How many weeks a year is a term-time nursery open?

Usually around 38 weeks, following the local school calendar.

Is a term-time nursery cheaper?

Often, because funded hours are based on 38 weeks, so families using only funded hours may pay little beyond extras. You do need other care in the holidays.

Can I use funded hours at a term-time nursery and an all-year nursery?

Often yes. Many councils let you split funded hours between two providers. Ask both settings and your council.

Term-time only nurseries explained

A term-time only nursery opens during school terms and closes for the school holidays, usually for about 38 weeks a year. Many sessional pre-schools, school nurseries and some day nurseries work this way. Because funded hours are set at 38 weeks a year, they fit term-time settings neatly, so families using only their funded hours may pay little beyond meals and extras. The trade-off is that you need other care, or time off, during the holidays.

Who runs term-time nurseries

Pre-schools and playgroups, often run by charities or parent committees in community buildings. See sessional nursery.
School nursery classes attached to primary schools. See school nursery vs day nursery.
Maintained nursery schools run by the council. See maintained nursery school.
Some day nurseries that choose to follow the school year.

How funded hours fit

Funded hours are a yearly total based on 38 weeks: 15 hours a week is 570 hours a year and 30 hours a week is 1,140 hours. At a term-time setting you use them as they are, for example 30 hours a week in term. At an all-year nursery they are usually stretched to about 22.35 hours a week over 51 weeks. Our stretched funding calculator shows the difference for your hours.

Costs

Term-time settings often charge by the session, and many children attend only for their funded hours. In that case the bill may just be meals, snacks or a consumables charge, which must be optional. If you book extra sessions you pay for those. Ask for a full price list and use our childcare cost calculator with 38 weeks selected.

Covering the holidays

If you work all year, plan for about 14 weeks of holidays. Options include:

a childminder who takes children in the holidays
holiday clubs, though few take children under 4
an all-year nursery for the holiday weeks, if it offers flexible places
family, friends or annual leave
splitting funded hours between a term-time pre-school and an all-year nursery or childminder

Tax-Free Childcare can help pay for registered holiday care.

What to ask on a visit

What are the session times, and is there a lunch club to join sessions?
Which terms and dates are you open, and do you follow the local school calendar exactly?
From what age do you take children, and are there places for 2-year-olds?
What do you charge on funded hours, and what is included?
How do you help children get ready for reception?

A typical week

A child at a term-time pre-school might attend five mornings a week, using 15 funded hours, or five school-day sessions with a lunch club to use 30 funded hours. Many pre-schools close for an extra training day or two each year; check the calendar.

Is it right for your family?

Term-time settings suit families with term-time work, a parent at home, or reliable holiday cover, and children who are happy with shorter sessions. Many parents like their community feel and links with local schools. If you work all year, compare the total cost, including holiday care, with an all-year nursery.

Use our visit checklist on every visit and read the latest Ofsted report on each nursery’s page.