Families are really feeling the financial pressure at the moment, but there are initiatives in place to help support parents to support their children.
Kids eat for less this October half term.
You don't need to break the bank to put food on the table for your kids this school holiday.
There are many local free and low cost options from supermarkets and restaurants offering tasty and nutritious meals, including:
- ASDA: Kids eat for £1 every day. No adult spend required
- Morrisons: Spend £4.49 for a free kids meal
- M&S Cafe: spend £5 and get one free kid’s meal Monday-Friday during the October half term.
- Hungry Horse: Kids eat for £1 on Mondays during October half term
- Tesco café: Kids eat free with any purchase at The Café (excluding weekends)
- Beefeater: With any adult breakfast, get two kids breakfasts free
- Toby Cavery: Kids eat for £1. Offer via the app.
Terms and conditions may apply.
Victoria Place Woking are hosting fun, free Halloween activities his October half term. From pumpkin carving, face painting. costume swaps and more - there is something for all the family! Browse what's on at Victoria Place.
Help buying milk, fruit and vegetables
Healthy Start is a scheme that helps parents with children up to the age of four buy milk, fruit and vegetables.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. If you use your voucher in Sainsburys, you will get an extra £2 per week to spend (other supermarkets available).
Find out more about the Healthy Start scheme
Tax-free childcare
You can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every 3 months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year).
Find out more about tax-free childcare
Free school meals
If you receive certain benefits, your child or children may be eligible for free school meals and pupil premium funding.
Find out more about free school meals
Free pregnancy and baby stuff samples
The Emma’s Diary website can provide you with relevant freebies to fit in with your stage of pregnancy and for your newborn.