Suggested weeks

As per the provider agreement for funding free places for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds, providers should be clear and communicate to parents details about the days, times and weeks they offer free places, along with their services and charges.

Providers delivering a term time only offer

For providers claiming funding over 38 weeks (often referred to as term time only offer), the council suggests the following weeks per term. Usually there are 195 days/39 weeks per academic year with 5 inset days/1 week (not funded).

Please note:

For providers delivering a term time only offer, the maximum number of weeks to claim is 38. Therefore, it is important that providers put plans in place for additional days/week. For example, but not limited to, charging for additional weeks over and above 38 or open for 38 weeks only.

Table showing term dates
Term dates	Estimated number of weeks per term
Summer term	Usually 12 weeks
Autumn term	Usually 14 weeks
Spring term	Usually 12 weeks

Providers offering term time only provision must make allowance for INSET days during school term dates to make sure they do not exceed the maximum allocation.

Providers delivering a stretched offer

For providers offering a stretched offer, where fewer funded hours per week are delivered across more than 38 weeks of the year, the total annual allocation of 570 universal hours and 570 hours extended hours (if eligible), is divided by the providers operating week.

Weeks when providers are closed cannot be used to calculate a stretched free entitlement offer.

Calculate your stretched offer

For providers offering a stretched offer, the number of funded weeks per term will be dependent on when your setting is open. You will need to calculate the number of weeks you are open in each term. An example is listed below:

Table showing example number of weeks to claim per term
Term dates	Maximum number of weeks to claim per term
Summer - 1 April to 31 August	Usually 22
Autumn - 1 September to 31 December	Usually 17
Spring - 1 January to 31 March	Usually 13
Total	52 weeks

Contact information

Early Years Team

Make an enquiry