Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) Programme

Welcome to the Reptile Ranger HAF Programme – our Holiday Activities and Food programme combining hands-on animal care, STEM learning, and outdoor adventures with nutritious meals in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Whether your child is joining us for FREE through Hampshire's or Dorset's HAF provision, or you're paying for a non-HAF space, we're here to make school holidays engaging, educational, and fun. Below you'll find helpful resources and local support services to help your family throughout the year.

Press Release HAF Dorset and Hampshire Summer 2026.pdf

BOOK HAF SPACES NOW (DORSET HAF & ANY AREA FEE PAYING)

Dorset HAF - Schools Out!

After a fantastic Easter, Summer and Winter HAF 2025, we're delighted to bring our Reptile Ranger HAF Programme back to Dorset for 2026 in the new Schools Out Campaign!

We have 150 places available for Dorset children aged 8-16 for those who are eligible for free school meals. Dorset Council can fund 1:1 support for children with SEND/SEMH needs – over 30 children accessed 1:1 support during last summer, and we're proud to create an inclusive environment for every child.

There are some changes to Dorset HAF funding to enable a larger number of children to benefit.

The FREE HAF places now cover 4-hour days - 10am-4pm. Families can upgrade to 6-hour days for an additional £24.

1:1 support is available to children who require it as part of an EHCP. This will be provided for free for 4-hours, but an additional fee will apply to cover 2-hours if parents choose to upgrade the day to the full 6-hours.

Hampshire HAF - Summer HAF 2026

Our Reptile Ranger HAF Programme renews in Hampshire for Summer 2026 with 40 HAF-funded places for children aged 8-16 entitled to free school meals. We anticipate high uptake from eligible children, especially from our network of schools in New Forest and Test Valley due to close proximity, although places are open to all Hampshire children on a first-come, first-served basis after the 22nd June at 9am. As part of our commitment to supporting Hampshire families, we've compiled local resources including food banks, SEND support, youth activities, and wellbeing services.

From summer 2026, Hampshire County Council HAF schemes are booked via a centralised booking system.

Instead of booking directly with each provider, all bookings will now be made through the Eequ online platform. As part of the booking process, you will be asked to provide information about your child, including any medical or additional needs, to help providers offer the best possible support.

Find out more about HAF on the connect4communities website: Hampshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) frequently asked questions | Hampshire County Council

HAF Programme - Fee Paying Families

We welcome children who are not entitled to free school meals on a fee-paying basis, as well as children from outside Dorset or Hampshire who would like to join our Reptile Ranger HAF Programme. It's important to us to welcome all children and help tackle stigma surrounding benefits entitlement. Find booking information, what's included, and how to secure your child's place.

We now offer places on a fee-paying basis which are as follows:

1. 4-hour session 10am - 2pm: £42

2. 6-hour session 10am - 4pm: £66

SEN 1:1/specialist support: £127.50/day (in most cases, young people are entitled to support if they need this). Please reach out as we may be able to help.

All places are SEN-inclusive - 1:1 support refers to specialist support for children with complex needs. Most children with SEN do not need 1:1 support to thrive - our whole team are there to support your child.

Resources and Support

As part of our commitment to signposting families to support, we're compiling essential services and resources for all families, regardless of location. Find emergency contacts, national helplines, mental health crisis support, safeguarding services, benefits advice, and general family wellbeing resources to help when you need it most.

During HAF days a range of support and signposting material will be prominently displayed at the entrance and in reception, as well as the toilet facilities. Please feel free to also speak to a member of volunteer staff.

Help and Kindness - Find Local Support Near You

Help and Kindness is a comprehensive, free-to-use directory that connects people across the UK to vital local support services and community resources. Whether you need emergency food support, mental health services, debt advice, housing assistance, or simply want to find what's available in your community, this searchable platform makes it easy to locate help near you.

How it works:

Enter your postcode to search for local services
Browse by category (food banks, mental health, benefits, housing, etc.)
Access up-to-date contact information and service details
Find both local community organisations and national support services

What you can find:

Emergency food provision and food banks
Mental health and wellbeing services
Debt and financial advice
Benefits guidance and support
Housing and homelessness services
Community groups and social support
Family support services
SEND and disability resources
Employment and training support
And much more

Website: www.helpandkindness.co.uk

Coverage: UK-wide with detailed local service listings

Help and Kindness is regularly updated and provides a vital bridge between families in need and the support services available in their community. It's an invaluable resource for finding help quickly when you need it most.

Hampshire Services Directory (FISH) - Find Local Support in Hampshire

The Family Information Service Hub (FISH) is Hampshire County Council's official, comprehensive directory of local services and support available across Hampshire. This searchable platform helps families find childcare, education, youth activities, SEND services, health support, and community resources in their local area.

How it works:

Search by postcode, town, or service type
Filter by age group and specific needs
Access detailed information about local providers
Find contact details and availability

What you can find:

Childcare providers (nurseries, childminders, after-school clubs)
Schools and education services
SEND services and support (SENDIASS, local area SEND teams, specialist provision)
Youth clubs and activities
Holiday clubs and activities (including HAF providers)
Health services (health visitors, child health clinics, CAMHS)
Family support services
Parenting programmes and courses
Community groups and activities
Adoption and fostering information
Early years support

Website: Family Information and Services Hub (FISH) | Hampshire CTSH

Coverage:
All Hampshire districts including New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester, Eastleigh, East Hampshire, Basingstoke & Deane, Hart, Rushmoor, Havant, Gosport, and Fareham

Contact: Family Information Service

Phone: 0300 555 1384 (Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm)
Email: family.info.service@hants.gov.uk

The FISH directory is regularly updated by Hampshire County Council and is the most comprehensive source of local family services information across the county. Whether you're new to the area or looking for specific support, this is your starting point for finding what's available locally.

Dorset Family Hub - Support for Families

Dorset Council's Family Hub provides comprehensive support, advice, and resources for families across Dorset. The Family Hub brings together services and support to help with all aspects of family life, from pregnancy and early years through to adolescence and young adulthood.

How to access support:

Browse online information and resources
Connect with local Family Hub services in your area
Access advice and guidance on a wide range of family topics
Get help early before problems escalate

What support is available:

Parenting Support

Parenting advice and guidance for all ages
Parenting courses and programmes
Support for managing challenging behaviour
Building positive relationships with your children

Child Development & Early Years

Pregnancy and newborn support
Child development information
Early years activities and groups
Health visitor services

SEND Services

Information and advice for children with special educational needs
Local SEND support services
SENDIASS (impartial advice service)
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) support

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Emotional wellbeing support for children and young people
Mental health services and resources
Anxiety and stress management
Family wellbeing support

Early Help

Early intervention support before problems escalate
Family support workers
Targeted support for families facing challenges
Multi-agency support coordination

Safeguarding

Keeping children safe information
Safeguarding concerns and reporting
Domestic abuse support
Online safety guidance

Website: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/children-families/family-hub/support-for-families

Coverage: Dorset Council area (excludes Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole - see separate BCP Family Hubs)

Contact Dorset Family Hub:

Phone: 01305 221066
Email: familyhubcentral@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Find Your Local Family Hub: Dorset has Family Hubs across the county including locations in Dorchester, Weymouth, Bridport, Blandford, Sherborne, Shaftesbury, and more. Visit the website to find your nearest hub and local services.

The Family Hub approach means families can access joined-up support from multiple services in one place, making it easier to get the help you need when you need it.

Best Start in Life

Best Start in Life is a UK Government website that brings together trusted information, advice, and support for families from pregnancy through the early years of a child’s development. The site acts as a central hub where parents and carers can explore childcare options, check eligibility for funded childcare schemes, access health and development guidance, and find local Family Hub services offering practical support. It aims to make it easier for families to understand what help is available and how to access education, childcare, and wellbeing resources so that every child has the strongest possible start in life.

Best Start in Life provides a wide range of practical support for families from pregnancy through the early years and into school readiness. The website brings together trusted guidance on child health, development, childcare, parenting and local family services so parents and carers can easily find the help they need at each stage of their child’s journey.

A key part of the offer is access to Best Start Family Hubs, which act as a single place to find local services including parenting support, health services, early learning activities, and specialist help where needed. These hubs are being expanded across England so families can access coordinated support within their communities.

The site also helps families navigate financial and childcare support, including funded early learning hours, Universal Credit childcare help, and Tax-Free Childcare schemes that can contribute towards nursery, childminders, holiday clubs and specialist equipment used by childcare providers.

For children who may need additional help, the platform highlights targeted early learning support, such as funded places for two-year-olds receiving extra assistance (for example those on Universal Credit or with an Education, Health and Care Plan), alongside guidance on combining schemes to meet individual needs.

Families can also sign up for personalised advice and newsletters tailored to pregnancy or a child’s age, offering weekly tips, activities and updates on available support to help promote healthy development and school readiness.

Overall, Best Start in Life aims to reduce confusion about entitlements and services by acting as a central hub where families can check eligibility, explore local provision, and access practical resources that support children’s wellbeing, learning and development from the earliest stages.

BOOK HAF SPACES NOW (HAMPSHIRE HAF)

What is a HAF programme?

The holiday activities and food (HAF) programme provides healthy meals, enriching activities, and free childcare places to children from low-income families, benefiting their health, wellbeing and learning.

Since 2022, the HAF programme has provided 10.7 million HAF days to children and young people in this country. The expansion of the programme year-on-year has meant a total of 5.4 million HAF days provided between Christmas 2022, Easter and Summer 2023. These figures have grown throughout 2024 and 2025 with further funding being awarded at least until the end of 2026.

Update: The DfE has confirmed HAF funding until 2029!!!

Why Choose The Reptile Ranger HAF Programme?

We're one-of-a-kind!

Dorset and Hampshire families are fortunate to have excellent HAF provision with many quality programmes to choose from. What sets our Reptile Ranger HAF programme apart is our unique specialism and proven track record. As the UK's only Centre of Excellence for reptile and amphibian education – accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, ISAP, ICAN, and IACE – we deliver specialist animal care education that combines hands-on learning with genuine welfare-first practice. Our experienced volunteer rangers, small group ratios, SEND-inclusive delivery, and access to over 70 rare and rescued reptiles and amphibians create an unmatched educational experience. We've successfully delivered HAF programmes in Dorset since Easter 2025, supporting over 30 children with 1:1 SEND provision during summer alone, and we're proud to bring this expertise to Hampshire families for the first time this Winter.

What is the support like for children with SEND/SEMH needs?

Passionate and Trained Team Members

Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Both Dorset Council and Hampshire County Council can fund 1:1 support for children whose needs require it, and we have extensive experience delivering this provision. During Summer 2025 alone, over 30 Dorset children benefited from 1:1 support, working with dedicated support workers matched to their individual needs. In Hampshire, we anticipate welcoming children from our network of SEND/SEMH school partners, some of whom may require 1:1 support while others may benefit from different accommodations such as quiet spaces, visual timetables, sensory breaks, or modified activities. Our experienced volunteer rangers are trained in SEND/SEMH support and trauma-informed practice, and we adapt our delivery to each child's needs – whether that's providing additional processing time, offering alternative communication methods, or creating a calmer environment. Every child is supported to participate fully and successfully at their own pace.

Our volunteer rangers have training in safeguarding, SEND support, and positive behaviour management, and we work closely with families and schools to understand each child's needs and ensure appropriate support is in place.

What will my child be doing with the animals?

Hands-On Experience

Every Reptile Ranger session is hands-on and interactive. Children will have the opportunity to handle a wide variety of reptiles under expert supervision, learning proper handling techniques, species identification, and natural behaviours. Activities include feeding demonstrations, target training our Savannah monitors, exploring our multi-species iguana and tortoise enclosure, and working as a team to handle Monte, our 14ft Burmese python. Children will learn about habitat requirements, diet and nutrition, temperature regulation, and conservation status while building confidence and practical animal care skills. All activities are adapted to each child's comfort level and ability – whether they're nervous beginners or confident animal enthusiasts, our rangers ensure everyone progresses at their own pace in a safe, supportive environment.

What if I am not entitled to HAF funding?

All are welcome!

The national programme, though aimed at children in receipt of benefits related free school meals (FSM) is not exclusively for them and as set out in government guidance, it is encouraged that local authorities use up to 15% of their funding to provide free or subsidised holiday club places for children who are not in receipt of benefits related free school meals but who the local authority believe could benefit from HAF.

Typically, this 15% is awarded to children with SEND/SEMH needs or those with an EHCP who may not have FSM entitlement, although this varies between local authority. Therefore, if your child fits this criteria it is always worth requesting a discretionary place.

Otherwise, most providers, including The Reptile Academy, offer additional places on a fee paying basis. The cost of a day's session on a fee paying basis is £55 + VAT (£66) per child per day - which for 6-hours of structured animal activities including a hot nutritious lunch is very cost effective.

What does a Reptile Ranger HAF day involve?

The Reptile Ranger HAF Programme delivers a full day of enriching activities from 10am to 4pm, combining specialist animal care education with physical activity, creative opportunities, and nutritional support. Each session includes expert-led reptile and amphibian handling, structured outdoor games, healthy snacks, and a hot cooked meal. Our experienced volunteer rangers work in small groups to ensure personalised attention, with additional 1:1 support available for children with SEND/SEMH needs. Every activity is designed to build confidence, develop practical skills, and foster a love of wildlife in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Note: we reserve the right to amend our daily itinerary for animal welfare reasons. With over 100 animals at our licensed animal welfare and education centre, your child is guarantee to see a huge variety of species and learn so much. However, there will always be animals that do not get involved in a particular day, based on their welfare needs.

To accommodate changes to the Dorset Easter HAF 2026 delivery (shorter days for HAF-funded children unless topping-up to 6-hours) the daily itinerary will be flexible to ensure that children only attended for a shorter part of the day still get involved with most animals.

Arrival & Introductions

10am - 10.30am

Sessions begin with a brief but mandatory introduction to The Reptile Academy. This is an opportunity to welcome new children and say hello to new faces, and understand how to be safe at the centre with the animals. Children requiring 1:1 support are paired with their buddies on arrival and can go into the main reptile room sooner.

The Reptile Room Tour (Part 1)

10.30am - 11.30am

The first wave of animal activities include a tour of the main reptile room. Led by our expert volunteer rangers, the HAF group are split into smaller groups depending on age and whether they are returning or new. Typical activities during the morning include a range of animal handling, feeding and confidence building.

Break & Outdoor Activities

11.30am - 12noon

Attendees are given the opportunity to have a structured break with a selection of low-sugar drinks and healthy fruit snacks. At this point the outdoor games are available to play with, including a giant snakes and ladders board and more. Outdoor games are designed to encourage physical exercise. We also run an art competition for young people who may like to sit in a quieter space.

The Reptile Room Tour (Part 2)

12noon - 1pm

Participants return from their outdoor activities and groups swap around to continue working with a variety of reptiles and amphibians, as well as our science workshops including microscopes!

Hot, Hearty Lunch!

1pm - 2pm

Our in-house cooked, hot, hearty lunches are served! From Sunday roasts to sausage, mash and veg, we offer a variety of wholesome and nutritious meals. This Winter, all lunches will be Christmas dinner themed (with dietary requirements/alternatives offered).

Advanced Animal Activities: Target Training, Iguana Room & Burmese python Experience.

2pm - 4pm

Now it's time to burn off some energy! After lunch is met with some more intense exercise, target training the Savannah monitors! Participants also explore the multispecies enclosure with the tortoises and iguanas, before finally working as a team with Monte the 14ft Burmese python until home time at 4pm.

Animal Activity License: 9751

Telephone: 02380 394174