EDUCOMPARE EARLY YEARS KNOWLEDGE BASE

Answers to the questions parents search for.

Search practical, parent-friendly information about funding, childcare, EYFS, choosing a setting, starting nursery and preparing for school.

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All Funding Choosing a setting Activities & learning EYFS Ofsted & quality Choosing childcare Funding & costs Starting nursery EYFS & development Preparing for school Safety & wellbeing Types of setting

Childcare Funding England 2026: 15 and 30 Hours Explained

A parent-friendly guide to funded childcare in England, including the 15-hour and 30-hour entitlements, eligibility and when to apply.

A practical checklist for comparing nurseries and pre-schools, from location and opening hours to staff, outdoor space and the feel of the setting.

Nursery and pre-school can overlap, but the names do not always tell you how a setting operates. Here is what parents should compare instead.

Compare childminders and nurseries by group size, environment, routine, flexibility and the type of childcare experience they can offer.

Understand nursery costs in England, how funded hours work and which additional charges parents should ask about before accepting a place.

Understand the main routes to funded early education for eligible 2-year-olds in England and what parents should check with a setting.

Understand why funded childcare can still involve additional costs and what parents should ask before accepting a place.

What parents mean by 'stretching' funded childcare and what to ask a nursery about spreading hours across the year.

A simple guide to Tax-Free Childcare, who may qualify and how it fits alongside other childcare support.

How childcare costs can interact with Universal Credit and why parents should check the latest rules before claiming.