	£	£

Income and endowments

Donations and legacies	5	766,947	3,794	770,741	688,348
Investment income	6	323	–	323	411
		---------	-------	---------	---------
Total income		767,270	3,794	771,064	688,759
		---------	-------	---------	---------

Expenditure

Expenditure on charitable activities	7,8	762,152	4,540	766,692	735,208
		---------	-------	---------	---------
Total expenditure		762,152	4,540	766,692	735,208
		---------	-------	---------	---------

	---------	-------	---------	---------
Net income/(expenditure) and net movement in funds	5,118	( 746)	4,372	( 46,449)
	---------	-------	---------	---------

Reconciliation of funds

Total funds brought forward	( 14,990)	1,892	( 13,098)	33,351
	---------	-------	---------	---------
Total funds carried forward	( 9,872)	1,146	( 8,726)	( 13,098)
	---------	-------	---------	---------

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

Happy Days Community Childcare Centre

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of Financial Position

31 March 2025

	2025		2024
Note	£	£	£

Fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets	13		6,763	7,823

Current assets

Debtors	14	7,988	2,693
Cash at bank and in hand		40,907	34,007
		--------	--------
		48,895	36,700

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year	15	64,384		57,621
		--------		--------
Net current assets			( 15,489)	( 20,921)
			--------	--------
Total assets less current liabilities			( 8,726)	( 13,098)
			-------	--------
Net liabilities			( 8,726)	( 13,098)
			-------	--------

Funds of the charity

Restricted funds		1,146	1,892
Unrestricted funds		( 9,872)	( 14,990)
		-------	--------
Total charity funds	18	( 8,726)	( 13,098)
		-------	--------

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 4 December 2025 , and are signed on behalf of the board by:

Pastor J Payne	Mrs H Kyle
Trustee	Trustee

Happy Days Community Childcare Centre

Company Limited by Guarantee

Statement of Cash Flows

Year ended 31 March 2025

	2025	2024
	£	£

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income/(expenditure)	4,372	(46,449)

Adjustments for:
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets	2,908	2,915
Other interest receivable and similar income	( 323)	( 411)
Accrued (income)/expenses	( 6,687)	4,244

Changes in:
Trade and other debtors	( 5,306)	1,074
Trade and other creditors	13,461	( 2,600)
	--------	--------
Cash generated from operations	8,425	( 41,227)

Interest received	323	411
	-------	--------
Net cash from/(used in) operating activities	8,748	( 40,816)
	-------	--------

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of tangible assets	( 1,848)	( 1,002)
	-------	--------
Net cash used in investing activities	( 1,848)	( 1,002)
	-------	--------

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	6,900	( 41,818)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	34,007	75,825
	--------	--------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	40,907	34,007
	--------	--------

Happy Days Community Childcare Centre

Company Limited by Guarantee

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year ended 31 March 2025

1. General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in N Ireland and a registered charity in Northern Ireland. The address of the registered office is 14 Garryduff Road, Ballymoney, BT53 7AF.

2. Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.

3. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going concern

The Trustees are satisfied that there continues to be demand for high quality childcare in the local area, and that they have successfully maintained market share. A comprehensive evaluation of the company's service delivery was performed to identify potential weaknesses and to implement necessary changes. This has led to an increase in fee income of £39,743. In addition, introducing the NI Childcare Subsidy Scheme in September 2024 has been an overwhelming success, contributing £41,861 to the resultant in-year surplus. Although childcare provision continues to be affected by increasing operating costs, not least fuelled by increases in the National Living and National Minimum Wage, the Trustees are hopeful that the return to surplus will perpetuate in future years, and that the overall financial position of the company will improve. The Trustees are most grateful to have the ongoing support of Ballymoney Church of God, who continue to appreciate the immense contribution that Happy Days makes on a daily basis within our community. Their commitment, demonstrated by their efforts to transform the business, is clear. Their goal is sustainability. The Trustees are nonetheless mindful that should income fall, subsidies become unavailable or expenditure increase pervasively, the going concern basis of preparation may become invalid. The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, the validity of which depends on the operational success of the charity and ongoing support from the third parties alluded to above; they do not include any adjustments that would result from withdrawal of this support. Accordingly, it has been assumed that the company will be able to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and to meet its liabilities as they fall due. In such circumstances, the going concern basis of preparation may become invalid, and adjustments would have to be made to reduce the value of assets to their recoverable amount to provide for any further liabilities which might arise, and to reclassify fixed assets as current assets .

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances .

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income: - income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably. - legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established. - income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers. - income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates: - expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, non-charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods. - expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities. - other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Motor Vehicles	-	25% reducing balance
Equipment	-	20% straight line

Impairment of fixed assets

A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date. For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the charity are assigned to those units.

Short term employee benefits

The company provides short term benefits including holiday pay to their employees. These are recognised as an expense in the period in which the service is received.

Financial instruments

A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs. Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted. Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Where investments in shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in income and expenditure. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment. Other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, unless payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate, in which case the asset is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument. Other financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised in the statement of financial activities, with the exception of hedging instruments in a designated hedging relationship.

Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial activities in which the initial gain was recognised. For all equity instruments regardless of significance, and other financial assets that are individually significant, these are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets are either assessed individually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics. Any reversals of impairment are recognised immediately, to the extent that the reversal does not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised.

Defined contribution plans

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund. When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.

4. Limited by guarantee

The company is limited by guarantee, has no share capital and is recognised as a Charity by HM Revenue and Customs. The liability of members of the company is limited to £1 per member.

5. Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
£	£	£

Donations

Fees	764,972	–	764,972
Milk scheme	1,745	–	1,745
Fundraising for MacMillan Cancer Support	–	–	–
Fundraising for Children in Need	–	268	268
Fundraising for Sandelford School	–	–	–
Fundraising for NI Children's Hospice	–	–	–
Commissions from Tempest Photography	190	–	190
Fundraising for Harry's Help	–	176	176
Fundraising for Save the Children	–	225	225
Other donations	40	–	40

Grants

H&SCB Grant	–	3,000	3,000
All Ages/Beth Johnston Foundation Grant	–	125	125
	---------	-------	---------
	766,947	3,794	770,741
	---------	-------	---------

Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
£	£	£

Donations

Fees	683,369	–	683,369
Milk scheme	1,734	–	1,734
Fundraising for MacMillan Cancer Support	–	398	398
Fundraising for Children in Need	–	226	226
Fundraising for Sandelford School	–	135	135
Fundraising for NI Children's Hospice	–	158	158
Commissions from Tempest Photography	168	–	168
Fundraising for Harry's Help	–	–	–
Fundraising for Save the Children	–	–	–
Other donations	–	–	–

Grants

H&SCB Grant	–	2,160	2,160
All Ages/Beth Johnston Foundation Grant	–	–	–
	---------	-------	---------
	685,271	3,077	688,348
	---------	-------	---------

6. Investment income

	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
	£	£	£	£
Bank interest receivable	323	323	411	411
	----	----	----	----

7. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£	£
Childcare provision	759,152	4,540	763,692
Support costs	3,000	–	3,000
	---------	-------	---------
	762,152	4,540	766,692
	---------	-------	---------

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
	£	£	£
Childcare provision	728,385	3,823	732,208
Support costs	3,000	–	3,000
	---------	-------	---------
	731,385	3,823	735,208
	---------	-------	---------

8. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type

	Activities undertaken directly	Support costs	Total funds 2025	Total fund 2024
	£	£	£	£
Childcare provision	763,692	–	763,692	732,208
Governance costs	–	3,000	3,000	3,000
	---------	-------	---------	---------
	763,692	3,000	766,692	735,208
	---------	-------	---------	---------

9. Net income/(expenditure)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

	2025	2024
	£	£
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets	2,908	2,915
	-------	-------

10. Auditors remuneration

	2025	2024
	£	£
Fees payable for the audit of the financial statements	3,000	3,000
	-------	-------

Fees payable to the charity's auditor and its associates for other services:

Other non-audit services	6,328	4,030
	-------	-------

11. Staff costs

The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:

	2025	2024
	£	£
Wages and salaries	634,317	600,657
Employer contributions to pension plans	17,612	15,924
	---------	---------
	651,929	616,581
	---------	---------

The average head count of employees during the year was 38 (2024: 37 ). The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:

	2025	2024
	No.	No.
Number of management staff	2	2
Number of nursery staff	36	35
	----	----
	38	37
	----	----

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).

12. Trustee remuneration and expenses

No remuneration or other benefits from employment with the charity were received by any of the trustees.

13. Tangible fixed assets

	Motor vehicles	Equipment	Total
	£	£	£
Cost
At 1 April 2024	15,300	16,239	31,539
Additions	–	1,848	1,848
Disposals	–	( 313)	( 313)
	--------	--------	--------
At 31 March 2025	15,300	17,774	33,074
	--------	--------	--------
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024	11,669	12,047	23,716
Charge for the year	908	2,000	2,908
Disposals	–	( 313)	( 313)
	--------	--------	--------
At 31 March 2025	12,577	13,734	26,311
	--------	--------	--------
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025	2,723	4,040	6,763
	--------	--------	--------
At 31 March 2024	3,631	4,192	7,823
	--------	--------	--------

14. Debtors

	2025	2024
	£	£
Trade debtors	7,113	1,820
Prepayments and accrued income	875	873
	-------	-------
	7,988	2,693
	-------	-------

15. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

	2025	2024
	£	£
Accruals and deferred income	54,425	48,218
Social security and other taxes	6,381	6,382
Pension creditor	3,578	3,021
	--------	--------
	64,384	57,621
	--------	--------

16. Deferred income

	2025	2024
	£	£
Amount deferred in year	28,684	15,779
	--------	--------

In the current year the charity has deferred income of £28,684 (2024: £15,779). This relates to invoices raised in the current year for childcare provision post year end.

17. Pensions and other post retirement benefits

Defined contribution plans

The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £ 17,612 (2024: £ 15,924 ).

18. Analysis of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds

	At 1 April 2024	Income	Expenditure	At 31 March 2025
	£	£	£	£
General funds	(14,990)	767,270	(762,152)	(9,872)
	--------	---------	---------	-------

	At 1 April 2023	Income	Expenditure	At 31 March 2024
	£	£	£	£
General funds	30,713	685,682	(731,385)	(14,990)
	--------	---------	---------	--------

Restricted funds

	At 1 April 2024	Income	Expenditure	At 31 March 2025
	£	£	£	£
Restricted Fund - Happy Days Community Childcare	1,892	3,794	(4,540)	1,146
	-------	-------	-------	-------

	At 1 April 2023	Income	Expenditure	At 31 March 2024
	£	£	£	£
Restricted Fund - Happy Days Community Childcare	2,638	3,077	(3,823)	1,892
	-------	-------	-------	-------

19. Analysis of net assets between funds

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£	£
Tangible fixed assets	5,617	1,146	6,763
Current assets	48,895	–	48,895
Creditors less than 1 year	(64,384)	–	(64,384)
	--------	-------	--------
Net liabilities	(9,872)	1,146	(8,726)
	--------	-------	--------

	Unrestricted Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
	£	£	£
Tangible fixed assets	5,931	1,892	7,823
Current assets	36,700	–	36,700
Creditors less than 1 year	(57,621)	–	(57,621)
Creditors greater than 1 year	–	–	–
	--------	-------	--------
Net liabilities	(14,990)	1,892	(13,098)
	--------	-------	--------

20. Financial instruments

Where reduced disclosures are applied, disclosures from the Companies Act 2006 still need to be made regarding the fair value of the instruments in each category and the changes in value recognised in profit and loss. Disclosures of the significant assumptions underlying the valuation models and techniques used, and extent and nature of derivative instruments are also required.

21. Analysis of changes in net debt

	At 1 Apr 2024	Cash flows	At 31 Mar 2025
	£	£	£
Cash at bank and in hand	34,007	6,900	40,907
	--------	-------	--------

22. Related parties

During the year, Happy Days Community Childcare Centre paid £ 33,000 (2024: £ 37,700 ) to the Church of God at Ballymoney . This was by way of a long established Service Level Agreement. In the prior period an amount of £4,150 was written off relating to a car loan that the charity loaned from the church.