Holiday Playschemes
In Hampshire there is a range of Ofsted registered or approved group settings and individuals (childminders) providing childcare in the school holidays.
Holiday Playschemes:
- provide safe and stimulating play opportunities for school age children throughout the school holidays
- typically cater for children aged four to fifteen but some clubs might look after younger children
- holiday care can also be provided by Ofsted registered childminders.
Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF)
The Department for Education (DfE) provides funding to local authorities to coordinate a programme that provides healthy food and enriching activities to disadvantaged children during select school holidays. Hampshire County Council delivers this through the connect4communities programme.
We engage with a wide network of community-based organisations, including existing holiday care providers, schools, childminders, sports coaching, creative and performing arts providers and many others.
Healthy meals must also be provided, and each activity session must last for a minimum of four hours a day, for at least four days a week during the holidays. All children in Hampshire who receive benefit-related free school meals (FSM) will be eligible to take part in the activities.
Children and young people with SEND
Children and young people with SEND are encouraged to apply for HAF places.
When completing your application, please tell the provider about any additional needs your child has. Sharing this information helps them plan ahead and make arrangements to support your child's participation wherever possible. Providers ask for this information so they can understand your child's needs, not so they can rule them out.
Every child is different, and every activity has its own requirements. A provider will consider your child's individual strengths, interests and support needs when deciding how they can help them take part. If they need any additional information, they will contact you to discuss this with you.
Applying early, when bookings first open, gives providers more time to prepare. With your consent, they may speak with your child's school or other professionals involved in their support and can seek additional advice if needed.
The more information you can provide about your child when you apply, the easier it is for providers to make sure they have the right support in place from day one.
Visit the connect4communities website to find out more about the HAF programme.
