Ok so my child is going to summer club for a couple of days per week. I am flat broke but because she hated nursery so much, I have funded lots of groups for her myself outside of nursery to get her involved in things. As a result I have struggled financially trying to work full time hours every week from home. I don't qualify for benefits despite massively struggling. I will just about be able to afford a couple of days out in the holidays. Some months I would hit the criteria but because I'm self employed my earnings are up and down so it's a nightmare and some months I really struggle.
My issue is my daughter has been asking why can't she have a hot meal. She's at that funny age of 4 where they want what others are having etc. I am under the impression that the hot meals are for haf funding only. I don't for one second begrudge children that qualify for hot meals etc, not one bit. But it is irritating when I'm sending her in with a sandwich and my child isn't even given the option of a hot meal, it's like the group is divided, those that can and those that can't. There will be other mums like me really struggling but kids are left out. No answer to it really, just don't think it's fair on some of the kids like mine.