ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION
Early years care and education in day nurseries and out-of-school clubsForest Schools Training and development activities for early years practitioners
Latest income
£16.3m
Latest spending
£15.5m
Registered
2011
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted reserves increased to £1,372,624, exceeding the trustees' stated policy target of £500,000. The charity reported a net income of £768,509 and strong cash flows, with the trustees confirming the going concern basis of accounting.
What the accounts disclose
Highest-paid employee band: £120,001 - £130,000 — below the median for charities its size (£130k)
“One employee had employee benefits in excess of £60,000, with total employee benefits excluding employer pension costs falling within the band of £120,001 to £130,000” — page 33
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Employees paid over £60,000: 1
“One employee had employee benefits in excess of £60,000, with total employee benefits excluding employer pension costs falling within the band of £120,001 to £130,000” — page 33
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: £500,000 (held: £1.4m)
“The reserves policy was reviewed in October 2025 and it was agreed to increase the unrestricted funds to £500,000 being readily available with the aim to increase this each year.” — page 18
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Rent paid to ANP
“In addition, Acorn Nursery Properties Limited (ANP), the landlord for the Shenley nursery, is a related party. The CEO is the majority shareholder in ANP. ANP charged Acorn rent for Shenley, totalling £40,000 (2024: £55,917). Rents payable to ANP are set on a arms length basis, and reviewed based on the agreed lease terms. Acorn further charged book-keeping of Enil (2024: £600) to ANP.” — page 40
“The total payments made by trustees for childcare for the year to 31 December 2025 were £19,899 (2024: £25,840). In addition, £458 was made in advance for 2026 childcare by the trustees (2025: £nil).”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Childcare fees paid by trustees
“In addition, Acorn Nursery Properties Limited (ANP), the landlord for the Shenley nursery, is a related party. The CEO is the majority shareholder in ANP. ANP charged Acorn rent for Shenley, totalling £40,000 (2024: £55,917). Rents payable to ANP are set on a arms length basis, and reviewed based on the agreed lease terms. Acorn further charged book-keeping of Enil (2024: £600) to ANP.” — page 40
“The total payments made by trustees for childcare for the year to 31 December 2025 were £19,899 (2024: £25,840). In addition, £458 was made in advance for 2026 childcare by the trustees (2025: £nil).”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £100,001 - £110,000 (FY2024) to £120,001 - £130,000 (FY2025).
In the news
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Total income
£16.3m
Total spending
£15.5m
Reserves (reported)
£1.4m
Employees
483
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (10/05/2023)
Trustees
- Denise Bragg
- Dr Narendra Laljani Dr
- Emma Cox
- Giles Ashley Chilton
- Joslyn Hooper
- Katherine Ruth Vernon Pillai
- Michelle Louise Sogga
- Nicholas Ireland
- Olivia Margaret White
- Robert Prosser-Dryer
- Suzanne Marie Dawes
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £16.3m | £15.5m |
| 31/12/2024 | £13.2m | £13.0m |
| 31/12/2023 | £11.4m | £11.5m |
| 31/12/2022 | £9.6m | £9.6m |
| 31/12/2021 | £8.2m | £8.0m |
Common questions
Is ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted reserves increased to £1,372,624, exceeding the trustees' stated policy target of £500,000. The charity reported a net income of £768,509 and strong cash flows, with the trustees confirming the going concern basis of accounting. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by MHA Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors.
What does the highest-paid employee of ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION earn?
Per its FY2025 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £120,001 - £130,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Charities like this
- ACORNS NURSERY SCHOOL
- ACORN PRE-SCHOOL CIO
- LITTLE ACORNS PLAYGROUP (EVERSHOT)
- ACORNS EARLY YEARS CENTRE
- ACORN PRE-SCHOOL & THE MIGHTY OAKS
- ROUGHAM ACORNS AND WOODLANDS LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACORN EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION | £16.3m | £120,001 - £130,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| ACORNS NURSERY SCHOOL | £219k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ACORN PRE-SCHOOL CIO | £127k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| LITTLE ACORNS PLAYGROUP (EVERSHOT) | £182k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ACORNS EARLY YEARS CENTRE | £865k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| ACORN PRE-SCHOOL & THE MIGHTY OAKS | £309k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |