Best Start in Life | Department for Education
Best Start in Life (Department for Education) provides advice and support for your child’s development, from pregnancy to childcare right through to starting school. Find information about :
- Helping your child feel ready for school
- Screen time guidance for under 5s
- Childcare support
- Free breakfast clubs and wraparound care
- Week-by-week guide to pregnancy
- Breastfeeding support
Best Start in Life supports the Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) programme. HAF offers free school-holiday childcare, meals and activities. Mainly for FSM pupils (reception–Year 11), with places for others. Find more information on our website.
The Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme in Harrow
Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme 2025
Overall, the HAF Programme 2025 successfully maximised capacity, strengthened inclusion and delivered meaningful outcomes for children and families across Harrow.
Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme 2024
We take great pride in delivering a high-quality, inclusive programme that offers a diverse range of activities while also securing additional funding to support young people facing economic hardship but not eligible for Free School Meals (FSM).
Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme 2023
Harrow HAF has once again demonstrated our high standards and excellent providers but it was not without challenges. The HAF funding requires constant adaptation and innovation to secure success. This report provides a breakdown of the different holidays, achievements, and challenges we encountered.
Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme 2023 | Mid-year report
In total, we distributed over £467,000 in direct grants for the HAF Easter and Summer 2023 programme. Grants were awarded to 23 organisations offering a wide range of opportunities right across Harrow targeting a diverse range of children and young people, including Romanian, Iranian, Afghan and Tamil communities.
