Introduction
The Cambridgeshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme offers fully funded holiday scheme places during the Easter, Summer, and Christmas school holidays. Eligible primary and secondary school children and young people can attend subject to availability. The Department for Education funds the HAF Programme. The Summer HAF Programme will run from 21 July to 28 August 2026. Each eligible child can book a maximum of 64 hours across all holiday schemes subject to availability. A range of fun experiences, a healthy lunch and snacks are provided.
Eligibility criteria
- Families receiving benefits-related free school meals (FSM)
- Families where FSM eligible and non-eligible children live in the same household
- Siblings of eligible FSM children, who are aged four and starting school in September 2026
- Families just managing financially (referral from a professional required)
- Recently arrived refugee families
Making a booking
Summer eligibility codes will be issued on 8 June 2026. The HAF team will assist with code and eligibility queries from this date. The Provider Directory will be available (via a link on this page) and bookings will open across all holiday schemes on 8 June 2026.
2026 HAF Programme dates and funded hours
- Easter: 30 March to 10 April 2026 - 16 funded hours
- Summer: 21 July to 28 August 2026 - 64 funded hours
- Christmas: 21 to 31 December 2026 - 16 funded hours
Enquiries
Email the Cambridgeshire HAF team: HAF@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. Preferred contact would be by email but if this is not possible, phone: The Early Years Childcare and School Readiness Service: 01223 706133 and your message will be passed to the HAF Team. We will reply to your email or call within three working days.
Children in receipt of benefits-related FSM with SEND
We strongly recommend that parents and carers book their chosen holiday scheme as early as possible. Places can fill up quickly. This is particularly important for children who receive benefit‑related free school meals and for children with additional needs or SEND.
Booking early gives the holiday scheme enough time to talk with you and plan any extra support your child may need. Most providers will need at least 6 weeks’ notice before the scheme starts to make these arrangements.
The Childcare Brokerage Service can support parents with children and young people with Special Educational Needs or Disability (SEND) 0-25, to find suitable childcare. This free service is tailored to families’ individual requirements. Further information: Childcare Brokerage Service SEND.
The Community Support Service (CSS) supports children and young people with moderate to severe learning disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, and complex health needs. This includes CamPlay. To access CSS services, your child will need an assessment from Disabled Children’s Social Care. If your child is eligible, your social worker will make the referral for you.
Benefits-related free school meals eligibility
Your child will be able eligible for income-related free school meals (and therefore eligible for a HAF programme place) if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit - but no element of Working Tax Credit - and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)) that does not exceed £16,190
- If you are supported under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit during the four week period immediately after your employment finishes or after you start to work less hours per week
- Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400 (as from 1 April 2018)
If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and normally receives Universal Infant Free School Meals, your child will not be eligible for income-related free school meals unless you make a successful claim via the Free School Meals webpage.
Useful links
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How we use personal data
The Council will match name, date of birth and school data with information held about free school meal eligible children to identify families who may be eligible to benefit from the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme. We also gather bookings and attendance data from participating holiday scheme providers after each programme in order to fund places. You can find further details about how we use personal data, and your rights.
Information for providers can be found on our Learn-together website.
Please visit the government website for more information about the national HAF programme.
Childcare funding frequently asked questions
We have put together some commonly asked questions to give you more information on childcare funding.
