Childcare glossary
Plain-English explanations of the terms you'll encounter when navigating funded childcare in England.
- What is the 30 hours free childcare entitlement?
- The 30 hours entitlement gives eligible working parents in England up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week for 3 and 4 year olds during term time.
- What is the Early Years National Funding Formula (EYNFF)?
- The Early Years National Funding Formula (EYNFF) is the government mechanism that determines how much local authorities pay childcare providers for funded hours.
- What are top-up fees?
- Top-up fees are charges nurseries make to parents on top of the government-funded rate, often to bridge the gap between the funded hourly rate and the provider's actual costs.
- What is Tax-Free Childcare?
- Tax-Free Childcare is a government scheme where HMRC tops up your childcare payments by 20p for every 80p you contribute, up to £2,000 per child per year.
- What is a funded hours stretch offer?
- A stretch offer lets parents spread their funded childcare hours over more weeks at a reduced weekly amount, rather than taking the full hours only during term time.
- What is the universal 15 hours entitlement?
- The universal 15 hours entitlement gives all 3 and 4 year olds in England 15 hours of funded early education per week for 38 weeks per year, regardless of parents' working status.