Summary of headcount task and payment dates - 2025-2027
Spring term – 1 January to 31 March 2026
| Term task | Opening / closing | Payment option 1* | Payment option 2** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Amendment 2025/26 | 13 April – 17 April 2026 | 5 June 2026 | 5 June 2026 |
| Final Spring Amendment 2025/26 | 9 June – 11 June 2026 | 7 August 2026 | 7 August 2026 |
Summer term – 1 April to 31 August 2026
| Term task | Opening / closing | Payment option 1* | Payment option 2** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Actual 2026/27 | 18 May – 22 May 2026 | 3 July 2026 | 50% 3 July 2026 50% 7 August 2026 |
| Summer Amendment 2026/27 | 22 June – 26 June 2026 | 7 August 2026 | 7 August 2026 |
| Final Summer Amendment 2026/27 | 8 September – 10 September 2026 | 6 November 2026 | 6 November 2026 |
Autumn term – 1 September to 31 December 2026
| Term task | Opening / closing | Payment option 1* | Payment option 2** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Forecast 2026/27 | 6 July – 5 August 2026 | 4 September 2026 | 4 September 2026 2 October 2026 6 November 2026 |
| Autumn Actual 2026/27 | 28 September – 2 October 2026 | 4 December 2026 | 4 December 2026 |
| Autumn Amendment 2026/27 | 7 December – 11 December 2026 | 5 February 2027 | 5 February 2027 |
| Final Autumn Amendment 2026/27 | 9 February – 11 February 2027 | 2 April 2027 | 2 April 2027 |
Spring term – 1 January to 31 March 2027
| Term task | Opening / closing | Payment option 1* | Payment option 2** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Forecast 2026/27 | 25 November – 1 December 2026 | 1 January 2027 | 1 January 2027 5 February 2027 5 March 2027 |
| Spring Actual 2026/27 | 18 January – 22 January 2027 | 6 March 2027 | 2 April 2027 |
| Spring Amendment 2026/27 | 19 April – 23 April 2027 | 4 June 2027 | 4 June 2027 |
| Final Spring Amendment 2026/27 | 8 June – 10 June 2027 | 6 August 2027 | 6 August 2027 |
Summer term – 1 April to 31 August 2027
| Term task | Opening / closing | Payment option 1* | Payment option 2** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Forecast 2027/28 | 2 March – 9 March 2027 | 2 April 2027 | 2 April 2027 7 May 2027 4 June 2027 |
| Summer Actual 2027/28 | 17 May – 21 May 2027 | 2 July 2027 | 50% 2 July 2027 50% 6 August 2027 |
| Summer Amendment 2027/28 | 21 June – 25 June 2027 | 6 August 2027 | 6 August 2027 |
| Final Summer Amendment 2027/28 | 7 September – 9 September 2027 | 5 November 2027 | 5 November 2027 |
Autumn term – 1 September to 31 December 2027
| Term task | Opening / closing | Payment option 1* | Payment option 2** |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Forecast 2027/28 | 5 July – 4 August 2027 | 3 September 2027 | 3 September 2027 1 October 2027 5 November 2027 |
| Autumn Actual 2027/28 | 4 October – 8 October 2027 | 3 December 2027 | 3 December 2027 |
| Autumn Amendment 2027/28 | 8 December – 14 December 2027 | 4 February 2028 | 4 February 2028 |
| Final Autumn Amendment 2027/28 | 8 February – 11 February 2028 | 7 April 2028 | 7 April 2028 |
The above proposed headcount task and payment dates and are subject to change, dependent on external factors outside the Local Authority's control. You will be made aware of the changes in advance of when a task is to be opened.
Early years funding periods and weeks
- Spring term (1 January to 31 March) - 11 Weeks (Stretch - 12 Weeks)
- Summer term (1 April to 31 August) - 13 Weeks (Stretch - 20 Weeks)
- Autumn term (1 September to 31 December) - 14 Weeks (Stretch - 16 Weeks)
You can determine your own funded weeks within the periods above, subject to the maximum allowable weeks each term.
However, you must take in consideration the child's start date if the child starts mid-term and count down the remaining weeks of the term offer - taking inconsideration if the child has attended another setting previously starting with you and claimed up to the date of leaving.
Unused hours cannot be banked or carried forward to the following term.
Keynotes
*Option 1: (lump sum up front). Following completion of Forecast Task, payment is calculated as 75% up front and payment made in one lump sum. The balance for the term payable on completion of the Actual Task.
**Option 2: (monthly payments) Following completion of Forecast Task, payment is calculated as 75% up front and payment made in three monthly instalments. The balance for the term payable on completion of the Actual Task.
Further adjustments can be made possible on the Amendment Tasks. Please see Amendment tasks below for further information.
Failure to complete the tasks on time will result in a delay to your payments.
Amendment tasks
There are two amendment tasks for each term following the Actual headcount.
The first Amendment Task is issued to all Providers.
The final Amendment Task is available on request following the production of the Final Term Funding Statement. Should you require one, you must email eefportal@staffordshire.gov.uk, quoting your Provider ID.
It is the Local Authority's intention to close the term after the Final Amendment and any further requests to amend a term claim will be subject to special consideration by the EEF funding panel.
For more information, visit our Early education funding - headcount tasks and payments explained - Staffordshire County Council.
Financial year information
To download information for the entire financial year, you can download the document below:
