Glossary

Definitions of common terms used in early years funding

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SEND

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - additional support needs that some children may have.

Related: EHCP, DAF

Session

A period of attendance at nursery, typically morning or afternoon.

Signing Certificate

A digital record created when a parent signs a funding declaration. Contains a cryptographic hash of the document, signer details, device information, and geolocation for fraud prevention.

Related: Certificate Validation, Document Hash

Soft Limit

A configurable threshold for notification usage that triggers warnings but does not prevent notifications from being sent. Used for budgeting and monitoring.

Related: Notification Usage

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Stretched Funding

Taking funded hours over more weeks of the year (e.g., 48 weeks instead of 38 term-time weeks).

Related: Term Time Only