Early Education term dates

Part of: Delivering funded early education places

On this page, you can find the weeks and hours available for term-time and year-round claims. These are the standard term dates set by the Department for Education (DfE).

Term-time claims

Providers that are not open for 38 weeks per year should email early.education@trafford.gov.uk.

Term Dates Funded weeks Maximum weekly hours
Autumn 1 September to 31 December 14 15/30
Spring 1 January to 31 March 12 15/30
Summer 1 April to 31 August  12 15/30
    Total: 38 weeks Total annual hours: 570/1140

Year-round claims

Term Dates Funded weeks Maximum weekly hours
Autumn 1 September to 31 December 16 12/24
Spring 1 January to 31 March 12 12/24
Summer 1 April to 31 August  19.5 12/24
    Total: 47.5 weeks Total annual hours: 570/1140

When hours can be delivered

There are no specific 'funded' and 'non funded' days. You can choose when to deliver hours within each term. Children must not exceed 15 or 30 hours per week. 

The hours must be delivered in compliance with our provider agreement and statutory guidance

Claiming funding

Funding can be claimed on a term-time or year-round basis.

'Funded weeks' are the total number of funded weeks that can be claimed for in each term on the portal. There may be more calendar weeks than funded weeks in a term.

Funding is claimed on a termly basis by submitting a headcount on the portal. This is part of the funding process. You must ensure children receive all the hours claimed for them.

Eligibility year and entitlement of hours

Children are entitled to a maximum of 570 or 1140 hours per eligibility year. The year begins when a child first becomes eligible for the early years entitlements. 

Children cannot exceed the maximum number of hours available.