Telephone: 02380 394174
Holiday, Activity & 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.
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.
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.
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.